Thwing Medical Group

12/28/2025

I am often asked by my female patients how often they really need Pap smears and at what age can they quit having them.
I routinely do 'Co-testing" which means that I do the Pap smear looking for abnormal or cancerous cells and also check for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. That means that, for my women aged 30-65 who aren't at extra-high risk for cervical cancer, they get this done every 5 years and quit after age 65.
From 21-30, every three years is recommended.
If you have had a hysterectomy for non-cancerous reasons, there is no cervical tissue to run a Pap smear on and therefore no need to ever have another Pap smear.
A breast exam is still advisable annually.
Yay!

11/13/2025

It's that time of year again:
My cuticles are splitting and cracking.
Very painful especially when I bump something, but a little Super Glue takes care of the pain immediately and is safe to use.

10/11/2025

I had heard of Amazon Pharmacy, but I had never looked into it.
The prices for 90-day supplies of several of these very commonly prescribed meds is pretty good (similar to or occasionally better than the cash prices at Food City or Publix or Walmart pharmacies)
Too many of my patients are still under the false impression that you cannot buy medications unless you have insurance. Sometimes, the cash price is *less* than an insurance co-pay!
If you have Amazon Prime already anyhow, check out the price you'd pay from Amazon. Just pick your medication and choose the form (tablet, extended release capsule, whatever), milligram strength and 30- or 90-day supply. For most meds I checked, the cost for 90 days was $8-15

Prime members, subscribe to RxPass and get all of your eligible meds for just $5 a month.

09/11/2025

Autumn is arriving awfully early this year!

08/07/2025

Amen!
I was just counselling a new patient earlier today about the risks of the anticholinergic effects of Benedryl. The main ingredient in most OTC sleeping medications, diphenhydramine has significant anticholinergic effects along with it's sedative and antihistamine effects. Benedryl knocks about 15 IQ points off of you 12-14 hours after taking it.
If you take Sominex or some other OTC sleeping medication and notice mental dulling the following afternoon, it might very well be the diphenhydramine. This is especially dangerous in the elderly.
I have felt for quite some time that the FDA should remove it from our shelves.

In a new review, experts call for the removal of diphenhydramine from over-the-counter and prescription markets in the United States, saying it’s outdated, dangerous and eclipsed by safer alternatives.

07/23/2025

I have noticed that a couple of our best local doctors will be retiring - Greeneville will miss them!
Though I had gotten too full and can't accommodate very many more, Dr. Lindberg is happily accepting new patients right now if you need a doc!
Just call the front desk with your information, and we'll see if we can accommodate you and your family.
Dr. Lindberg sees all ages and especially enjoys taking care of babies and children. Dr. Thwing sees folks ages 4 and up.
(423) 639-0707

07/06/2025

You might wonder why I check Vit D levels. I often find them low (your Vit D level should be about 60, give or take) and then recommend supplementation, usually 1,000 to 5,000 units daily, depending on your numbers. Vit D is good for many things including bone strength, muscles pain & fibromyalgia, brain and cardiac health and possibly even depression.
Here is yet another reason to keep your levels up:
" Both animal and human studies have linked low vitamin D levels with a variety of gastrointestinal diseases (Ulcerative Colitis & Crohns Disease), including inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, colon cancer, and liver disease."

Dr David Johnson discusses recent findings indicating that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of various gastrointestinal diseases and explores strategies to mitigate this risk.

05/25/2025

Our office will be closed Monday for Memorial Day and open Tuesday at 8AM. I will, of course, be available to my patients via cellphone if you need me.
(My cellphone number is at the end of the message than plays when you call the office outside of regular hours)

04/19/2025

First sunburn (thankfully mild) of the season, and I am so glad to have an aloe plant!
I rubbed some fresh juice from the leaf onto my face and back of my neck, and it already feel SO MUCH better.
Publix sells aloe leaves (the bottled stuff is useless), and I have many aloes at my office to give away to my fair-skinned patients who might need the relief in this hot sun.

04/19/2025

I appreciate this comprehensive post by Dr. Hensley.
I have heard this baffling rumor from a handful of patients, and I agree with Theo that statins are on the whole somewhat *protective* as regards dementia risk.
Please, please don't take internet musings and chatter in the beauty parlor as gospel!
When you hear something unsettling, just ask your doctor about it. I promise that we have your best interests at heart, and we do not get any kind of kickback (not even a pen or pad of paper nowadays!) from drug companies.

04/18/2025

We are closed until Monday for Easter, but of course I am always available by cellphone to my patients.
Don't hesitate to text or call me if you need me.
Happy Easter!

Found on Google from amazon.com

02/26/2025

Michelle, my wonderful Medical Assistant, has taken an excellent job offer in middle Tennessee, so I am looking for a new nurse.
If you would like to work in a small medical office and like being busy and developing relationships with a slew of very nice patients, log on to the Summit website and submit an application ASAP.
Being able to draw blood well is a must, as is being friendly and professional.
I will teach you as much as you want to learn. Several of my previous MAs are now RNs. I'm very proud of how their careers have taken off, but now I'm hunting for a new assistant.

If you're interested, here's the application link