Hypothyroidism

EchoSierra

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2014
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12
I've heard from unofficial sources that hypothyroidism, so long as it's mild and medicated (which mine is) is not a disqualifier for the USAFA medical. Is this true, and if so, can anybody tell me what 'mild' means in less fuzzy terms?

Thanks so much!
 
Are you asking DQ or waiver? Two different issues. DoDMERB has a specific set of regs set in paper for Q/DQ. Waivers are given by the commissioning source, I.e AFA/AFROTC/OCS.

I am not DoDMERB qualified, but there is a red flag in your statement....MEDICATED.

What happens if you run out of meds? Is there a ticking clock on how long you can go before life is no longer the same without the meds, and what are the medical issues after that time has passed?

Getting a DQ and not waived may seem personal, but really isn't. It is about how your medical conditions impacts those that serve with you. Can you be deployed to the Green Zone or the sandbox, how about Kuang Ju, a podunk base in Korea with limited medical facilities? Or will they have to send someone else in your stead?

Are you ineligible to do every job in that branch? I.E. I know you are looking at the AFA, is flying now a total no-go? Add that to the fact as a chair flier you can't go to remote bases, because of the meds, waivers look less likely.

I would ask this question on the DoDMERB help desk.

As far as mild, my guess is the prescription level is going to be the factor between DQ and Q. I also will remind you that if you want to fly, this exam actually gets you eligible to serve in the AF. To fly you will need an FC1 physical which is an FAA level exam. AFROTC cadets are flown to Wright Pat AFB for 3 days to perform this physical. It includes everything from wisdom teeth xrays to EKGs.
~~~~ Just saying if that is your career goal start looking deeper into the condition past the AFA DoDMERB.
 
The mediaction is a very light synthesized thyroid horomone. I can go off of it for the rest of my life if I so choose and suffer no serious side effects, but when I take it I am more alert and my sleep cycle works better. My metabolism becomes a tad slower when I get off of it, but not much. It boosts my immune system as well. Basically, without it I would be a little tired, gain maybe five pounds, and get sick a couple of times a year. Is that serious enough to DQ me for anything like longterm deployments?
 
First let me stress do not think of going off it no matter what any poster says. I repeat do not heal thyself for a flipping AFA appointment or an AFROTC scholarship.

Now for why it is always case by case.

To you you can go off of it and gain a few lbs, be a little tired, and get some more colds. To the medical world they are looking at the damage it would cause to your organs, be it short tern or long term if you for whatever reason are not on the meds.

They are probably, key word probably going to look at the dosage. Just guessing, but I see it like eyes. There is a level that they deem as Q and one that is deemed DQ.

Google your medical issue using the key words DoDMERB. Maybe here if you use the search function you will be able to find the exact DD reg regarding DQ for it.

I am not trying to be Janie Raincloud, I am trying to say get in front of it now. It might be as simple as fi wings doc that is DoDMERB qualified in your area to give you an exam. I was never a DoDMERB consultant fan until lately, and it might be as simple as contacting one and them assisting you in negotiating the path not to get DQ.

You are lucky time is on your hands.

Best of luck.
 
Thanks! I'll start looking for people to contact about it. I know the FAA flight physical I underwent wanted to check my thyroid levels when I was on my meds, is that what you were talking about? I hope so, because they found me to be within an acceptable range and gave me a second class physical.
 
No, the FAA physical is a Flight Class 1, for pilots not a 2 which is what it appears/reads that you have on record... different ball of wax. However, it should help you get a waiver if needed.

As i have stated I am not a doc, nor sit on any board. I would place my opinion at the worth of less than a penny.

You may want to check out www.baseops.net and see if you can get an FC1.
 
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If you're going through DoDMERB (which I assume you are) hypothyroidism controlled by medication isn't a disqualification. If you are off medication it is a disqualification. I just went through this and hypo isn't a problem but hyper is.
 
My daughter received appointments to USCGA and USAFA. She passed the DodMERB and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the exam. She did receive waivers from both academies, but Air Force stated she would not be allowed to serve in front line positions.
 
I am curious about USAFA and front line comment...are you saying she would be deemed non-rated only?

Don't get me wrong there are some non-rated in bad areas, but mpo is that front line is rated. ALO (not the USAFA type, but ADAF) and medical personnel come to mind,. 20+ years of Bullet flying and I never saw him on the front line...the AF likes to keep their multimillion dollar investments (rated) and multi-billion dollars assets (airframes) off of the front line.
I.E Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

FWIW, that is great info for not only the OP, but every poster/lurker regarding the AFA. Only caveat is what MullenLE use to say...EVERY waiver is case by case die their medical background.
 
I cannot speak to DoDMERB but mild hypothyroidism controlled by medication is not disqualifying for rated positions according to the Air Force Waiver Guide. It requires a waiver, but the waiver rate is ~90%.
 
If you're going through DoDMERB (which I assume you are) hypothyroidism controlled by medication isn't a disqualification. If you are off medication it is a disqualification. I just went through this and hypo isn't a problem but hyper is.


What if its controlled WITHOUT medication. Is that still a DQ? I have been off meds for more than a year.
 
If you're going through DoDMERB (which I assume you are) hypothyroidism controlled by medication isn't a disqualification. If you are off medication it is a disqualification. I just went through this and hypo isn't a problem but hyper is.


What if its controlled WITHOUT medication. Is that still a DQ? I have been off meds for more than a year.
Mandyj34 has not posted since 2014, and therefore very unlikely to answer. You may receive more responses by posting a fresh thread.
 
If you're going through DoDMERB (which I assume you are) hypothyroidism controlled by medication isn't a disqualification. If you are off medication it is a disqualification. I just went through this and hypo isn't a problem but hyper is.


What if its controlled WITHOUT medication. Is that still a DQ? I have been off meds for more than a year.
Mandyj34 has not posted since 2014, and therefore very unlikely to answer. You may receive more responses by posting a fresh thread.

True thank you for your reply
 
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