FAQs

Is the Center for Wellness a primary care office?
While we offer primary care in this office, we currently do not have 24 hour coverage thus it is wise to continue a relationship with a pre-existing primary care provider. However, we can offer work in visits for all manner of primary care issues and hope that you will consider utilizing us in this manner as well as for your nutritional and environmental medicine needs.

Does insurance cover office visits at the Center for Wellness?
Dr. Speight no longer contracts with major insurance carriers, however we do still generate HCFA forms so that you may submit your claim for reimbursement. In some cases reimbursement is forthcoming, and in others it is not. Some procedures are denoted as experimental ( nutritional assessment of oxidative stress markers in the blood stream, genetic risk screening for Alzheimer's Disease, heart disease, etc) and generally not covered. You should come expecting that you may not be able to obtain reimbursement for services. We do however see some patients receive reimbursement.

 

Does Dr. Speight treat thyroid disorders?
The endocrine system is a complex system that regulates multiple body processes. A thorough review of all thyroid labs are reviewed, but moreover, there is great consideration given to the patients symptoms. Also, the adrenal gland functioning is considered. The human body chemistry works in unison and when there is an imbalance in one area, it will begin a cascade of problems in other areas, therefore, often times other hormone levels need to be assessed as well. Iodine levels may be evaluated also. Treatment can consist of supplements, compounded therapies and/or pharmaceuticals depending on the individuals medical history, imbalance and preferences.

 

How does Dr. Speight treat fibromyalgia and or chronic fatigue syndrome?
Fibromyalgia is a complicated illness with multiple influencing factors.  We endeavor to look at all of them in a systematic fashion. In some patients the cause of fibromyalgia seems to be a Vitamin D deficiency. In other patients, it is due in part to a hypercoagulable state (thickening of the blood) due to environmental factors playing upon a person's own genetics. We have also seen fibromyalgia respond to the use of medications such as SSRIs, but also respond to the use of amino acids that the body then takes and converts to neurotransmitters to help with pain and fatigue. Other sufferers respond to testosterone replacement therapy (when it is appropriate to give).  Our approach is to evaluate each person based on their symptoms, our experience, and what the medical literature has to offer. This may include testing of blood clotting factors, assessment of urinary neurotransmitters, an overall nutritional evaluation including vitamin and mineral panels, and in some cases even chronic infections as they can contribute as well.  In the case of chronic fatigue syndrome patients, we may refer them for assessment of postural hypotension ( low blood pressure) and if present further evaluate their adrenal gland for insufficiency.

 

Do you offer weight loss programs?
The clinicians look at various causes why weight gain occurs, which can vary from a multitude of imbalances in neurotransmitters, food allergies, gut flora and more. We do offer a weight loss program in which people have typically lost approximately 25 pounds in 3 weeks; however this is not to be considered a long term plan and is used only as a means to reset the body systems. We work with the individuals to learn how to keep their weight down in a sensible fashion and without fad dieting.

Do you treat Parkinson's disease?
Yes, with both a conventional drug based approach as well as nutritional support. We have found significant improvement in some patients with our nutritional protocol for this illness.

Does Dr. Speight use growth hormone replacement therapy?
We screen for growth hormone deficiencies using IGF-1 levels and if low, arginine stimulation testing. If patients fail these two tests they may be candidates for growth hormone replacement therapy, but the criteria are strict and patients are only started on growth hormone if they are felt to be appropriate candidates and their lab work confirms a true deficiency: IGF-1 less than 84 and/or failure to reach a GH level of 8-10 on an arginine stimulation test.

Does Dr. Speight treat autism or spectrum disorder?
We perform nutritional assessments on autistic patients and make interventions where necessary. A growing body of literature confirms methylation deficiencies in these patients as well as potential issues with their lipid membranes. Thus, we often will assess these patients using the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Red Cell Lipid Testing and offer nutritional support accordingly. This test reviews over 40 different red blood cell fatty acids.

Does Dr. Speight treat ADD?
We do treat ADD using a combination of nutritional and pharmaceutical interventions where necessary. Many of these children respond to a trial of amino acid therapy. It is also prudent to assess them for methylation defects and nutritional deficiencies though the deficiencies found do not always correlate with improvements in ADD. In selected cases we may assess patients for allergies as these may contribute to their focus issues as well.

Does Dr. Speight treat IBS?
Yes and we have often had good success in helping patients with this disorder.

What about Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease?
We perform nutritional assessments in patients with Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis. Additionally early research suggests that Crohn's disease and/or Ulcerative Colitis may respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. As such this is a therapy that may be offered on a case by case basis.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, do you do it?
Yes, we offer hormone replacement therapy for qualified patients at the Center for Wellness.

 

Do you use an antibiotic protocol to treat arthritis?
This is not a protocol in which we utilize. We look at other inflammatory markers and diet related issues that worsen inflammation. Treatment of this condition is truly an integrative approach in that both traditional and nutritional interventions are utilized.