functional Doctor

[Jillkh]

For the last year I have had ongoing health issues. A burst ulcer, constant chest infections, and most recently a TIA and atrial afibulation. My GP says none of it is connected to my Hashimoto’s . I have been self medicating with NDT for a number of years very successfully with no problems. I was paying for my own blood tests which were fine. But I have let that slip over the last year as been so ill. , my GP not happy with me self medicating and wants me to stop all my medication. ( I don’t have recent blood test results) I have requested a referral to an endochronogist, but there is a long wait.

I want to see if a functional Doctor can help as I think it’s all connected. I am allowed to ask if anyone can recommend one in the UK?

[Discussion of individual doctors must take place via private message, not on the open forum.]

[RedApple]

Jillkh, If anyone has any recommendations for UK functional doctors, they can contact you via private message. Some information about private practitioners is available through Thyroid UK thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

You will still need to have up to date thyroid blood test though. It will likely be cheaper for you to do your own, than through any private doctor.

List of testing companies used by members is here thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp... (For basic thyroid levels, (TSH, FT4, FT3), MonitorMyHealth finger prick test is best value).

[Jillkh in reply to RedApple]

thank you. I really appreciate the help

[PixieElv in reply to RedApple]

forgive my silly question, but what do they do? That’s different?

Thank you

[RedApple in reply to PixieElv]

Good question! And I don't know the answer as I've not had any personal experience. If you use your favourite search engine, you'll probably find plenty of claims, and conflicting information, much of it US based. I think this is where the term originated. For one example of a UK description, go here (Disclaimer, this is absolutely NOT a recommendation, I have no experience of this 'clinic'!) londonclinicofnutrition.co....

[PixieElv in reply to RedApple]

thank you. that’s really helpful. The concept sounds sensible but I can imagine there’s loads of room for people to get ripped off…

[userotc]

Heres a list of qualified, Nutritional Therapists from which you may find options that suit eg thyroid specialists and/or local to you if face-face preferred. Unlike medics, they should adopt a personalised approach with natural solutions for relevant body systems, not medications to suppress specific symptoms naturopathy-uk.com/resource...

[Jillkh in reply to userotc]

thank you so much.

[dtate2016]

I am not in the UK, (in the US), but your idea about a functional Dr. is right on. A functional Dr was part of the remedy / education / self directed road to health. I am 3 years into Hashimotos remission / healing after 3 decades of following main stream medical who simply would not / could not / did not help. Trust yourself - you know if it’s all connected. Read everything you can get your hands on. And while there are many very knowledgeable people here on HU, from which I have learned plenty and am thankful for and have immense respect - the precious blood tests are not the last word, nor the end all. We must be Dr. assisted, especially with the the serious matters that you are dealing with - and yet, we all know when we FEEL well. I personally had severe chest pains and tightening of the chest when I was following Drs orders and over medicating with Levo. When I reported that to my Dr. (Not a functional Dr.), their recommendations was to take MORE Levo! Why? Because blood tests indicated that to be so. (I have since learned why that blood test was not indicative of where I really was Re: thyroid hormone - not to go into that here). The point is I am quite sure I would have had a heart attack had I not given more weight to what I was feeling, rather than what the blood tests / Drs said. I have found that Functional Drs are 10 x better than main stream medical when it comes to thyroid disorders - because they really LISTEN.

I often recommend the functional endocrinologist Dr. Christianson that can be found online. drchristianson.com/

He offers a ton of free research as he himself found his way to health and freedom from his own thyroid disease. Yes, he also sells health solutions which I personally cannot afford, but find similar products elsewhere. Let me end this rather long message by emphatically repeating TRUST WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT YOU. You have lived with the maladies probably much longer than the 20 minutes most Drs allot for an appointment.

[Jillkh in reply to dtate2016]

thank you so much. That is really helpful and reassuring