Stanford endocrine clinic?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Stanford endocrine clinic?
5
Mon, 02-21-2005 - 11:15am

Hi:

Any other Californians on this board? My neighbor came over to say that her friend, an RN with Hashimoto's, has insisted that I should go get a workup at Stanford... they have an endocrinology clinic. I have Kaiser and have been toughing it out for the last year trying to get diagnosed & treated (this has not been easy)... and I'm still not better... The thing is I know that this is often a wait-and-see game, and I'd hate to spend out-of-pocket for an expensive workup only to be told, here's a new dose of Levoxyl, call us in 6 weeks! (Which is what I've been doing with kaiser every six weeks for almost a year!)

So I'm interested in whether anyone has any experience with Stanford? Are they progressive and informed about the latest Thyroid research? (My neighbor did not have any information---only the message--- she's been worried about me and went to her friend for advice, which was very sweet)

I guess the real question is, has anyone out there given up on their HMO, gone to Stanford, and found out helpful things they didn't know before?

I guess this is a longshot, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask...
Thanks,
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 02-22-2005 - 2:35pm

Hi Dee - I hope you get someone who is familiar with the clinic there. I looked at their website and they - the hospital - are really acclaimed in so many areas. Although that doesn't necessarily mean they'll know what they're doing at that clinic. I went to a clinic that was part of Harvard Medical School and the doctor there was just awful. How about posting this on the board at www.thyroid-info.com? You'll have to join to get on the board there but ... it's a busy one and you might find someone with some experience there. (I'll probably get in "trouble" for that suggestion!)

My own advice would be to go for it. You really can't lose. If they're good, then you're set. If not, you won't be any worse off than now. That seems a little bleak but I know how awful this proces is - of trying to find someone to help. Hugs, Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Tue, 02-22-2005 - 8:48pm

Thanks, Cathy:

I guess you're right, it's not like I have anything to lose. It's funny that you mention the Harvard thing you experienced, because it's just that kind of thing that came to mind when I first thought about going to Stanford... If there's one thing I've learned about all this, is that you can't really tell who is going to be informed and caring by their title or years in the field, you know? Some people have had the best care from their general practise GP who happens to be someone who took an interest in thyroid conditions. And, on the flip-side, there are doubtless people who have been unsatisfied with the top-notch hospitals...

so the insider info always seems the way to go!

But since my neighbor's friend is someone with Hashi, maybe that's a good sign?

Thanks & I'll let you know what I find out...
Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2004
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 5:30pm
Hi, Dee! I am also in CA - in Fairfield - I'm not sure where you are, but I'm halfway between Sacramento and SF. After extreme frustration with Kaiser, I went to UCSF about 5 years ago - saw a doctor there for about $250 - brought that info back to my Kaiser MD. I am on my 4th endo with Kaiser - I have gone all over northern CA to find someone half-way decent. The endo I am seeing now is at Kaiser, Vacaville. So far she seems pretty good - but I've only seen her a couple of times. It's really hard to find a good one in the Kaiser system, as I'm sure you are finding out! If/when you find out Stanford info and/or decide to make an appt, maybe we could go together (if we're close enough) and get a group rate! :) I am hypothyroid with diabetes insipidus and a pituitary adenoma (#2) - I have been dealing with this for almost 10 years and would be happy to help if I can - best of luck!
~ Sabine
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 7:01pm


Hi!

Another Northern California girl! I'm in west contra costa county, so we're pretty darn close! (My husband works in Fairfiled a few days a month)!

My new endo is in Walnut Creek, and she's OK... a lot better than Oakland was! She uses the 0.3-3.0 TSH range, which is good, but I'm afraid that once I'm in the range, I'll be on my own even if I still have symtpoms. And I've had some odd test results (high PTH/ high Calcium), that she doesn't really seem to want to investigate further.

I'm hesitant to drive all the way to Stanford, though: I don't necissarily trust that because it's Stanford, that it'll be any more advanced than Kaiser... you know? It should be, but who knows? (I guess I'm becoming skeptical).

Were you impressed with UCSF? I went to their website, but couldn't identify anyone who jumped out as a thyroid person...

Well, I'm glad to know I'm not on my own out here!
Thanks for responding to my post,
I'll keep in touch,

Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 10:40pm


Hi fellow Californian!

It's been a while since we exchanged posts, here... but I wanted you to know that I found someone great in Berkeley: Dr. Stephen Langer. He's listed on "top docs" and wrote: "Solved: The riddle of illness."
Anyway, he has all the latest info and is very validating and has negotiated a pretty good deal with a local lab (the first visit is expensive, but you get 45 mins with him, and if you've been with Kaiser then you're probably not getting more than 10 mins ever, right?!)
He doesn't stop trying or give up until you feel better... and rules out all sorts of other things (allergies, vitamin / mineral imbalance, etc.) And has the latest info on diet & supplements...

I feel like I"m on the right track now.

Take care,
Dee.