Functional Medicine practitioners that don’t cost the earth?

[HollieBerry]

Hello all, I’m not getting anywhere with improving my wellness.

My depression has become really severe, I have constant fatigue, extreme hormonal related mood changes, weight gain, brain fog and memory issues, (as well as the usual irritating issues like poor skin, nails, hair, constipation etc.)

I read many things about vitamins and diet styles that can help but it all confuses me so much! I have adhd so processing things like this is really difficult especially when it comes to dosages and routines, so keeping a strict regime is near impossible without help.

What I need is someone to set me a clear plan - foods to add/avoid, supplements to take, also to test for leaky gut and gluten intolerance etc?

I feel like paying for separate tests without real guidance is wasted on me, if I’m going to take the plunge and spend hundreds I’d rather get a wrap round care package, in one place.

Please help! Where do I go from here? Can anyone recommend a FMP that doesn’t cost the earth? I’m only on benefits as I’m too ill to work at the minute. Or Is there such thing as a thyroid advocate that can lead me through it all?

I honestly feel hopeless at the minute 😞

Thanks in advance xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Most people say any functional doctor tends to be extremely expensive

Roughly where in the UK are you....obviously need someone fairly local to you

Cheapest way is to get private testing and ask advice on here

[HollieBerry in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m in the midlands.

[Queeniz]

I take it your in USA ... how old are you ? (If you don’t mind me asking ?)

[HollieBerry in reply to Queeniz]

No I’m in the UK. I’m 34

[Hidden]

My own impression - from visiting many websites and patient forums - is that functional/alternative doctors are very expensive. Not only do they charge a lot per visit, but they also tend to order expensive tests (not all covered by health insurance, depending on your country and coverage), and prescribe expensive drugs which are not always refundable (again, depends on your country and coverage). Tests/drugs often not covered include DHEA, pregnenolone, growth hormone, and NDT, as well as compounded drugs. My health insurance also does not cover testosterone testing or supplementation in women (although many functional doctors prescribe low doses of T for women). So it could be a good idea to have an idea of the total cost in advance so as to avoid a shock. If in the UK, many here will be able to give you advice on that as rules differ from country to country.

The reason they can be so expensive is that there are not many of them around, so demand exceeds supply.

Then again, it´s all about your health, and how much you are willing to pay to get better.

But, if you do consider finding a functional doctor, make sure to find a good one who comes highly recommended by others, and who is known to be good at treating thyroid and other endocrine disorders (if that is your main concern). Or, to put it bluntly: an anti-aging doctor focusing mainly on restoring otherwise healthy patients´ hormone levels to youthful ones may not necessarily be what you need.

[HollieBerry in reply to Hidden]

I just want to get to the bottom of it all, (as I suppose many on here do!)

My symptoms match so many different ailments and I’m going round in circles. I’m confused with it all to be honest.

A lot of the FM consultants I’ve looked at don’t mention thyroid disorder so I’m skeptical as to whether they’d fully understand endocrine functions in particular.