Guest guest Posted April 4, 2005 Report Share Posted April 4, 2005 How do you locate a doctor who is really knowledgeable about all this and willing to work with an adult? Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Well there seems to be agreement on this. I understood Chuck to say basically the same thing about not needing an endocrinologist. Barb Finding Doctors hypothyroidism Date: Monday, January 3, 2011, 8:02 AM I think someone posted this before, but I just called the Mayo Clinic for a referral service. I was told to check aace.com, which is the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. There are only two listed within 100 miles of where I live, and one is the doctor I saw who didn't test antibodies or anything else but TSH and calcium. The other doctor has MD MBBS following his title. After checking, I found this....... " It stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. This degree is typically awarded to individuals who complete medical school in a variety of countries that follow the United Kingdom system. " I don't know how that system compares to ours. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_doctor_with_MBBS_after_his_name_mean#ixzz1\ 9zJXRxz2 This doctor has listed these areas of interest: Interest Areas: Adrenal Disorders Diabetes Mellitus General Endocrinology and Metabolism Hypertension Lipid Disorders Metabolic Bone Disorders Parathyroid Disorders Pituitary Disorders Thyroid Dysfunction Osteoporosis PCOS The endocrinologist I saw lists these: Diabetes Mellitus General Endocrinology and Metabolism Lipid Disorders It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here have any thoughts on this? Thanks, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Both Chuck and I have at one time or another been a member of a group advocating better treatment for hypo patients in the UK. Unfortunately some of those who are the powers that be in that group seem incapable of distinguishing facts from fiction and sometimes advocate products or procedures considered to be those of crackpots. And this is in spite of the fact that their intentions appear to be totally positive. The net result is that they aren't likely to be very effective in obtaining their goals; or of even getting a fair hearing. The UK system of medical treatment is a socialist one run by a bureaucracy [or bureaucracies] so it tends to be bureaucrats making far too many medical decisions. Anyone who thinks socialized medicine [whether Obamacare or any other] is a great idea for the US should do a tiny bit of research to find out how difficult it is to get treatment under such a system for hypothyroidism in the UK that is anything other than T4 [Armour, for example]. And in case you haven't noticed both medicare and medicaid are headed for a train-wreck of gigantic proportions. Our Social Security problems pale in comparison. Regards, .. .. > Posted by: " H " macbarb0503@... > <mailto:macbarb0503@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Finding%20Doctors> westieabbey > <westieabbey> > > > Mon Jan 3, 2011 5:11 pm (PST) > > > > > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > Wow! That's intresting. It's also good to know that a GP is good > enough to treat this condition. > Thanks Chuck. > Barb > > Re: Finding Doctors > > Barb, > > You wrote: > > > > ... It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat > > thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. > > Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here > > have any thoughts on this? > > My family has had mixed results with endocrinologists, all associated > with major teaching hospitals and university medical schools, some > fair, some excellent. However, I would suggest that you save the > specialist for sorting out mixed or conflicting results, for example > when several endocrine glands seem to be involved. From a very small > sampling of opinions, mostly from lists such as this one, I think your > odds of satisfaction are better with a GP. > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > ly, I would be terrified of treatment under the UK system. However, > a doctor educated in the UK must still meet all the requirements to > practice in another country. He might well be influenced by current > local guidelines and accepted practices. > > Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I agree, but I think the gov't should reign in these insurance companies that only want to collect premiums and not pay claims. They are making ridiculous amounts of money and screwing as many patients as they can. I don't think bureaucrats should make medical decisions either, but the insurance companies are acting like omnipitent entities. They pretty much do what they want when they want and how they want. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> > > > > ... It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat > > thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. > > Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here > > have any thoughts on this? > > My family has had mixed results with endocrinologists, all associated > with major teaching hospitals and university medical schools, some > fair, some excellent. However, I would suggest that you save the > specialist for sorting out mixed or conflicting results, for example > when several endocrine glands seem to be involved. From a very small > sampling of opinions, mostly from lists such as this one, I think your > odds of satisfaction are better with a GP. > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > ly, I would be terrified of treatment under the UK system. However, > a doctor educated in the UK must still meet all the requirements to > practice in another country. He might well be influenced by current > local guidelines and accepted practices. > > Chuck ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 And in case you haven't noticed both medicare and medicaid are headed for a train-wreck of gigantic proportions. Our Social Security problems pale in comparison. Thanks for the information . I have noticed that too. Barb Re: Finding Doctors > > Barb, > > You wrote: > > > > ... It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat > > thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. > > Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here > > have any thoughts on this? > > My family has had mixed results with endocrinologists, all associated > with major teaching hospitals and university medical schools, some > fair, some excellent. However, I would suggest that you save the > specialist for sorting out mixed or conflicting results, for example > when several endocrine glands seem to be involved. From a very small > sampling of opinions, mostly from lists such as this one, I think your > odds of satisfaction are better with a GP. > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > ly, I would be terrified of treatment under the UK system. However, > a doctor educated in the UK must still meet all the requirements to > practice in another country. He might well be influenced by current > local guidelines and accepted practices. > > Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I agree too, and think it is going to get much worse before it gets better. Especially in states where politicians are in favor of privatizing Medicare. Then it will be for profit, and we will be in big trouble. It will be no different than a health insurance company, with the primary goal of making more money. One of the best ways to increase profit is to cut services, especially patient care. Here in Florida it's already been done with Medicaid, and I have personally seen the devastating effects of that when a family member in a nursing home ran out of money, and was unable to pay privately. The difference in her care was like the difference between night and day. She was moved to a different hall, and instead of being surrounded by loving, helpful, cheerful caretakers who were like family to her, she was put in a dark room and attended to by strangers who kept their distance. Some medications she needed were denied, because Medicaid refused to pay for them. The blinds were still down as late as noon, and she still handn't been bathed. Unless a family member was there to help her eat, trays were dropped off and picked up with the food untouched. She didn't live very long after she was moved. Since Medicare only pays for a short stay in a nursing home after hospitilization, at least in this state, when you can no longer pay privately the only alternative is Medicaid. Many people think of Medicaid as a government handout for poor or lazy people who don't want to work, and expect the government to take care of them. That is probably true in lots of cases, but many who rely on Medicaid are elderly, in nursing homes, or both. The person I'm talking about worked most of her life, and was a productive, contributing member of society. She had planned well and had a substantial amount of money. It can happen to anyone. How many of us could pay a minimum of $6000 per month indefinitely? As far as reigning in the insurance companies, that's a great idea, but how? If government trys to control what a corporation charges for their goods or services, it is called socialist, and the complaints begin about how government is interfering with the free market. The latest health care bill mandates that at least 80% of the amount collected in premiums must be spent on patient care, but many politicians are busy trying to undo that, and some other provisions that would benefit patients rather than insurance companies. I'm not saying I'm for the law, just that some parts of it are good. Sorry, I got carried away. Barb Re: Re: Finding Doctors I agree, but I think the gov't should reign in these insurance companies that only want to collect premiums and not pay claims. They are making ridiculous amounts of money and screwing as many patients as they can. I don't think bureaucrats should make medical decisions either, but the insurance companies are acting like omnipitent entities. They pretty much do what they want when they want and how they want. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> > > > > ... It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat > > thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. > > Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here > > have any thoughts on this? > > My family has had mixed results with endocrinologists, all associated > with major teaching hospitals and university medical schools, some > fair, some excellent. However, I would suggest that you save the > specialist for sorting out mixed or conflicting results, for example > when several endocrine glands seem to be involved. From a very small > sampling of opinions, mostly from lists such as this one, I think your > odds of satisfaction are better with a GP. > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > ly, I would be terrified of treatment under the UK system. However, > a doctor educated in the UK must still meet all the requirements to > practice in another country. He might well be influenced by current > local guidelines and accepted practices. > > Chuck ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I'm in agreement. The saddest thing is that the single payer feature of the healthcare law was removed. That still leaves the insurance companies the freedome to pretty much do what they want, which is to collect money and deny claims. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> > > > > ... It seems like the doctor I didn't see is better qualified to treat > > thyroid disorders, and is in the same medical group as the one I saw. > > Since I know nothing about the " United Kingdom System, " does anyone here > > have any thoughts on this? > > My family has had mixed results with endocrinologists, all associated > with major teaching hospitals and university medical schools, some > fair, some excellent. However, I would suggest that you save the > specialist for sorting out mixed or conflicting results, for example > when several endocrine glands seem to be involved. From a very small > sampling of opinions, mostly from lists such as this one, I think your > odds of satisfaction are better with a GP. > > The guidelines for treatment of hypoT in the U.K. are to not treat at > all until TSH exceeds 10. The only treatment considered is > levothyroxine. The only test used for diagnosis and dose adjustment is > TSH. > > ly, I would be terrified of treatment under the UK system. However, > a doctor educated in the UK must still meet all the requirements to > practice in another country. He might well be influenced by current > local guidelines and accepted practices. > > Chuck ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Having government bureaucrats " reign in " [control] anything is the most certain route to disaster that I can imagine. Bureaucracies [especially large ones] do not operate with efficiency, economy, timeliness or human compassion. In a free market system it is the responsibility of the consumer to choose the business that operates in the manner desired by that consumer. Those that do not provide perceived value will cease to exist if we do our jobs properly. Regards, .. .. > Posted by: " Roni Molin " matchermaam@... > <mailto:matchermaam@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Finding%20Doctors> > matchermaam <matchermaam> > > > Tue Jan 4, 2011 5:16 pm (PST) > > > > I agree, but I think the gov't should reign in these insurance > companies that only want to collect premiums and not pay claims. They > are making ridiculous amounts of money and screwing as many patients > as they can. I don't think bureaucrats should make medical decisions > either, but the insurance companies are acting like omnipitent > entities. They pretty much do what they want when they want and how > they want. > > <>Roni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 On 1/5/2011 10:32 AM, Roni Molin wrote: > I'm in agreement. The saddest thing is that the single payer feature of > the healthcare law was removed. That still leaves the insurance > companies the freedome to pretty much do what they want, which is to > collect money and deny claims. Except that they have not been at all free to do what they want to compete. In most states, they have been forced into " deals " by state governments. In exchange for discounted rates for state employees, they are given an exclusive market and allowed to make up the losses by charging much higher than fair rates for everyone else. Companies from other states are not allowed to compete. This is the very definition of restraint of free trade, but since the monopolies are operated by state governments, it gets around current federal laws. A simple law prohibiting state sponsored monopolies would bring premiums in California down by about a factor of 1/5th, but it would increase costs for their state workers by more. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 None of the insurance companies operate efficiency, economy, timeliness or human compassion. I am not suggesting the government run these companies, just that they keep them in line from overcharging people and not paying legitimate claims. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> From: <res075oh@...> Subject: Re: Finding Doctors hypothyroidism Date: Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 9:43 AM Having government bureaucrats " reign in " [control] anything is the most certain route to disaster that I can imagine. Bureaucracies [especially large ones] do not operate with efficiency, economy, timeliness or human compassion. In a free market system it is the responsibility of the consumer to choose the business that operates in the manner desired by that consumer. Those that do not provide perceived value will cease to exist if we do our jobs properly. Regards, .. .. > Posted by: " Roni Molin " matchermaam@... > <mailto:matchermaam@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Finding%20Doctors> > matchermaam <matchermaam> > > > Tue Jan 4, 2011 5:16 pm (PST) > > > > I agree, but I think the gov't should reign in these insurance > companies that only want to collect premiums and not pay claims. They > are making ridiculous amounts of money and screwing as many patients > as they can. I don't think bureaucrats should make medical decisions > either, but the insurance companies are acting like omnipitent > entities. They pretty much do what they want when they want and how > they want. > > <>Roni ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I think your idea is very valid. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> > I'm in agreement. The saddest thing is that the single payer feature of > the healthcare law was removed. That still leaves the insurance > companies the freedome to pretty much do what they want, which is to > collect money and deny claims. Except that they have not been at all free to do what they want to compete. In most states, they have been forced into " deals " by state governments. In exchange for discounted rates for state employees, they are given an exclusive market and allowed to make up the losses by charging much higher than fair rates for everyone else. Companies from other states are not allowed to compete. This is the very definition of restraint of free trade, but since the monopolies are operated by state governments, it gets around current federal laws. A simple law prohibiting state sponsored monopolies would bring premiums in California down by about a factor of 1/5th, but it would increase costs for their state workers by more. Chuck ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Roni, You wrote: > I think your idea is very valid. The other abuses you mentioned to are also prevalent, because states protect select companies from competition. My other son (not the hypoT one) was caught in the middle of this, since he works for a California based company but lives in Kansas. The company could legally only contribute to coverage from a short list of companies approved in California, even though my son could find plenty of insurance companies in Kansas that would charge 1/5th in premiums and had more complete coverage, including some existing conditions. So, his choices were to pay 100% of his insurance to a Kansas licensed company or pay 250% more to one in California with his company matching that larger payment. Nothing in Obamacare addresses this problem, except for the threat of eventually putting all the private firms out of business. If the law goes into operation, you will quickly get your single payer system. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 What is sad is that there are many systems, including the one one we have, or single payer that could work if it weren't for the greedy, stealing lying individuals that ruin it for everyone. There are individuals fro example that set up shop in a storefront with a few 'phones and bilk Medicare out of millions and millions of dollars. There are so few safeguards and inspectors to oversee this kind of theft that they get away with it and then if they get shut down they open someplace else. It's digusting. <>Roni Immortality exists! It's called knowledge! Just because something isn't seen doesn't mean it's not there<> > I think your idea is very valid. The other abuses you mentioned to are also prevalent, because states protect select companies from competition. My other son (not the hypoT one) was caught in the middle of this, since he works for a California based company but lives in Kansas. The company could legally only contribute to coverage from a short list of companies approved in California, even though my son could find plenty of insurance companies in Kansas that would charge 1/5th in premiums and had more complete coverage, including some existing conditions. So, his choices were to pay 100% of his insurance to a Kansas licensed company or pay 250% more to one in California with his company matching that larger payment. Nothing in Obamacare addresses this problem, except for the threat of eventually putting all the private firms out of business. If the law goes into operation, you will quickly get your single payer system. Chuck ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Roni, You wrote: > ... There are so few safeguards and inspectors to oversee this kind of theft that > they get away with it and then if they get shut down they open someplace > else. Personally, I would prefer to see fewer inspectors but much harsher penalties for the ones they do catch. Eventually the system would catch up or the deterrence would become effective. I would suggest the same approach for identity theft. No one bothers to investigate most instances, because the penalties are so negligible. Banks just write it off as part of the price of doing business. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Have to agree with . Govt. has been the main player in the cost of healthcare going up. When you look at the cost per patient of Medicxxx it's astronomical. The whole system is plagued with fraud. Insurance companies unfortunately isolate the customer from market dynamics, so they play a part as well. Technology - that too. High tech equipment is not cheap. Let's not forget about lawsuits. I know some folks from India who work in medical technology. Can't believe the difference in the cost of an operation from here to there. There's very little litigation risk added into the cost of medical care over there. I was born in '66. A few years ago, my dad showed me the bill from my birth which he had saved. The grand total: $125 Here's the punchline - I was born CESAREAN! Something has gone seriously wrong. Maybe we need to look back instead of coming up with clever laws and government interventions. > > Having government bureaucrats " reign in " [control] anything is the most > certain route to disaster that I can imagine. Bureaucracies [especially > large ones] do not operate with efficiency, economy, timeliness or human > compassion. > > In a free market system it is the responsibility of the consumer to > choose the business that operates in the manner desired by that > consumer. Those that do not provide perceived value will cease to exist > if we do our jobs properly. > > Regards, > > . > . > > > > Posted by: " Roni Molin " matchermaam@... > > <mailto:matchermaam@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Finding%20Doctors> > > matchermaam <matchermaam> > > > > > > Tue Jan 4, 2011 5:16 pm (PST) > > > > > > > > I agree, but I think the gov't should reign in these insurance > > companies that only want to collect premiums and not pay claims. They > > are making ridiculous amounts of money and screwing as many patients > > as they can. I don't think bureaucrats should make medical decisions > > either, but the insurance companies are acting like omnipitent > > entities. They pretty much do what they want when they want and how > > they want. > > > > <>Roni > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Roni sent me a quote I'll pass on: " If the US government were put in charge of the Sahara desert within 5 years there would be a shortage of sand " . But that's not all. 1] I'll suggest that the Department Of Sand would by that time have 267,000 employees and a budget of over $100,000,000,000 per year. 2] There would be 46,000 ex-congresspersons on that payroll. 3] The Department Of Sand Safety would only be half that size. 4] OSHA's printed regulations for sand safety would total over 13,000,000 pages. 5] Taxes on sand would total over 1/2 trillion dollars per year. 6] Possession of more than 5 lbs of sand would be punishable by up to 5 years in prison. 7] There would be 414,000 persons incarcerated for no other offense. .. .. > > Posted by: " Dave " dcbaden@... > <mailto:dcbaden@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Finding%20Doctors> > dcbaden <dcbaden> > > > Thu Jan 6, 2011 9:49 am (PST) > > > > Have to agree with . > Govt. has been the main player in the cost of healthcare going up. > When you look at the cost per patient of Medicxxx it's astronomical. > The whole system is plagued with fraud. > > Insurance companies unfortunately isolate the customer from market > dynamics, so they play a part as well. > > Technology - that too. High tech equipment is not cheap. > > Let's not forget about lawsuits. I know some folks from India who work > in medical technology. Can't believe the difference in the cost of an > operation from here to there. There's very little litigation risk > added into the cost of medical care over there. > > I was born in '66. A few years ago, my dad showed me the bill from my > birth which he had saved. > The grand total: $125 > Here's the punchline - I was born CESAREAN! > > Something has gone seriously wrong. Maybe we need to look back instead > of coming up with clever laws and government interventions. > > > > > > Having government bureaucrats " reign in " [control] anything is the most > > certain route to disaster that I can imagine. Bureaucracies [especially > > large ones] do not operate with efficiency, economy, timeliness or > human > > compassion. > > > > In a free market system it is the responsibility of the consumer to > > choose the business that operates in the manner desired by that > > consumer. Those that do not provide perceived value will cease to exist > > if we do our jobs properly. > > > > Regards, > > > > . > > . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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