BoaisyJon
Point of parliamentary procedure!
After extensively researching the topic on my own via the much-adored search function and personally contacting folks at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, as well as the Air Force Safety Center in at Kirtland AFB, I have come across some info that maybe someone on AW could help explain.
I have hypothyroidism, which is waiverable by the Air Force for Class I flyers. According to a Lt. Col that I spoke to, "A waiver for someone with low thyroid stable on Synthroid is very easy! And definitely obtainable!"
I have included the waiver consideration chart for the USAF
Now on the Navy side, there appears to be less hope. The response I got back from the folks at NAMI was somewhat disheartening:
"Sorry to be late answering this one and it must have been buried.
We do not consider waivers on those with a history of hypothyroidism for
SNA and SNFO applicants. NAMI does consider waivers on designated
personnel meeting certain requirements on a case-by-case basis.
WAIVER: A history of hypothyroidism is CD for all DIF. Applicants for
SNA and SNFO are CD, no waiver recommended. All other categories of
applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A waiver for
designated personnel may be recommended for uncomplicated hypothyroidism when the patient is clinically and chemically euthyroid on a stable dose of replacement levothyroxine (at least 6 weeks), with the TSH stable and in normal range.
Hope that answers the question. The reason is that this is an
abnormality that does affect flight. We don't like to take in anyone
who already has a pre-existing condition since it could worsen and
affect future performance"
My question is this: Why would the Air Force and the Navy have different standards on something like this?
Am I going to be doomed to wearing a scarf for my flying career? That being said, I feel like I should probably warm up to the Air Force more. Can anyone think of anyone else I can contact to get a waiver for the Navy for Hypothyroid? Thanks everyone for your time and effort, as well as entertainment over the last year.
Cheers!
Jon
I have hypothyroidism, which is waiverable by the Air Force for Class I flyers. According to a Lt. Col that I spoke to, "A waiver for someone with low thyroid stable on Synthroid is very easy! And definitely obtainable!"
I have included the waiver consideration chart for the USAF
Now on the Navy side, there appears to be less hope. The response I got back from the folks at NAMI was somewhat disheartening:
"Sorry to be late answering this one and it must have been buried.
We do not consider waivers on those with a history of hypothyroidism for
SNA and SNFO applicants. NAMI does consider waivers on designated
personnel meeting certain requirements on a case-by-case basis.
WAIVER: A history of hypothyroidism is CD for all DIF. Applicants for
SNA and SNFO are CD, no waiver recommended. All other categories of
applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A waiver for
designated personnel may be recommended for uncomplicated hypothyroidism when the patient is clinically and chemically euthyroid on a stable dose of replacement levothyroxine (at least 6 weeks), with the TSH stable and in normal range.
Hope that answers the question. The reason is that this is an
abnormality that does affect flight. We don't like to take in anyone
who already has a pre-existing condition since it could worsen and
affect future performance"
My question is this: Why would the Air Force and the Navy have different standards on something like this?
Am I going to be doomed to wearing a scarf for my flying career? That being said, I feel like I should probably warm up to the Air Force more. Can anyone think of anyone else I can contact to get a waiver for the Navy for Hypothyroid? Thanks everyone for your time and effort, as well as entertainment over the last year.
Cheers!
Jon
