7 ms·

"At this point, if one is thinking about supplementation, either omega-3s or vitamin D, talking to your physician or healthcare provider is the next step" Does

"At this point, if one is thinking about supplementation, either omega-3s or vitamin D, talking to your physician or healthcare provider is the next step" Does anyone actually talk to their doctor before taking a vitamin? What information could they possibly provide

loeg 8y ago
They could inform you how much 30 minutes of their time and the facility fees truly cost. ;-) If you're quite serious about it you could maybe draw blood and see if you're deficient in any particular vitamins.
- Latteland 8y ago
  Just ask them at your annual checkup for ghod's sake. it's free then.
  - loeg 8y ago
    Yeah, that's true. My previous comment was very tongue-in-cheek, sorry. (And: in this country you're reasonably lucky if you get a free annual checkup.)
peterxpark 8y ago
I have a terrific new naturopathic doctor who actually cares about my health and will run blood panels frequently and let me know what lifestyle changes and supplements would help me. I never knew before that I was deficient in zinc. Before her though, most of my doctors were of the bland "if you aren't in extreme pain then it's not a problem" camp.
- naturopathNoDr 8y ago
  Naturopathic "medicine" is complete nonsense. You are literally bloodletting your money. Good work. I thought HN readers might be smarter than that.
- James1738 8y ago
  You're part of the problem, congratulations on giving a a witchdoctor money!
- hashbig 8y ago
  I would much rather have a "if you aren't in extreme pain then it's not a problem" doctor, than one who would over diagnose every minor issue.
  - rjplatte 8y ago
    I'd rather have a competent doctor than either of those.
    - ianai 8y ago
      And them listening to their patient is a necessary condition! A doctor who doesn’t listen to his/her patient is a red flag.
  - jazoom 8y ago
    And one who doesn't just happen to sell the thing she just told you you need.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- copperx 8y ago
  I've recently discovered that naturopaths actually go to med school and that a naturopaths has a license to practice medicine, which blows my mind. I always thought they were snake oil salesmen.
wpietri 8y ago
My doctor's excellent on the topic. She pays a lot of attention to studies on supplements and has made recommendations and answered questions for me. The key information she provides is: Given my health history, is this likely to be useful to me? With a side of: Are there unexpected risks for me?
- nikkwong 8y ago
  And what has she suggested?
  - wpietri 8y ago
    You are seriously asking me to reveal my medical history? Short answer: none of your business. I'm glad to say, though, that I spot-checked what she said against the medical research literature myself and it seemed right to me.

loeg 8y ago

They could inform you how much 30 minutes of their time and the facility fees truly cost. ;-) If you're quite serious about it you could maybe draw blood and see if you're deficient in any particular vitamins.

Latteland 8y ago
Just ask them at your annual checkup for ghod's sake. it's free then.
- loeg 8y ago
  Yeah, that's true. My previous comment was very tongue-in-cheek, sorry. (And: in this country you're reasonably lucky if you get a free annual checkup.)

peterxpark 8y ago

I have a terrific new naturopathic doctor who actually cares about my health and will run blood panels frequently and let me know what lifestyle changes and supplements would help me. I never knew before that I was deficient in zinc. Before her though, most of my doctors were of the bland "if you aren't in extreme pain then it's not a problem" camp.

naturopathNoDr 8y ago
Naturopathic "medicine" is complete nonsense. You are literally bloodletting your money. Good work. I thought HN readers might be smarter than that.
James1738 8y ago
You're part of the problem, congratulations on giving a a witchdoctor money!
hashbig 8y ago
I would much rather have a "if you aren't in extreme pain then it's not a problem" doctor, than one who would over diagnose every minor issue.
- rjplatte 8y ago
  I'd rather have a competent doctor than either of those.
  - ianai 8y ago
    And them listening to their patient is a necessary condition! A doctor who doesn’t listen to his/her patient is a red flag.
- jazoom 8y ago
  And one who doesn't just happen to sell the thing she just told you you need.
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
copperx 8y ago
I've recently discovered that naturopaths actually go to med school and that a naturopaths has a license to practice medicine, which blows my mind. I always thought they were snake oil salesmen.

wpietri 8y ago

My doctor's excellent on the topic. She pays a lot of attention to studies on supplements and has made recommendations and answered questions for me. The key information she provides is: Given my health history, is this likely to be useful to me? With a side of: Are there unexpected risks for me?

nikkwong 8y ago
And what has she suggested?
- wpietri 8y ago
  You are seriously asking me to reveal my medical history? Short answer: none of your business. I'm glad to say, though, that I spot-checked what she said against the medical research literature myself and it seemed right to me.