Are naturopathic doctors real doctors?

Licensed NDs in California complete four years of graduate-level medical education at accredited naturopathic medical schools and pass national licensing board exams. They are licensed as primary care providers and can diagnose, treat, prescribe certain medications, and refer to specialists. The training emphasizes systems-level thinking and root cause resolution rather than pharmaceutical management.

What if I am already seeing a conventional doctor?

Many of our patients have primary care doctors and specialists. Naturopathic medicine does not replace that relationship. We run tests and develop protocols that conventional medicine does not routinely provide. Our clinical team can communicate with your existing providers, and the comprehensive labs we run often provide information your other doctors do not have.

Do you prescribe medications?

California-licensed NDs have a standard formulary that includes many prescription medications. We prescribe when necessary. The preference is always to address conditions through targeted nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle interventions first. Pharmaceuticals are used as a bridge: for immediate relief, for acute conditions, or for cases where natural resolution is too slow given the clinical picture.

How long does it take to see results?

Subjective improvements in energy, sleep, cognition, and digestion often appear within four to six weeks of starting a correctly targeted protocol. Lab markers typically show measurable change at the 90-day retest. The pace depends on how far the relevant markers are from optimal and how consistently the protocol is followed.

Do you take insurance, and can I get reimbursed?

Citrin Longevity is cash-pay and does not bill insurance. Naturopathic visits are generally not covered by California health plans. If you have a PPO, you can request a superbill and submit it to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement. We cannot guarantee what your plan will pay, so it helps to call them first.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay?

Many patients use HSA or FSA funds for visits, labs, and clinician-recommended care. Eligibility depends on your specific plan rules. We can provide itemized receipts for your records. Check with your fund administrator before booking so you know what qualifies under your account.

What is the difference between a naturopath and a licensed naturopathic doctor?

A licensed naturopathic doctor completes four years of accredited graduate medical training and is regulated by the California Naturopathic Medicine Committee. The term "naturopath" can describe someone with far less or non-standard training. You can verify any ND's license through the state board. Our doctors are licensed naturopathic doctors in California.

How is a naturopathic doctor different from a functional medicine doctor?

Functional medicine is an approach, not a license. An MD, DO, or ND can practice it after extra training. Naturopathic medicine is a licensed profession with its own four-year medical curriculum. Many naturopathic doctors, including ours, practice functional and root-cause medicine. The Citrin Longevity team combines that philosophy with comprehensive labs and on-site therapies.

Can a naturopathic doctor be my primary care provider?

California licenses naturopathic doctors as primary care providers who can diagnose, treat, order labs, and refer. In day-to-day practice, many patients keep an insurance-assigned doctor for network purposes and work with us for root-cause and longevity care. Your ND can coordinate with your other providers so nothing falls through the cracks.

What does the cost of care actually cover?

Pricing is shared during your consultation. Your visit fee reflects the 90-minute intake, lab interpretation, the written protocol, and ongoing clinical guidance. Lab panels and any supplements are separate. We are transparent about what each phase involves so you can plan for the first several months rather than guess.

What conditions do naturopathic doctors commonly help with?

Our doctors work with gut and digestive issues, hormone imbalances, thyroid and adrenal patterns, chronic inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, and metabolic and body composition concerns. The focus is identifying the root cause rather than managing symptoms. For acute emergencies or conditions outside our scope, we refer you to the right specialist and co-manage your care.

Will I have to stop my current medications?

No. We never ask you to stop a prescribed medication on your own. Any change to existing medication is coordinated with the provider who prescribed it. Our approach is to address the underlying driver so that, over time and with your other doctors involved, your need for certain medications may be reassessed safely.

Where are you located, and is parking easy?

Citrin Longevity is at 9200 W Sunset Blvd, Suite 170, in West Hollywood, on the edge of Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area. Patients travel in from across the city for our doctor-led care and on-site modalities. Contact us when you book and our team will walk you through parking and arrival details.

What kind of lab testing will my naturopathic doctor run?

Your first visit involves a comprehensive blood panel and DUTCH hormone metabolite testing, with results analyzed through EndoAxis for hormonal patterns. Lab costs are billed separately and are out of pocket. We may add gut, thyroid, or metabolic testing based on your history. We order what your case needs rather than running every panel available, and your data is tracked over time in our biometric app.

How do I know if naturopathic care in West Hollywood is right for me?

This care fits people who want time, data, and a root-cause plan rather than a rushed visit. If you have lingering symptoms that standard appointments have not resolved, or you want to optimize healthspan, a naturopathic doctor in Los Angeles may be a strong fit. The 90-minute Comprehensive Assessment is the clearest way to find out.