[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="140"]<a href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dreamstime_artist-palette.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1055" title="Doctor's Palette" src="http://www.hormonesoup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dreamstime_artist-palette-e1354291724554-140x150.jpg" alt="Artist with Palette" width="140" height="150" /></a> What's on Your Doctor's Palette?[/caption]

I recently had a great conversation about how <strong>"diagnosis" is an art.  </strong>My dear friend is a well-respected doctor, world-renowned in his particular field (nothing to do with hormones) and he explained to me that diagnosing patients is only partly about science but rather, is a form of art.  I really believe what my amazing doctor does for me definitely falls in the category of art!

I also recently listened while my daughter's naturopath was explaining to her what his "toolbox" includes. I thought he gave her a great way to conceptualize what a naturopath does but it got me thinking that really what he has is not a toolbox but rather an artist's palette.

My doctor uses a colorful palette to create a beautiful picture of health for me &amp; I feel so fortunate that my doctor's palette includes:

[caption id="attachment_1055" align="alignright" width="140"]<a href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dreamstime_artist-palette.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1055" title="Doctor's Palette" src="http://www.hormonesoup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dreamstime_artist-palette-e1354291724554-140x150.jpg" alt="Artist with Palette" width="140" height="150" /></a> What's on Your Doctor's Palette?[/caption]
<ul>
<ul>
<ul>
	<li>Symptom checklist (very detailed!) every three months!</li>
	<li>Blood tests (every three months)</li>
	<li>Saliva hormone testing (once in a while)</li>
	<li>Bio-identical Hormones</li>
	<li>Magnesium! and other nutritional supplements based on <strong>MY</strong> needs not someone else's</li>
	<li>Keeping up-to-date on the latest research</li>
	<li>Most importantly he LISTENs to ME!</li>
	<li>Nutrition advice</li>
	<li>Always a smile and a good conversation!</li>
	<li>A caring attitude</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
In this day and age in Canada, especially in the rural areas, it is difficult to find a doctor who is even accepting new patients!  So when the demand is greater than the supply of doctors many people are just grateful to have a family doctor.   It may take a bit of searching but you will be able to find a doctor with a bright palette full of amazing colors so he or she can help paint the best picture of health for you!  I know, from my own experience, when you do you won't regret it.

For tips on how to find a doctor who specializes in functional medicine or naturopathy or bio-identical hormones read my post on how to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Find a Doctor" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/steps-to-take-now/how-to-find-a/" target="_blank">Find a Doctor</a></span>.

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