I wanted to update you guys on some blood work I recently had done. I’ve been searching for a good primary care doctor for over ten years at this point. I was recently introduced to Capital Integrative Health just outside of DC. They are a functional medicine practice and they accept insurance! What a DREAM.
But having dealt with over twenty doctors over the years, I went to the appointment unsure of what to expect. While our society kind of worships doctors as all-knowing beings, I’ve learned the hard way that they’re just humans who make mistakes – like all of us. I’ve dealt with some truly terrible doctors over the years.
I once met with a doctor who told me that a vitamin D supplement was basically they same as a statin prescription. (FYI – this makes literally no sense.)
I had an OBGYN that literally cursed during our visit when she got frustrated with me because her staff scheduled me for the wrong appointment. (Like full on dropping the f bomb).
I’ve had doctors that full on ignored me. I’ve had doctors that didn’t listen to a word I said. I’ve had doctors that didn’t even ASK me what was wrong or why I was there to see them.
So going into this appointment, I tried not to get my hopes up.
But imagine my surprise when I’m met with a spitfire of a woman who sat me down, looked me in the eye and said, “Tell me why you’re here.”
I was just looking for the basics – blood work, vitamin and mineral analysis, a thyroid check, etc. I told her about my super sensitive stomach and that I’m 100% gluten-free. I told her about the anxiety I’ve experienced over the years.
She listened. She heard me. And I love her for that.
“I’m going to check you for celiac.”
“But I literally never eat gluten anyway. Unless I get glutened at restaurants. Which is totally possible.”
“I’m going to test you anyway.” She told me.
Now, imagine when she took time out of her Saturday to call me and tell me that I indeed tested positive for celiac disease.
She recommended an endoscopy to confirm, but I passed. I’m not interested in having a tube shoved down my throat when I’m just fine not eating gluten anyway.
Even if I didn’t test positive for celiac, I would not eat it for a few simple reasons.
- Gluten is inflammatory.
- Gluten spikes your blood sugar.
- Gluten has been linked to anxiety and depression (more about that here).
- Gluten bullied you in high school.
- Gluten is not a nutrient dense food.
I already aim for a low carbohydrate diet with minimal grains because that’s how I feel best. That’s how my body thrives. So there’s no point for me to eat gluten, even if I didn’t have celiac.
Which, I do.
So I wanted to let you guys know.
It’s also positive to get a false negative. You know your body best. If you don’t feel great eating gluten or you have IBS or constipation or diarrhea, give it up for two weeks. 100% stop eating gluten for two weeks. See how your body responds.
Because even if you don’t have celiac or a gluten sensitivity, I’m willing to bet that you’re going to feel better.
I think of gluten the same way I think about sugar for the most part. There’s just no reason to include it in your diet. There are many more detriments than benefits. Once in a while with sugar is fine, but I can’t ever do gluten. It just makes me feel terrible and it’s not worth it.
If you have any issues with your gut, find a doctor who you trust, who respects you. Your relationship with your doctor is one of the most important, impactful relationships you will ever have.
Find one who listens and will do the testing. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Doctors are supposed to be your advocate, they are supposed to help you get to the bottom of your health issues – to the root cause.
Doctors are not supposed to just prescribe a pill to mask a symptom. Look for a doctor that will do all the testing to determine WHY you’re having the symptoms you’re having.
Look for a functional medicine or naturopathic doctor in your area. Many even do Skype consults. Keep searching until you find a good partnership. Your health is so, so worth it.
