Holistic Physician Visit #1

Today was my first visit with the holistic physician. He is an M.D.-- a surgeon-- who also specializes in holistic medicine. He knows lots of neat stuff about nutrition and biochemistry.I went in to speak with him about the sulfites and the recent pancreatitis/gall bladder attack. When I went in, I was very discouraged and pessimistic (and planning on surgery). Now that I am out, I have hope, ideas, plans, and feel as though he has taken a huge burden from me. Well-worth the time and money-- I wish I had gone to him in the first place. 

He plans on pursuing several avenues of care--

1-- Vitamin/mineral levels

At this point, I am so sensitive to any shift in my vitamin and mineral levels, he does not feel comfortable supplementing without some idea of where my cellular levels are. He has ordered a blood test that does not measure the vitamins in the serum, but the vitamins in the red and white blood cells themselves. 

2-- Digestive tract healing

I am to continue eating gluten and casein-free, but begin to change the focus to controlling the yeast overgrowth. I have had a long struggle with candidiasis. I am starting on a probiotic (a very weak one due to my sensitivity to everything right now). He may consider a course of Nystatin in the near future, depending on how the probiotic trial runs. 

3-- Thyroid

Though my standard thyroid profile was within normal ranges, there are few more markers that he wants to look at, specifically those related to autoimmune problems. 

4-- Pancreatic Enzymes

He thinks these, or rather the lack thereof, may be playing a role, but will deal with them after other issues are addressed. 

5-- Other issues

He said that further down the road, he may want to look at DHEA, cortisol, and other tests to see how things are functioning. 

I plan on working with him on these issues as long as the gall bladder stays quiet. Perhaps the cause of the gall bladder problems, whatever they may be, can be fixed without making surgery necessary.

I was very impressed with this doctor and his staff. The entire paradigm of care was based on nourishment and healing, instead of fixing a symptom.

More Information:

Intracellular vs. Serum Vitamin Levels