First Visit To A Naturopathic Doctor
This first visit to a naturopathic doctor was supposed to have happened two years ago. After learning of decent Naturopath residing in Thailand. However the consultation never happened due to the practitioner being on holidays elsewhere at the same time.
How to Find a Naturopathic Doctor
After a couple of hours of googling around a couple of naturopaths in the Melbourne Australia area were found. A focus was placed on finding someone with plenty of experience in fixing sleeping problems.
The phone call was made and a couple of practitioners were suggested. An offer was also made to have one call back which was accepted.
After a brief conversation 10 minutes or so an appointment was made. Luckily someone had canceled and so a time was available the following day
Naturopathic Clinic
Upon arrival a questionnaire was given. It was about 6 pages long with fairly comprehensive questions and some of them were pretty strange. Have you ever lost armpit hair in the past?
Soon enough she came out and introduced herself. We went inside into the office and began the two hour consultation.
What Does a Naturopathic Doctor Do?
There was a live blood analysis done using a x40 magnification microscope. Electro conductivity tests, and some liquid was provided to swirl around in the mouth and count to 10 and to let her know at that second the taste becomes apparent.
Saliva Hormone Tests
6 vials were provided along with a reply paid shipping envelope for saliva analysis. The goal is to measure cortisol and melatonin levels throughout the day.
Cortisol Profile Test $103
Additional Saliva Hormone Test $26 each x 3 = $78
Recommended Supplements
A couple of supplements were also recommended
- CalmX 270 grams at $46
- Kava 60 Tablets at $48
- Meta Zinc with Vitamin C 95 grams at $26
Recommended Blood Tests
12 Blood tests were also suggested for whatever reason a Naturopath is unable to order blood tests on bulk billing so a trip back to the GP is required.
- Blood Glucose (Fasting)
- Lipids Studies
- Thyroid Function testing – TSH, Free T3 & Free T4
- Vitamin D
- Liver Enzymes
- Homocysteine
- ESR or CRP
- Vitamn B12 & Folate
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Serum Zinc
- Serum Copper
- Serum Cortisol
- Serum Magnesium
- & Any other tests your GP feels are necessary.
The Naturopath explained that if the blood tests are done through a GP then they will be “bulk billed” and will be free of charge. Otherwise they are potentially 100s of dollars each.
So rather than go to the usual GP and try explain all this, the Naturopath was asked if she had any GP that she could recommend. Someone “Aligned” with the Naturopathic way.
She had someone in mind and wrote out a referral letter.
Grand total $460! ouch kinda pricey but if this can fix the sleeping issues it will be well worth it.
