Can we all agree that finding a good doctor – I mean, a really, really good doctor- is not easy? It feels impossible actually. Like finding a needle in a haystack. I want to help ease that pain a little by sharing some of the things I’ve learned over the years. Through trial and error. Blood, sweat and tears. You get the picture.
Let’s dive in…
1.) Word of mouth is so powerful, that’s how I found my current doctor and the doctor before that. Annnnddd…the doctor before that. Ask a friend who shares similar medical approaches as you. Ask a friend of a friend. A word of mouth referral is the best method I’ve found. Never under estimate the power of word of mouth.
2.) That being said, there’s not always the luxury of word of mouth (if you’re new to an area, etc), but we live in the age of the internet. I start by searching for naturopathic or functional medicine doctors in my area. I read through the websites that come up and choose the one that most resonates with me. In other words, I go with my gut. That’s how I found the midwife I used with my third baby and I loved her.
3.) To help narrow the search, I look for a few key things in a potential doctor:
- A doctor who ascribes to a holistic approach to wellness, not a one size fits all. Because there is no “one size fits all” and anyone who says there is…well, run, sister, run. We are all so unique, it’s going to take more than a standardized scale or range of symptoms to address our overall health. Most of the time there are no quick fixes either, which leads me to the next thing I look for…
- A doctor who is willing to spend the time to dig deeper and ask pertinent questions. I don’t care who you are, I don’t want to sit in your waiting room for an hour to be rushed in and out of my appointment in ten minutes because that’s “all you have time for.” Nope. Or to be told “there’s a cream for that” when it’s a skin issue I’ve had for years that I’ve tried all.the.things. to cure. Yes, I had a doctor tell me that in the first two minutes I was in his office. I didn’t end up using the cream and discovered months later that I had a sensitivity to conventional dairy. I cut out dairy and my skin cleared up. Go figure.
- A doctor who doesn’t feel threatened when I bring my own research to the table. Because I do bring my own research. And we should! We need to be prepared and educated when we go to the doctor. We have to be our own advocates and take ownership of our own health.
4.) If you’re going to a doctor and something feels “off”, you feel uncomfortable or you’re not seeing any results after giving it the good old college try, don’t be afraid to walk away. You’re the customer and you don’t owe anyone anything.
Once you’ve found a doctor you’re comfortable with, it’s time to prepare for your first appointment. This is important so that you can get the most out of your precious time (and money!).
Here’s how I prep:
- I make a note of the top 3-4 health issues I want to resolve. This helps to give some focus to my care so I don’t just shotgun a bunch of symptoms.
- I also like to do research on how those health issues are typically approached. What treatments and supplements are common, so that I have knowledge of the terms and procedures.
- I make a note of any supplements I’m taking and protocols I’m following.
- I write down in detail any questions I have because I often space when on the spot.
- I also pull out any recent medical paperwork/labs/test results that I feel might be helpful and bring those along.
- I also try to figure out what my insurance covers and what it doesn’t, so that I’m prepared for any out of pocket expenses. “Try” being the key word… Can I just say how much I hate insurance? Hate is too nice a word. Anyways. Moving on…
Here are the tests I ask for (especially around 12-16 months postpartum):
- A hormone panel. At the very least, I have my progesterone levels checked. I’ve heard good things about the Dutch Hormone test. I may still have that done in the next couple months if I don’t see some resolution with a few things.
- Vitamin D levels. Optimal levels should be between 50-80. Here’s a great overview on this topic. It’s good to know where you are because low levels aren’t good and if you’re on the high end you know you can ease up on any supplementing.
- A full thyroid panel. Ask for: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, TPO Antibodies, and Anti-TGB Antibodies. Here’s a great article explaining why.
- Some other things you might consider having checked or tested: your ferritin (iron storage) levels and B12, a GI Map stool test, a food sensitivity test or a hair mineral analysis.
One last note, if you don’t have money in the budget or access to a good doctor or you know the tests you need and you’re in-between doctor visits, I have heard great things about EverlyWell. This is not sponsored in any way and I’ve never personally used the service (but I have family members who have). It might be worth checking out!
I hope this was helpful. Navigating doctors and appointments and tests is hard enough, you shouldn’t have to do it alone! If you have any questions, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Let’s care for ourselves,
Hannah
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Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. I don’t have any formal medical training. Please do your own research and don’t just take my word for it.