Can a naturopath prescribe thyroid medications?

[Tiredme]

Like synthroid and generic, Armour etc?  Thanks.  PS - I live in Seattle if there are different rules everywhere.  I tried to look it up but got many conflicting answers...

[Barb135]

Not to worry; you didn't know.  We've had some doctors that got too many calls........... lol   Will look forward to the additional info to add to the list.

[payton382]

Ok, sorry about that.  I will PM you additional Dr's info.  

[Barb135]

We need to be careful about giving doctor's names on the open forum, because we don't have permission to do that.  That info should be passed via PM, but for your info - we are trying to get a collection of patient recommended thyroid doctors, so if you'd care to PM me  info on this doctor I'd love to add him to the list.

[Tiredme]

Thanks so much.  It's a whole new avenue.  Kenmore is not that far. I will give him a call.  My Free t4 is low in the range but still in.  I am hoping a different kind of Dr. can listen.

[payton382]

I've seen Scott Buesing when I was up in Seattle for a month.  I think he's practicing in Kenmore right now.  If you're anywhere near the Seattle area he should be close enough for you.

He was the first doctor to ever check my Free's and he offered to switch me to Desiccated thyroid.  I was taking Levothyroxine at the time and my TSH was fine (right around 1 and under) but my Free T3 and Free T4 were below their ranges.  Up until I saw him my Dr back home had kept decreasing my Levo because my TSH was so low.

My Dr at home (who is not my current Dr, after all this I left her) also missed my anemia.  I specifically asked her to check for anemia.  She only checked my iron level and said it was fine.  When I saw Scott Buesing he also checked my Ferritin and Hemoglobin and Hematocrit levels and found that my Ferritin level was 5 and H&H showed I was severely anemic.  

So I'd say I totally trust him and he never offered anything other than writing a script for thyroid and telling me which iron is the best to take for absorption.  

[payton382]

I live in SW Washington.  

I've been to 4 ND's and none have ever required me to buy anything from them.  In fact, I've only gotten thyroid scripts they wrote and called into a pharmacy.  They did my blood draws and the insurance paid for it and the scripts.

I have always been open and honest saying I just want them to manage my thyroid labs and scripts and they all knew I went to an Internal Medicine Doc for everything else.  It's never been a problem and I've never gotten an attitude.    

With all that said, depending on the type you run across it could be an issue because I know what Barb is talking about.  I have had one offer Neurotransmitter testing and supplements for that but just be clear and honest that you're not interested, unless you are.  I had a Acupuncturist once try to get me on all sorts of stuff.  Needless to say I never went back.    

[caregiver222]

It depends upon the State. Some naturopaths (N.D.) have DEA prescription rights and can prescribe anything, and others do not. In some states (Utah) those naturopaths currently licensed have full DEA priviliges, however these are no longer granted to those newly certified.

[Barb135]

Watch out for Naturopaths.  Many of them follow a protocol that requires you to  buy a multitude of vitamins/minerals and other supplements from them.

[Tiredme]

Awesome, where do you live?

[payton382]

Yes, I live in Washington State also and my ND can prescribe everything.