need dr. in San Diego or So. Ca.

[fran54]

Thanks to all of you for your help! My family is dropping like flies due to thyroid issues. They are being treated but not properly. They are still very symptomatic.I cannot find a knowledgeable thyroid dr here. I have tried nonstickpam, inatic, Mary Shoman's site, throid info site and the California Thyroid board site. Ilpirata suggested (thanks) that I try here. I would like San Diego but will travel elsewhere in southern California.Thanks again.

[nonstickpam107]

Yeah, lots of us have to travel (many of us to other states!). I lost my Mom to Hashimoto's Encephalopathy and she was misdiagnosed for over 30 years with schizophrenia and in and out of mental institutions...shock therapy, the whole nine yards. We learned of her condition from autopsy..she was 48.

Pam

[fran54]

Pam, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's struggles. I am still trying to find a thyroid dr.in San Diego. Again, thanks for all your help to all of us...Fran

[nonstickpam107]

Thanks Fran..you're best 'bet' for a good SD thyroid doc lies within that Yahoo California thyroid support group...they will know of more docs (even DO's, and PCP's, MD's, etc.) who 'Get it' about thyroid.

Pam

[2bflawless]

Have you checked the Armour website? I found my doc on that site after not having any luck and I am in SoCal too, in Cypress.

[fran54]

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I will try that website...Fran

[Ilpirata]

I found mine on Top Docs

[fran54]

Thanks for your reply. I went to the top docs site and it was for cosmetic surgery. I couldn't find anything concerning thyroid. What am I doing wrong?

[inatic]

were you check on mary shoman site /the top doc list?

[nonstickpam107]

They mean this one:

Thyroid Top Doctors -- Best Thyroid Doctors in the World as Nominated by Patients, from Patient Advocate Mary Shomon

Pam

[Ilpirata]

oops! YES. Thanks for clarifying for me Pam

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by fran54

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I will try that website...Fran

Your welcome and good luck. My doc is in Los Alamitos which is about an 1 hour away from San Diego on a good traffic day, just in case.

[fran54]

Thanks for all the replies. Who is your doctor in Los Alamitos 2bflawless. I will go there if you are happy with him or her.

[cowboyshootergirl]

Dr. Steven Wilson in Redlands, CA if FABULOUS!!!!! 1-909-798-3331
He does prescribe Armour however, it's hard to find in this area. I have to search high and low to find mine.
About 100mls from San Diego. You could make a side trip as it's on the way to Palm Springs.

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by fran54

Thanks for all the replies. Who is your doctor in Los Alamitos 2bflawless. I will go there if you are happy with him or her.

Alex Kutas, MD
(562) 634-9803 - he has offices in Longbeach, Lakewood and Los Alamitos. Call this number and ask for an appt in Los Alamitos. Good luck, I think he is great.

[cowboyshootergirl]

Oh, and cost.....
I think Dr. Wilson is very reasonable.
The 1st visit is the most expensive; under $200. $140. I think.
Follow-ups are $60.00

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by cowboyshootergirl

Oh, and cost.....
I think Dr. Wilson is very reasonable.
The 1st visit is the most expensive; under $200. $140. I think.
Follow-ups are $60.00

WOW!!! I paid 350 for first visit and over 100 for follow ups (not to mention labwork every few months) all out of pocket. Good deal!

[cowboyshootergirl]

Labs are extra. I don't go through Dr. Wilson for that, so I can't quote.

I have Kaiser. The Docs and Endo's there just don't get it. I beg my OB for blood work and use that.

I have to say that Dr. Wilson is NOT an Endocrinologist. He is an MD that get's it. At my first consult he went into how he became fascinated by thyroid function. He has several certificates hanging as to additional training.

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by cowboyshootergirl

Labs are extra. I don't go through Dr. Wilson for that, so I can't quote.

I have Kaiser. The Docs and Endo's there just don't get it. I beg my OB for blood work and use that.

I have to say that Dr. Wilson is NOT an Endocrinologist. He is an MD that get's it. At my first consult he went into how he became fascinated by thyroid function. He has several certificates hanging as to additional training.

He GETS IT.

[nonstickpam107]

I'm so glad you all chiimed in here, Thanks so much everyone for helping Fran. Fran, if you (or relatives) see one of these docs, please come back and post and let us know if those docs helped you. I like to keep my lists updated. Here's prayers that you've found 'Dr. Right'.

Pam

[fran54]

You guys are all great. Thanks so much for your time, caring and expertise!

[watcher513]

Originally Posted by cowboyshootergirl

Labs are extra. I don't go through Dr. Wilson for that, so I can't quote.

I have Kaiser. The Docs and Endo's there just don't get it. I beg my OB for blood work and use that.

I have to say that Dr. Wilson is NOT an Endocrinologist. He is an MD that get's it. At my first consult he went into how he became fascinated by thyroid function. He has several certificates hanging as to additional training.

Interesting and that's great. So your Kaiser OB runs Free T's? You're lucky. Actually, nevermind. Probably not a Kaiser doc.

[watcher513]

Here's California specifically:

About.com: http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/california.htm

[cowboyshootergirl]

Hi Watcher,
Yes, my OB is with Kaiser. I've been with her forever. She will run the tests I ask. Right now I am pregnant and she just slips them in. I'm sure if I went to her any other time she would tell me otherwise.

I am glad to see Dr. Wilson made the list you posted. I do have to add that Dr. Damiani in Apple Valley, CA has wonderful reviews. He would have been my first choice since he is the next town over, however he will NOT take cash patients; only insurance and Medical. He sounds like a wonderful doctor, though.

[watcher513]

Susie that's great. Ah, that's the clencher, child bearing years. They refuse if you're older. I'm 60. I got the endo to run a FT4 but wouldn't do a FT3, just a total. They also said it wouldn't be done every time. Which means if I want it I have to pay from an outside source (there's a healthcheckusa lab here in my town). I had a gyno appointment last week and was discussing it and she was cool, really liked her, but she pretty much admitted without actually coming out and saying it point blank, that insurance companies don't want to cover/pay for it. I was thinking, well, we have Kaiser, that's Our insurance and what about all that money we pay them every, single, freaking month of the year (we pay it even tho it's through DH's employer and it's a big chunk out of every paycheck). Every 4 years in your age change, the rates go up higher. That doesn't even count the normal rate raises.

The good thing is tho, she did give me T3 meds which I've been trying to get for some time (PCP refused so I insisted on a referral) and I feel so much better since June.

[cowboyshootergirl]

Watcher,

Two words....Membership Services.

They know me by name. I think my computer chart has a pop-up that now flashes...."membership service alert!! She will call and your going to have to do it anyway."

Long, long story, but my (then) GP refused to run my FT3 OR refer me to an Endo. When asking her why, she said she 'didn't think I needed it.' I explained that as an Internist she was treading dangerously outside her field of expertise. She just shrugged and I said I would be calling M.S. on her. She shrugged again and then I said I would be writing to the AMA and the State Licensing Board. THAT got her attention. Too late. I pay over $1k/mo for my family's ins. through my work. DO NOT BLOW ME OFF. I did meet with her after all was said and done. All tests were run, complaints filed and letters written to inform her that I did follow through and would be switching GP's. Let me tell ya....If looks could kill. Her oath was slipping away at that particular meeting.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by cowboyshootergirl

Watcher,

Two words....Membership Services.

They know me by name. I think my computer chart has a pop-up that now flashes...."membership service alert!! She will call and your going to have to do it anyway."

Long, long story, but my (then) GP refused to run my FT3 OR refer me to an Endo. When asking her why, she said she 'didn't think I needed it.' I explained that as an Internist she was treading dangerously outside her field of expertise. She just shrugged and I said I would be calling M.S. on her. She shrugged again and then I said I would be writing to the AMA and the State Licensing Board. THAT got her attention. Too late. I pay over $1k/mo for my family's ins. through my work. DO NOT BLOW ME OFF. I did meet with her after all was said and done. All tests were run, complaints filed and letters written to inform her that I did follow through and would be switching GP's. Let me tell ya....If looks could kill. Her oath was slipping away at that particular meeting.

Dang..I just LOVE you! LOL That's the route I've had to take also...we have great insurance, and it's a Union benefit....I don't hesitate to complain to the right boards if a doctor tries to write me off....without helping. We have to do this and stand strong in numbers...not everyone has good insurance (or insurance at all) and I want to see every patient treated equally, and that means that we with insurance need to be VERY proactive for those that don't.

Good for you for being a strong woman!

Pam

[watcher513]

Damn, me too, I'm IMPRESSED! Also wondering why the hell I didn't think of that! lol. MS it is then (hmm, supposed to get thyroid labs done next week again, I guess I need to make a call soon). My PCP is still pissed at me evidently, from the fight we had in May re me wanting the T3 or a referral, which I got because I wouldn't back down (both, an endo and the T3 but I talk to her NP more). He won't answer my emails (4 so far since June, and I asked NICE, really!) regarding a dose change of HCTZ. Was on it for a couple of years (gained weight after I quit smoking, yeah to the quitting) then he puts me on lisinopril/hctz combo. I asked why, he said something about....we (K) think it's better. I'm like...my kidneys work fine tho. So I take it for a year then rebel and ask to go back on the straight HCTZ. Insisted...I said....I'll be a guinea pig for 3 months, whatever. So he does it very grudgingly (wrote all kinds of stuff as we talked [bad rebellious patient probably], not happy w/me At all - too bad). Then writes the script for the 25 mg I had before but prescribes splitting it in Half! So I'm splitting this LITTLE pill and it's 1/2 a dose of what's normally given to anyone out there. AND, he won't answer WHY. Time for a change.

I thought I was getting pretty good at being a squeeky wheel with them since that's the only way to get some things done, but man o'man, You're the Expert! lol

[watcher513]

Pam, that's so true about insurance. My best friend got laid off a few years ago (bartender). Lost her insurance, lucky she even had it at all in that profession. She uses the county medical clinics now. Thank goodness she has a great doctor there but it took awhile to find one.