![]() |
||||
![]() |
THYROID TOP DOCTORS DIRECTORY The following listing includes recommended doctors and practitioners for your thyroid care. Please note that being listed here in the Thyroid Top Doctors Directory doesn't necessarily mean a doctor is the right one for you. The doctor may be an empathetic and warm physician, but not open to working with drugs like Armour or T3 drugs. The doctor may be brilliant and innovative, but have a terrible bedside manner. Or the doctor may be quite costly and not on insurance programs. Always call the doctor's office ahead of time to find out more about the doctor's philosophy, approach, costs, and other important factors before going in for your first appointment. Please let me know if you have feedback -- positive or negative -- about doctors listed here, or would like to recommend your "top" doctor. Thanks! -- Mary |
Become part of the movement for better care! Help keep great doctors in business and encourage more doctors to properly treat thyroid patients by recommending the smart, caring, innovative practitioner who treats your thyroid condition. We might include him or her on the Top Docs Directory! And if you have criticism or feedback about a listed doctor, please let us know now! | |||||
Get Mary Shomon's
|
Bartlett V. Ayyagari, MD, Endocrinologist, 2784 Bartlett Blvd., Bartlett, Tenn. 38134, 901-382-9998 Brentwood Morgan Williams, BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, 1301
Chestnut Drive, Brentwood, TN, 615-333-0072, www.hormonephysicians.com. A reader writes: "Living
with hypothyroidism and the side effects can be extremely frustrating if you do not have the right
doctor for you. Fortunately, I found Dr. Williams who gives 110%, if not more, to her patients. She
actually "listens" to me and goes above and beyond the call of duty to care for my needs and the needs
of all her patients. She actually calls to check on me! I feel really lucky to have found her. Simply
speaking ... she is a warm, caring, compassionate human being/doctor that truly is concerned about the
well-being of all." (Added 1/06) Brentwood
P. Anthony Chapdelaine, General practice/internist/primary care, 229 Ward Circle, Suite B-12, Brentwood, TN, 37027, Phone/Fax: 615-377-6767, naturalhealthbridge.com Bristol Thomas Boeve, M.D., ENT, 1 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 205-E, Bristol,
TN 37620, 423-844-7668, Highlands Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgical Group,
"Dr. Boeve is amazing. He looks at the whole patient, not just the lab
values. I have multi-nodular goiter, but normal TSH. My TSH fluctuates
within the normal limit. Thanks to him, I am finally getting a chance
at feeling healthy again." (added 1/04)
Chattanooga C. Ann Mashchak, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology, Memorial Medical
Building
East, 725 Glenwood Dr., # E-790, Chattanooga, TN 37404, 423-624-9830.
A reader writes: "Dr. Mashchak is as interested as I am in my becoming
and remaining euthyroid. In addition, she is willing to look at all
research, and approaches all aspects of my care holistically, looking
in the end at where I am, symptomatically as the ultimate guide to my
"optimal" blood levels. I have gone through 4 prior "specialists" without
success, and I am so grateful to have found Dr. Mashchak." (Added 11/02) Chattanooga Dianne C. Roland -- no longer listed (October 2007) Chattanooga David M. Huffman -- no longer listed Cordova Dr. Kevin Merigian, Wellness Arts, Old Dexter Road, TN 38016,
901-757-4646, www.thestoneinstitute.com. A reader writes: "Dr. Merigian spent over an hour and a half
with me, asking questions about everything under the sun. He was truly interested in me . As soon as
I got there, my blood pressure was taken and then I was taken in a room and asked by his nurse to draw
a picture about how i was feeling. How many doctors have asked you to do that? He immediately came
in and put me to ease saying that he could help me. I was crying and he could tell that I was really down
and felt awful. He spent so much time with me, asking questions that even I didn't think were relevant.
After my hour and a half interview with him, he prescribed Armour thyroid for me and ordered me to
come back in two weeks for a test where they measure your body temperature on a hundred different
places on your body to detect problems. I am so excited that I have found someone who wants to see the
whole picture instead of treating one problem. he said it was important to examine everything going on
in my body. I thank God that he let me find this website and dr. merigian. I am so happy right now I
could shout!!!!!!!!!! Dr. Merigian is worth driving hours to see!!!!!! I am confident after my visit that he
can help everyone!!!!!!" (Added 6/05) Dyersburg Kashif Latif, Endocrinology 2017 St John Ave Hwy 51 By-Pass Dyersburg, TN 38024 731-285-7999 A reader writes: "After 3 doctors and several years of struggling to get a doctor to actually listen to what I was saying, someone recommended Dr. Latif. He sat down with me, listen to what I was saying. He took his time with me and wasn't looking at his watch every few minutes. Even though my TSH level was in the normal range I was still exhibiting signs of hypothyroidism. Dr. Latif looked deeper and found I wasn't breaking down the drug into a usable hormone. He changed my meds and has listened to how I feel and my symptoms along with lab work. I feel better than I had in years. Some of the weight is gone (none all but I'm still working on it) I am thankful everyday that I took that first trip to Dr. Latif's office. I believe he has given me back my life!!" (Added 11/02) Chattanooga Dr Kent Grotefendt, Lakeside Medical Center, Hwy 58, Chattanooga TN, 423-894-9464 "He follows me and I am very complicated case." (Added Dec. 04) Franklin (South of Nashville) Dr. Robert Owen, 740 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 140, Franklin, TN, 37067, 615-778-0611, 615-778-0673, www.coolallergy.com. "Dr. Robert Owen is an allergy/ENT physician that also prescribes Armour Thyroid. He is a great doctor and uses allergy drops instead of shots in his practice. I highly recommend this physician." (August 2007) Franklin Michael S. Overfelt -- NO LONGER LISTED Hendersonville G. Summers Chaffin, Family Practice, Family Wellness Group, 353 New
Shackle Island Rd, Hendersonville, TN 37075 615-822-2400. A reader shares,
"It took me 4 years to find him. You tell him your symptoms and you
can see him thinking. He is an excellent diagnostician with a heart!
Prescribes medication based on symptoms. Does lab work as needed." Hendersonville Dr. Raymond Fuller, D.O., Internal Medicine, 353 New Shackle Island Road, Suite C245, Hendersonville, TN 37075, 615-826-2265, "Dr. Fuller certainly understands how to treat thyroid disease. His philosophy is to watch FT3 and FT4, but above all, to be guided by symptoms. His goal for TSH is about 2.5, plus or minus your symptoms. He recognizes the full range of symptoms, even those that people have but are not on the ‘official’ list. He is the most wonderful doctor I have ever gone to. He was open to my suggestions about different medications and doses, and works with you to try different things until your symptoms are gone. My first appointment with him was like talking to a friend, with equal exchange—him listening to me and me listening to him. Very highly recommended!" (Added 4/04) Jasper Rena Azar, Ob/Gyn, 980 hwy 28, Jasper, TN 37347, Phone: 423-942-1444, A reader writes: "Locally, she is the only dr who listened to my persistent symptoms and sent me for additional testing. I had Hashimoto's and after removal of gland found cancer encapsulated within thyroid nodule. She is still treating me." (Added: Dec. 04) Johnson City Alan Peiris, Endocrinologist / Metabolism, 423-461-7280. A reader writes: "He is very knowledgeable in thyroid problems, willing to listen and take time with his patients." Knoxville Sr. Thomas C. Prince Jr., Thyroid, Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, 522-5101. A reader writes: "He has been my doctor for over 23 years. I know how caring he is and so do all who go to him. He is the best thyroid doctor in Tennessee. He is the best doctor one could see, if they have thyroid problems. My grandaughter is under his care at the preset time for thyroid problems. She has done so well, since she has been seeing Doctor Prince." (Added: June 2004) Knoxville Dr. Janet McNiel, Family Practice, 5917 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924, 865-525-2121, "After approaching both my family doctor and my endocrinologist about changing from Levoxyl to Armour, I was very discouraged that they wouldn't even consider that I still did not feel well. Dr. McNiel and her staff ordered more thorough thyroid tests than I had ever had before, measuring not just the TSH, she put me on Armour and just two months later, I am feeling so much better! She has also recommended I do another test, a complete female hormone profile and I am still considering that. Her nurse practitioner Elizabeth Tedford also deserves acknowledgement, as she is who is working directly with me." (Added Dec. 04) Knoxville Billy Pruitt, General practice/internist/primary care, 501 20th St, Knoxville TN, 37916, 865-522-8141. "I had a doctor whom I will not name, who insisted that i was suffering from depression and wanted me to take anti-depressants. I disagreed with him and refused treatment. He dismissed me as a patient. Lucky for me, I found Dr Pruitt and through simple blood tests, he discovered that I had endocrinologist.we have changed the dosage a couple of times, but I am doing wonderful. Dr Pruitt is a doctor that will listen to his patients and not simply symptoms. I would not see another doctor unless Billy Pruitt says that I should." (August 2007) Lebanon Brenda McFarlin -- NO LONGER LISTED. Not practicing. (June 2006) Memphis/Cordova Kevin Merigian, general practice and holistic. The Stone Institute,
Inc. The Center for Wellness Arts 8200 Old Dexter Road, Suite 103 Cordova,
TN 38018 (901) 757-4646 Fax: (901) 757-4546 Board certified in Pharmacology,
Toxicology, Forensic Medicine, Emergency Medicine & Integrative (Alternative)
Medicine. This reader gushes, "On my first visit Dr. Merigian spent
over an hour with me, (you read correctly, an HOUR) taking a careful
history and asking questions about the most successful thyroid treatment
I have received, as I have lived in several states. He does not place
great value on lab values, and treats based on the patient’s symptoms.
He routinely prescribes Armour and put me back on Armour much to my
relief. In fact I brought my bottles of Synthroid and Cytomel and placed
them on the counter. He took one look at them and said, "I don’t like
those drugs." I knew I was in the right office! Nearly three weeks later,
I brought my son in for a sick visit. Dr. Merigian was walking down
the hall and saw me seated, waiting for the nurse to weigh my son. He
immediately recognized me and asked how I was feeling now that I was
back on the Armour. He wanted to know if I had relief from my symptoms,
and offered to increase my dose. In the end we decided that, since I
felt better than I did before I came to see him, I will call him in
two weeks to let him know if I think I need to change my dose. He doesn’t
believe in monthly lab work, in fact, he said I only have to come in
every six months, unless there is a problem in which case I am to call
him. He treated me with respect and dignity and even acknowledged, "You
know more about your body, and your disease than I do because you have
lived with (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) for six years, and I haven’t."
When was the last time you had an experience like that at the doctor’s
office?! Dr. Merigian is kind and has his patient’s best interest at
heart. He has been shunned by some of his peers for doing things like
prescribing Armour and thinking outside the box, but I thank God for
finding this doctor for me who cares how I feel and not what my TSH
says. Another note: Dr. Merigian will be starting his own practice,
moving to Cordova, within a few months. The new location is approximately
12-14 miles from the existing office he shares with a conventional medical
group." Memphis Kashif Latif, Endocrinology, 6005 Park Ave., Suite 902, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-821-0025/fax-901-821-9509. "Dr. Latif is the top doc in my book because i believe he saved my son's life. He is a caring person, truly interested in the patients input about his or her condition. He is always kind and patient plus gives each individual his time and attention. He is very thorough in his explanations and answers all questions a patient might have, this is something we can really appreciate, I dislike doctors that talk down to their patients, and make them feel insignificant. Dr. Latif is the best, and we appreciate him more than words can tell...trust means a lot, and we do have faith in him, God bless ya doc - and thank you!!" (added 1/04) Memphis Dr. John Tetzeli, Endocrinologist, 5659 South Rex Road, Memphis, TN 38119, 901-763-3636 Memphis Dr. Bruce Wilson, Cardiology, 188 S. Bellevue, Memphis TN 38104, 901-725-4400. "Dr. Wilson is a caring physician who listens to your concerns even the tiny bits of information that most physicians dismiss. He listened and answered my questions and immediately requested tests that would give the whole picture. He called me at home to give me my results and the treatment plan once the tests were in and referred me to an endocrinologist for management of my problems. He is a wonderful person and a caring physician who stays abreast of current information." (added 1/04) Memphis Judy Spencer -- no longer listed Nashville Dr. Julie Hendrix, Endocrinologist, Midstate Endo and Assoc,
615-329-5029.
A reader tells us that Dr. Hendrix, "makes herself available by e-mail
and answers me very promptly no matter how strange the question. She
always goes by the way I'm feeling. She has been a great help since
my 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, and is now treating
her too. I had thyroid Cancer and she really helped me through it medically
and emotionally. she is very caring and interested in her patients."
Nashville Dr. Terri Jerkins -- NO LONGER LISTED Nashville Dr. Brian J. Foley -- NO LONGER LISTED Nashville Shubhada M. Jagasia -- No longer listed (October 2006) Nashville Dr. Craig Wierum -- no longer listed Nashville W. Thomas Patten Jr. M.D, Family Practice, 22nd Ave North, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-324-2154. A reader writes: "Dr. Patten is the most wonderful and caring doctor. He listen to everything I had to say and was very open to information that I had brought with me about Armour thyroid, he thought it was great that I was taking steps to be informed about my own health. He prescribed Armour thyroid for me. And I feel better than I have in years. I just can't say enough about how great he is." (Added Apr 06) Oak Ridge Safwan Hamwi, MD, Internal Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology, 200 New York Ave., #310, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, Phone:(865)482-9565/Fax:(865)482-5750, Website. "Our insurance changed after a total thyroidectomy for which pathology reports confirmed cancer. I was in the middle of treatment and due for a follow up scan. Dr. Hamwi stepped in without missing a beat and is one of the most personable doctors I've ever met. He was aggressive in ablating my remaining thyroid tissue and felt that my thyroid replacement therapy dosage would depend on how I was feeling and not just my blood work levels. Dr. Hamwi always took time to answer all of my questions thoroughly without making my visits feel rushed. He and his staff are friendly and caring, and I never had to wait long to be seen. The office was also very willing to request TSH boosting injections to allow me to remain on my thyroid hormone prior to my full body scan." (Added Dec. 04) Oak Ridge Dr. Jeff Grabenstein, Internist, 653 Briarcliff Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, Phone: 865-482-6080, A reader writes: "I have been hypothyroid for 12 years, but Dr. Grabenstein was the only doctor I've seen that tested my entire thyroid panel and give the medicines my body needed. I am a NEW person because of him. He takes his time with you, listens to all your symptoms, and follows up with you at home. Without him (base on my first test results he ordered) I would have been in the hospital undergoing multiple tests. With the right dosage of thyroid medicine, I no longer need BP medicine and no longer have palpitations, I have so much more energy, more hair, better skin, better GI results, better memory, and all around a better wife and mom! God Bless Dr. Grabenstein!!! " (Added: Dec. 04) Oak Ridge Dr. Elaine Bunick, Endocrinology, 200 New York Ave, Suite 340, Oak
Ridge, TN, 865-483-5639. A reader writes: "She looks at the whole patient. She tunes into T3 and T4
also. She believes in seasonal variation of thyroid problems. She listens to patients and works in
partnership with her patients. She is always very thorough every visit." (Added 10/05)
|
| |||||