How Do I Find a Good Doctor?

This is one of the most common questions we get:
“How do I find a doctor who will actually help?”

The truth is, you don’t need an expensive specialist or a doctor who knows everything about thyroid and adrenal health. What you do need is someone who’s willing to listen and partner with you.

A good doctor doesn’t need to have all the answers. They just need to be open-minded, respectful, and willing to work with you. And the more you follow the HypoHero™ Thyroid Protocol, the easier it becomes to advocate for yourself and know what to ask for.

What Makes a Doctor “Good”?

When looking for a doctor, focus less on the title or credentials and more on how they practice. Here are a few things we suggest looking for:

Willing to treat based on symptoms and body temperature, not just lab ranges
Runs a full thyroid panel: Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, not just TSH
Is willing to take a natural approach using supplements
Will run additional tests when needed (iron, B12, ferritin, cortisol, hormones, vitamin D, etc.)
Makes you feel heard, not dismissed
Open to feedback and willing to adjust based on how you’re responding

A good doctor will never tell you it’s “all in your head” or shame you for wanting to feel better.

What to Avoid

If a doctor makes you feel ignored, judged, or dismissed, that’s a red flag. These statements are signs the doctor may not be a good fit:

“Your TSH is normal, so your thyroid is fine.”
“Fatigue and weight gain are just part of getting older.”
“You don’t need any other tests.”
“You just need to eat less and exercise more.”
“I won’t prescribe anything but Synthroid or Levothyroxine.”

Remember: You don’t need to convince someone who isn’t willing to listen. It’s okay to move on.

Do I Need a Thyroid Specialist?

Not necessarily.

Some endocrinologists and family doctors are helpful, but many aren’t trained in anything beyond standard TSH-based treatment. That’s why we often recommend looking for a doctor who practices integrative or functional medicine, or D.O. primary care providers, as they tend to take a holistic view of thyroid and adrenal health.

That said, any doctor can be helpful if they’re willing to learn and listen. The HypoHero Thyroid Protocol will help you understand what’s going on in your body, so you’re not depending on someone else to figure it out for you.

Too often, we see hypothyroid patients so frustrated and desperate for help that they end up paying thousands of dollars and waiting many months for expensive specialists who are frequently unnecessary. The HypoHero Thyroid Protocol will help you become your own best advocate, which can save you time, money, and frustration.

Interview the Office First

To save yourself time and frustration, call the doctor’s office before booking a visit. Ask:

Does the doctor treat hypothyroidism based on symptoms and not just TSH?
Will they test Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3?
Are they open to natural approaches, including supplements?
Are they open to adjusting thyroid medication (up or down) based on how I feel?

If the office can’t or won’t answer, it’s okay to keep looking. A quick call now can save you months of waiting for an appointment that goes nowhere.

You Are Your Best Advocate

You don’t have to wait for a doctor to fix everything. When you follow the HypoHero™ Thyroid Protocol, you’ll learn how to track your temperature and symptoms, understand what they mean, and support your body with the right tools.

That way, when you do find a doctor who’s willing to work with you, you’ll know exactly what to ask for and why.

You’re not stuck—you just need the right strategy, support, and confidence to advocate for yourself.