As I have been on a new “journey” this year with my recovery from Adrenal Exhaustion, I have become more aware of the differences of Functional Medicine to Traditional Western Medicine. Both style of medicine and treatment are needed in different situations.
In the past six months I have been to a few different doctors and naturopaths. In the past six months I have taken completed various lab kits and blood tests. Every doctors seems to have a different treatment or explanation for my health “problems”…others don’t have any response or solution.
Where do we go for our odd health problems when not feeling like ourselves or unexpected weight gain or fatigue?
Do you take a pill and see the doctor again in three months for another blood test? WHY do we need to take the pill? WHY are we having these symptoms in the first place?
How are we supposed to get better and not be dependent on medication for the rest of our life? It depends. If you have serious health problems or cancer then your treatment maybe more complicated. The majority of us just need to get some lab work to get to the root cause of our symptoms…to help answer WHY do I have these problems!
My recent experience seems to be very common as I talk to other people about their health… my last blood lab work with a local doctor showed that I had lower than normal Thyroid T3 levels. I wondered why I would have thyroid problems but the doctor’s solution was to prescribe a 60 day supply of Thyroid T3 pills then return for more blood testing to see if levels increased.
I get more frustrated and a little angry as I hear about how many other people are on thyroid medication (non-cancer reasons). My doctor didn’t ask more about my symptoms as we reviewed the blood work but instantly wrote me a prescription for new medication and said I would feel the effects in 24 hours. Just based on my T-3 blood work values. He didn’t tell me anything else or check any other lab work but to take the pill every morning.
What about explaining that the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone produces T-4 and converts into T-3 in the liver? Maybe my liver is not functioning at full capacity.
Doctors don’t acknowledge “adrenal exhaustion” and hormone deregulation.
Stress hormones? Let’s talk about stress management…what about “nature walks”, yoga, meditation, diet and stress management at work?
Another doctor didn’t know how to help me based on my symptoms and said I could get an ultrasound on my liver… then what would they do???
How do we find the right doctor for our symptoms?
When do we decide the western medicine is not the solution for all health problems? Sometimes we can’t expect our doctor to have the answer for every health problems.
How do we find the solution to our health problems when western medicine doesn’t treat the root cause?
Sometimes I wish doctors would all be trained in functional medicine and integrate both practices. I am sure many people are like me and have struggled locating he doctor that was best match for their health concerns. I feel that I have spent months searching for a local doctor specializing in adrenal exhaustion/hormone imbalance as Dr. Kalish in San Francisco. My experience the past five months has motivated me to blog more frequently, become more educated, podcast and coach clients online on the topic of functional medicine and my “Wholestic Approach” coaching.
If you have been struggling with sleep, digestion, skin problems, headaches, joint pain and other symptoms for months or years you may want to find a local functional medicine practitioner in your area. I continue almost daily listening to clients and friends mention they are on medication for thyroid problems or other health problems and they don’t want to be on the prescription forever plus. Unfortunately, most people do not know about functional medicine and naturopaths who look at the ROOT CAUSE. You should get various lab tests conducted first before the doctor tells you which pill you should take based on blood work results based on “standard values”.
Did you know…?
1. Most traditional doctors do not acknowledge or treat “Adrenal Fatigue or Adrenal Exhaustion”.
2. Most traditional doctors do not look the WHY or the ROOT CAUSE? Why do you have low T-3?
3. The liver may have problems if they thyroid is not working at optimal levels.
4. High levels of cortisol due to chronic stress can suppress the production of TSH with leads to hypothyroidism symptoms due to low hormone production. Source: Paoletti
5. Your hormones act as the “command and control system” of the body?
6. Hormone imbalances are often related to chronic stress via emotional, chemical, physiological or dietary stressors.
7. Many health problems can be improved with stress management and diet changes (Gluten/Grains, Sugar, Commercial Dairy and soy)…eat real food and eliminate processed foods and refined sugars.
8. A functional doctor can provide you with specific lab tests to evaluate your stress hormone balance (cortisol/DHEA), digestion/gut, and liver detox pathways and more than determine which herbal supplements and vitamins you need to add into your daily diet.
9. Depression and fatigue are not always cured with medication for “anxiety” or sleeping pill or anti-depressant.
10. Chinese medicine offers another method of treatment and theories. I trust my acupuncturist and I find his explanation fascinating (spleen/liver/kidneys chi).
If you are struggling with symptoms and you can’t find the solutions needed to feel happy, healthy and energetic then search for a functional medicine practitioner or naturopath in your area. I want to get healthy and back to my fit self as soon as possible… don’t you?
A pill is not always the solution to all our problems. Question your medical doctor. Do your research online. Get other opinions before you settle on one doctor’s solution. Sometimes your doctor is the best solution for your health concerns especially when you have a genetic concern or cancer! Own your health… take control and ask lots of questions!
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