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RAF & Thyroid
1
I'm currently considering a career in the RAF as a Pilot. On the RAF website it says 'certain thyroid diseases' will prevent you from joining.
I've been to my AFCO today, called the advice line and sent an e-mail. Nobody seems to quite know what the 'certain thyroid diseases' are.
Does anyone on here know?
I either have an overactive or an underactive thyroid - I forget which one I actually have because I was diagnosed so long ago.
Cheers,
GavM
I've been to my AFCO today, called the advice line and sent an e-mail. Nobody seems to quite know what the 'certain thyroid diseases' are.
Does anyone on here know?
I either have an overactive or an underactive thyroid - I forget which one I actually have because I was diagnosed so long ago.
Cheers,
GavM
Reply 1
11
These questions are often a bit pointless here. If I were to say "no, you can't join," you'd be utterly mad to take the advice of someone on the internet; you'd need to get the official line! Likewise, if I were to say "yes, it'll be fine," you're not exactly going to be able to sue me if they subsequently reject you.
If the AFCO don't know, it's their job to find out. If they're being recalcitrant and won't ring up the medical boards at OASC, then just apply anyway. The worst they can do is reject you when it gets to the medical stage.
If the AFCO don't know, it's their job to find out. If they're being recalcitrant and won't ring up the medical boards at OASC, then just apply anyway. The worst they can do is reject you when it gets to the medical stage.
Reply 2
GavM
OP
1
I was just looking for more information, someone on here could have had the same experience. I'll obviously be able to get the information from the RAF, but I could possibly get it quicker through TSR 
I will be applying at the end of August.
I will be applying at the end of August.
Reply 3
Firstly - you'll get little from here regarding medical issues (from anyone worth listening to) as they are so specific and some do change over time.
Secondly - you don't know whether you have an over or under active thyroid? You'll not get a straight answer anywhere without asking a straight question! Are you chunky and a bit tired or thin and loads of energy? Hyper or hypo? Did or do have? Anyway - doctors for this one - not internet dwellers.
Secondly - you don't know whether you have an over or under active thyroid? You'll not get a straight answer anywhere without asking a straight question! Are you chunky and a bit tired or thin and loads of energy? Hyper or hypo? Did or do have? Anyway - doctors for this one - not internet dwellers.
Reply 4
It really is a case by case basis. I managed to get in with an underactive thyroid, which is fully corrected with daily medication, but it took 18 months from the time I passed OASC to the time they agreed to let me start IOT. I had to see a private specialist, at some cost to myself, as the NHS couldn't get me the face to face access to the doctor I needed. I also needed to be on stable medication for a full year, which can often be tricky with thyroid issues as they continually get worse over time. With thyroid issues, they will be taking a risk if they accept you as most problems only get worse over time and need daily medication for life. You need to completely understand your condition so you can discuss it properly if you get to the stage where you have a face to face meeting with the President of the Med Board.
Reply 5
My son is in this very position where do you find a specialist? Please help us he is so disappointed. We just need 12 Konrad of arable results and he has been told to reapply June 2020
Reply 6
Hi,
I've taken this from the Joint Service Publication regarding medical assessments.
Thyroid conditions
5. Hypo-thyroid disease. Successfully treated hypothyroidism poses little health risk from short-term failure to take medication116. Its association with a number of health risks in the longer term117 and the requirement for continuous medication and regular monitoring would normally result in a grading of P8. However, after consultation with a single-Service consultant occupational physician responsible for the selection of recruits, candidates may be graded P2 if they are euthyroid on a stable dose of medication for at least 1 year and following exclusion of associated autoimmune conditions118.
6. Hyperthyroid disease. Candidates with a hyperactive thyroid may be accepted as P2 following successful definitive treatment with radioactive iodine or surgery, provided at least a year has elapsed119 and the candidate is euthyroid without therapy. Candidates who have received treatment with carbimazole or thiouracil are graded P8 because of a high risk of recurrence of hyperthyroidism120.
I've taken this from the Joint Service Publication regarding medical assessments.
Thyroid conditions
5. Hypo-thyroid disease. Successfully treated hypothyroidism poses little health risk from short-term failure to take medication116. Its association with a number of health risks in the longer term117 and the requirement for continuous medication and regular monitoring would normally result in a grading of P8. However, after consultation with a single-Service consultant occupational physician responsible for the selection of recruits, candidates may be graded P2 if they are euthyroid on a stable dose of medication for at least 1 year and following exclusion of associated autoimmune conditions118.
6. Hyperthyroid disease. Candidates with a hyperactive thyroid may be accepted as P2 following successful definitive treatment with radioactive iodine or surgery, provided at least a year has elapsed119 and the candidate is euthyroid without therapy. Candidates who have received treatment with carbimazole or thiouracil are graded P8 because of a high risk of recurrence of hyperthyroidism120.
Reply 7
Original post by GavM
I'm currently considering a career in the RAF as a Pilot. On the RAF website it says 'certain thyroid diseases' will prevent you from joining.
I've been to my AFCO today, called the advice line and sent an e-mail. Nobody seems to quite know what the 'certain thyroid diseases' are.
Does anyone on here know?
I either have an overactive or an underactive thyroid - I forget which one I actually have because I was diagnosed so long ago.
Cheers,
GavM
I've been to my AFCO today, called the advice line and sent an e-mail. Nobody seems to quite know what the 'certain thyroid diseases' are.
Does anyone on here know?
I either have an overactive or an underactive thyroid - I forget which one I actually have because I was diagnosed so long ago.
Cheers,
GavM
First, the AFCO staff won't know off the top of their heads because they are not medical specialists, nor do they have immediate access to any different information than the 'conditions that preclude entry', which isn't exhaustive.
Second, they will not phone the medical board as they can't offer an opinion on what someone tells them over the phone, nor will they encourage a self-diagnosis by giving someone information. Also, someone may only ask about a certain condition which on its own is acceptable, but, in conjunction with other issues, precludes entry.
The RAF won't leave themselves open to complaints of 'but I was told I couldn't join on medical grounds' when there is no guarantee they have been told everything by someone who hasn't made an application, and medical conditions are treated as confidential information.
Go to your GP and find out what is in your medical records. Then either write a covering letter to the AFCO with your medical details in a sealed envelope and ask for it to be forwarded for consideration by medical professionals. Or apply and see what happens.
(edited 6 years ago)
Reply 8
Original post by Wzz
These questions are often a bit pointless here. If I were to say "no, you can't join," you'd be utterly mad to take the advice of someone on the internet; you'd need to get the official line! Likewise, if I were to say "yes, it'll be fine," you're not exactly going to be able to sue me if they subsequently reject you.
If the AFCO don't know, it's their job to find out. If they're being recalcitrant and won't ring up the medical boards at OASC, then just apply anyway. The worst they can do is reject you when it gets to the medical stage.
If the AFCO don't know, it's their job to find out. If they're being recalcitrant and won't ring up the medical boards at OASC, then just apply anyway. The worst they can do is reject you when it gets to the medical stage.
See my reply. The AFCO is not being recalcitrant. As you say, there is an official line and that is not giving for an opinion over the phone.
Reply 9
Original post by Shonz
My son is in this very position where do you find a specialist? Please help us he is so disappointed. We just need 12 Konrad of arable results and he has been told to reapply June 2020
Go through your GP about a specialist, or look up private consultations.
Reply 10
Speak to your GP about specialists in your area. The NHS specialist in Newcastle was also the private specialist. I paid to see him quickly in the first instance, then he transferred me to nhs care after that. Also, paid to have him write a letter in support of my case.
Original post by Shonz
My son is in this very position where do you find a specialist? Please help us he is so disappointed. We just need 12 Konrad of arable results and he has been told to reapply June 2020
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