Stephanie Fish, MD

This may be a long review, but I think it's important for me to tell the whole story in case it helps someone else. I've seen some other reviews on here with similar complaints. I had a total thyroidectomy at 25 after a thyroid cancer diagnosis. I went to Dr. Fish after being referred from my surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering. At the first appointment, I listed off my adverse symptoms (fatigue, constipation, general low mood, absolutely no sex drive)-- all indicative of hypothyroidism, so she increased my levothyroxine dose. She was nice enough, I had no issues except both my boyfriend and I both had an inkling that she didn't really want to delve into the symptoms I was having. "That's fine; she's probably very busy and maybe uncomfortable talking about my sex drive" was my thought. After about a month I was finally starting to feel like myself again. My energy was slowly coming back, my mood was improving, and I was feeling excited to get back to normal. My next blood work showed… my TSH was too high, so my levothyroxine was lowered back to the 100 mcg dose. I understood the decision and agreed. I was thinking my shift in mood was just because I was still recovering from the surgery and trusted Dr. Fish as she is supposed to be the expert. Progressively over the next few months, I started to feel worse and worse: general low grade depression, brain fog, difficulty remembering, no sex drive. I could get through my days, but all aspects of my life were suffering. I was having trouble remembering things at work. My relationship has been damaged because of my depression and lack of sex drive. After at least 4 months like this, I reached out to Dr. Fish's office to explain my symptoms and see if they could put me back on the higher dose or run more tests. This is where I think the trouble started for me. Dr. Fish had someone else call me back, and did not get on the phone herself. I understand there are many qualified people who could talk to me about this, but this PA or NP really just relayed Fish's response. Dr. Fish couldn't event take the time to personally address a struggling patient. Essentially the NP/PA told me my blood levels were fine and that there were no changes to be made to my medication. They did not offer to run anymore tests. She even went so far as to tell me I probably had Seasonal Affective Disorder and that she too gets a little down in the winter. Looking back, it's honestly ridiculous and potentially dangerous for a doctor who is not working in the mental health field to try and diagnose me with a mental health condition. I got off the call and cried at my desk at work. I felt so defeated and hopeless. It's been over a year and I have lived in a fog low energy and depression for the duration. There has always been this nagging feeling that I know something is wrong and that I'm being dismissed by a doctor who is too busy to take the time to really understand my specific case. I had pretty much resigned myself to my new reality, but my boyfriend and I found a few studies of people with my condition and how different medications can help. We learned that there are two different types of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4 and a healthy endocrine system needs healthy levels of both. I'm honestly shocked that this wasn't explained to me at any of my appointments or phone calls with Dr. Fish and her office. I learned more from Google than I ever did from Dr. Fish. What I learned from my own independent research and my new endocrinologist is that levothyroxine is only synthetic T4. The assumption is that most bodiess can convert T4 into T3, but some bodies don't do it well with the synthetic hormones. All it takes is a simple blood test to figure this out, which my new endocrinologist did and sure enough, I am low on T3 and on the high side for T4; my body is having trouble turning T4 into T3. A 15 month-long mystery solved by ONE blood test. My new endocrinologist has adjusted my medication so I'm on 75 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 5 mcg lyothyronine (T3). It's only been a couple of days, but I'm feeling hope for the first time in over a year. Why wouldn't Dr. Fish who works at supposedly one of the best hospitals in the country not run these tests? Why wouldn't she even tell me about T3 vs. T4? She should know that there are some bodies who cant turn T4 into T3. She let me suffer for over a year because she couldn't think outside the box. I don't even think this qualifies as thinking outside the box. It's literally her job. As far as I'm concerned, she failed at her job and she failed me.

I have seen her on several occasions and like her less every time. She is completely insensitive. Dismissing my symptoms and clearly denying they are thyroid related. Weight gain, dry skin, joint pain, adult acne, hair failing out, and depression are all thyroid related in everything I read. My wellbeing has gone down hill since she has been treating me.

Dr. Fish has been following my son post-thyroidectomy for the past 3 years. We drive 2 1/2 hours (on a good traffic day) into NYC to see her twice a year. Dr. Fish always greets us warmly and spends a good amount of time going over all diagnostic testing that my son has had prior to our visit. The good Lord always puts the right people into your life and Dr. Fish is definitely one of those special people!

a great, caring, smart doctor

After having a thyroidectomy from cancer Dr. Fish was recommended by the surgeon. After 6 months of treatment I have felt awful. Each time I present to her my symptoms I get "I dont know how to address it" I myself am telling HER how to treat me. Demanding specific blood work, and coming up with options. Even something as simple as considering another brand of medication that is better absorbed I had to tell her. Its hard enough going through cancer and it feels terrible when my doctor wont listen. My recommendation is to find another doctor who is more comprehensive and is not shy about looking at dessicated options for treatment.

Not impressed at all. Not personable or caring manner.