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.

Annapolis

Dr. Hazel Bowen-Wright -- NO LONGER LISTED

Baltimore

Dr. James Mersey -- NO LONGER LISTED

Baltimore

Dr. James A. Dicke, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, 6701 N. Charles Street, Suite 4105, Baltimore, MD 21204, 410-296-5484/410-821-2804. A reader writes: "In 1999, I went through nine months of undiagnosed illness that left me wishing that were dead. Finally, I was referred to Dr. Dicke who diagnosed and began treating me for Hashimoto's. Since then, he has been treating my wife for type II diabetes and my daughter for POS. He is wonderful! He never makes you feel rushed and makes you feel as though you are the only patient he has. He listens, allows you to express your opinions and discusses them with you. We now use him as our primary physician." (Added: June 2004)

Another recommendation for Dr. Dicke:
"My first office visit was well worth the 6 month wait. He listened to me. I was dancing on my way out of his office because it felt so good to know exactly what was wrong and have a doctor actually listen to me." (Added 10/05)

Baltimore

Dr. Frank Lee, Endocrinology, 6567 N. Charles Street, GBMC Pavilion East, Baltimore, MD 21204 410-828-7417. "Dr. Lee is the first doctor that was willing to listen to my concerns with my hyperthyroidism. We worked with different treatment plans and finally decided on RAI. I'm now hypothyroid but able to confidently have children again. Thank you." (added 1/04)

Another reader writes:
"Dr. Lee is a wonderful endocrinologist. My family doctor initially prescribed Synthroid, but we were unable to get the correct dosage. Dr. Lee was willing to increase my dosage and get my TSH between 1.0 and 2.0." (Added 4/04)

Another reader writes:
"I was mis-diagnosed for 7 years until my family doctor recommended
Dr. Lee. He correctly diagnosed Hashimotos and, after increasing my Synthroid, I am feeling better than
ever. Dr. Lee is a great patient advocate and willing to listen!" (Added: June 2004)

Yet another reader writes:
"Dr. Lee is THE best endocrinologist there is!! He is extremely polite and professional----and very proficient at what he does. Ever since I was 18 years old, I thought I was hypothyroid, however, labs never proved this. Now, I'm 40 and I was referred to Dr. Lee and he was the first physician to even think of doing a sonogram of my neck----B-I-N-G-O----. And now that I'm on the appropriate dose of Synthroid, I finally (after all these years) feel like I have energy to get through the day -- I'm not dragging. And, all these years my family and doctors just chalked it up to "depression".. Thanks, Dr. Lee----you're the best!!" (Added 6/05)

Another recommendation for Dr. Lee:
"I found Dr. Lee on this site and all I can say is wow!! He is professional and polite. He listened to my concerns and offered his input. He has a great nurse practitioner, Sue Kim. She is a pleasure as well. I feel they are aggressive in their treatment and aftercare. I also received a copy of all my lab results with his findings. I give this team an A +++!" (Added 10/05)

Another fan:
"I spent a year flipping wildly between extreme hyper and hypo thyroid. Dr. Lee finally diagnosed me as having both Graves and Hashimotos diseases and performed RAI upon *my request*. Dr. Lee is very professional and courteous. He tends to treat me based on symptoms more so than on "textbook" lab results. I highly recommend him to anyone who has been frustrated in their search for doctors. Bottom line: DR. LEE LISTENS TO HIS PATIENTS." (Added 1/06)

Baltimore

Serena Rose Nolan, MD, Internal Medicine, 8831 Satyr Hill Rd - Ste# 100, Baltimore, MD 21234, 410-668-4300/fax: 410-668-3744 A reader writes: "Her expertise and listening skills! Characteristic of the 'country doctor' who was your friend, neighbor, and confidante!" (Added June 2005)

Bethesda

Leonard Wisneski, Shields Road, Bethesda, Maryland, 301-493-8444, "Dr. Wisneski has been my endocrinologist for 17 years now. He listens and asks me to bring information I read about thyroid disease. He’s up-to-date on my case and the latest information in the medical field. He is a very caring doctor." (Added 4/04)

Another reader writes:

"Dr. Wisneski is an open-mined, progressive, kind-hearted and caring physician who is also trained in acupuncture. He is fabulous." (Added: June 2004)

A reader writes:
"Dr Wisneski has been my endocrinologists for over 15 years. He basically saved my life. When many doctors couldn't diagnose my illness. I was simply having a thyroid problem. He cured me and I blossomed as a new human being full of life. He is the most caring and knowledgeable doctor I encountered in the washington metropolitan area. And most importantly, and that is his talent that not all doctors possess ..he has a clinical eye and his concern for his patients is genuine and authentic. He really cares for their wellbeing." (Added Apr 06)

Chevy Chase / Washington, DC

Neil Ravin, Endocrinologist, 5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 530 Chevy Chase, MD 20815, 301-951-7288.

IMPORTANT NOTE: According to numerous reports, this doctor refuses to give T3 supplementation or Armour Thyroid -- he is a a Synthroid-brand levothyroxine disciple. If you are interested in anything other than Synthroid treatment, conside whether or not you want to make an appointment. (Added Dec 04, updated April 06)

Another reader recommends Dr. Ravin:
"He listens. He reads the literature, keeping up on the latest information. He remembers information from previous visits. He cares about you as a patient. He is successfully treating me for hypothyroidism during menopause, which has caused my T levels to be out of whack."

Another reader recommends Dr. Ravin:
"Dr. Ravin listened to me and was sympathetic to my concerns. He let me finish speaking before he spoke and never cut me off. He has been treating me for Hypothyroidism and I am truly happy with him. If it wasn't for this site, I would not have found him. Thank You!!!" (Added 2/03)

Another recommendation: "After being discouraged at failed attempts of treatment from uninformed doctors and nurse practitioners, I found Dr. Ravin through this site-Thanks! I have been seeing him for almost a year now. He is very personable, professional, and helpful. Most importantly, he is a doctor who listens and understands that every patient is different. He is working with me to get my TSH in the 1-2 range." (Added Dec. 04)

Yet another reader writes:
"I have been a patient of Dr. Ravin's for almost a year (thanks to this site!) I am a Levoxyl taker and have never had a problem with him regarding this...he understands that if something is working, no need to change it (to Synthroid, for example). Haven't talked with him about alternatives like Armour (though I plan to) and T3 supplementation now that I've had to have my thyroid removed due to noncancerous nodules...we'll see how that goes! His personal treatment, knowledge and involvement are rare based on previous experience with other doctors." (Added 6/05)

Cumberland

Jose Laveria, Family Practice, 912 Seton Drive, Cumberland MD 21502, 301-722-3111. "For years I suffered, dry skin, fatigue, general malice, until I changed doctors and Dr, Laveria tested my thyroid, and diagnosed hypothyroidism."

Elkton

Dr. Muhammad Smith, Endocrinologist. 118 North St, Ste 2B Elkton, MD 21921. A reader contributes the following, "Dr. Smith listened intently to me. He also perused Mary Shomon’s book "Living Well with Hypothyroidism" and commented on the T3 chapter. He was very excited and asked if I’d like to try this medicine, he’s prescribed it to some of his patients with great success. Truly a Top Doc!"

Another reader writes:
"This is a truly great doctor! He listens to me, he's patient and kind. For the first time I feel that someone finally cares about how I feel. He keeps up with the new information out there and isn't afraid to make sure your Thyroid is back in a range that YOU feel better. I can't say enough about him. He makes me feel human again!!" (June 2005)

Gaithersburg

Dr. Alan Vinitsky, Environmental Medicine, Wind River Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-840-0002. "He listens, explains well, and takes time to deal with all of your symptoms. He is excellent at dealing with fatigue and vague symptoms. He uses lots of nutritional support and also when necessary, T3." (added 1/04)

Another fan:
"He is excellent in dealing with fatigue and vague symptoms." (Added 1/06)

Hagerstown

Dr. Teresa Joy. "She does work with Armour and does in depth testing. She's the one that found the lump in my throat and immediately had testing done. Very Good!"

Laurel Hill

Dr. Paul V. Beals Preventive medicine thru nutrition and chelation therapies 9101 Cherry Ln. Suite 201 Laurel, MD 20708 301-490-9911 A reader writes: "I've been going to him for years and had two children who also had thyroid problems, one has Hashimoto's and the other is hypothyroid, then I began to show some hypothyroid symptoms. He prescribed Armour thyroid and a progesterone cream and I feel much better now. He listens and will pray with you if you ask. He really cares about you." (Added 11/02)

Olney

Fred Bloem, M. D., Obesity, 4108 Alfalfa Terrace, , MD 20832, 301-260-2601, www.drbloem.com, drbloem@drbloem.com. A reader writes: "He is patient, understanding, and gentle. More than that, he has given me hope for the first time in many years. I have lost 45 pounds since I started his treatment." (Added 6/05)

Another reader writes:
"My wife has lost over 100 pounds last year." (Added 6/05)

Pikesville

Dr Bruce Sindler, Endocrinology, 1314 Bedford Ave, MD 21208, 410-653-4151. A reader writes: "In 2001 I was diagnosed w/ hypothyroid disease. My GP referred me to 2 of the doctors on this list, but neither would LISTEN to my symptoms - they just wanted to prescribe Synthroid and collect the insurance payment... I suffered for almost 4 years on Synthroid - and then found Dr Sindler. After LISTENING to my history and symptoms and concerns, he switched me to Armour. In the past 8 months, my health has improved, my energy levels are back and I no longer get thru every day barely functioning. I credit Dr Sindler AND Armour with giving me back my life." (Added 6/05)

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.