Thyroid Disease
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Quiz: What Type of Doctor is Best For You and Your Thyroid Treatment?
from Mary Shomon,
Your Guide to Thyroid Disease

What type of doctor is likely to be the best fit with your approach to health? For some people, it may be an endocrinologist, others want someone who focuses specifically on the thyroid, and for some, an alternative or holistic doctor is best. Take this quiz to explore some of your own feelings about your health care, the style and personality of your doctor, your thoughts about alternative medicine, and you'll get an automatic assessment of the type of doctor you might find best for your health care.

What style of doctor do you prefer the most?
Someone I know and trust, who I've seen for a long time
Someone who is willing to try the newest things in herbs, vitamins, supplements
Knowledgeable, traditional, follows the rules, not "crazy"
Someone known for working with thyroid patients particularly

How do you usually pay for your doctor?
Cash, no health insurance, so I pay out of pocket, and it's TOO EXPENSIVE!
Money's not a problem
My HMO or Insurance covers most doctor's fees
I am willing to pay occasionally out of pocket for a doctor who is worth it

What is your information style regarding health care?
I research everything, love to find out the latest information, and want to be involved in my own decisions
I don't need information, just treat me
I want a doctor who will explain things to me
I want a doctor who knows it all, so I don't have to

What sort of approach to alternative medicine do you prefer?
I avoid alternative medicine, don't really have any interest in it
I take vitamins but that's about it
I actively seek out information on things like diet, nutrition, herbs, vitamins and such
I really try to avoid traditional drugs, and use natural and alternative medicine whenever possible

What is your expectation regarding your thyroid condition?
I expect to take medicine that will return me to normal and I'll feel just like I did before
I realize that it may take time to get well
I am willing to participate actively in getting well
I'm going to learn how to feel and live the best I possibly can

What do you think is the ideal approach to diagnosis?
Blood tests are all that's needed to diagnose my thyroid problem
Doctor should take a blood test, take a family history, do a clinical evaluation of me
Doctor should run various tests, evaluate family history, clinical evaluation, and review my symptoms
Doctor should run various tests, evaluate family history, clinical evaluation, review my symptoms, and even try a course of thyroid drugs to see if they help

How do you typically handle a minor illness like a cold?
Don't do anything, or take a cold pill
I take extra vitamins, Vitamin C, soup, get rest
I use oscillococcinum, homeopathic/herbal/nutritional remedies, teas, and other alternatives
Homeopathic/herbal/nutritional remedies, teas, and I try mind-body approaches

What do you think the best way to find a doctor is?
Get referred by another doctor you know
Look in a magazine or official listing of "Best Doctors"
Recommendations from family, friends
Recommendations from other thyroid patients

What quality do you most admire in a doctor?
Confident
Open-minded
Friendly, easy to talk to
Don't care about anything except what they know about my thyroid

What quality do you least admire in a doctor?
Arrogance
Too busy, doesn't listen
Uninformed
Crunchy-granola, too "out there"

What is the most important thing to you about the doctor you select?
Needs to be on my HMO or health plan
Needs to know how to best treat thyroid problems
Needs to be able to figure out my complicated health situation
Needs to be willing to spend time, listen, and consider the whole me

What sorts of alternative medicine are you willing to try?
None, not interested
I'd be willing to try nutrition, supplements, basic things like that
I'm very interested in herbs, vitamins, nutrition, supplements
Bring it on -- acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, yoga, the whole thing!

What other types of health problems do you have? (Choose a maximum of 4)
Nothing else, just my thyroid
Hormonal issues and/or diabetes and/or obesity
Fatigue, body pain (like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia)
I just feel awful most everywhere, all the time, but who knows why

What treatment most appeals to you?
A pill I can take every day
Medicine, dietary changes, exercise
Medicine, dietary changes, exercise, supplements
Dietary changes, exercise, supplements, herbs, mind-body approaches

What is your age range?
Under 25
25 to 50s
50s
60 plus











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