Hans Gruenn, MD

On the plus side: Dr. Gruenn practices integrative and functional medicine. His German no-​nonsense manner is refreshing, and he doesn’t push snake oil. He has good diagnostic skills. He’s friendly, engaging, and handsome! His staff is very nice and competent.
On the minus side: His no-​nonsense manner can occasionally seem flippant, dismissive, and unsympathetic. I often feel rushed, and am frequently unsure if he’s really listening to me… or for that matter, really cares that much about my wellness or lack thereof. (Granted, Integrative practitioners must be medical detectives and must be seriously frustrated sometimes).
«Longevity Medicine» practitioners are a dime a dozen in Los Angeles these days, and if you can afford their testing and treatments, these providers can be a great boon to your health and wellness. Find a bright doctor who is compassionate and invested in your well-​being. Dr. Gruenn may be the perfect doctor for you, or not, but I would advise all to take the time to select such a practice with great care.

The office staff couldn’t be more rude, dismissive and arrogant. The superiority attitude that permeates this office isn’t worth the less than stellar success rate. I know 10 people (including myself) who’ve spent gobs of money following ridiculous protocols only to end up sicker than they started. We’ve all finally left in search of someone who actually cares about your health, not just your wallet. Everything is overpriced here from supplements, appointments, IV drips, blood draw etc. They are not the only game in town and not worth the ridiculous $ 500/​hr fee (not covered by insurance btw!) Eliminate the sugar, dairy, gluten and GMO’s from your diet on your own and save yourself the frustration and cost this office will put you through.
The only way you can communicate with a doctor at this practice in by making an appointment. Phone messages and emails aren’t returned. A simple question like «how many of this supplement was I supposed to take?» requires an appointment to get an answer! Each doctor here works part time and is more interested in their time off than being available to their patients.

I was referred to Dr. Gruenn who is a nice guy, etc. I had just one appointment and he seems like a knowledgeable doctor but didn’t have much to say regarding a complicated issue that I have yet to have a diagnosis for. He suggested I get some testing done «to see what it says and go from there». I was in the office for about 30 – 45 minutes and was charged $ 465 for the appointment and a urine sample he wanted done. Two weeks later I had a follow up appointment to go over the results of the sample, but I had to reschedule the day before due to lack of child care that day.
I was told that he could do a 15 minute phone appointment instead which worked for me and I assumed (I guess I shouldn’t have assumed) that the PHONE appointment for 15 MINUTES would be less expensive than an actual appointment in his office which ran 45 minutes. I was wrong. I was told at my phone appointment that it was the same charge for the phone appointment and that if I cancel (because it was now the time of the phone appointment), I would be charged a late fee of $ 57 to cancel.
I was told that I «signed the consent form when I came in stating this» but the receptionist didn’t bother to confirm that to me, even though I’m a brand new patient, when scheduling the phone session.
The doctor would not come on the phone to tell me «briefly» what my lab results say unless I wanted to pay the $ 135 for the phone call. I have never had a doctor charge me to give me the results of a test I had done when I came in last time.
I decided to cancel, was charged the late fee, and had my results faxed to me for my other doctor to go over it with me free of charge!

Most intuitive doctor I’ve ever met. Cured me of a lifetime of allergies. A genius and a caring man. I wish there was more like him. I’ve sent many friends to him who have all raved about him. Be patient… he will help you.

Went to Dr Gruenn ’til I move away from LA in 2002.
He is the only alternative physician that I’ve been to, so far, who takes medicare.
Why don’t the others? Is health only for the young and rich?
Also he listens, as many have said and really thinks before giving 1001 pills. Like his European approach to health.
Will drive to LA soon just to see him and go to Follow Your Heart (Restaurant in case you don’t know).

Dr Gruenn has been my family Doctor for over 20 years. He is a brilliant diagnostician and the warmest, most caring Doctor I have ever been to. When I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1995, no one could help me the way Dr Gruenn was able to. He combines holistic medicine with other cutting edge modalities in medicine and treats his patients with an understanding of the mind and body and spirit connection. He is honest and funny and dedicated to helping his patients heal. I feel fortunate that Dr. Gruenn is my Doctor, friend and humanitarian. What a wonderful man!

I was recommended to see Hans Gruenn, and all those fake good rated reports on the internet were an illusion of advertisement. On several visits I experienced his attention was unfocused on a new patient and he could not come around to a treatment plan, never mind a diagnosis.
His office forced me to sign multiple legal forms as to protect him of any legal responsibility before even meeting him, totally absurd. It is not reassuring when you are not feeling well.
The staff are unbelievably careless, stressed and many unacceptable mistakes happen to me. The assistant to Gruenn Nicole is a total mess causing so much frustration to me and other yelling patients. She does not pay attention to tests, medicines prescribed and the follow-​up.
It’s impossible to get a person when you call in, I left messages, and no call back for days. I resorted to emails in efforts to get thru at times 10 emails to receive a reply. The doctor asked for blood test, the office failed to arrange an appointment, to top it up they don’t tell you the results, it is quite a fiasco, totally unreassuringly and scary experience. Their carelessness becomes inhumane.
While he is alternative, there are others around LA. You will never get well with this doctor, save yourselves and look for a humane doctor. It is a total waste of money, energy and hope. Dr Gruenn really needs to rethink his purpose, his office staff and how to operate a medical clinic.

A CARING, COMPASSIONATE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE DOCTOR
Dr. Gruenn has been my personal physician since 2006. He has taken care of me during my struggle with a serious mercury poisoning and fibromyalgia. His treatment methods have always been cutting edge. I find him to be extremely knowledgeable and way ahead of most other physicians, not only in his open-​mindedness but also his knowledge of the latest advances and developments in medicine. He also posesses a vast knowledge of alternative treatments and uses them when appropriate, instead of just prescribing drugs that usually cause more side effects and, in many cases, are not necessary. He always spends a lot of time with me, trying to figure out what is going on and find the best ways to treat it. He is one of the very few doctors I know who has no ego, and is always open to, and encouraging of, patients’ participation and involvement in their own health. In addition, Dr. Gruenn is just a good and caring human being who has his patients’ best interest in mind. Always a pleasure to visit, he is a breath of fresh air in the industry that has become more frustrating than helpful to most people. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM.

I met Dr. Gruenn several years ago at a free seminar given by Dr. Rota, (a holistic dentist) where they talked about mercury fillings and how to detoxify the body.
Dr. Gruenn has been my personal physician ever since. He is warm and caring, and probably the smartest person I know. His European education gives him an edge over other doctors. He thinks outside the box that typical American doctors dwell in.
I refer all my friends and family to Dr. Gruenn. I trust his abilities as an excellent health care provider.

Dr. Gruenn is fantastic. Even though my insurance didnt cover the visit, the $ 500 for the two visits was well worth it! I have suffered from chronic sinusitis for over 17 years. After consulting with an ENT and looking at my 5^th nose/​sinus surgery and have had a sinus infection for 17 weeks, a friend recommended Dr. Gruenn. I was put on a strict diet for 10 weeks after it was discovered I had severe allergies to wheat, soy, yeast and sugar. My sinus infection cleared up and I have had one very minor infection in 2 years. While the diet was very difficult I have been able to reintroduce wheat and yeast in small amounts. He is truly a godsend and is more interested in making you better than making money. He told me what I needed to do and change and after 2 visits I have never had to go back! MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM TODAY!!!

I am in GREAT health but when I need advice and care Dr. Gruenn MD is the only person I trust. Generally I have a Negative view of Western Medicine and Philosophy. What is GREAT about Dr. Gruenn is that he includes them ALL and LISTENS… This is very, very rare. He also cares greatly about the patient being proactive in their health. By looking at diet and blood work etc… I highly recommend him as he is on the Cutting Edge of healing on many levels and has great free lectures at Santa Monica Library monthly as well. Kudos to him and his thriving practice.

It doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to doctors and healthcare. Always smiling, caring and optimistic, Dr Gruenn does not shy away from the facts of any situation but rather acknowledges them calmly with the patient and in a highly collaborative fashion develops a plan of action.
I have recommended Dr Gruenn regularly and without hesitation to so many friends and colleagues I cannot count them all. But I can count the number of complaints: 0, zero, nada.
When I first went to Dr Gruenn years ago, I had bounced from traditional MD to traditional MD with various aggressive western approaches to my moderately high cholesterol levels and high triglyceride levels. One doctor mailed my lab results to me – no phone call, nothing – circling the high numbers and scrawling a prescription for Lipitor. Another had me on the high Niacin plan, along with other meds. No discussion of lifestyle, diet, mind state, nothing, just the usual presribe-​em and bill-​em approach of so many medical practices today.
Not Dr Gruenn and colleagues. We did the tests. (Looked at the past tests.) Talked lifestyle. Mindspace. Diet. With me, with me taking equal responsibility for the plan, Dr Gruenn charted out a simple plan to shift my diet, add some simple natural supplements, continue exercising and see where the numbers went.
Down, dramatically. We checked in at 3 months. Then 6. Then 12 and everything came into line. A yearlong infatuation with ice-​cream put me back on the 3mos check in cycle till I got that under control! :)
Dr Gruenn has helped me face problems bigger and smaller than this. He works well with alternative therapies and therapists such as accupuncturists, chiropractors, massage… and, if you really need a good olé western prescription, you can get that too.
I have recommended friends with allergies, sleep problems, cancer, asthma, weight issues, and no health issues at all to Dr Gruenn. All good reports coming back my way.

I saw Dr. Hans Gruenn for approximately eight years. He was always nice, attentive and seemed knowledgable so I thought he knew what he was doing when he prescribed me bio-​identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Unfortunately for me, he did not.
Though I had taken other BHRT protocols previously for four years without any problems whatsoever, I decided in 2006 to go on Dr. Gruenn’s protocol. (Please note that I had had an ultrasound, though not at Dr. Gruenn’s request, shortly before starting his protocol and it showed that I had a normal uterine lining.) Within six months of starting Dr. Gruenn’s BHRT protocol, I started to have pre-​cancerous symptoms though I was not aware of it at the time.
By 2009 I had to go to the emergency room as I had profuse vaginal bleeding. There I was diagnosed with endometrial adenocarcinoma aka uterine cancer which is caused by excessive estrogen exposure aka estrogen dominance. Subsequently, I had to have a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-​oophorectomy (all of my female organs removed). I am now being tested every six months for five years to see if the cancer has moved into other parts of my body because estrogen dominant-​based cancers are very dangerous and can produce many other types of cancers. (BTW: I have no history whatsoever of female cancers in my family, and I have a large family of one sister, and many aunts/​female cousins.)
I showed a very highly respected compounding pharmacist the prescription Dr. Gruenn had given me, and he stated «That it was a prescription that would produce endometrial/​uterine cancer.» Even the National Cancer Institute states that the main risk factor of endometrial adenocarcinoma is «hormone replacement therapy for the effects of menopause.»
Dr. Uzzi Reiss M.D./O.B. GYN., states on page 119 in his book NATURAL HORMONE BALANCE FOR WOMEN that «A once-​a-​day dosage is a flawed concept for progesterone replacement. You will lose some of progesterone’s protection if you don’t take a refill after twelve hours. I want a woman to have around-​the-​clock progesterone benefits.»
Dr. Gruenn prescribed me E2 0.58/E3 2.32 estrogen cream to be used topically 1 gram in the morning and 1 gram at night (no days off), and the critical cancer protecting progesterone just once a day in the evening by an oral dose of 100 mg. (It is well known amongst creditable, educated BHRT doctors and compounding pharmacists that 100 mg of progesterone taken orally converts to an actual absorbed amount of around 40 mg’s.) So, not only did he prescribe me progesterone just once a day instead of twice a day for 24 hour progesterone protection (that creditable BHRT doctor’s prescribe against excessive etrogen/​estrogen dominance) but he also prescribed an oral form of progesterone affording me even less progesterone protection (approximately 6 hours a day when it should have been 24 hours a day) thus creating a very estrogen dominant environment in my body which caused my cancer. HE HAS/​HAD NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS DOING!!!
I asked Dr. Gruenn, about six months after I started his protocol, about Dr. Uzzi Reiss’ statement in his book which I read to him verbatim, and even though Dr. Gruenn is friends with Dr. Reiss (as told to me by Dr. Gruenn), Dr. Gruenn told me that «You don’t need more progesterone. What I have prescribed you is fine.» No, Dr. Gruenn, it was VERY FAR from «fine»!!!
Additionally, Dr. Gruenn did not take the proper preliminary steps before starting me on his BHRT protocol. He should have, at a minimum, had me tested for my:
1) E1, E2, E3 levels to obtain a baseline.
2) SHBG to further determine my estrogen status.
3) Progesterone levels to obtain a baseline.
4) A recent physical and gynecological checkup, breast exam, mammogram/​thermogram and pap smear.
5) Pelvic ultrasound to measure my endometrium lining. (Actually, I did this on my own — the point is that he never asked me to get an ultrasound.)
And, Dr. Gruenn did not take the proper steps for monitoring me while I was on his BHRT protocol. He never once asked me to have any blood/​salvia/​urine tests to determine my hormone levels which should be ordered every 3 – 6 months after starting a new protocol and thereafter, every 6 months for the entire time one is on BHRT, nor did he ever tell me to have an ultrasound of my uterine lining once a year — all the above of which creditable, educated BHRT doctors demand or they will not continue prescribing BHRT because it is malpractice to do so. In fact, Dr. Gruenn kept prescribing me BHRT without any testing whatsoever through 2009 — that’s three years of continually prescribing BHRT without requiring a single test.
If you go to Dr. Gruenn for BHRT, just know that you are putting your health and your life at risk in doing so.
This posting is based on medical facts and is not «slander,»…it’s just the truth. Obviously, I thought Dr. Gruenn was a very good doctor or I wouldn’t haven’t gone to him for eight years.

Had blood work done and was told I’d get a phone call when the results are in. Waited over two months and no call. Finally called them back today and they said «sure the results are in, but there was nothing wrong with them so that’s why we didn’t call you».
Well, maybe if nothing’s wrong with me I’d still like to know that, huh?

I found Dr. Gruenn recently after he was referred to me by my dentist (who specializes in removing almagam fillings and is very natural products oriented, etc.). My former doctor didn’t believe me when I said I was fatigued and, literally, thought it was all in my head. All my regular blood tests (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) showed that I was very healthy, but I knew something was not right.
Dr. Gruenn met with me, listened and ordered a couple of blood tests. Guess what? He figured out what was wrong.
I’m still a relatively new patient, but I’m grateful for his willingness to listen and work with me. If you have a doctor who isn’t listening, maybe you need a new doctor. I learned the hard way — and almost too late.