Dr. David Michael Tridgell, MD

I found a review from 2015 (see below) and that behavior is still happening. I saw Dr. Tridgell, via telehealth in 2020, to talk about my thyroid concerns. I had already been DX with hashimotos and had thyroid ultrasounds for nodules. He looked at my x-rays from 5+ yrs before and stated that the ppl who did my biopsy and testing before did it unnecessarily, that nothing was wrong with me bc my levels are normal (he didn't take levels and the most up to date were still a year old, and he refused to talk about hormone testing) and without labs or weight or even seeing my whole bosy, due to telehealth, he told me to get bariatric surgery and referred me. I was crying due to him invalidating biopsies etc and he said "I'm told I'm a great listener but you came in here wanting to hear one thing only, that something is wrong" and also said that, again without checking or even talking about getting new labs, that I shouldn't want a DX because if I had an endocrine problem like Cushing's etc… it'd be really bad. Like I want a follow up on a prior dx so that I can increase my issues. I was and still am horrified that someone who is supposed to work with hormones won't even check them, and will refer bariatric surgery without even seeing a person's body or getting their weight. I only saw him bc I have been told by someone that he was good, but he seems like he's only good regarding diabetes and not actually other endocrinology areas. "I went to Dr. Tridgell for thyroid treatment and he refused to treat me. I had begun treatment with another Dr. and was already on medication and feeling much better and he told me to stop taking it. He refused to discuss my thyroid issues with me and instead told me I was fat and should get bariatric surgery. I was shocked. I am a little over weight but I am in good enough shape to run 5k's regularly so I am hardly someone that I would think would need bariatric surgery. I don't know how the conversation went from me wanting to get my TSH levels under control to being told I need fat people surgery. The whole thing that led me to being diagnosed with thyroid problems was an inability to conceive. My OBGYN and regular Dr. were both in agreement that the biggest contributor to to my lack of fertility was most likely my thyroid as everything else has checked out normal. Then Dr. Tridgell comes in and refuses to treat me for it. I finally broke down in tears after being called a fatty and told that he wouldn't help me so he reluctantly changed his tune and said he would. I felt encouraged. I went in a month later to get my blood test and my thyroid levels are finally down to 2.18 with 50mcg of Synthroid and I was feeling good that the meds were starting to work and I was so close to the 1.5 that my obgyn wanted me at. Then I get an email from Dr. Tridgell that he wants me to stop the meds because my levels are in range now. Are you kidding me? You know why they are in range? Because I take my Synthroid. This guy didn't know his stuff and he was very rude. My OBGYN and regular family Dr. have since taken over my thyroid treatment for now and I have reported him to my insurance. Dr. Tridgell could care less about you and doesn't listen to anything you say and if you do challenge him he becomes aggressive and lashes out (as seen when he started telling me that I needed fat surgery). Unless you have no other choice I would run from this Dr. He will lie to you to make you stop challenging him and then send you an email refusing to treat you. Just horrible."

I was referred to David Tridgell for high DHEA-S, rapid hair loss, and loss of my menstrual period. I was suspected of having PCOS. However, I had to insist on an ultrasound because David Trigdell said my outrageous hormone levels much just be "normal for me." Said that because I wasn't growing a mustache and was overweight, I must not have PCOS. Ran an unnecessary CT scan. The ultrasound of my ovary missed the PCOS. I was diagnosed with PCOS in hours at the Mayo.

Dr Tridgell has been helping me to manage my diabetes for several years. He is thoughtful to his approach, offers ideas and options, has done thorough monitoring using a variety of monitoring tools, and cares about getting best outcomes. He spends a decent amount of time at visits, and I believe through attitude and practice, that he truly cares.

I have found Dr. Tridgell to be an excellent doctor. His recommendations/reasons are backed up by current research. He is not chatty, but I don't particularly like chatty doctors anyway; I would rather they focus on my medical issues, and not be distracted or use chattiness as a cover for less knowledge. I have read some earlier posts suggesting he is not a good listener, which I disagree with. He is just more contemplative than other doctors. I have always felt that he hears and understands my questions. Further, like most relationships, the amount of non-medical talking increases the longer you see him. I have also found him to be responsive, as he has promptly returned a few calls of mine at work, at no charge, of course. I am a Type 1 diabetic and would not hesitate to recommend him.

I went to Dr. Tridgell for thyroid treatment and he refused to treat me. I had begun treatment with another Dr. and was already on medication and feeling much better and he told me to stop taking it. He refused to discuss my thyroid issues with me and instead told me I was fat and should get bariatric surgery. I was shocked. I am a little over weight but I am in good enough shape to run 5k's regularly so I am hardly someone that I would think would need bariatric surgery. I don't know how the conversation went from me wanting to get my TSH levels under control to being told I need fat people surgery. The whole thing that led me to being diagnosed with thyroid problems was an inability to conceive. My OBGYN and regular Dr. were both in agreement that the biggest contributor to to my lack of fertility was most likely my thyroid as everything else has checked out normal. Then Dr. Tridgell comes in and refuses to treat me for it. I finally broke down in tears after being called a… fatty and told that he wouldn't help me so he reluctantly changed his tune and said he would. I felt encouraged. I went in a month later to get my blood test and my thyroid levels are finally down to 2.18 with 50mcg of Synthroid and I was feeling good that the meds were starting to work and I was so close to the 1.5 that my obgyn wanted me at. Then I get an email from Dr. Tridgell that he wants me to stop the meds because my levels are in range now. Are you kidding me? You know why they are in range? Because I take my Synthroid. This guy didn't know his stuff and he was very rude. My OBGYN and regular family Dr. have since taken over my thyroid treatment for now and I have reported him to my insurance. Dr. Tridgell could care less about you and doesn't listen to anything you say and if you do challenge him he becomes aggressive and lashes out (as seen when he started telling me that I needed fat surgery). Unless you have no other choice I would run from this Dr. He will lie to you to make you stop challenging him and then send you an email refusing to treat you. Just horrible.

I am a type one diabetic and meet regularly with Dr. David Tridgell and am seriously considering finding a new endocrinologist. Dr. David Tridgell is a very knowledgeable doctor but his people skills are terrible. He's got a very condescending demeanor about him which makes it very difficult to interact with him. Being a successfully doctor is being able to effectively communicate with your patients and if you can't do that you really have nothing.

I have visited Dr. Tridgell several times now. My first visit I was impressed. He searched through my insulin pump settings, walked through how my other medications, and offered useful insights. He gave me a lot of information, and I could tell he was very up to date on education and research. If you are looking for a newer, well researched doc, consider Tridgell. However, if you are searching for a doctor that has a decent 'bedside manner' and listens to patients, I suggest looking elsewhere. After several visits, I have repeatedly had my concerns brushed aside. If pressed, he would quote a statistic or study, then not discuss it any further. I feel a wise endo specializing in diabetes, particularly type 1, should know to ask the patients questions. No body know their body better than the patient. Especially a diabetic, who's life revolves around how their body feels.