Functional doctor / naturopath recommendations

[Afshan64]

I have been thinking about seeing a functional doctor or naturopath to help me with my hashimotos and other health issues. Like many on this site I don't feel that I am getting the help that I need from the NHS / conventional medicine. There seem to be a lot of thyroid "experts" on the Internet most are USA based. I noticed some posts on here from about a year ago discussing functional doctors in Manchester and london. I was wondering if anyone has taken this route what your experience was and if there are any recommendations for a good practitioner in london. Thanks

[Scazzoh]

I have been seeing a functional doctor in Manchester for about a year as I have Hashimoto's and Chronic Fatigue. She is called Sarah Davies and I think she is very good. Started me on the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol and gut healing, which includes fermented foods. She did extensive testing and then recommended supplements. She prescribes Low Dose Naltrexone and is knowledgeable about the NDT I take. I use a far infrared sauna for heavy metal detox and am in the process of having my amalgam fillings removed. She is hot on stress management (my weakness) and I have stopped taking anti-depressants with her active support. She has supported me through gentle healing. I know you have asked about a Doctor in London, but this will give you an idea of the kind of treatments available. I feel so much better, although not completely well yet. As they say 'it took a long time to get ill, it'll take a while to get better'.

This is a link to the Institute of Functional Medicine's site for UK practitioners in the London area.

ifm.org/find-a-practitioner...

[Afshan64 in reply to Scazzoh]

Thanks that is really helpful. Wish you luck on your healing journey...

[Mirvec in reply to Scazzoh]

Hello Scazzoh, thank you for sharing your experience.

I'm looking at a functional doctor myself and one of the names that came up is Dr. Davies. The treatment is very expensive and I would like to make the right choice.

How are you feeling 6 months into the treatment? Would you still repeat it and spend all this money?

Thank you very much in advance for your reply.

Mirvec

[Scazzoh in reply to Mirvec]

Hi Mirvec, I have now been in treatment with Dr.Davies for 18 months. I think if I had known then what I know now, I would have started the Autoimmune Protocol first and tried that for a few months to see how I improved. I would have also done some 'proper' stress management. I have been doing daily 30 minutes of Mindfulness meditation which is helping enormously. However, I don't think I would have got far enough to have pinpointed issues which Dr. Davies addressed through the testing and supplement recommendations. I agree, she is very expensive, but that looks to be the going rate for functional doctors. However, when I think of the money I have wasted over the years trying to sort myself out, I wish I had found her sooner. My health has vastly improved and I am considering going back to work after being off for two years.

[Mirvec in reply to Scazzoh]

Hello Scazzoh and thank you for your reply.

I have been following the Hashimoto's Protocol by Dr Isabella Wentz from Jan ( GF since Dec, DF since since Jan and AIP for a month + supplements). I have seen some improvements in knees pain, skin and water retention. However I still fatigue easily, cannot rest week or loose weight and have brain fog. As you said I'm looking for someone to guide me to identify the root cause. I wrote to a some FM doctors in the NW and I'm waiting for their reply to book and appointment.

Thank you again for your feedbacks.

Miriam

[Scazzoh in reply to Mirvec]

I hope you find a good practitioner and feel better soon.

[Mirvec in reply to Scazzoh]

Thank you...I wish you all the best with your treatements too.

[Milady in reply to Scazzoh]

Hi Scazzoh,

I'm thinking about the Far Infrared Sauna and I wondered if you found it helpful?

Thanks!

Hope your healing journey is going well

Ayesha

[Scazzoh in reply to Milady]

I use it for heavy metal detoxing, as I have amalgams which I am not dealing well with. I find it gives me energy as well, which is good because I have M.E. I also can't tolerate high temperatures normally. Here are some good articles about it. Dr. Jill is a functional doctor. Sarah Myhill has a good webpage on it too, as does Dr. Jocker, all people I rate:

jillcarnahan.com/2017/10/20...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Detoxin...

drjockers.com/infrared-sauna/

I bought mine from Get Fitt. Their website gives you all the benefits, but don't tell you how to use it - for how long and what temperature, which is a negative in my view. It is a cocoon so doesn't take up much room. It's like a massive turkey basting bag, to be honest! I use it for 1/2 an hour about 4 times a week at 36 degrees. I started at a much lower temperature for 10 minutes and slowly built up.

[Milady in reply to Scazzoh]

that is so brilliant, thanks so much for all that info! I'll look into it. so pleased it helps you!

[Milady in reply to Milady]

totally laughing at the basting bag reference, you're so right!

[Angel_of_the_North]

The only naturopath I know of who specialises in thyroid is Roderick Lane. He runs clinics in central London. He has a Thyroid Care Group Facebook group so you could see what you thought of him before committing.

[Afshan64 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks he looks really good from his website. I've asked to join the Facebook page.

[Kipsy in reply to Afshan64]

I think he sounds good too. For what it's worth, I've been seeing/ skyping Jo Gamble in Coventry for nearly a year. She found my root cause through (expensive) Genova testing and I've followed various protocols she's recommended to eradicate the bad gut stuff (parasite, SIBO, candida etc), rebuild the gut & replenish the good stuff. She's not a thyroid specialist but has extensive autoimmune experience. I agree with comments above about trying the AIP diet and lifestyle changes (such as Dr Chatterjee explains in his book, The Four Pillars or on his podcasts) first and would add that the supplement advice on this forum is also excellent. I feel that I've spent a lot but doubt I'd have realised how dreadfully bad my gut was (I've always eaten healthily & had no obvious symptoms) without Jo's help. Healing my gut has been worth it. She's on the Institute of Functional Medicine's website or embracingnutrition.co.uk Her prices are reasonable but the supplements you need to follow her protocols can be extremely expensive (you don't buy them through her). Good luck.

[KKristine in reply to Afshan64]

Personally, I had very bad experience. Waste of time and money. I have a serious health issues, but he prescribed a herbal tea!!!!!!! He doesnt not reply to emails, or if he does they are 1 short sentence, never answering to the question. Ive wasted 1,5 years with no results at all.

[KKristine in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

His videos are very good, but nothing like that in person. He never ordered any test and made mistakes in prescribing medications. he never explained what and why he is prescribing. When I worried about side effects-he abruptly responded that none of his patients had any. Later I found out that it wasn't true and i had severe side effects, but no help from the Dr.