At 47 years old, in late April of 2012, I began losing my hair in oval patches.
These pictures were taken in late September of 2012. I did the normal thing and went to my HMO doctor knowing something was not right! I had all kinds of blood tests, sonograms, and allergist appointments only to be told by my primary care doctor, “All of your tests have come back in normal ranges. Western Medicine has nothing more to offer you… You might try acupuncture.”
That was when I decided to take a different fork in the road along my healing journey. I found my acupuncturist and my first Functional Medicine doctor who worked together as a team to handle difficult cases. I became an integral part of this team. We worked together, to figure out why my hair was continuing to fall out.
We ran more comprehensive blood tests which showed that I had problems with my detoxifying systems and that I had Leaky Gut syndrome. They put me on some cleanses and gave me natural supplements to support my body. Three months later my hair stopped falling out and then I noticed the first fuzz coming in on my head!
Later, I had more blood tests run and found out that I also have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and 14 other tissues under attack in my body.
Armed with all of this new information, the Functional Medicine clinics were able to teach me how to live a normal, happy life. I learned to modify my diet to avoid the foods my body has developed antibodies against and how to live big on all the other foods my body thrives on.
Through the help of my Functional Medicine Doctors, deciding to take control of my own health, (instead of relying on standard protocols of HMO doctors), I have regained my hair, lost 35 pounds and am able to keep a steady weight without trying! I am careful about avoiding the foods my body doesn’t like and I prioritize getting enough sleep, but I have no pain, I have my energy back, and I feel better than I did when I was 40!
I believe that sharing my story can give you hope, that you too can regain your heath, through making a real commitment to turn your health around and by working with a Functional Medicine Practitioner, who will guide you through the natural alternatives that work!
It is my sincerest wish that you will try a different fork on the road in your Healing journey.
Lisa Nelson – Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach