123: Medical Gaslighting & Chronic Symptoms: How to Advocate for Yourself With Dr. Efrat LaMandre

In this episode of Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations, Dr. Izabella Wentz speaks with Dr. Efrat LaMandre (Dr. E) about medical gaslighting, why it happens, and how patients can change their approach to ensure they get the right care. Dr. E. explains why doctors may seem dismissive if they don’t find anything on lab tests, why patients can unintentionally dismiss their own symptoms, and how to communicate in a way that healthcare providers understand. She also shares practical strategies for self-advocacy and how to find answers when a doctor’s visit doesn’t bring the clarity you’re certain you need.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

What to do when you’re told “everything looks normal” but you KNOW something isn’t right. Dr. E talks about why a normal test result doesn’t necessarily mean everything is OK – and what to do when it’s time to seek another perspective. .

Are you accidentally gaslighting yourself? It’s easy to dismiss your own symptoms or decide you should just push through. Dr. E shares what happened after she dismissed her own persistent back pain, the life-changing diagnosis that followed, and why your concerns deserve attention. 

Why changing the way you talk to your provider can change the outcome of a visit. Taking a data-based approach – for instance, talking about timelines, patterns, and numbers – will help them get a clearer picture of what’s going on while sending the message that you are knowledgeable and serious about your health. 

Why you don’t need to choose between conventional and functional medicine. What if the problem isn’t a matter of one person being “wrong,” and the other being “right?” The best strategy, according to Dr. E, is to build a healthcare team comprised of different practitioners who offer equally important information, support, and expertise. 

Are you still apologizing for taking up your doctor’s time? From a young age, most of us are conditioned to be “good patients” and to defer to authority, minimize concerns, and assume the expert knows our body better than we do. Here’s how to advocate for yourself without becoming confrontational or feeling like you have to prove yourself.

Why you should keep looking for answers. Whether it’s your own health or something you’re noticing in your child, Dr. E’s message is simple: trust yourself. Keep asking questions, keep looking for answers, and keep looking for other types of experts to build your healthcare team. 

Tune in to learn