Bottom line, it can be maddening to find a GOOD DOC when it comes to good thyroid care. They simply don’t get it, and that’s why so many thyroid patients feel forced to self-treat.
So what’s a GOOD DOC? He/She is one who willingly prescribes Armour, uses the labs free T3 and free T4, and is willing to let you dose by the elimination of symptoms rather than the inadequate TSH. Another factor that can make a doc an EXCEPTIONAL doc is one who understands what we have learned about adrenal insufficiency and how to treat it. But, those are so far and few between that we can only shoot for a GOOD DOC as described above, and suggest strongly that YOU become familiar with sluggish adrenals.
But where are they? Read EVERYTHING BELOW before using the suggestions. These are in NO particular order.
And BEWARE: no matter how good a doc sounds, it’s VERY important that you go in there informed. This site will help you do so. One patients states that she found a doctor who said she prescribes Armour and tests the frees. But the same doctor stated casually “Armour is hard to regulate” as a way to discourage the patient. But this patient HAD READ this site, knew it was NOT “hard to regulate”, and insisted that she wanted Armour…and she got it. 
1) First, you can try a Top Thyroid Doc list. But….be careful!! Any doctor can get on here simply because the patient liked him or her, but that doesn’t mean he’s a GOOD DOC. Read the summaries, and look for the ones who prescribe Armour, first and foremost, and who appear to listen to SYMPTOMS, not simply the TSH. Then…CALL. Call and ask: Does he dose by labs alone? Does he prefer Synthroid, Levoxyl, etc? If the answer is yes, run.
2) Or, try the Armour website where you can type in your zip code and find a physician who states they prescribe Armour. But, BEWARE. We’ve already had a gal go to a doc from this list, and the doc stated “I am Armour friendly, but not Armour estatic.” In other words, being able to raise her Armour was like pulling teeth. Again, call and ask the above. I obtained my first doctor from this list, and did get on Armour, but she knew NOTHING else, and I had to find a better one.
3) Another great option is to approach the Pharmacist (NOT the employees) at a large pharmacy, and ask who tends to prescribe Armour. Most Pharmacists are friendly and will let you know. Don’t hesitate to go to more than one Pharmacy. To strike Bingo, see if there is a Compounding Pharmacy nearby or check your Yellow Pages for one, or go to Google and type in your city and “compounding pharmacy”. Doctors who use Compounding Pharmacies tend to prescribe Armour!
4) Or, go to the American College for the Advancement for Medicine where you might find doctors with a good knowledge of Armour.
5) Also, email here: info@BrodaBarnes.org and see if they can help you find a Broda Barnes doctor in your area. Broda Barnes doctors understand the importance of using desiccated thyroid in treatment! Downside: you may be asked to pay for a list for your area.
6) Or, you can check out Osteopaths, also called DO’s, here. They can be overall more open minded. BUT, you’ll have to call and find out if they are a GOOD DOC.
7) A doctor who uses saliva labs may be a doc more open-minded about Armour, and perhaps even cortisol. Diagnos-Tech, a favorite lab for saliva, has a list of docs who use their lab: http://www.diagnostechs.com/main.htm You type in a zipcode. Again, don’t stop. Call and ask the questions above of any doc you find. (Thanks to Harbormom for bringing this to my attention!)
Finally, if you do find a doctor that seems good, you can send him/her a letter that explains who you are and what you want. Or you can use it to know what to say at the first appointment.
And remember: there is NO perfect doctor, and they don’t know “everything”. YOU have to be your own best advocate and KNOWLEDGEABLE. YOU have to be firm about what is right for YOU. Read, read, this site. Learn what we have found that works, and what does not work! Become very familiar with the page MISTAKES PATIENTS MAKE!! Understand that you have to stop giving all your power to the man or woman in the white coat. It’s YOUR body.
