Is IP really medically supervised?
I have been on the program for about 2 months now and although I do go to a chiropractor's office to weigh in and buy my food, I have never seen a doctor. I've never had any bloodwork done or even mentioned. The only "health" question I'm ever asked is about constipation(none, thank God!) I have hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and pre-diabetic, all of which I revealed on my first visit.
I've lost 16 lbs in 6 weeks, so I'm pleased with the results, just wondering.
Thoughts?

I specifically sought out an MD, not a DO, Chiropractor or Amway salesperson for this reason. Even then, my bloodwork is actually requested by my cardiologist.
The initial consultation did include my new OBGYN where we talked about my meds and upcoming bloodwork. The actual MD doesn't see me regularly, but I am comfortable asking my coach for the Dr.s opinion if I have questions. So far it's only come up once, but they were accommodating. My Cardiologist insisted that I find an MD whose office offered the program for that reason. He is the one that recommended the program and plans to offer it in the future.

FYI
DOs are equally as qualified as doctors as MDs. They have full admitting privileges at hospitals, perform surgery, prescribe medications and tests equal to MDs. DOs and MDs work side-by-side in hospitals.

In the USA, you have to have SOME kind of medical affiliation in order to be licensed to sell IP - but that includes dentists, pharmacists, chiropractors, acupuncturists....they are not discriminatory about the TYPE of medical affiliation.

While many doctors DO administer the diet, it is not "technically" medically supervised on its own. It is, however DESIGNED by a doctor.

It is not a medically supervised diet really. That is just a selling point they use. Your hypothyroidism would have me concerned without bloodwork. Low cal, low carb diets have a profound effect on hormones. Some of these effects are good, others can be bad. Also if you have any kidney or liver problems, they can negatively and perhaps permanently affect your health. You need to carefully monitor your body and if something is unusual, consult a specialist.

I agree, if there wasn't an MD so close by, I would have chosen a DO office. Not enough difference to really matter, but I know my cardiologist specifically didn't want me to do this without someone capable of reviewing his blood work script and vice-versa. I am happy that I made that choice.
regardless of how your plan is supervised, any of your regular Dr.s or specialists can order you blood work and review for/with you. Even your family doc - or even better, if you have suspected thyroid issues, maybe get a referral to an endocrynologist. Just a thought.

If you are already hypo, I'd have my doc CAREFULLY monitor me while on IP. Low carb diets have a reputation for causing thyroid stress.

http://drcate.com/going-low-carb-too...one-imbalance/

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2012/10...ges-risk-free/

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2011/08...d-the-thyroid/

http://experiencelife.com/article/repair-your-thyroid/

http://jackkruse.com/forum/archive/i...hp/t-2421.html

I'm not saying not to do IP, just to be monitored. Many people have great success with IP with no change in thyroid labs. I developed hypothyroid while on IP. It has not stopped me from doing IP, but I have modified it somewhat (cut soy & gluten and am now increasing carbs for at least a month).

It is just important to know what to monitor.

Thank you all for your input. I am scheduling an appointment with my doctor for blood tests. I feel fine and haven't noticed any of the usual changes that I have in the past when my thyroid is wonky. Amazing how something that looks like a butterfly can be such a pain in the rear.

I believe in Canada the only requirement to sell IP is your business has to be located within' a medical facility/building. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I'm a Canuck and the two clinics in my city are not in medical buildings. One is in a tiny strip mall. (Right next to a European bakery. Cruelty, anyone?)

I live in NJ and my clinic is out of the tanning place in town. The local health club is a clinic also... Neither place has or is affiliated with ANY type of doctor!

Nurses and dieticians also count as medical personnel - literally, you can open a clinic if you know someone that has SOME kind of medically oriented certification, they don't even have to work there, they just have to be willing to put their name on the paperwork.