SURVEY: Hypothyroid patients view of their doctors

Recently, a survey was implemented by Stop the Thyroid Madness LLC in which 1,870 thyroid patients participated. These patients came from several thyroid patient groups on Facebook and Yahoo. Most of the thyroid patients probably came from the United States, but participants also live in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and many European and non-European countries.

The survey with five questions was created to get an idea of patient experiences with their medical professionals or doctors. Note that questions 2 – 5 had write-in answers/comments. You can click on “Other” or “Comments” below those questions to see all of those. The results are astounding.

Medical professionals should ESPECIALLY read the comments to #3.

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Question 1: How satisfied have you been with the way the majority of medical professionals you have seen over the years have treated your thyroid problem? (Choose one response only) Answered: 1,862

Skipped: 8 Answer Choices� Responses� 1) VERY SATISFIED � Most medical professionals have helped my thyroid issues. 46 (2.47%) 2) MODERATELY SATISFIED � Some have done well; others have not done as well 281 (15.09%) 3) NEUTRAL � I have no opinion one way or the other 55 (2.95%) 4) NOT SATISFIED � the vast majority of my experiences with doctors have been negative when it comes to helping me 1,480 (79.48%) Total Respondents: 1,862

Question 2: If you chose #1 above, why do you feel very satisfied about your thyroid treatment by the majority of medical professionals you have seen over the years? (Choose any that apply)

Answered: 133

Skipped: 1,737

Answer Choices� Responses� 1) I feel much better than I did before 32 (24.06%) 2) I have no more symptoms that I understand are related to hypothyroidism. 6 (4.51%) 3) The majority of those doctors were good listeners 33 (24.81%) 4) The majority of those doctors seem to know what they are doing. 29 (21.80%) 5) The majority of those doctors respect my opinions and see me as a partner in my healthcare. 47 (35.34%) 6) Their fees were affordable 9 (6.77%) 7) Other (please specify) 67 (50.38%) Total Respondents: 133

Question 3: If you chose either 2, 3, or 4 in the first question above: which of the following actions by medical professionals would have raised your opinion of the thyroid care you had gotten? (Choose any that apply) Answered: 1,769

Skipped: 101 Answer Choices� Responses� 1) Paying more attention to my symptoms rather than putting focus solely on lab results. 1,487 (84.06%) 2) Understanding how to read lab results 855 (48.33%) 3) Being offered Natural Desiccated Thyroid or T3 rather than T4-only 1,138 (64.33%) 4) Going more by the Free T3 and Free T4 plus symptoms, not the TSH 1,156 (65.35%) 5) Understanding the reality of cortisol problems, plus saliva testing and treatment 1,096 (61.96%) 6) Understanding the problem of low iron, reading iron labs, treatment 858 (48.50%) 7) Being more open-minded about non-traditional therapies 1,162 (65.69%) 8) Understanding that my depression could be related to my hypothyroid state. 843 (47.65%) 9) Other (please specify) 395 (22.33%) Total Respondents: 1,769 Question 4: When thinking about the types of health care providers you have used over the years, please choose one type that you feel did the WORST job in your treatment. Answered: 1,780

Skipped: 90 Answer Choices� Responses� 1) Endocrinologists 930 (52.25%) 2) MD’s (Medical Doctor) 729 (40.96%) 3) DO’s (Doctor of Osteopathy 25 (1.40%) 4) NP’s (Nurse Practitioners) 37 (2.08%) 5) PA’s (Physicians Assistants) 42 (2.36%) 6) Naturopaths 17 (0.96%) Total 1,780 Comments (122) Question 5: When thinking about the types of health care providers you have used over the years, please choose one type that you feel did the BEST job in your treatment. Answered: 1,386

Skipped: 484 Answer Choices� Responses� 1) Endocrinologists 137 (9.88%) 2) MD’s (Medical Doctor) 419 (30.23%) 3) DO’s (Doctor of Osteopathy 181 (13.06%) 4) NP’s (Nurse Practitioners) 133 (9.60%) 5) PA’s (Physicians Assistants) 64 (4.62%) 6) Naturopaths 452 (32.61%) Total 1,386 Comments (565)

Important note: STTM is an information-only site based on what many patients worldwide have reported in their treatment and wisdom over the years. This is not to be taken as personal medical advice, nor to replace a relationship with your doctor. By reading this information-only website, you take full responsibility for what you choose to do with this website's information or outcomes. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use.