re: good endo who understands celiac

[Guest guest]

Marci, , et alI am pretty new to this group, and I am a physician (internal medicine) who has been diagnosed with a whole slew of things from gluten sensitivity to severe Hashimoto's thyroiditis postpartum to adrenal fatigue... I know it from the inside and out that conventional western medicine doctors know very little about this stuff.  It's sad, but it is true.  We're so specialized that the various specialities don't really cross-communicate.  What we are taught about gluten sensitivity is a very narrow definition of celiac disease, and even though correlations between celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity with autoimmune disorders like thyroiditis/Hashimoto's type hypothyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis are well established, very few outside of CD specialists know about those.  And even less know about the more nuanced symptoms and diseases.  Celiac has conventionally been delegated out to the gastroenterologists, so ironically, the GI docs who specialize in celiac disease know more about its link to thyroid disorders than a lot of endocrinologists.  For those who know about the high correlation, everyone who presents with CD should be screened for hypothyroidism and vice versa.  I was initially a patient at UCSF's endocrinology clinic for 2 years and not getting any better despite normalizing lab values.  They told me nothing there.  Never even once questioned gluten sensitivity.  

All that to say, it is hard to find an endocrinologist in the conventional system who understands gluten sensitivity and other chronic presentations of hormonal imbalance.  I've found that naturopaths and alternative medicine folks tend to understand it more and try to treat the autoimmune nature of the thyroid disease, rather than just giving a dose of Synthroid, which doesn't address the cause of the thyroid inflammation.  I personally have had some good results seeing an integrative medicine doctor (she's an MD) in Mill Valley a couple of yrs ago.  Dr. Beth McDougall at the Clear Center of Health.  But a lot of these integrative medicine doctors and naturopaths aren't covered except by comprehensive PPO plans and are expensive.  I've found, however, that many times you only need to see them once as an initial visit, and once as a follow-up to get you on the right path, then you could continue to follow-up with your regular doctor.  

Keep looking until you find a doctor who listens to you and treats your symptoms, not your numbers.  I'm glad some folks have thrown out suggestions of good experiences you've had-- that is reassuring and hopeful!  

Best,

[Guest guest]

Hi,I am glad to hear you talk about this issue from the point of view of being both a doctor and a patient. It is so very frustrating to deal with most AMA doctors about this subject. Have you thought of treating celiac and gluten intolerant patients yourself??Bea

[Guest guest]

Bea

Yes, I have most definitely thought of that, and still continue to do

so. I am very interested also in potentially training in (or working

in practice with) traditional Chinese medicine, or another

complementary field to integrate all this knowledge.

The big catch: I have to get there health-wise, first! It has been a

long road for me, and despite having been on leave from work for the

last year, my recovery remains slow b/c I have 2 young kids. But I am

on the right path, and I hope for all of you out there who are still

struggling & /or experiencing suboptimal health that you will seek

alternative treatments to support your wellness.

I'd be happy to correspond privately, too, about any specific issues

anyone might be having. We live in Berkeley as of a year ago, and

previously in SF, so these are the geographical areas I'm most

familiar with in terms of health care access/resources.

Warmly,