Welcome…

Every journey starts with one step…here we go. I use “we,” to describe many of the communications that are included on this website. This project known as “Endocrine For You” is first a community-based labor involving not only myself, but a whole host of specialists and those that matter the most, my patients. Fact be told, in regard to these writings, it’s really just me, attempting to share some of the information that has been absorbed through my work and experiences. What gives me the right or expertise to comment on these subjects? There are so many “experts” that are writing books and making videos that have no right to comment on improving your health care. The internet has become a sespool for snake oil today.         Just recently, many social media sites have started limiting online data that they feel isn’t scientifically sound. While I am not advocating a scientific police squad, why are we letting so many sell their potions and remedies that have not shown to have any science to support their claims? “Endocrine for You” was born out of a desire to provide sound and scientific advice to patients with metabolic disorders and to partner with their current frontline providers.

As a practicing physician, I have credentials (BS, MD, FACP, FACE, Internal Medicine, Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolic and Obesity Medicine boards, etc) and 20+ years of clinical academic and research experience that I felt were of value to patients that are looking for real answers to real questions. There is so much misinformation online these days in terms of metabolic and hormone disorders. I finally reached a point, where enough was enough and it was my turn. After combing the web evaluating Youtube videos on hormone disorders, I became discouraged seeing retired heart surgeons and other so called “specialists” writing books and giving their personal advice on nutritional and metabolic issues that I see every day in my clinic. I realized there were several critical misconceptions that occur with these ill advised resources:

Misconception#1: if it worked for them, it will work for you. ie, these doctors found something that worked well for them (they stopped consuming a particular food or started a particular diet) and now, they try and “sell” their new found discovery with you.

Firstly, I have never had a problem with my metabolism or weight. I have been fortunate enough to have a favorable weight and do not have diabetes or most of the hormone problems that my patients have. However, I have studied and dedicated my life’s labor to managing these disorders. I follow a diet and eat fairly healthy. I am active and exercise regularly. I do have health problems including severe chronic back pain and anxiety. However, I do not recommend that my patients do everything that works for me. that is because we are all different. Genetics and environment plays such a critical role in our health. there is not one size fits all. I try and follow the science and I try to provide treatment recommendations based upon what is in my patients best interest, and not what has worked for me.

Misconception#2: just because a treatment is not some strange unknown herb or substance (and is part of the accepted medical recommendations from leading academic authorities such as the Mayo and Cleveland Clinics), doesn’t mean that it won’t work.

I believe the internet has imparts some degree of misinformation to many patients today. If managing metabolic disorders is so easy, then why did I go through over 15 years of academic preparation to make clinical decisions every day. There seems to be a conspiracy when it comes to treatment options for many metabolic disorders. If it is not something unusual and off the norm, then it must not be good. There is a video stating, “you have everything you need to treat your sugars, in your kitchen cabinet.” You know the routine. They make this great claim that they have found the “cure” for your (fill in the blank, ie, diabetes). Then you have to watch a long painful narrative that looks like a trailer for a new Hollywood production. The speaker never provides credentials or what gives them the authority to speak on this issue. In rare cases, you later discover that they are a private (conceriege) naturalistic provider (making a fortune on other celebrities) and not trained in this complex area of medicine. If you are hardy enough to make it through the video, the final exclaimation is that simple cinnamon will cure your diabetes…wow! I wish it were that simple. Look, I think it’s great that anyone can make a video and entertain the masses. But producing misleading and unfounded videos that possibly influence the health of millions of people is blatantly, unethical. The reason I am writing these posts and making these brochures, is that I DO believe that what I have in knowledge and information can help you. Before making the choice to start EFY, I realized that I was giving the same presentation to many patients on the same subjects every day. Why not make video “brochures” that patients can watch and learn and share after they leave my office. And so begins the journey. Knowing that EFY recommendations are mostly evidenced-based and that they are mostly effective and safe lets me sleep at night.