New Horizon Primary Care

01/01/2026

Thank you to my team and patients for another amazing year. Here is to 2026!

12/29/2025

🎉 6th Annual Football Giveaway! 🏈

We just wrapped up our 6th Annual Football Giveaway, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated and continues to support New Horizon Primary Care. What started years ago as a simple idea has truly become one of our favorite traditions.

A very special thank you to Jordan Pride for joining us this year and helping with the drawing. We are so grateful for your time and support of our annual tradition.

And now for the big congratulations, Estelane Stokes Odonnell, you are our lucky winner! 🎉
You’ve won the Visa gift card, and you can stop by the office anytime to pick up your autographed photo and your gift card.

Thank you all again for making this giveaway special every single year. We can’t wait for next season!

12/29/2025

Np-led Primary Care Practice

12/29/2025

Having trouble dropping it low, call us we can help 🤣

12/26/2025

💬 Why We Do Not Prescribe Thyroid Medication Just for Weight Loss👏

🌿Thyroid hormones do play a role in metabolism, but that does not mean taking thyroid medication is a safe or appropriate way to lose weight. Prescribing thyroid hormone without a true medical indication can be dangerous.

🙊Recently, a Florida physician was disciplined after prescribing unnecessary thyroid medication that ultimately contributed to a patient suffering a heart attack. The investigation found the patient did not have confirmed hypothyroidism and that proper diagnostic standards were not followed before treatment. This is a serious reminder that thyroid hormones are powerful medications, not weight loss tools.

🧠The Thyroid Is Complex and So Is Proper Testing

Checking TSH alone does not give the full picture of thyroid function. A complete thyroid evaluation looks at how hormones are produced, converted, and utilized throughout the body.

🧪A comprehensive thyroid panel should include:
🔹️TSH
🔹️Free T4
🔹️Free T3
🔹️Reverse T3
🔹️Thyroid antibodies to evaluate for autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’

➡️Why This Matters

•TSH alone can appear normal even when thyroid hormone activity at the cellular level is not optimal.
•Free T3 is the active hormone that affects metabolism, energy, and weight regulation.
•Free T4 is the main hormone the thyroid produces
•Reverse T3 can increase during stress, illness, or inflammation and can block the effects of active thyroid hormone.
•Thyroid antibodies help identify autoimmune conditions that require a different treatment approach entirely.

⛔️Why Thyroid Medication Should Not Be Used for Weight Loss

Using thyroid medication when you do not have a true thyroid hormone deficiency can push the body into a hyperthyroid state. This can lead to serious side effects including heart rhythm abnormalities, anxiety, tremors, bone loss, and increased risk of cardiac events. Any weight loss that occurs is not healthy or sustainable and comes at a real medical risk.

🩺What You Should Expect from Your Provider

A responsible provider should
✔️listen to your symptoms,
✔️order appropriate
✔️complete thyroid labs,
✔️interpret results in context rather than relying on a single number,
✔️and only prescribe thyroid medication when there is a clear medical need.

Your thyroid health is not a shortcut to weight loss, and your heart deserves better than unnecessary hormone exposure.

An Ocala physician has been fined $7,500 and placed on probation by state health officials following a medical malpractice complaint that he prescribed unnecessary thyroid medication to a patient who then suffered a heart attack as a result.

12/25/2025

🎄A Little Holiday Fun from Our NHPC Family✨️

We had a little fun playing with AI this Christmas and while it didn’t get everyone’s image perfectly right, it came so close that we couldn’t help but smile! 🤍

More importantly, we want to say thank you to our amazing patients and community for all the sweet gifts, treats, and goodies. Your kindness truly means the world to our team.

From all of us at New Horizon Primary Care, we wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and good health.

❤️~The NHPC Team (Monica & Chris, Emily, Christian, Tina, Bridget, Julie, De'Amber, Joanna)

12/24/2025

Some patients just needs a little more attention. I'm always gonna be there!

12/24/2025

🎄 HOLIDAY HEALTH FUN FACT 🎄

When cortisol stays high from ongoing stress, it can actually lower your immune response … meaning your body is slower to fight off viruses.

That’s one reason people often get sick after the holidays, not during them.

Stress first.
Sickness later.

Rest, sleep, and slowing down aren’t luxuries — they’re immune support.

Taking care of yourself counts 🤍

12/22/2025

Friendly holiday health reminder from you favorite local Nurse Practitioners 🎄🦠

Viral infections do not require antibiotics. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, so they will not help with Flu A/B, COVID, or stomach viruses and can cause unnecessary side effects.

Right now we are seeing a lot of Flu A in the community, COVID is circulating, and norovirus is also going around. Norovirus commonly causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps and spreads very easily.

A few helpful facts to know
Antibiotics do not shorten viral illnesses
Flu A symptoms often come on suddenly with fever, body aches, headache, and extreme fatigue
COVID can look similar to flu or feel more like a bad cold depending on the person
Norovirus is extremely contagious and spreads quickly, especially in households
Handwashing with soap and water is the best prevention for stomach viruses
Staying hydrated is more important than eating when you are sick
Rest truly helps your immune system recover

A quick note about Tamiflu
Tamiflu does not cure the flu. When started within the first 48 hours, it may shorten symptoms by about one day for some people. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and abdominal discomfort. In many otherwise healthy individuals, supportive care alone can be just as effective. Tamiflu can still be important for higher risk patients, so it is always an individualized decision.

Supportive Flu and COVID regimen we often recommend

For symptom relief
Alka Seltzer Cold and Flu for adults and teens 12 and older every 4 hours as needed
Cepacol Extra Strength throat drops for adults and teens as needed for sore throat

Immune support for adults
Vitamin D3 with K2 5000 IU daily
Vitamin C 1000 mg daily or 500 mg twice daily
Zinc 30 mg daily
Elderberry as directed on the bottle

Kids and teens
Teens 12 to 17 may use vitamin D 2000 to 4000 IU, vitamin C 500 to 1000 mg, zinc 20 to 30 mg, and elderberry per label. Alka Seltzer and Cepacol only if used exactly as labeled
Kids 6 to 11 may use vitamin D 1000 to 2000 IU, vitamin C 250 to 500 mg, zinc 10 to 15 mg, and children’s cold and flu medications only
Under 6 focus on fluids, rest, humidifier, and honey for cough if over 1 year old. Supplements only if approved by your pediatrician

Extra things that can really help
Quercetin 250 to 500 mg daily for teens and adults
NAC 600 mg twice daily for teens and adults
Magnesium glycinate 200 to 400 mg at night to help with sleep and muscle relaxation
Warm teas with honey, broth, or plenty of fluids
Humidifier or steamy showers for congestion

For stomach viruses like norovirus, hydration is key. Take small frequent sips and avoid heavy foods until symptoms improve.

Please reach out if fever lasts more than a few days, symptoms worsen after initially improving, you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or signs of dehydration.

As always, please feel free to message through the portal with any concerns or questions.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🎄✨