How a Doctor Cured Her Autoimmune Disease with Functional Medicine with Dr. Cynthia Li

Oct 2, 2019

Dr. Cynthia Li, a physician specializing in functional medicine and author of "Brave New Medicine," shares her transformative journey through chronic illness. She reveals how her personal health crisis led her to question traditional medical practices and embrace a holistic approach. Dr. Li discusses the emotional struggles of navigating autoimmune diseases, the healing power of nutrition, and the importance of empathy in patient care. Her experiences inspire a reimagined view of medicine, prioritizing connection, joy, and the body's innate healing capabilities.

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ANECDOTE

Dr. Li's Early Career and Life

Dr. Cynthia Li was a successful doctor who felt a sense of mastery in her career.
After returning from a 6-month trip around the world, she started working at a county hospital and got pregnant.

ANECDOTE

Initial Symptoms

Three months postpartum, Dr. Li began experiencing fatigue, hair loss, and weight loss but dismissed it as postpartum issues.
She normalized her declining health, a common cultural tendency.

ANECDOTE

Self-Diagnosis

While examining a patient with fatigue, Dr. Li realized she shared the same symptoms, suggesting hyperthyroidism.
This was the beginning of her health journey and a shift in perspective.

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Think about how different our medical system would be if all doctors were required to have an extreme health crisis before practicing medicine. It’s through those toughest times with our own health that many of us turn to Functional Medicine, as we realize conventional care isn’t getting us what we need. But sometimes, being so involved in treating others’ diseases makes it difficult for doctors to even see our own symptoms for what they really are. This week’s guest on The Doctor’s Farmacy, Dr. Cynthia Li, is here to share her personal journey through autoimmunity and realizing her symptoms had deeper meaning.

Dr. Li received her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. She’s practiced as an internist in many settings, including Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, and St. Anthony Medical Clinic serving the homeless. She currently has a private practice in Berkeley, CA and recently published her first book which I highly recommend, Brave New Medicine: A Doctor's Unconventional Path to Healing Her Autoimmune Illness.

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