LP Internal Medicine News

Annual screening is imperative for people with celiac disease (CD).  Celiac disease may cause several nutrient deficiencies, co-morbid conditions such as Lupus, Hashimoto’s, and anemia, and a myriad of other specific and non-specific signs and symptoms. My patients receive the most comprehensive annual screening.  In addition to the annual screening, symptomatic patients will receive further in-depth lab work to screen for such things as food allergies & sensitivities. Most insurance companies cover labs that are medically necessary.  For patients without insurance or who are under-insured, reduce lab pricing is available through LP Internal Medicine. Patients who are interested in receiving… more

Here  is an interesting article on mercury toxicity and the role in heart health I found on Pub Med. -Dr. Pearson J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011 Aug;13(8):621-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2011.00489.x. Epub 2011 Jul 11. Role of mercury toxicity in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Houston MC. Source Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Division of Human Nutrition, Saint Thomas Medical Group, Saint Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN, USA. boohouston@comcast.net Abstract Mercury has a high affinity for sulfhydryl groups, inactivating numerous enzymatic reactions, amino acids, and sulfur-containing antioxidants (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-glutathione), with subsequent decreased oxidant defense and increased oxidative stress.… more

I do house calls. In previous blog entries, I stated, I am a physician, 24/7/365.  It is who I am.  I try to advocate for patients and look at cost reduction strategies for patients from getting medications cheaper, finding better sources for nutritional supplements, labs that offer great prices – like my preferred and favorite lab, LAB CORP.  Thank you to Sheryl Grant, Tucson’s Key Account Representative for Lab Corp for assisting with such great lab pricing for LP Internal Medicine. Recently, a pediatric patient of mine was sick with viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu.  She couldn’t… more

One of my biggest frustrations as a physician is having to charge people for the care I give.  I wish we all had health insurance that covered my services, supplements, and other integrative therapies – because I know they work better than some pharmaceuticals without harmful side effects, and the integrative therapies treat the root cause of the problem, not merely masking the signs or symptoms. Today, a student called me inquiring about setting up an appointment for acne, constipation, and some other things.  Unfortunately, as a student she doesn’t have insurance coverage.  I gave her the prices of my… more

I have many female patients come in who are currently taking birth control pills, also referred to as oral contraceptive pills (OCP).  In my years of practice, I cringe to hear that women are put on OCPs to control acne, menstrual cramps, and other non-contraceptive reasons.  The OCPs use synthetic estrogen and progesterone.  Theses molecules are similar, but not identical to the body’s estrogen and progesterone.  However, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone, often referred to as compounded hormones, have the same structure and work with the body’s natural functions instead of against them, as with the synthetic versions.  Remember, there are… more

I like being a leading physician in Tucson and a leading specialist in the U.S. in digestive disorders, celiac disease, and endocrinology.  However, I don’t always have to reinvent the wheel for my blog posts.  I found an interesting website I want to share. The site is called DrYourSelf.com.  The first article I read on this site was how to advocate for a hospitalized family member to receive vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that will help with recovery.  Believe me, the grilled cheese sandwiches, milk, and pasta they serve in hospitals is horrible recovery food – devoid of nutrients, not… more

There have been many news articles, talk show episodes, and water cooler discussions about hCG and weight loss.  Dr. Oz recently dedicated an episode on hCG and it’s effects.  It amazes me that there are people out there who have not tried it nor who are educated about hCG but like to put in their two cents of misinformation about hCG. In my endocrinology practice, I have seen many people’s lives transformed because of the hCG diet.  I screen all patients prior to starting hCG with not only routine blood work, but expanded blood work to rule out hypothyroidism and… more

On Friday, November 4, 2011, LP Internal Medicine will be offering a Memorial Clinic for the Tucson Community. We will offer no-cost appointments on this day in remembrance of Drew Schofield and Chad Schofield’s mother, Barbara Lynn Schofield, and my aunt and Godmother, Louise Luberacki Peterson. Both of these remarkable women were single moms and did their best with their limited time here with us. Both of these wonderful women passed away early in their lives to medical conditions. It is the mission of our clinic to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone, no matter if they have insurance or… more

Dr. Lindsey Pearson is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor practicing integrative internal medicine for the past seven years. Dr. Pearson is a top physician in the Tucson area and experienced in the areas of gastroenterology and endocrinology. He is a leader in the diagnosis and management of celiac disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, food allergies & sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, adrenal hypofunction, and male & female hormone imbalances. Dr. Pearson currently chairs the Medical Advisory Board of the Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group, a local chapter of the Celiac Sprue Association. Dr. Pearson is experienced in primary care medicine, as well as… more

Amino Acid testing is a snapshot of a patient’s amino acid levels, including the essential and branch chained amino acids.  Many patients have presented with signs and symptoms ranging from depression, ADD/ADHD, decreased memory, chronic pain, blood sugar issues, and chronic fatigue. Amino acid testing requires a blood sample.  For my patients I use Lab Corp for amino acid testing.  Most insurance companies cover this testing if it is medically justified for such conditions such as chronic fatigue and/or pain, ADD/ADHD, sleep disorders, depression, nervous system disorders, neuropathy, and brain fog/changes in memory. If you are interested in an integrative… more

If your doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner won’t order celiac screening, please call and schedule an appointment with Dr. Pearson. To further the mission of community screening, a major vision of the Southern Arizona Celiac Support Group, Dr. Pearson is always available to meet with new patients to establish care and order appropriate lab work. Most patients comment that Dr. Pearson provides the most comprehensive lab work up. Being one of the most knowledgeable physicians in Tucson and the US in celiac disease diagnosis and management, Dr. Pearson knows what to order for screening and management. All lab tests… more

LP INTERNAL MEDICINE IS YOUR ONE STOP GLUTEN FREE CLINIC AND PHARMACY. If we don’t carry it, we can special order it. If you are looking for gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and overall hypoallergenic supplements, please call or email LP Internal Medicine and let us know what you are looking for. We can drop ship orders directly to your house WITH OUT shipping charges! Our courtesy nutritional supplement and prescription only ordering allows patients to receive high quality, hypoallergenic supplements at a great price – more often than not lower than Amazon and other internet ordering sites. Our… more

As I drive home daily, I pass Secrist Middle School located on Tucson’s East Side.  Located on the roadside school sign just under “Secrist” is a Taco Bell logo.  Why are fast food companies is TUSD schools and why are they advertised on the public school signs. I requested information on the relationship between TUSD and big fast food companies from TUSD information officer.  I hope to write a complete article outlining how fast food got in our schools, why they advertise and how fast food is contributing to our children’s health and education. -Dr. Pearson All rights reserved.  Copyright… more

It makes me furious that physicians, nurse practitioners, and other health providers continue to prescribe estrogen only products like Premarin to women. Women should find a physician who is versed in hormone therapy – especially bioidentical. It is my belief that micronized progesterone, a bioidentical hormone that is not the same as the synthetic progestins such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), should always be prescribed with estrogen produts. Some practitioners prescribe estrogen only products to women who have had hysterectomies (removal of the uterus) – I believe that since those women have breast tissue and usually have a history of estrogen… more

LP Internal Medicine posts medical and health related articles written for the general public.  Posts are either based on research finding, clinical updates, and excerpts from the day in the life of an intergrative internal medicine doctor, Dr. Lindsey Pearson. Dr. Pearson has been practicing integrative family and internal medicine since 2003.  He is a leading physician in the diagnosis and management of celiac disease, an autoimmune condition caused by a gluten protein that affects the small intestines, as well as IgE food allergies and IgG/IgG4 food sensitivities. more