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Allopathic
Medicine is the form of medical treatment that is the most familiar to the American
public. It is practiced by physicians with an MD or DO degree. Some DOs also
practice osteopathic manipulation, a very useful form of body work.
Allopathic medicine uses the familiar forms of treatment, such as surgery,
pharmacologic agents (drugs), physical therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation
therapy. It is very helpful when there is serious injury, infection, and life
threatening disease. As an allopathic physician, I use all of these
modalities in the treatment of my patients when they are necessary. I am
thankful for all of these treatment methods but also aware that they can
sometimes have serious side effects and unwanted complications. Integrative
Medicine considers what else may be available and helpful to patients in
meeting their personal health goals and challenges, including all of the
disciplines that fall under the head of Complementary or Alternative
Medicine. A personalized and integrative approach, in my experience, is often
what helps the most. I
have particular interest in the individualized treatment of hypothyroidism by
standard and alternative methods. My interest began with my own hypothyroid
condition and the realization that someone with “normal numbers” can still
feel very poorly on standard therapy. Often “normal numbers” do not reflect
what is optimal. In my experience, it is possible to find ways to help
hypothyroid patients feel better and function optimally by using a
combination of the thyroid hormones (both T4 and T3). It is also important to
evaluate and treat adrenal stress and fatigue, and to consider to the role of
the sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). Nutrition is
another important consideration in the overall health of patients with
suboptimal function of the thyroid, adrenal, and gonadal tissues. I often
seek the assistance of a holistic nutritionist in the care of my more
challenging patients. I
also help patients to consider alternatives to allopathic treatments when allopathic
methods alone have not provided the patient with optimal results. While not
an expert in all forms of alternative medicine, I am a careful, thoughtful,
and open-minded physician and am always happy to help my patients find ways
through the often confusing options available to them. I
feel one of the most important roles I serve as a physician is my role of
helping my patients to understand what their diagnosis means. Lab tests and
radiologic studies are often confusing and reports worded in ways that leave
the patient feeling lost and confused. I very much enjoy helping people make
sense of the information confronting them so they can make wise and informed
decisions about their healthcare. |
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©2008 by Dr.
Adrienne Clamp. All rights reserved. |
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