ABOUT THE 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. 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 us know if you have feedback about doctors listed here, or would like to recommend your doctor.

Athens

Sam Frankel, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), Athens Professional Plaza, Ste. 8, Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-1650. A reader writes: "I struggled to get an accurate diagnosis for two years. My OB/GYN refused to acknowledge that I was Hypothyroid despite the obvious and numerous symptoms that I presented with regularly. He based this decision solely upon my "normal" TSH. Finally, after losing my job and becoming seriously ill a friend recommended that I see Dr. Frankel. Armed with the information from Mary's website I went to him and told him I believed this was my correct diagnosis. He agreed an explained that I had what was known as "Occult Thyroidism". Occult meaning hidden from view (or hidden from the lab results). He readily diagnosed me and immediately began the Armour that I requested without one hesitation. I almost cried in relief at the ease of getting him to listen and treat me after two years of frustration, referrals to psychiatrist, trying mood stabilizers and getting worse due to the Lithium, etc. He treats patients like real people not lab values!" (Added: June 2004)

Birmingham

David DeAtkine, Endocrinology, St. Vincent's Prof. Bldg. #1, 2660 10th Ave. So., Birmingham, AL 35205, 205-313-2650. “Thorough, compassionate, and not pushed for time. I felt a sense of relief after my visit with him. He does do FT3 & FT4 testing and is not opposed at all to T3 addition in the form of Cytomel. He IS NOT an Armour prescriber but realizes the significance of adding T3 meds.”

Another recommendation for Dr. DeAtkine:
David DeAtkine, Endocrinologist, St. Vincent’s Hospital. A reader informs us, “I have been a patient of his for the last three years. When no one else would listen, and put me off as “just being depressed” or having “nonspecific problems” Dr. DeAtkine truly listened! For five years I suffered with weight gain, dry skin, depression, hair falling out in clumps, etc....all the things which point to hypothyroidism. He got to the bottom of it and said I had Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis...my thyroid had shrunk! The most important thing, is that he listened to me and did the right tests, even checking my pituitary for problems. He is wonderful!”

Another recommendation for Dr. DeAtkine:
A reader writes: "I am an RN in Birmingham Alabama and I strongly recommend Dr. David DeAtkine at St. Vincent's Hospital (205) 933-4684, as an Endocrinologist he is excellent."

An update on changes in Dr. DeAtkine’s practice provided by a former patient:
I just wanted to make you aware of changing circumstances concerning a Top Doc endocrinologist Dr. David DeAtkine, Birmingham, Al. I am (was) a patient of his and I received a letter in the mail today concerning major changes in his practice starting January, 2004. At that time he will be affiliated with a program called MDVIP, Inc. which is basically a membership only program. In other words, the maximum of 600 people whom he selects to be his patients will pay a $1,500.00 membership fee yearly and he will become an old-fashioned doctor…taking time with the patients etc. This membership fee is NOT covered by insurance. In his letter he seems primarily interested in his diabetes patients becoming ‘partners’ with him in this endeavor. I thought that you would like to know this because he will no longer easily be available to the general public as a Top Doc. (added 1/04)

Another reader writes:
"I have been a patient of Dr. DeAtkine's for 5 years now. He is the only Dr. Ihave ever encountered who Ifelt actually and honestly cared about me. I no longer live in Alabama and yet I travel across the country once a year for my check up. I see him as a "consult" patient now that he is a member of MDVIP. His Diabetes patients only were required to be a part of this membership program, so he is still available to Thyroid patients. I strongly recommend him!" (Added: June 2004)

Another reader recommends Dr. Deatkine:
“I am a former patient of Dr. DeAtkine before the change in his practice and if you can afford the $1,500 dollar membership fee his services are worth every bit of it . I truly miss my visits with him. He has been here for me thru surgery and complaining and weight gain, hair loss, depression and anything else I didn’t understand about my hypothyroidism/graves disease. I have found anyone else I feel as comfortable with as Dr. Deatkine.” (Added 6/05)

Birmingham

Dr. Robert C. Doekel, Jr. Sleep Disorders Center of Alabama, Inc., 790 Montclair Road Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35213. He treats thyroid patients according to Broda Barnes principles, does a thorough interview and exam, explains things well, uses up-to-date testing, and answers his calls himself when you call back with questions. My preliminary thyroid screens from a family physician showed no abnormalities but he began treatment on the strength of my symptoms, history, and a basal temperature chart. He also sent away an Adrenal Stress Index Test that showed adrenal problems.

Another reader writes about Dr. Doekel:
A reader writes: "I looked on the Top Doc page and found Dr. Doekel-because it said he followed the temp. test guy I called and made an appointment. I went today-I took the thyroid symptoms sheet from your page and I also wrote 3 pages of "life history" then got there and filled out about 10 pages of stuff. Mary, this guy spent nearly an hour with me-no phone calls, no talking to the nurse about someone else, nothing-just me! He read everything I brought-I had started doing the temp. thing in the morning when I made the appointment 3 weeks ago so he also had that to look at. (My temps ran 96.2-96.8) After he introduced himself-I told him I wanted to ask him a question-Why was he working with thyroid patients-his main thing is sleep problems- He said that a close family member had developed thyroid problems and they had gone through the mill and still didn't have answers so he decided to take care if it himself! Did research-went and took classes, etc... So, now he tries to help other that have thyroid problems because he knows what they are going through-It was great to finally have someone believe me and take time to understand what has been going on! Can you tell I'm on cloud nine! So, please if you know who recommended him, please let them know that they have saved my life! Maybe now I might really have one! I thank them, my husband thanks them, and so do my children-because I have really been in bad shape. And, again to you thank you for providing the means in which this was able to take place! If you hubby or family thinks you are taking too much time doing this please show them this letter so they will understand what you do is so very important. Dr. Doekel's office is a 3 hour plus drive for us, but it was worth every minute and will continue to be worth every minute in the months to come--Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!"

NOTE: As of December 04, this doctor is reportedly booked and not taking new patients. Call to check.

Birmingham

Veronica Hemphill Pediatrician UAB 2000 6th Ave South Birmingham, AL 35205 205-934-7579 vlh77@hotmail.com. (Added 11/02)

Birmingham

Dr. Skinner, Thyroid, Mosley, Birmingham, AL, 121-449-8895. A reader writes: “My daughter was treated by Dr. Skinner. We have a history of thyroid on both sides of our family and after a lot of research on the subject, I found this wonderful man’s name on the internet. After seeing him for the first time, the words my daughter said after leaving his room were, ‘I’m so glad that I know what’s wrong with me after all these years, I thought I was insane.’ She still visits him once a year and we can never thank him enough.” (Added 10/05)

Birmingham

Christine Heckemeyer, Endocrinology, Cooper Green Clinic 1515 6th Ave South, Birmingham,Al. 35233, 930-3245, A reader writes: "She is the best Endo I have had. She takes time to talk with her patients and is very caring and listens. The clinic is very busy but she takes time. I was treated for Papillary Thyroid cancer and the first doctor I had there left to go up north. I was sent to a General Meds. Doctor who didn't know too much about ThyCa so she sent me to Dr.Heckemeyer. I'm so glad I now have such a wonderful caring Doctor." (Added Apr 06)

Hoover

Vicki Moore, Family Medicine. 120 Cahaba Pkwy., Hoover, AL 35124, 205-733-1130. "Even though Dr. Moore is a family physician/surgeon, she tells me that she checks for thyroid disorders in almost all of her patients because she has found a very high percentage of people have thyroid disorders and don't know it. Even though I had complained of symptoms in my ob/gyn doctor, it was Dr. Moore who listened to me and tested and found I had a problem. The bottom line is that if you think you have a thyroid problem, she will test you and she listens to patients. She isn't a corporation either, which I like a lot. She is the first doctor I've ever ha who really listens to me and does something about it. Since she believes a lot more people have thyroid problems than is generally recognized, I think she is an excellent doctor to start with for thyroid problems." (Added Dec. 04)

Birmingham

Glenn E. Peters, Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1505 Fifth Avenue South, Birmingham Alabama 35233-6889 , (205) 934-9766, A reader writes: "Just two days ago I underwent Thyroid surgery with Dr. Peters! He is just outstanding as well as the UAB staff. If you want the best care/doctor from within the best facilities UAB simply stands above them all! The facilities are very very big but throughout all parts of the process I was made to feel as though I was in small private care, they really go the extra mile to be kind and friendly." (Added Apr 06)

Huntsville

Brendella Fore, Family Practice, 600 St. Clair Ave SW, Huntsville, AL 35801. 256-533-2866. “I took my children to her as their pediatrician, and on one of my daughters visits, she asked me why I was shaking, I said I don’t know that it had started about 6 months before and 2 other DR's had commented about it but did nothing to find out what was wrong with me. She immediately asked if I had a family history of thyroid disease, and I didn’t and still don’t, she took bloodwork and within 2 weeks I found out I was hyperthyroid/graves, and sent me to the local endo. Needless to say I am going back to her for my thyroid care. If it wasn’t for her I probably would have gone on for years without knowing what was wrong with me. She sits and listens, asks questions, she is caring and compassionate. My husband likes her too and sees her when he is sick. I couldn’t ask for a better doctor. When the Tapazole stopped working she put me on PTU, when my endo said RAI she said no don’t do it. Thanks Dr Fore for giving me my life back!”

Why is a Particular Doctor No Longer Listed?

Doctors who were previously listed here are removed for a number of reasons.

1. The doctor has requested that his/her listings be removed because: he/she does not agree with this site’s philosophy or patient-orientation; the practice is too busy and can’t accept new patients; the doctor does not feel comfortable handling complicated thyroid problems; the doctor did not agree with what was said in the patient recommendations; or the doctor said “take me off the list” and offered no explanation.
2. The doctor has moved, retired, or died.
3. The doctor has lost his/her license, or given up his/her license, and is no longer practicing medicine.
4. Patients have provided negative input about the doctor that is of sufficient concern that, in the opinion of the editor, the doctor should no longer be on the Top Thyroid Doctors List.

Thyroid Top Doctors would face legal concerns if we published specific information about why patients had negative opinions about doctors, or if we shared a doctor’s occasional ranting ”take me off” email, or if we publicized doctors with licensing problems. So please, if you see that a doctor has been taken off the list and want to know why, talk to the doctor directly. If you write to us to ask why a doctor was taken off the list, we’re sorry, but we won’t be able to answer you or share that information.

LATEST UPDATE:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mary Shomon, the patients who have recommended these physicians and practitioners, or physicians and practitioners who have recommended/listed themselves make no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or validity of the information provided here. Mary Shomon, patients writing in to recommend their doctors, and the doctors/practitioners themselves assume no responsibility for any services provided by listed physicians or practitioners. It is your responsibility to investigate any physician with whom you plan to have a consultation, and you consult with physicians listed here expressly at your own risk.

Copyright © 2006, Mary J. Shomon. PO Box 565, Kensington, MD 20895. All rights reserved.