I recently changed my healthcare provider from a naturopath to a “mainstream” PPO medical provider.

After a trip to a “regular” MD, I felt I knew more than she did about nutrition and how food affects the body. The one issue I can’t hack is better sleep. I thought I’d discuss it with the doctor to see her suggestions. I made it clear medication was NOT going to be my solution. She made some excellent suggestions with herbs and natural remedies; however, I already knew her solutions. She gets extra credit for knowing something about herbs and supplements.

We continued our discussion, and she ordered some blood work for me. I was super excited to have labs done. A few days later, I saw the results and was surprised by the lack of labs that I thought would be important to know. The labs were just a slimmed-down lipid panel, A1C, creatine for kidney function, and a basic THS for thyroid. I was certainly disappointed at the lack of information from these basic and non-exploratory tests. Why wouldn’t a test be ordered for insulin, inflammation (hs-CRP), hormones, anemia, and an in-depth lipid panel other than total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL? The tests that were ordered don’t tell any story. I shared my previous labs from my naturopath with the doctor, and she was amazed at how many labs were ordered and commented that most weren’t necessary.

I recently went for a follow-up, and she suggested a statin drug because my LDL was slightly elevated. Why is a pill the solution? Because it’s the medical practice of the “standard of care .”Doctors don’t have the billable time to get to underlying issues. Their job is to treat the symptoms and bill accordingly. I asked why she doesn’t ask for a more extensive blood work panel, and she said it’s unnecessary. I asked if she could order additional labs, and while she was hesitant, she was willing to order the labs, stating, “Insurance probably won’t pay for them” – guess what? They did. In the end, she was impressed that I knew what I wanted. (Editor note: Pat is a Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP)

There are a few reasons why I’m going down this path. First, most people don’t know what they don’t know. Most people feel their doctor walks on water and believe they know what’s best for them. Nothing is farther from the truth. In a book by Ken Berry, MD, Lies My Doctor Told Me, you’ll hear from an MD about the medical standard of practice and the lack of education many physicians have regarding nutrition and general health. It comes down to treating the symptom and not the patient.

I’m currently on the path of having cataract surgery. Talk about a money grab. Between the initial doctor visit, pre-op, and post-op for each eye, along with a co-pay for most of the visits AND the cost for upgraded lenses, I don’t know people on fixed incomes can afford healthcare, even on Medicare and supplemental coverage.

I would encourage you to research the medications you take. There are effects from taking medications long term. People diagnosed with metabolic syndromes like high blood pressure and high blood sugar are lifestyle-related and can be reversed with diet so you can get off the medication. But if you have high blood pressure or you’re pre-diabetic, then take a pill. You see how the medical community and drug companies are connected, right? (that’s a story for another day)

I advocate for people to be informed, empowered, and in control of their health. No one else will care about you until you take control.