Hypothyroidism?
 

Will this condition hinder my chances to get a first class medical? I am taking medication for it. Other than that I am good shape.

No. Infact i know a dozen female captains at united with the same condition. This is very common among women then men and you should not have any problem getting your 1st class.
Good luck:D

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Oct 2007. The military had me med-down for 6 months while I started my medication and got back on track. Since that time, I've gotten a 3rd class medical from the FAA and been checked 3 times through the military including my annual flight physical (which I hear the short form is still most inclusive than a 1st Class). So far so good - but I have of course worried about a 1st Class medicial too. Thanks for the good information.

USMCFLYR

I found this topic interesting as I have hypothyroidism. I also got a nice letter in the mail from the FAA saying that I "did not qualify for a 1st class under part 67. (scared the crap out of me) Then the next line said that I did qualify under part 67 for a special issuance and the letter they sent had a new medical and a 6 year authorization for special issuance 1st class medical.....I'm still kinda bugged that I have to have a special issuance over taking synthroid.

I've had hypothyroidism for about 15 years now... Never once had a special issuance medical. I've been taking synthroid the entire time..

There's some useful info here: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...ypothyroidism/

The current FAA Aviation Medical Examiner's Guide seems to suggest, however, that it's possible to avoid the special issuance process if the applicant presents evidence of normal thyroid levels via a report of lab results:

Update:

I got my 1st class medical in November. I presented the AME with all of the paperwork from the military, complete with lab results over a period of time. I had not trouble getting my medical. In future applications I was told to write "condition previously cleared by the FAA" and there shouldn't be a problem.

USMCFLYR

Does anyone have any experience with suddenly learning they are Hypothyroid as an active airline pilot? A blood test just came back showing I am Hypothyroid. I self grounded myself and my family doc started me on Synthroid. My AMEs receptionist (they won't let me talk to the actual DOCTOR without booking an office visit for $55 - What the... ???), and a flight surgeon at Alpa aeromedical are both telling me I will be grounded for at least 6 weeks until my bloodwork shows my hormone levels normal and stable, but when I read the FAA AME guide it seems to indicate they can issue a special issuance authorization (a temporary medical) to keep me working until my lab results come in. Has anyone been down this road before?

sulkair -

As you read before - I dealt with this in the military - so MAYBE the FAA would be different, I'm sure someone will be able to lead you to the right answer there. But yes - I had to wait 6 weeks after every change to my medication to show that I was stable until I could get my waiver. I was told that it took 6 weeks of the meds to take effect fully - and you have to be free of all effects. I was down for 6 months - so if you are only donw for 6 weeks - then be very happy!
SI UNTIL your tests come back. I doubt it - but then again I'm not an AME - so good luck if you can get that.

USMCFLYR

Ask doctor Forred on jetcareers.com, He is a flight surgeon on the site to answer all your questions. Great guy and same day solution.
Good luck

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

Are you on thyroid medication now? I've never dealt with ALPA Aeromedical, perhaps someone else on the board has but I would let them handle any further communications with the FAA.

I know you're concerned about this but thyroid problems are NO BIG DEAL!! You will get your medical as long as your thyroid levels are normal and you are doing well on the medication.

Ok, thanks FL510. Yes I'm on the medication. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Thanks to you too Penguin for the words.

I never really reported back to ya'll, for which I'm very sorry. I was on medical leave for about 6 weeks. Was able to get stabilized on my synthetic hormone medication within that time. Got a special issuance letter from the FAA and have been back to work since.

I actually just started a website about this issue as you can see on my signature below. But my real question now is... Will the special issuance make me less desirable to future employers? I bet this is a hard question to answer because it could put a question mark in the minds of of an interview panel even if it isn't verbalized. Hopefully not though.

Thanks everyone for their help. And If anyone has any questions about the process, just ask. I'd be more than happy to share my experience. I hope the mods won't mind me mentioning my website. It's brand new, and only a few articles are up. But I have a forum board I hope I can get some followership on for fellow sufferers.

http://thyroid-hype.com "Where knowledge and community equal healing"