Can you get into the military with Hoshimotos disease?

D

Dr.Wesley

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2017
Messages
22
I went to a recruiter today and he said I can't get into the military since I have Hoshimotos disease and therefore require medication. I've heard different things from different people and don't know what to believe. Does anyone here know anything about getting in when you need medication?
 
Thanks. I read the information but it didn't answer my question. Does anyone else know?
 
I am applying to service academies for 2023. I spoke with Lawrence Mullen (deputy chief of DoDMERB) as I have hypothyroidism, which often comes with Hoshimotos. I take levothyroxine for it nightly. According to Mr. Mullen, levothyroxine and Synthroid (non-generic version) are some of the only prescription medications permitted while serving. If you are on that medication and your TH levels are normal, you will not be disqualified. I would recommend contacting him—his contact is readily available and he is a great resource who can give you a better, case-by-case answer than you can find here.

Excuse any typos or formatting errors, I’m on my phone.
 
Two separate things here. Recruiter tells me you are exploring enlisting which means you will go through MEPS. DoDMERB, as referenced here, is a separate path with its own regulations. Although there is a lot of overlap, they are two separate items with two separate set of regs, waivers, etc.

I had a close friend’s daughter who was able to enlist with a thyroid issue. Based upon the research I did then and walking through that process, hypothyroidism that is controlled with meds can get through. Controlled will be the key and will be what is scrutinized. How long one has been diagnosed, on meds and what the TSH results results showed were the keys to getting through the process. She had to wait to enlist a few extra months because they wanted to see 12 months on medication and had to have several TSH tests completed. Each service will scrutinize this differently, it’s best to have your medical paperwork in good order to show diagnosis, how long on meds, etc.
 
Great advice above. I'll add a little on the operational side. Once personnel taking endocrine disorder medications get to the operational forces, tell Doc so he/she can order enough medications to get you through upcoming deployments. I had a Chief check in two days before an underway period and he thought it was OK to ignore me when I told him to bring his health record to sick bay so I could check him in. One would think since he was on synthroid he'd be curious as to whether I had any onboard. I did not. It wasn't on the AMMAL. I had to go to Portsmouth and beg for enough to us to the Caribbean and back.
 
Yes, I am thinking of enlisting but if I have to wait a year I might as well go to Valley Forge next semester and hopefully get into a service academy. Either way, my long term goal is to go to a service academy or some other military college. I've been on Synthroid for almost a year but my TSH is just now starting to get leveled. Does that mean I have to wait a year?
 
I'm no accessions medical expert but I have seen as NavyHoops wrote above, the 12 month time period both on a medication and the normaling out of the lab values.
 
I am no expert on this but from what I have read and seen, it would depend on your blood tests. Not sure how far apart they have to be. Even if you are beyond 12 months it would depend on the leveling on those tests to validate. Again, it could depend on your recruiter, needs of the service, etc.
 
Dr.Wesley said:
I went to a recruiter today and he said I can't get into the military since I have Hoshimotos disease and therefore require medication. I've heard different things from different people and don't know what to believe. Does anyone here know anything about getting in when you need medication?
Click to expand...
My daughter was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the fall of her senior year. She received appointments to USCGA and Air Force. I don't remember the specifics but she did receive waivers from both places. The waiver for Air Force restricted her from any front line positions and USCGA had no restrictions. She just graduated from USCGA.
 
It is possible to get medically qualified. Depends on the medication and TSH levels. I have had cadet with thyroid issues get medically qualified without needing a waiver. Just had to provide a lot of paperwork for the remedials. However, this was through DODMERB and not MEPS.
 
Dr.Wesley said:
I went to a recruiter today and he said I can't get into the military since I have Hoshimotos disease and therefore require medication. I've heard different things from different people and don't know what to believe. Does anyone here know anything about getting in when you need medication?
Click to expand...
I got approved with Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism) last year. Granted, I’ve been in remission for 2 years. I was originally listed as disqualified but my Peds Endo wrote a letter to DODMERB that I submitted with the regular paperwork when I had the physical. Within 24 hours I was listed as remedial and then cleared. Hope this helped!
 
Mmmidshipman said:
Dr.Wesley said:
I went to a recruiter today and he said I can't get into the military since I have Hoshimotos disease and therefore require medication. I've heard different things from different people and don't know what to believe. Does anyone here know anything about getting in when you need medication?
Click to expand...
I got approved with Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism) last year. Granted, I’ve been in remission for 2 years. I was originally listed as disqualified but my Peds Endo wrote a letter to DODMERB that I submitted with the regular paperwork when I had the physical. Within 24 hours I was listed as remedial and then cleared. Hope this helped!
Click to expand...


What did you do to reach remission? I have Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism) and am trying to earn my commission in the military.
 
I was taking both Synthroid and Methimazole and after about 8 months I was able to ween off both. 3 years later my labs are still normal
 
Mmmidshipman said:
I was taking both Synthroid and Methimazole and after about 8 months I was able to ween off both. 3 years later my labs are still normal
Click to expand...

wow that's amazing. I've been on meds for a little over a year and have just now be able to discontinue them. I have to be off them for a year before a recruiting officer will work with me. I've only taken Methimazole and my docs have never tried both together. Here's to hoping I can stay healthy and earn my commission!
 
DD is on Levothyroxine - DODMERB requested additional blood tests - her levels were normal so no waiver required. But she applied to USNA, not enlisting.
 
So i have hypothyroidism but its fully taken care of with a pretty low dose of medication would i sitt be able to join the army the dose is 0.100mg and i can get it in 90 count bottles which means if i have 2 bottles thats easily 6 months and probably could get them through family packages or the army doctors
 
Captainzilla418 = "k. Current hypothyroidism unless asymptomatic and demonstrated euthyroid by normal thyroid stimulating hormone testing within the preceding 12 months." That is the: MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: APPOINTMENT, ENLISTMENT, OR INDUCTION:wiggle:
 
What does asymptomatic and demonstrated euthyroid by normal thyroid stimulating hormone testing within the preceding 12 months even mean i have seen this get thrown around and no ever explains it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top