Category Archives: Self-directed health

Test your own thyroid

Posted on September 7, 2009 by Dr. Davis

134 people responded to the latest Heart Scan Blog poll: When I ask my doctor to test my thyroid, he/she: Accommodates me without question 45 (33%) Questions why, but orders the tests 49 (36%) Refuses because you seem “healthy” 20 … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health, Thyroid health | 15 Comments

Grasscutting, fertilizer, and healthcare

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Dr. Davis

A guy named Jeff, a 60-something, taciturn, “How ’bout dem Brewers?” kind of guy, cuts my grass. Once a week, Jeff drives over his rust-rimmed 1994 Chevy pickup and trailer, unloads his ride mower, and cuts the grass. For his … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 23 Comments

At-home blood tests

Posted on May 2, 2009 by Dr. Davis

Our at-home blood tests are proving a hit. So far, vitamin D is the number one most popular test, no surprise. Second–to my surprise–is DHEA. I would have predicted it would have been thyroid testing. Our male and female hormone … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 6 Comments

Even monkeys do it

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Dr. Davis

It all started back in the 1960s, when ape-watching anthropologists, Drs. Jane Goodall and Richard Wrangham, observed chimps foraging for a specific variety of leaf, which they consumed whole while wrinkling their noses in presumed disgust. Subsequent study showed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 6 Comments

Self-directed health is ALREADY here

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Dr. Davis

It can’t happen. People are too stupid/ignorant/lazy or simply don’t care. It is irresponsible. People will misuse, abuse, misdiagnose, fail to recognize all manner of medical conditions. It’s all true. Most of the medical establishment believes it. And it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 12 Comments

Fire your stockbroker, fire your doctor

Posted on April 11, 2009 by Dr. Davis

Is it yet time to fire your doctor? I advocate a model of self-directed health, a style of healthcare in which individuals have the right to direct his or her own healthcare with only the occasional assistance of a physician … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 10 Comments

Self-Directed Testing

Posted on October 28, 2008 by Dr. Davis

In the last Heart Scan Blog post, I listed the poll results on success vs. failure in trying to obtain requested blood work through doctors. The results of that informal poll revealed that a substantial number of people encounter resistance … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 3 Comments

Self-testing

Posted on October 26, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Here are the results of the latest Heart Scan Blog poll (84 respondents): When you ask your doctor to perform a specific blood test, does he/she: Do it without question? 38 (44%) Do it but express reservations?25 (29%) Do it … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 9 Comments

Plaquology

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Dr. Davis

Plaquology: A new term. Plaquology: def: (plaque-: atherosclerotic plaque; -ology: study of.) The study of atherosclerotic plaque, originating in the early 21st century during the time period when the material underlying atherosclerosis gained recognition as a measure superior to “risk … Continue reading →

Posted in Coronary plaque, Plaque, Self-directed health | 3 Comments

Who knows what

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Dr. Davis

You know that cynical old saying: It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. In other words, knowing the right person provides you strategic advantage in business, social advancement, etc. In health, it was often true. Knowing who the … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-directed health | 4 Comments