FL510

The FAA is now requiring Special Issuances for all pilots on thyroid medication. I know a pilot that's been taking and reporting his thyroid medication for 15 years, never had a problem. Went in for his recent First Class and the AME said because of the new changes coming down from OKC, he would be getting a SI certificate good for one year. He has to submit lab work and a letter from his doctor stating that he is stable and that thyroid levels remain within normal limits.

I would imagine you'll have to wait until your thyroid levels are back to normal, then submit the required tests to your AME. He may be able to issue you a certificate at that time or he may have to get approval from OKC before he issues the certificate.

As long as your thyroid levels are normal, you'll get a certificate. However, it's going to be a SI for the rest of your career.

sulkair

But that's ok right? You don't think it hurts you with potential employers or anything do you?

thanks so much for all the posts guys!

FL510

Once the doc gets your thyroid levels under control, you'll be fine. I don't see any problem. Thyroid problems are fairly common. FWIW, I know several pilots holding first class medicals that have arterial stents! Taking thyroid meds is not a big deal.

You don't have anything to worry about. Here's more info that you might find useful:

AASI for Hypothyroidism
After initial certification by FAA staff doctors, subsequent renewals qualify for AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI), a process that provides examiners the ability to issue an airman medical certificate to an applicant who has a medical condition that is disqualifying under 14 CFR Part 67.

The authorization letter received from FAA, granted in accordance with part 67 (14 CFR Part 67.401), is accompanied by attachments that specify what information the treating physician(s) must provide for the renewal issuance.

Examiners may issue renewal of an airman medical certificate if the applicant provides the following:

•An authorization granted by the FAA.
•Thyroid function studies performed within last 90 days.
•Medication information with comments about any side effects.
•Doctor statement regarding any other associated problems, such as cardiac dysrhythmia.
The examiner should defer to the AMCD or Region if:

•The TSH level is elevated.
•Symptoms of associated illness, such as dysrhythmia, have developed.

FL510

FYI, another change that came down from OKC is that if someone has had problems with kidney stones, they will be issued a Special Issuance medical at their next exam provided they supply the AME with a letter and tests from their attending physician stating they are "stone" free!

Don't quote me on this, but I believe you get a one time pass. If you get a second stone, then you get the SI.

brownie

I think every case is different because my buddy just got done doin his first class and no chnage on his tsh level and no special issuance certificate was given. Normal visit and nothing different from his 6 months a go visit.

USMCFLYR

I do know that you only need your levels checked once a year - not every medical (1st class). Since it requires a waiver - not sure how he doesn't have a SI though.

USMCFLYR

sulkair

Any idea how log this takes? An estimated timeline? Say a blood test comes back Euthyroid (normal thyroid levels) on day 1. I submit test results to FAA on day 2. Then how long for FAA to sign off on it for the special issuance?

Appreciate all the help guys.

FL510

I would talk to your AME. If your levels come back normal, you have a letter from your attending physician stating you're fine and doing well on current meds, your AME MAY, I stress MAY, be able to issue your medical at that time. You will then get a Special Issuance in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

If your AME cannot issue the medical without OKC looking at your file first, then it could take up to 6 months to get your medical. If this is the case, I would strongly suggest you work with Virtual Flight Surgeons or AOPA and have them be the liason between you and the Feds. They will make sure you have ALL the required tests and paperwork prior to sending your file to OKC. Trust me, you do not want to tackle this by yourself.

As long as your levels are fine and you are doing well, you will get a medical.

Good Luck

penguin22

Thyroid problems are no problem in this career (with the right doc).

Been hypothyroid for 20 years. Well, started out hyperthroid, took meds for that a few years, then finally killed off the thyroid with radio active iodine, so now I'm hypothyroid, and on meds for that. A generic synthroid.

First Class Medical the whole time, and now even the Koreans have bought off on it and given me a Korean First Class medical. Which is an astronaut medical.

sulkair

Ok, thanks for the advice. I'm using ALPA Aeromedical, how do you feel about them?

Also I think I already screwed things up big time. I called the FAA atlanta regional office with a simple question and now they have mailed me a certified letter requesting I mail my medical certificate back to them for cancellation. I gotta get with ALPA Aeromedical on monday and see what I should do. Ironically I got this letter from the FAA the day after my blood tests came back Euthyroid. Any thoughts?