erikahollister's Journal, 09 July 2016

One other thing to say: the integrative med. doc was very supportive of my LCHF diet, thrilled with a 60 lb weight loss. He was interested to hear how much my mental health has improved with ketosis. 

Great news! How did you find that doctor? 

So glad you found an integrated medicine doctor in your area. Wow, now we know about the methylation. God bless him and you. Keep us apprised of your improving health 💖 

I have heard integrated medicine or functional medicine is the best way to go. Good for you! 

Functional medicine doctors look for causes of problems, do extensive blood testing and work toward correcting underlying deficiencies. The allopathic doctors wait for a disease to surface then treat the symptoms without looking at what's causing them. I'd rather stop the problems before they become debilitating - and work toward enjoying a healthy and happy life! 

There is a registry of functional medicine Dr's. I think it's linked on Dr. Hyman's website, but this guy is local and I learned about him through friends. I heard later that he is well regarded and people travel long distances to see him. He does seem knowledgable, and is easy to talk with. Dr. Brummer, Northampton, MA 

That's awesome, Erika! I shun allopaths, too. Unless I break something, they're clueless. I'm looking forward to hearing about improvements and changes as you get balanced. <3 

My sister had blood work that showed a mutation in a MTHFR (don't remember #) gene that correlates with anxiety/depression. Those issues are rampant in our family, as are alcoholism, diabetes and weight problems. She was also told to take large doses of folate, so your post rings a bell. Sounds like you found a good doc. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am convinced there are very strong genetic influences to our behaviors and issues with weight and health. Bottom line-stop feeling guilty and never judge people who are diligently trying to improve their health. None of us controls the hand we were dealt. 

Genetic medicine is so new - it's the medicine for the future. I'm just glad that they're beginning to learn some things now.  

I hope your sister is doing better with the right supplements, Charlene. Have you been tested? I feel like others in my family should learn about this too, but they already think I'm a health nut, and pay little attention to what I have to offer. 

The MTHFR genes affect neurotransmitters, so mental health! And of course we all know that appetite and weight are controlled by brain function as well. So, I'm looking forward to seeing how the supplements affect me and to learning more about it. 

Before I was diagnosed with heart disease in 2002, every doctor I went to took my blood pressure, saw that it was high and immediately started prescribing ace inhibitors. When my real problem was discovered come to find out my blood pressure issues were a symptom of a bigger problem, not the problem itself, of course none of the other doctors were interested in digging deeper, just that I had hypertension, full stop. Nope, diligence in medical treatment is paramount.  

My sis had the tests a few years back. I haven't talked to her lately about the folate. I thought of being tested, but it was expensive and not covered by insurance. I took folate for a while, and take a multivitamin with high levels of B vitamins. Didn't make the difference that SSRI med (Paxil) does! LOL! It is fascinating stuff, isn't it? Hope you get good results! 

I've heard that low estrogen affects your adrenals, and getting some estrogen (perhaps mixed with testosterone) aka HRT would kick start your adrenals and help everything function a bit better. I'm NO expert, just passing along personal information. 

Uhh, your post sounds WAYYY too familiar! I saw an endo, she was worthless, neuro, worthless, cardio good but ya, why not find the cause instead of pushing meds and then throwing off everything else. I wish I could find a doc like yours!I hope the supplements work/help!  

Erika thank you so much for your post. I am have been struggling for years and had the same result when I went to an endocrinologist looking for help - and was told - "numbers all look good, nothing wrong with you. Calories in / calories out - might want to get a lap band - at the time I was taking in 800/cals day - following Atkins diet - losing ZERO weight - not cheating at all - and he looked at me like I was another fatso looking for a magic pill. I was devastated. I have gone to an "integrated doctor" who was not an MD - but a Chiropractor - nothing against Chiropractors - but they don't run your blood work to see what is specifically wrong with you. I followed his "metabolism reset" program to the letter - lost 20 lbs the first month - and then my metabolism shut down - followed several "plateau busters' and still no reaction - lost zero weight - ZERO - the second month - of shear torture by the way - no alcohol, no sugar/simple carbs, no dairy, limited red meat allowed, no pork, no crustaceans -he had no idea what was wrong and refunded 1/2 my money. Now, thanks to reading your post - again thank you sooo much, I have located a functional MD that runs extensive tests and I am hoping that he can help me. I have approx. 30 more pounds to lose - so not that bad - but would love to not have to struggle the way I am struggling. Oh, I am going through peri-menopause now - so that is adding another level of hell and resistance to my weight loss - yay - lol. But, I am confident and hopeful that I will be successful, sincerely. The one "symptom" that I do not have is depression.