It’s that time of year–cold and flu season is upon us. Flu vaccinations are being offered at numerous facilities, and many people are lining up to get their annual dose. It’s important to realize, though, that a flu shot can only go so far in helping you avoid illness this winter because it only protects against three particular strains of flu. For more on that topic, read Dr. Marcantel’s article, “Who Should Get a Flu Shot?”

The best way to prevent sickness–whether it’s influenza, colds, or other sicknesses–is to have a strong immune system. Here are some recommendations from Dr. Marcantel.

*Eat a healthy diet. Foods that are rich in antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables, can help your body fight off colds and flu. Read the article, “Antioxidants and Your Immune System: Super Foods for Optimal Health,” at WebMD for a good list of foods to look for.

*Get plenty of rest. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation suppresses immune system function. The less sleep you get and the more physically tired you become, the harder it is for your body to throw off infections. Having trouble getting or staying asleep? Try one of our great natural sleep aids like Tranquility Formula or Melatonin All Night.

Wash your hands–often–with soap. This seems so basic, but there are many studies illustrating a) that many people don’t use good hand hygiene and b) that washing with soap is very effective in limiting the spread of communicable diseases. Read this eye-opening article from the NY Times to learn more.

Take vitamin C with bioflavinoids. Taking two 500 mg tablets twice daily can help boost the body’s immune system. During times of stress the body’s immunities can be decreased. The adrenal glands release hormones that help us handle stress, and taking vitamin C can support the adrenal glands. The gland itself contains a large amount of vitamin C that is necessary for its function.

*Use supplements and natural products to boost immunity. Some products Dr. Marcantel recommends for her patients are:

–AlliUltra: AlliUltra® AC-23 capsules contain 360 mg of stabilised Allisure® AC-23 allicin powder – natures’ anti-microbial agent. This  means that AlliUltra® capsules can be used to help resolve any condition with a bacterial, fungal or viral cause. This garlic-derived supplement can be used as a preventative or to help fight infections.

–Humacel: Supports the immune system in maintaining overall health, management of viral conditions and shields from viral attachment.

–Acute Immune: A blend of vitamins, minerals, and herbs that contain anti-viral properties. It can often reduce recovery time if taken at the first sign of an infection and may even keep symptoms from developing.

–ViraClear EPs 7630: A homeopathic remedy that addresses the cause to help shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections. When taken at the first sign of symptoms, this product has been clinically shown to reduce symptom severity in a variety of conditions, including the common cold, bronchitis, and sinusitis. Comes in drops or alcohol-free cherry flavored syrup.

*Get an IV Push with Engystol. Dr. Marcantel offers an immune-boosting IV Push loaded with vitamins and minerals. Adding Engystol, a homeopathic antiviral remedy, can help to prevent the development of viral illnesses and to decrease the duration of an existing viral illness.

No one can guarantee that you won’t get sick this cold and flu season, but by taking proper precautions and addressing symptoms when they first appear you can maximize your chances of staying healthy.

Here are five ways to get the most out of a working relationship with your physician. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the cities of Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Tempe, and the greater Phoenix area.

A key concept to a successful patient/doctor relationship is active teamwork. I always tell my patients that, “You will help me to help you.” Here are five ways to get the most out of a working relationship with your physician.

1. Do your homework before choosing a doctor. Read books and research your symptoms and signs that your body is giving you. Look at the doctor’s website to get an idea of what their medical specialties or interests are and determine if they are a good “fit” for you. Request a free 10 or 15-minute phone consultation with your prospective doctor to ask questions about their practice and learn what he or she may be able to do to assist you in your healing process. Explore your options and trust your “gut feelings” when choosing a doctor. Good communication and reasonable expectations from both sides from the first visit on will go a long way toward achieving a successful treatment plan for optimal health.
2. Specifically state your health concerns in order of priority when you visit. Your body is intelligent and will give you indications when something is wrong. You know your body better than anyone, so pay attention to what it’s telling you and then communicate that as clearly as possible to your doctor. This can be used to deal with immediate symptoms, but it can also be very useful in getting to the root causes of problems. Also, I know that many of the patients that see me are  seeing other doctors, as well. That can mean they’re taking several prescribed medications from several different doctors. Make sure the doctor knows your diagnosis and why you’re taking medications and inform them of everything you are taking—prescription, nonprescription, or natural supplements—to avoid overdosing or unwanted interactions.
3. Be an active participant in your own care plan. Your doctor is there to assist you in your healing process by offering his or her years of clinical experience, research, and medical training, but you are ultimately the captain of your ship. That means being compliant with following the treatment plan you and your doctor have agreed on, but it may also involve long-term lifestyle changes. It’s up to you to do your part in bringing balance to your life through exercise, proper diet, and a proper mental attitude. We all need to be aware of those things, people, or circumstances that drain us of our energy and cause unnecessary stress that can exacerbate our health problems. It’s true that we can’t always eliminate those “energy suckers” in our lives, but we can learn to choose positive ways to respond to them rather than allowing them to control us with negative thoughts and feelings.
4. Be your own patient advocate. You need to feel comfortable with the treatment plan that your doctor offers you—and, hopefully, it’s not just another prescription! It’s your body and you get the final say in what treatment you choose. A patient becomes self-empowered when they realize that the doctor guided them but it was they who made the conscious decisions that led to a healthier and happier life. Along those lines, be sure to communicate to your doctor what is working and what is not working. Especially in cases of long-term health problems it’s often necessary to try several approaches or make changes to your existing treatment before finding the solution you need; help your doctor work with you to explore those options. I’ve found that a very effective tool that promotes good follow-up care is having my patients e-mail me updates about their progress.
5. Have realistic expectations about treatment and outcomes. If you go to a doctor with an acute condition such as a broken finger you generally know what you can expect. If the doctor is covered by your insurance in a managed care system you will make a co-payment and the doctor’s office will bill your insurance plan for the treatment. You will leave with a splint on your finger and a prognosis of X number of weeks for a complete healing. Visiting that same doctor for a chronic condition such as hormonal imbalances or fibromyalgia is a different story. Here is a summary of the experience that many of my patients have shared with me about seeing their primary care physician within a managed care system:

Patient: Fix me, Doctor. Here’s my insurance card.

Doctor: I don’t have time. Here’s your prescription.

Chronic conditions generally take time-intensive visits to effectively treat. These visits are often not covered by traditional insurance plans, and the constraints of managed care mean that doctors cannot devote the necessary time to deal with root causes. People who seek help outside the “traditional” insurance system realize that by choosing to pay out-of-pocket for visits, they are able to choose a doctor who has the time to work with them to deal with chronic complaints. That extra time spent with the doctor can also help prevent the misdiagnosis of a condition and save time, money, and frustration in the long run when bringing a patient into health. Even so, remember that chronic conditions often take years to develop and will sometimes take some time to reverse, especially when using more natural therapies.

By being properly prepared before your visit and taking responsibility for and committing to the plan of care you and your doctor agree on, you will get the best results from your patient-doctor relationship.

The Integrated Approach to Healthcare

What to Expect On Your First Visit With Dr. Marcantel

When was the last time you actually enjoyed a visit to a doctor’s office? Choosing a new doctor can be stressful for many people. Our goal is to make this a pleasant and relaxing experience for you. Arrive a bit early so you can enjoy the soothing atmosphere of our patient reception room (if you’d like a sneak peak, take a look at some photos of our offices). We know your time is valuable, so you won’t be waiting long–you’ll be seen on time for your appointment.

If your appointment with Dr. Marcantel is your first visit to a naturopathic physician, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. The object is NOT to get you in and out of the office as quickly as possible. After covering your admission forms and medical history, Dr. Marcantel will do a physical exam. She then will want to actually get to know you as a patient, and that involves taking time to talk through the specific complaint you have and then discussing pertinent areas of your life that may be relevant to your complaint. This includes what sort of diet or exercise routine you may be on, sources of stress that could be affecting your health, and numerous other possible areas.

The first visit typically lasts one hour.

After your initial intake visit, Dr. Marcantel will develop a protocol specifically designed for your needs. This may include a personalized diet plan, recommended dietary supplements, specific lifestyle changes, lab tests, changes in medication (coordinated with your primary care physician, if necessary), stress management counseling, and continuing education on your disease process.

Need more information on exactly what holistic, integrated care is? Consider trying our FREE 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Marcantel.

Programs Offered:

We offer a number of programs that are designed to help you get and stay on track toward your health goals. After your initial visit, you may want to consider one of the following options:

Dr. Marcantel has had great success working with patients who need help balancing hormones to deal with perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. She also works with patients exhibiting thyroid imbalances, food sensitivities, and fibromyalgia symptoms. See our Women’s Health Central section of the website for more details.

For type 2 diabetics, Dr. Marcantel offers a program to help educate them about the disease and get their blood sugars under control. See a complete description of the program in our Diabetes Central section.

Dr. Marcantel also offers a program for those suffering from sciatica, neuropathy, muscle strains, low back pain, arthritis, and other chronic and acute pain. Please see our Natural Pain Management program for details about the treatment plan.

If you’re tired of fad diets, calorie counting, expensive special product lines, pyramids, and complicated formulas and you’re serious about weight loss and long-term weight management, you’ll love Dr. Marcantel’s weight loss programs.

IV therapy is an effective treatment for boosting the immune system and providing your body with much-needed vitamins and nutrients.

Cost of Services:

Your initial visit with Dr. Marcantel will last approximately one hour and costs $185.00.

A typical follow-up visit lasts from 15 minutes to an hour ($55-$130). Phone consultations are generally from 15 to 30 minutes in length and range from $55.00–$90.00. Please see our “Fees for Services” page for a more detailed explanation.

Office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Friday.

Dr. Marcantel will also do one free 15-minute phone consultation with prospective patients to explain her services and answer your questions about naturopathic care. This free consultation is informational only; no specific diagnosis or treatment plan will be discussed at this time. Please call our office to schedule your appointment.

Financial Policy:

Payment for services is due at the time services are rendered, including payment for products and labs ordered by Dr. Marcantel. We accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and debit cards.

Dr. Marcantel is considered an out-of-network physician and is not contracted with any insurance companies. Medicare does not cover most naturopathic services at this time.

As a service to our patients, Dr. Marcantel’s staff will submit billing claims for reimbursement to most insurance companies. Please see our “Insurance Information” page for details.

Naturopathic physicians may be covered by some PPO plans, and we encourage you to check with your insurance company to determine if naturopathic care is a benefit. Many plans will reimburse subscribers for seeing out-of-network providers who are licensed physicians.

If you would like to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement a superbill providing a summary of the services rendered, with diagnoses and charges applied, will be provided to you.

Ready to schedule your appointment? Click on contact us for contact information and directions to our office. We look forward to seeing you soon!

As an added convenience, you may download the new patient registration forms here in pdf format so you can fill them out before coming to the office.

(You will need Adobe Reader to open and print the forms.)

“Dr. Marcantel, I know I’m not crazy but when I told my last doctor about my mood swings, inability to lose weight, and sleeplessness he put me on antidepressants. I’m just so frustrated with taking medications to try to feel better and instead I often feel worse. What’s going on with my body?”

One thing that could be causing problems for you is an imbalance of chemicals. Often doctors try to restore that chemical balance by prescribing antidepressants or anti anxiety medications that mask the symptoms for a time but that can have side effects over the long run. While there is a place for prescription medications for temporary relief from serious symptoms, it’s essential to get to the root of the problem. I like to explain it to my patients this way: You weren’t born with those synthetic drugs in your system–what you were born with are hormones that need to be brought into a proper balance before your body can heal itself.

Female or male, young or old, it is hormones that keep our bodies functioning properly and keep us feeling healthy and happy. Hormones are chemical substances that are released by various glands in the body to target organ systems and specific cells to help them function normally. They are essential for every activity of daily living, including the processes of digestion, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood control.

Hormones produced by the thyroid gland, for example, are essential to the proper function of every cell in the body. Insulin, produced by the pancreas gland, helps us to process sugars and convert them into energy. Sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone affect our libido (sex drive), but are important in many other bodily functions, as well. Stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine (adrenaline) help us to cope with the many stressors (both physical and emotional) that we face as we go through the day.

Proper amounts of these hormones can keep our bodies running healthy and help us feel good, but when we get imbalances of these chemicals in our systems it can have a negative impact on our health.

Causes and Symptoms

Some causes of hormonal imbalances for men and women are:

• consistent, long-term stress
• aging
• changes in life cycles (e.g., from adolescence to adulthood)
• genetic predisposition
• exposure to environmental or food toxins
• xenoestrogens found in some foods
• For women in particular some causes may be:
• Use of birth control pills (past or present)
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Postpartum changes (childbirth)
• Perimenopause and menopause
• Estrogen dominance

Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can include:

• Mood swings
• Weight gain or prevention of weight loss
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Low libido
• Irregular menses
• Hair loss or unusual hair growth

Detection and Diagnosis

Symptomology–The first and foremost method for diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances is a careful review of the patient’s symptoms. It is critical that the doctor gets a thorough and detailed history from the patient. The doctor and the patient should trust the intelligence of the body’s symptoms in searching for the root causes of patients’ medical complaints.

Physical examination such as palpation of the thyroid to examine for enlargement and a pelvic exam to detect abnormalities.

Blood tests and salivary hormone tests can also be done to confirm hormonal imbalances. The results of these tests are also crucial in developing a proper treatment protocol for patients.

Treatment

It’s important to note that any treatment plan should be highly individualized. Each person’s body is unique and responds differently to different protocols, so as a doctor I must evaluate each person according to his or her specific needs and symptoms.

Still, there are some basic starting places for every patient. A good foundation is a proper meal plan that may include a mild detoxification, food sensitivity inquiries, and possibly an anti-candida diet. Certain nutritional supplements may be helpful, if called for. And, of course, the use of prescribed bioidentical hormones may be an essential part of the treatment protocol if there is sufficient need for this type of treatment.

Hashimoto’s disease is a thyroid problem that is often misdiagnosed or treated incorrectly in the medical community. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek, and the greater Phoenix area.

Are you on antidepressants when the real problem is your thyroid gland? One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be depression, and many patients that come to me on antidepressants really need treatment for thyroid problems. So why is this often missed by laboratory testing?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis covering approximately 80% of thyroid patients. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body turns against itself, creating antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Most people with Hashimoto’s develop hypothyroidism and must take thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Inflammation of the gland will initially cause the gland to go through a phase of hyperthyroidism that will eventually damage the thyroid and lead to a state of low hormone production. In a patient with Hashimoto’s, the doctor will feel a painless enlargement of the thyroid gland.

The diagnosis for Hashimoto’s disease is often missed in medicine or it’s treated incorrectly. The reason for this is because the patient may have a normal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test, they can be in the normal range for free T3 and free T4, and normal range for T3 and T4. At that point their doctor may tend to rule out thyroiditis because of the blood tests. However, it’s important to also check the TPO antibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) because they are an excellent indicator of Hashimoto’s. Sometimes the TPO antibodies are extremely high even though the other tests seem to be in the normal ranges.

A couple of years ago Jane, a young woman in her mid-thirties, came in to see me complaining of abnormal weight gain within the last few months. She also had fatigue and difficulty concentrating. She had been to a couple of other doctors and her blood tests seemed fine. We ran a new test to check for TSH, free T3, free T4 and TPO antibodies. Sure enough, the other hormones were in the normal ranges but the TPO antibodies were greater than 1,000–the norm should have been less than 34! Jane was exhibiting all the symptoms of hypothyroidism but the only problem showing up in tests was the TPO antibodies. I sent her to her endocrinologist who told her there was nothing that could be done because the TSH, free T3, and free T4 were normal.

Jane wouldn’t settle for that, however. She read on the Internet about a doctor in another state who was treating people for thyroid conditions and she packed her bags and headed for his clinic. When she came back to see me a few months later, Jane looked like a different person. She had lost the ten pounds she had gained earlier, her energy was good, she was able to concentrate and work much better, and no longer had cold hands and feet. The physician she had seen had been willing to treat her symptoms rather than strictly relying on the usual test results. He prescribed Armour thyroid (a natural thyroid medication) and it worked great for her.

Jane taught me a very important lesson. People who have “normal” TSH, free T3, and free T4 but who have Hashimoto’s disease with symptomology need to be treated with thyroid medication. The conventional treatment is to look at the TSH and treat according to that test. By recognizing the disease from the symptoms and confirming it with the proper laboratory tests, many people can get the help they really need.

Learn more about thyroid disease and treatment options

by Dr. Tina Marcantel

Hormone imbalances in young women are a health challenge that can be diagnosed and treated with excellent results. Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic doctor in Gilbert, Arizona, who also serves the East Valley cities of Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek, and the greater Phoenix area.

Hormone imbalances in young women can occur just as they do during the perimenopause and menopause stages of their lives. The phytoestrogens in the foods we eat, the use of birth control pills, and genetic predisposition can all be contributing factors to hormonal imbalances in younger women and those imbalances can manifest in many ways. A good illustration of this point is my receptionist, Brianna, who wanted to share her story in hopes of helping other young women who may be struggling with the same health issues that she has.

Brianna was eighteen years old when she first came to work for me. She’s a great worker, but she had some health issues that were really bothering her. In her words: “I felt like I was ‘running on empty’ or like I was stuck in a rut and could not get out of it…I would wake up tired and I would stay that way all day, and I had to take naps every day or else I could not function…I also got sick a lot and my cycles were so unpredictable that I would sometimes get two in one month, along with very painful cramps…I was depressed a lot and I always had a constant feeling of being “down” and sad…I have always had extremely cold hands and feet…”

After discussing her symptoms, I suggested that she take a blood test and a salivary test. The blood test revealed that she had a thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s disease (her family history made her genetically predisposed to this) and the salivary test showed estrogen dominance. By finding the proper diagnosis for her condition and starting her on a treatment plan, Brianna soon noticed a difference: “I have never felt this good, ever. This is a life that I have not experienced before; I have never had this much energy and have never felt this good.” Watch a video testimonial from Brianna by clicking this link!

Many women—younger and older alike—are so used to their symptoms that they have come to accept them as “normal.” By working closely with a doctor who will listen carefully to their symptoms, hormone imbalances in young women can be addressed and it may be possible to leave “normal” behind and feel better than they have ever felt before!

Read Brianna’s complete story here

Go to Women’s Health Central

Go from Hormone Imbalances in Young Women” to Articles Index

Insomnia, mood swings, irregular bleeding, irritability, anxiety, water retention, low thyroid symptoms, depression, fat gain (especially around hips, thighs, and abdomen), fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, and low sex drive. If you’re a woman approaching middle age, there’s a good chance that you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms. Often my patients ask me, “Am I going crazy? Why does it seem like my body is rebelling against me?” The answer may be as simple as having too much estrogen in your system—a condition known as estrogen dominance.

Most women are aware that as they enter perimenopause their bodies begin to produce less estrogen. So how is it possible that along with that decrease the body may actually have too much estrogen?

The answer to that question is that estrogen dominance is relative to a progesterone deficiency. A decade or so before actual menopause the woman may stop ovulating, which causes a lack of production of progesterone from the ovaries. Menstrual cycles will continue even without the progesterone so there is no awareness that the lack of progesterone is causing symptoms of hormonal imbalance. In perimenopause and the menopausal and post-menopausal years estrogen levels drop 40-60%, but without ovulation, progesterone output drops to nearly zero.

In Dr. John Lee’s book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, he writes: “Estrogen dominance is a condition in which a woman can have deficient, normal, or excess estrogen, but in the absence of ovulation, little or no progesterone to balance its effects upon the body. When estrogen is dominant and progesterone deficient, estrogen becomes toxic to the body.” * It’s this hormonal imbalance that can result in many of the frustrating symptoms that women associate with menopause.

However, it’s not just middle-aged women who can suffer from estrogen dominance. Younger women can experience it, too, in the form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The hormonal imbalance in this case may be linked to toxins, contraceptive use, stress, extremes in diet and exercise, or xenoestrogens found in foods.

Saliva hormone testing combined with a thorough history of symptoms can accurately determine an imbalance of hormones. The results of specific hormone testing coupled with a patient’s symptoms history will provide a basis for an individualized treatment program for the patient. (I’m a real patient advocate when it comes to choosing a testing laboratory—the prices and quality of tests can vary greatly and I spend a good deal of time “comparison shopping” before ordering labs for my patients.)

Once a patient’s individual needs have been assessed and a treatment protocol has been started, I’ll closely monitor a patient’s hormone levels with follow-up testing. The goal then is to achieve the proper balance of estrogen and progesterone by supplementing with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (if needed) and other treatments. The success of the treatment, or course, is measured not only by the hormone levels in the body but also by a reduction of the symptoms that caused the patient to seek help in the first place!

* Lee, John R., MD, and Hopkins, Virginia. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause: The breakthrough book on natural progesterone. New York: Warner Books; 1996.

To learn more about estrogen dominance and its effects, view the following videos:

What Is Estrogen Dominance?

Causes and Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance

Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, and Estrogen Dominance