Opinions on functional medicine doctors

[Twan12]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has seen a functional medicine doctor before, and what your experience was like?

I’ve just been diagnosed with Addison’s (already have Hashimoto’s and underactive thyroid) Have been dissatisfied with my Endocronoligist since all this started a couple of years ago but recently my care and treatment has just been shocking, I’m making formal complaints etc.

So I’m considering all options atm: getting a different Endo on the NHS, seeing a private Endo (have already had one recommended) or/and seeing a functional medicine doctor. I really can’t afford all this but I’m so upset about my health and the appalling treatment I’ve had, I’m quite determined to get the money somehow.

The reason I want to see a functional medicine doctor is because I’ve heard you can lower Hashimoto’s antibodies through diet etc. And I just want to throw everything at this right now, I’m only 32 and have this new illness now (Addison’s) which sounds much scarier than my thyroid.

Does anyone know whether a functional medicine doctor could help with my conditions? Anyone been to see one before, what was the outcome?

Tia!

[Nanaedake]

How have you been diagnosed with Addison? What tests and what evidence? Untreated Addison disease can be fatal. Why would you put your health into the hands of an unqualified practitioner? What do you know about how functional practitioners are trained or how they qualify?

Summary for treatment of Addison below.

cks.nice.org.uk/addisons-di...

Trying to reduce thyroid antibodies could be a waste of energy as they will fluctuate anyway.

[Twan12 in reply to Nanaedake]

Hi, I had a short Synacthen test. Results were:

basal cortisol was 263nmol/L rising to 430 nmol/L. He said it's suboptimal as a normal response is 540 nmol/L.

I know, I've read all this online, which has scared the life out of me. My Endo just wrote exactly what is above without any explanation or appt to see me, just prescribed me the hydrocortisone and that was it. So all I know is off the internet, which is how you scare yourself isn't it.

I don't know anything about functional medicine doctors, which is why I'm asking Qs. Are they unqualified? I certainly wouldn't consider coming off medication, bc as you say, that could be fatal!

I'm just lost and trying so hard to get answers but Endo refusing to see me or return my calls, I'm sure he's busy but I'm sure I should've had results explained to me and issued an emergency injection kit which I don't have.

[Nanaedake in reply to Twan12]

Have you tried contacting a UK charity for Addison disease? The charities are often very helpful and will explain things to you.

It sounds like you have not had a definite diagnosis for Addison disease yet. Suboptimal levels may not constitute Addison but you need this clarified.

You could also make an apt with your GP to discuss. They could clarify the situation for you by contacting Endo on your behalf. If you are maki g official complaints then ask to move Endo and ask GP to send you elsewhere for a second opinion. Research an Addison specialist via one of the charities.

[Twan12 in reply to Nanaedake]

I've found an Addison's helpline to call tomorrow, thanks very much 👍

[Twan12]

Oh, that's interesting, thanks for sharing your experiences. Doesn't sound like either would be of any benefit to me based on your experiences. I'm just trying to see what my options are bc I'm so sick of this thing taking over my life and getting worse. I have a young son so trying to explore every avenue to keep my health as good as it can be.

I had a short Synacthen test which showed my cortisol is low, not terrible though, but have been prescribed hydrocortisone. I also have consistently high antibodies, which I'd like to lower if possible, don't know how possible that is. I just want to stop or slow the deterioration but that may be too optimistic.

[greygoose]

I’ve heard you can lower Hashimoto’s antibodies through diet etc.

That's something you hear a lot. But, I've never seen any proof that has convinced me it works. Given that antibodies fluctuate, even if they reduce, how do you know they're not going to rise again? In any case, they are going to reduce naturally as your thyroid is slowly destroyed.

On top of that, you have to ask yourself: what is the advantage of reducing antibodies? It doesn't mean that your Hashi's is any less - and it certainly won't get rid of your antibodies because it's perfectly possible to have Hashi's without ever having high antibodies. It's not the antibodies that are attacking the thyroid. I know that's what people think, but it's not true. It is the lymphocytes produced by the immune system that destroy the thyroid, not the TPO/Tg antibodies.

So, if your only reason for wanting to see a functional medicine doctor, I would save my money, if I were you. I've never seen one myself, but from what I've read on here of people that have, they have some very strange ideas about treating thyroid.

[Twan12 in reply to greygoose]

Right, that's good to know. It's all so confusing! I cannot get my head around it all! Okay, I thought lowering my antibodies would slow the destruction of my glands but, like you say, if that's not the case, what's the point?

[greygoose in reply to Twan12]

No, it really won't, I'm afraid.

[diogenes Remembering]

The main trouble with functional doctors is that they over-test for everything under the sun, and it costs the patient dear, without any guarantee of successful diagnosis. There are a lot of dodgy characters in that profession,

[Angel_of_the_North]

There are very few qualified functional doctors in the UK, so I think you'd be very lucky to find one. I've never heard of anyone actually "curing" hashis long term with diet - basically because by the time you are diagnosed, too much of the thyroid has been destroyed for it to be able to make enough hormones to support you and keep you well. The antibodies are not the disease. Avoiding gluten and supplementing selenium help a lot of people.

[Serendipitious]

I've been seeing a "functional medicine practitioner", a naturopath and he's qualified in other things too. It's certainly helped me however yes there's a lot of expense involved. Certainly in my case. However had I not gone to see him I would most likely still have been as sick as I previously was. That's my experience.

[Batty1]

I have a functional medicine doc and she's as useless as my Endo, I'm double doomed.

[Ziburu]

Hi - Bit late as I just saw this. Did you get anywhere with this? I have Hashimotos and a lot of other stuff. Thanks