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Finding a doctor supportive of a LC lifestyle

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JanetLynnJudy
JanetLynnJudy Posts: 173 Member
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I'm going to be looking for a doctor soon (just for regular check ups, etc.) and I want to find one that will be supportive about my LC lifestyle. Does anyone have any advice about finding one? I would also be okay with a doctor that supports paleo, I just don't want to go to a doctor that thinks SAD (Standard American Diet) is the only way to go or one that tries to push LFHC. I noticed in my initial web search that Jimmy Moore has started a List of Low-Carb doctors, but there are none in my area.

Here's the link anyway. Maybe it can help someone else or maybe someone here could add to his list. http://lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com/

I haven't been to a "regular" doctor since I've started this so I'm curious about how other people's experiences at the doctor's office have went after they explain what they do.

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  • Birdy989
    Birdy989 Posts: 52 Member
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    Congrats on your weight loss! That's terrific! I'm glad you posted this, but I don't have any answers. I just got new insurance, and it's been a loooong time since I went to the doctor. I figured it was time to get all of my blood lipid panels checked. But I'm in the same boat -- I know of one doctor in the Detroit area that I went to many years ago who didn't know much about low-carb eating, but was open to learning. He was great (but unfortunately not part of my insurance plan). It seems like the others I've found here in Michigan are holistic-type doctors and don't take insurance. I can't believe that there are no doctors that support a low-carb, real food, healthy lifestyle. But on the other hand, doctors are busy, overworked and plagued by content pharma sales reps pushing statins and diabetes meds. I'm almost considering forking out the money to see a doctor on my own, if all I need are the blood lab tests done.

    Not too long ago, I got the neatest flyer in the mail about a local doctor who charges $40 an office visit, no matter what. He doesn't take insurance, but he's an actual D.O. that advertises the fact that he's different from other doctors in that he's an old-time country-type doctor. I bet he'd be more open to a low-carb lifestyle than a regular doctor. I can't find that flyer now, tho. Bummer. Anyway, curious to know if anyone else has other sources...
  • jessvaughn74
    jessvaughn74 Posts: 164 Member
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    If you are just looking for a doctor for regular check ups, etc. I would highly suggest finding a Nurse Practitioner (NP). I recently had to find a new doctor to treat my thyroid when my endocrinologist moved out of state. In looking for a doctor I found that there were no other endocrinologists in our city and also a huge lack of doctors overall. I must have called 6 different offices and had 2 left to call and I could only get in to see the NP. There is of course a doctor on staff, but he was booked for 5 weeks. I am so pleased with my NP that I have only made my appointments with her even when told the doctor had openings. She has been much more dillegent with my thyroid meds than the specialist was I was seeing before. She has been very supportive of my change of lifestyle (low carb). I have talked to other people and many agree that NP's seem to be more attentive and understanding. Good luck!
  • jennb44
    jennb44 Posts: 81 Member
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    I don't currently have a PCP, but when I went to my GYN back in late January and mentioned that I had started the low-carb lifestyle back at the beginning of the month, she wasn't overly supportive of it. She did seem to think that if it works for me then do it. She was more worried about me not getting enough calcium, so she encouraged me to eat greek yogurt and take extra vitamins that include calcium. She hasn't seen me since I have lost the 21 pounds and I won't be going back for another year or more. My husband's PCP actually is all for it when he mentioned that I was doing it, so if I do need a PCP I think I will go to him. Good luck in your search because I think it isn't easy finding a doc that supports this lifestyle.
  • linbert57
    linbert57 Posts: 154 Member
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    I don't know what my doctor will think, but my yearly physical will be in a few months. I will weigh less than last year and I am interested to see the lab results in comparison to last year. I did not start low carb until April of this year, so we shall see if she's behind me on this lifestyle. She can't be totally against it - I don't eat the crap that I used to, but I'm not sure what she will say about all the fat that's in my diet now.
  • mrdexter1
    mrdexter1 Posts: 356 Member
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    Had to see the doctor today as i was distracted by someone conversing with me as i started a revearse curling heavy set and threw my back out...

    In the uk...
    Chose to see a female doctor and used it as an opportunity to mention being in ketosis amongst other things and she responded by saying they might as well test kidney and liver function whilst doing the blood test which has worked out rather well bar having to wait until next monday to do a morning fasted blood test.
  • LauraDotts
    LauraDotts Posts: 732 Member
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    Look up doctors in your area that you are considering and send him/her an email. There's nothing wrong with inquiring or interviewing a doctor before becoming their patient.
  • dlaciv12
    dlaciv12 Posts: 13
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    My doctor is originally from Korea and is mostly supportive. He's a whole food kind of guy and understands my position.

    If your doctor challenges you ask him or her to give you real scientific proof that low carb is bad/wrong. They can't and if you visit Jimmy Moore's website than you have all the ammo you need to prove the doctor wrong.

    I find people are more receptive if you tell them you are doing a whole food diet, which you are. By the time you reach your goal weight you should be eating a perfectly balanced, whole food diet built specifically for you. No one can argue that it's wrong.
  • Marll
    Marll Posts: 904 Member
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    I've found it difficult at best to find supportive doctors. Whenever I have to switch doctors (one moves on, etc.) I never mention how I eat until they get my first set of blood work back for whatever I'm in there for. They always seem to test for cholesterol, etc anyway.

    My last doctor visit the doctor, having never seen blood work for me before told me that my cholesterol was "Picture perfect, like a poster child for good cholesterol". When asking about diet at that point I tell them I always avoid all grains, don't eat much fruit and eat low carb. I always get that "look" (you know what I mean) but they can't argue with results.

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