Unfortunately true. But ask your doc. I did & he was like “well, it probably won’t be covered by insurance since it’s not medically necessary, but ok”
Turns out my insurance did cover it anyway.
What ZC looks like on my Freestyle Libre
matt
(matt )
#23
Get a new Dr. They work for you! Even when I ask for something odd my Nurse just says “Ok…chances are you will have to pay for it out of pocket.”
EZB
(Ethan)
#24
In this area, doctors are a difficult thing. We have tons of them, but they do weird things…like stop accepting patiences and form a concierge service…or they have terrible waiting lists. My friend is an endocrhronologist. He played with the libra. Maybe I will request from him if I can see him as a specialist.
matt
(matt )
#25
I go to an all nurse practice that is part of the local University system. I like this way better than my last “regular” Dr.
ketana
(Kel Ta)
#26
Are you noticing any changes in Blood Pressure or heart rate- since trying ZC I sometimes wake up heart beating hard in chest, and slightly elevated from normal “lower” averages and sometimes also sweaty…
Brunneria
#27
Hi,
My bp hasnt changed. I was hoping it would drop a bit, but it hasn’t.
How are your electrolytes?
I know that they say ZCers don’t need supplements but I am back on potassium because i got a few cramps (which I used to get on keto) so i reintroduced the potassium and the cramps disappeared again.
ketana
(Kel Ta)
#28
Hi thanks for the response, the single biggest impediment has been micronutrient deficiencies both on LCHF and Carnivore. I haven’t ever really reached a good balance. My blood pressure is naturally extremely low but at times it approaches the upper limits of normal- which I think actually might be a disregulation caused by micronutrient deficiency. I have been trying various different supplements but switching to carnivore really exacerbated the problem. I do have gut issues that prevent absorption so this situation may be unique. I am using these tools as assist in healing my gut not for weight loss but the electrolyte struggle has pushed me back to eating some minimal plants. I am still trying to find the best way to take electrolyte supplements on carni- I am contemplating doing ketoaide? I need a better resource on the right ratios of sodium/mag/pott because I think maybe I have it wrong.
Brunneria
#31
@ketana
I think sometimes our personal physical ideosycracies have to guide us.
It doesn’t matter how much nutrition a food gives, if our bodies are not currently in a state to absorb that nutrition. And by the sound of things, you are in that place. I am too to a certain extent.
No idea what may happen in a year or two. I am hoping that, for me, a long term phase of carnivory will sort out a bit of the damage, but there are also genetic and environmental factors, so at the moment I am focusing on my overall health, rather than a set of rules. So I would say just listen to your body.
Gut issues are a b****r.
Actually, it was gut issues that brought me to carnivory, so I am very aware that not everyone can digest everything that they put in their mouths - which is where different ways of cooking and appropriate supplements become so useful.
Are you taking bone broth? I find it hassle to make, but worth it, and notice that I feel better if I take it regularly.
ketana
(Kel Ta)
#32
Thanks for the thoughtful and supportive reply- honestly I was surprised that switching to carnivory would result in an exacerbation of symptoms…I actually thought I would feel even better! I guess I found some equilibrium and must’ve upended it unintentionally.
When I started LCHF I did a lot of bone broth but unfortunately although I liked the taste it didn’t change my symptoms… only thing that did was taking supplements- Although my gut is more peaceful on carnivory and I am in ketosis immediately no matter how much meat I eat I get symptoms of low electrolytes and B12 deficiency… But too many plants and I get GERD or LPR so I feel a bit stuck! I am thinking about getting a Free Style Libre but I don’t think glucose/insulin is my biggest challenge right now. 
Brunneria
#33
If you are thinking about getting a Libre, does that mean you are diabetic?
Only there are a few things that can affect the digestion of diabetics that non-diabetics may not know about. For instance:
Metformin can block the absorption of B12. It usually takes a while to have that effect (months or years) but it may (in some diabetics) prevent B12 from being absorbed via the gut. There are B12 tablets that dissolve in the mouth that can be absorbed sub-lingually that work.
Also, have you heard of gastropareisis (may not have spelled that correctly!) which is when diabetic neuropathy affects the autonomous digestive system, and can lead to erratic or slowed digestion. This isn’t just restricted to diabetics, but it is fairly rare and often mistaken for plain old indigestion. If it is caused by diabetes, then excellent glucose control should stop it progressing, and may even improve things, but it is a slow process. Dr Bernstein has a you tube video discussing reversing neuropathy that is very inspiring! Let me know if you are interested and I will find the link. 
Oh, and statins (lots of diabetics are put on statins!) can block the absorption of Q10, which can lead to muscle aches, weakness and even atrophy, if the deficiency lasts long enough.
ketana
(Kel Ta)
#34
no not diabetic- really normal to low fasting glucose and A1C but I would be interested in the gastropareisis info from Bernstein! I thought about doing the Freestyle Libre because I was wondering if eating all meat was affecting my glucose regulation… don’t think so though- think it is mostly gut and micro deficiency
Brunneria
#35
Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you!
Have been a bit disorganised.
Here is the link to Bernstein’s talk on neuropathy.
There is brief mention of gastroparesis at around 9 mins, but I find the whole video fascinating.
(worth remembering that it isn’t just diabetes which causes gastroparesis)