If you do not have a thyroid, are experiencing symptoms, and are hoping to find a physician who…read morewill listen and provide individualized care, this is not the practice for you. You may be told your lab values are "in range" while continuing to experience symptoms that are both real and treatable.
After waiting several months, I was finally seen by Dr. Shifrin-Douglas on July 23, 2025. I arrived hopeful, encouraged by her professional background and reputation. The nurse who initially reviewed my history was excellent--kind, attentive, and validating--which made me optimistic going into the visit.
Unfortunately, the overall experience with both the physician and the office left me feeling dismissed, unheard, and emotionally exhausted. When patient care is reduced to a rigid focus on lab ranges rather than the whole patient, those with complex medical histories are often failed.
For important context, I have lived without a thyroid for 24 years. Over that time, I have learned to recognize the signs of inadequate hormone replacement. When my TSH tripled over the course of a few months, I experienced a sudden and severe worsening of symptoms. I knew my medication dose was no longer appropriate for someone without a thyroid.
Despite this clear change and its impact, my concerns were largely disregarded.
Although the increase in TSH closely matched the escalation of symptoms, my explanation was dismissed because the value remained technically "within range." My symptoms were instead largely attributed to perimenopause, rather than addressing the possibility of inadequate thyroid replacement. This was especially frustrating given my long history managing this condition.
I exercise regularly, follow a non-inflammatory diet, and have taken an active role in my health for decades. I am very attuned to my body and know when something is not right. Still, I left the appointment feeling unheard. I was told to return in six months, which was later reduced to three months after I raised concerns.
I was also surprised that Free T3 was not included in the laboratory tests ordered, despite its importance for patients without thyroids. TSH is an inverse marker, and Free T3 often correlates more closely with symptoms in individuals who do not produce thyroid hormone on their own.
In an effort to advocate for myself, I sent multiple messages that included peer-reviewed medical literature supporting appropriate dose adjustments for post-thyroidectomy patients. The response was a very small weekly increase, which was insignificant relative to my overall dosage. When I requested further adjustment, I was told to wait several weeks to determine whether the change helped, effectively asking me to continue feeling unwell before reconsideration.
The contrast with my current care has been striking. I have since found a physician who listens to symptoms, understands post-thyroidectomy physiology, and made a significantly more appropriate adjustment to my treatment. He emphasized that patients without thyroids often feel best with very low or even below-range TSH, and that Free T3 is an essential value. As a result, I now feel approximately 75% better, which clearly demonstrates the impact of appropriate care.
Compounding this experience was the difficulty navigating the office itself. I spent multiple afternoons attempting to switch to another provider within the same practice, only to be told this was not allowed. I was repeatedly advised that I had already received an adjustment and needed to wait.
I then spent many days trying to find another endocrinologist who accepted my insurance and was not booking many months out, leaving me without adequate care during that time.
I am grateful this chapter is behind me, but the lack of responsiveness and patient-centered care from both the physician and the office staff was deeply disappointing. I understand that healthcare providers are under significant pressure, but patients--especially those with lifelong conditions--are the ones who suffer when care becomes overly rigid.
For what it's worth, the office itself is very nice.
