Hey there all. Obviously I am new to the community, so please be kind if I am retarded enough to post in the wrong area.
Today I went into my Navy recruiter and talked with him about everything. I took the basic aptitude test and scored an 80% on it. So, everything was good there.
His major concern was the fact that I underwent surgery for thyroid disease. Due to my thyroid being taken out completely, I am on medication for the duration of my life. This medication gives me body the normal dose of hormones.
Do you think that my being on daily medication (1 pill in the morning when I wake up) will disqualify me from being able to enlist?
Thanks for your time and I look forward to your responses.
It's going to depend on quite a few things. One being what was your original diagnosis. Medically controlled HYPOthyroid is waiverable. HYPERthyroid is not. Now you don't have a thyroid (mine isn't functioning but it's still in there) which makes your hypo but doesn't change your original diagnosis. Also how long have you been stable on your medication. I turned in 3 years of treatment notes and lab results I have been on a stable dosage for about a year and a half. The navy wants at least a year according to the military health regs. I'm still waiting for my waiver "fingers crossed, prayers and good thoughts" Be aware that the reason that they removed is is going to play heavily on wither you get in or not and good luck!
This may put a restiction on what jobs you can get, mostly a flying job. Like most daily meds, the navy will provide them, no cost. It shouldn't be a problem. Just talk to a recruiter and they will help you out.
Originally posted by accelerated04: This may put a restiction on what jobs you can get, mostly a flying job. Like most daily meds, the navy will provide them, no cost. It shouldn't be a problem. Just talk to a recruiter and they will help you out.
Originally posted by accelerated04: This may put a restiction on what jobs you can get, mostly a flying job. Like most daily meds, the navy will provide them, no cost. It shouldn't be a problem. Just talk to a recruiter and they will help you out.
Nope there is no restrictions on jobs based on a controlled thyroid problem. You can carry almost a year of synthroid meds in an altoids can and it's just one a day. Also if you miss a dose it's not a big deal as it takes upwards of two weeks for the bad symptoms to start coming back after you stop taking your meds. If you have to be on a med everyday for the rest of your life I would take thyroid meds over just about anything
Alright MW, we need to chat here. Here is the story. Back in Feb 2008, the doctors found 3 nodules in my neck. After testing, they found one of the nodules to possibly be cancerous. So, instead of taking the biopsy, I opted to just have my thyroid surgerically removed. I had my surgery back in late April 2008. Since my surgery, I have been on the same dose of Synthroid and everything has been solid.
NOTE: ALL of the nodules in my thyroid were BENIGN! Also, I was originally diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. Now I am obviously HYPO due to my no longer having a thyroid.
Also, I have been in the gym SOLID since a week after my surgery. I am back to FULL strength in my opinion and in really great shape.
I honestly HOPE TO GOD that I do not have to wait a year to enlist because they need more do***entation.
My doctor is currently mailing me my records and I will be turning them into my recruiter the early part of next week.
Oh, another question: How long after I submit my medical do***entation will I have wait to hear the results from the MEPS Docs?
It's all going to be up to the Docs at the MEPS. They decide if you are qualified or not. I know that I had to turn in 3 years of do***entatation, basically all treatment notes I had. It's good that your lumps were benign because I believe any form of cancer is a auto DQ. I wouldn't count on it being a quick process to get in. I've been at it for over two months now and still haven't made it to the MEPS. You may very well have to wait for a year, go see other specialist and jump through a whole bunch of others hoops. Don't let this discourage you just know that with the navy it's hurry up and wait
Make sure you have a back up plan. With an original diagnosis of hyperthyroid it is very likely that you will be PDQ no waiver. I know that you are no hypo but it is often based on your original dx not your current one.
