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.

Ashland

Moussa M. Alhaj, M.D., Internal Medicine/Endocrinology, 2154 Carter Ave., Suite A, Ashland, KY 41101, (606) 326-0026. A reader writes: "Dr. Alhaj is a very compassionate man who really cares about his patients. He's not a "pill pusher" as so many others are." (Added: June 2004)

Benton

Dr Glen R. VanLoon, Endocrinologist/Diabetes, 501 George McClain Drive, Benton, KY 42025 270-527-2560. "I had been to several doctors. I felt so bad. I decided to go to a specialist. It was the right thing to do. After a few visits, he had me feeling better than I had felt in a very long time. I highly recommend Dr. VanLoon, he is a god send. I am a surgical nurse. He has saved my life." (added 1/04)

Crestview Hills

Wilfred Victorina, Endocrinology, 2765 Chapel Place Ste 200, Crestview Hills, KY 41017, 859-344-1900. A reader writes: "Dr. Victorina spends more time with his patients than any doctor I have ever known. If you have a question, he has the answer. He is very caring and compassionate." (Added 1/06)

Danville

Richard Hempel, Family Medicine, 640 E. Lexington Ave., Danville, KY 40422, (859) 236 1250, A reader writes: "I went to this dr. not knowing what was wrong with me. He did several blood tests and quickly found out that I have hypothyroidism. I also got him to give me a script. for cytomel. He would not give one for armour only because he said it was dirty and too inconsistent. We are still fine tuning my meds. I also found out he has the same condition so I think that makes him more aware of what I'm going through." (Added 1/06)

Franklin

John Adams, GP, 119 Memorial Drive, Franklin, KY 42134, 270-586-9533. A reader writes: "He is young and very much receptive to looking into the best treatment for his patients." (Added Apr 06)

Lancaster

Nicholas Martin General Practice 206 Lexington Rd. Lancaster, KY 40444 PH: (859) 792-3042. A reader tells us, "He spent three hours with me on my first appointment. He does thorough lab tests and prescribes Armour regularly. You’ll get an appointment right away but bring a book...he tends to get behind on his schedule. He’s expensive so you need good insurance."

Another fan:
He didn't just check my thyroid: he ran a complete battery of tests, and discovered that I also had some pretty severe vitamin deficiencies, as well, which were also sapping my energy. With the new supplement regimen, and the natural thyroid , I am beginning to feel alive again! (Added 1/06)

Lexington

Dr. Karen Boggess, Endocrinology, Lexington Clinic, South Broadway, Lexington, KY, (859)258-4000. "My primary care physician simply wouldn't believe that my medication wasn't right because I was within lab range of normal. Dr. Boggess right away said many people feel better with a TSH between 1 and 2. She seemed aware some people need T3 and was willing to prescribe it. I felt she was respectful of my personal self assessment of how I've been feeling and how it relates to my hypothyroidism." (Added 6/02).

Lexington

A reader recommends Dr. Kristina Humphries, Endocrinologist 2101 Nicholasville Road Suite 106 606-278-5926. "I was going to the same doctor for 2 years and getting nowhere and being treated like everything was okay when it wasn't. So I went to Dr. Humphries about 2 months ago-- so far I'm extremely pleased! She doesn't rush through your visit-- very understanding and thorough. She ran every endo test on me under the sun when I first went to see her. When I asked for T3 she didn't even hesitate at my request. And the best thing she is female and a mother-- which I believe makes her more aware of her patients as human beings-- not just cases."

Another reader recommends Dr. Humphries:
"Dr. Humphries is on top of current research on hypothyroidism and fertility. I saw her once and was pregnant 6 weeks later. I was carefully monitored throughout my pregnancy and now have a 2 year old daughter. She listens, really cares about you as a person. Her nurse, Regina, is fabulous and all calls are returned promptly and thoughtfully. I drive from Louisville to see her and I have never felt better or had better care...and I am a registered nurse." (Added 2/03)

Lexington

A reader recommends Dr. Wendell Meirs, Endocrinologist, Kentucky Diabetes Endocrinology Center, 1800 Nicholasville Rd, Lexington, KY 606 278-2232. "Dr. Meirs took me into his office and listened intently until I felt like I had told him everything that was important. I asked him if he was open to trying Cytomel since the Synthroid just wasn't helping enough-- and he said "Sure!" He told me that we might have to spend some time trying to fine tune the dosages and wanted to know if that was okay with me. I was so relieved! Dr. Meirs is young and open-minded. He does not already have his mind made up about what he is going to do. He REALLY LISTENS! His eyes are intently on you. I am taking my daughter to see him soon-- and for me that says a lot! Please give him a try. He is for sure on CHA Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield."

Another recommendation:
"Dr. Meirs takes the time to listen to all of your problems. You can feel comfortable asking him even the most silly questions. He is open to suggestions and never complains about your weight. He will tell you that you need to lose weight but never harps on it like the others will. He is very understanding and open to all suggestions that you may have." (Added 4/04)

Lexington

Dr. Suzanne Weinrich, general practice, osteopathy, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Clinic South, 2400 Greatstone Point, Lexington, KY 40504, (859) 257-9800. 2400 Greatstone Point, Kentucky Clinic South, Richmond, KY 40504, (859)257-9800. "She actively involves the patient so that the patient feels as though she were involved in the cure," according to a reader. "She is willing to explore and try alternative remedies and gives the patient her attention and time. I have never felt rushed through an appointment even though it is a busy clinic." (Updated 6/02).

Lexington

Dr. Lyle Myers, Endocrinology, Kentucky Diabetes Endocrinology Center, 1800 Nicholasville Rd. , Lexington, KY , Phone: 606 278-2232, A reader writes: "I had taken Synthroid for 10 years and even though my TSH levels were between 1 and 2, I was still tired and gaining weight. My Drs., including another endocrinologist, would just tell me I was fine. A friend recommended Dr. Lyle Myers. He changed my medicine to Armour Thyroid and I'm finally feeling much better and beginning to lose this weight that has crept on over the past 10 years. I am so pleased that he listened to me! " (Added: Dec. 04)

A reader writes:
"When I mentioned that he has a lot of fans on the web, he said he tries not to listen to that stuff, but explained that he treats the patient's symptoms as well as the TSH levels. Prescribes Armour thyroid and T3 combinations. Good listener, very friendly and efficient office staff. In practice with Dr. Wendell Miers, also recommended on this site." (Added Apr 06)

Louisville

John Baird, MD, 1101 Herr Lane, Louisville, KY 502.339.6550. "Dr. John Baird is new to Louisville, but not to understanding how to address all the underlying factors to thyroid health. I found out it wasn’t possible to truly be at my best healthcare until all the healthcare factors are addressed. So many other problems can be going on that can also affect the thyroid, and it could take years to uncover all these. But Dr. Baird works on the whole body's health and lets a person really have the opportunity to be well." (added 1/04)

Louisville

Dr. Mary Self, Endocrinologist, O’Brien, Bybee, Williams and Self, MD 100 E. Liberty Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 (502) 587-6010. A reader shares, "She is a good listener. She is willing to prescribe T3 along with T4. She is up on research and wants the TSH count around 2."

Another fan:
"Dr. Self is extremely caring, in addition to being extremely well-informed. Despite her busy practice, she takes the extra time to be as concerned about my mental and emotional well-being as she is about my physical health. I've felt much better since I've been in her care; if she hadn't become an (excellent) endocrinologist, she should have been gone into the mental-health field!" (Added 1/06)

Louisville

Dr. David Bybee, Endocrinology, 100 E. Liberty St., Louisville, KY 40205, 502-587-6010. A reader writes: " Dr. Bybee is in the same practice as Dr. Mary Self and he has wonderful bedside manner and wants the TSH around 1 or 2. He's a good listener too." (Added 1/06)

Louisville

Harold Bays, Endocrinology, 3288 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY 40213, 502-515-6621. "He is very understanding." (Added Dec. 04)

Owensboro

Dr. Allababidi -- NO LONGER LISTED

Paintsville

Dr. Mahavir Shah, Internal medicine, Broadway Street, 789-8222. A reader informs us, "He is a really good Thyroid Doctor. He knew my thyroid was high because my Cholesterol was high. He said he could tell I was not getting enough Synthroid by my eyebrows being only half grown in. He will diagnose and treat your condition."

South Williamson

C.H. Yajnik Internal Medicine Endocrinology 414 Central Ave. 606-237-7100. A reader informs us, "After one dr. after another specialist, general practice and many many others. Eleven years passed and he was the only one who tested me to see what type of thyroid disease I had and also ran important tests I should have had years ago. Most of all he has run the correct blood tests that show the correct count for TSH, and runs free T’s test."

Owensboro

A subscriber writes, "In Owensboro, Kentucky, there is a great Top Doc. His name is Bernard J. Buchanan, M.D., Ph.D. He is an endocrinologist, has a great sense of humor, has a great bedside manner, and is very thorough. He is also very helpful in offering meds samples. I believe that he saved my life. I know others who feel the same. But, I always tell him that I am the President of his Fan Club. He is a great Doctor, friend, and is genuine. Thanks!"

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.