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.

Billings

Roberta Bourgon, V. N.D., Wellness Center 19 North 25th St, Billings, MT. This reader tells us, "She listens to every thing you have to say and always asks if there is any thing you don’t understand. She’s helpful in locating books to read and is very knowledgeable about the thyroid."

Bozeman

Michael Lang, N.D., 7600 Shedhorn Drive, Bozeman, Montana 59718, 406-586-1100. "I thought I'd give you the names of two doctors in Montana that really knows their stuff about thyroid disease and its treatment. They know about a lot of other stuff too, but they are open to treating with natural thyroid and they really listen to their patients and treat them as individuals and what works best for them." (added 1/04)

Bozeman

John Neustadt, ND, Endocrinology, 2135 Charlotte Street, Suite 3, Bozeman, MT 59718, 406-582-0034, info@montanaim.com/www.montanaim.com, A reader writes: "Dr. Neustadt took the time to find the underlying causes of my illness. I had suffered for 20 years with headaches and seen all sorts of specialists. Dr. Neustadt was the first one to do thyroid tests and an in-depth musculoskeletal exam. He found the causes, treated them, and now I'm headache free!!!! I also liked that if he didn't know the answer to a question I had, he told me. But not just that, he then went and researched it and called me with his answer and additional information. He's a top doc!" (Added Apr 06)

Flathead Valley/ Whitefish

Steven K. Gordon Naturopathic -Endocrinology and Diabetology 5938 Highway 93 South Whitefish MT 59937 406-863-9300 Dr. Gordon does complete system state of the art endocrine hormone laboratory profiles biochemical analysis and employs lifestyle nutritional and biologically compatible treatment programs. Treatments include adrenal, thyroid, sex hormones, and diabetes mastery to name a few.

Helena

Brian C. Weitz, Family Practice, 3330 Ptarmigan Lane, Helena, MT 59601, 406-443-3570 "I would love to see my doctor, Dr. Brian C. Weitz, as a top doc. To me he is! He is a board certified Family Practitioner and he is great! The day that my late step-father was admitted to the hospital (Dr. Weitz was also his doctor), he was talking to us in the lobby and he said: 'Let me see your throat' and when he did, he told me to come in that week for tests. The rest is history. I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease and he has been so kind and patient--answering all my questions and calming me down when I get hysterical because I am afraid. Jodi, his office nurse is the perfect compliment to the perfect doctor!"

Another reader writes:
"I originally went to see Dr. Weitz for my allergies. He took one look at me, and said I goiter. He asked to do some tests, and found I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis as well as a goiter. I had just moved to Helena from San Diego, and my Internal Medicine doctor in San Diego never even noticed my goiter, and when I asked to have my thyroid tested, he said I was "normal" and I didn't have any problems. I respect Dr. Weitz and hope I never have to leave Helena, because he is truly the best doctor I have ever had the pleasure of going to. He is very kind, he listens, and explains anything you ask him so that you completely understand what is going on when you leave his office. His nurse Jodi, is the sweetest lady, also very kind and patient, and they are like family. Dr. Weitz takes care of my whole family now, and helped deliver my daughter. He is truly a Top Doc in my book!!" (Added: June 2004)

Missoula

Jeanne Hebl, R.N., C.N.M., C.L.E. Certified Nurse - Midwife Physician Center #1, Suite 121, 2825 Fort Missoula Road, Missoula, MT 59804. A reader writes, "I would like to recommend Jeanne Hebl as a Top Doc. She took the time with me to listen to all my concerns about my hypothyroidism. When my current medication didn’t seem to be working, she was willing to try alternative medications (Armour). Jeannie listens to her patients, not their blood tests!"

Missoula

Jamison Starbuck, N.D., 2516 W. 14th St. S., Missoula, MT 59804, 406-549-0005. A reader writes: "Working with Dr. Starbuck has been a pleasant experience! She considers the big picture, takes the time to discuss details, and is open-minded. She is knowledgeable, but when she doesn't know the answer, she admits it and researches the issue before getting back to me! I never feel marginalized or hypochondriacal, as I have in the past. Instead, I am empowered a partner in the diagnosis and treatment of my health issues." (Added 1/06)

Plains

Dean French Family Medicine 110 Kruger Road PO Box 768 Plains, MT 59859 406-826-4800 french@cfvh.org. A reader writes: "Always willing to go the extra mile to diagnose and treat, even the most ambiguous clusters of symptoms. Recommends a wide variety of treatments - tailored to the person. I spent years seeing doctors for my fatigue - before he explained to me that I had a low thyroid state - and then we spent the next 12 months - working to get it corrected - together - and I feel the best I've felt in 15 years." (Added 11/02)

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.