Functional medicine asks a different question from the usual one. Rather than only which condition is this?, it also asks why is this happening in this person, at this point in their life?
What this involves
A first consultation is a long conversation. We go through your medical history, your current medications and supplements, what you eat in a normal week, how you sleep, and what your stress levels look like. Patterns often emerge in that conversation before any test is ordered.
Where it is clinically appropriate, laboratory investigations may be recommended to give a clearer picture, for example nutritional status, markers of inflammation, or aspects of digestive function. Tests are suggested when they would change the plan, not as a routine package.
What it may help with
People commonly come to us with concerns such as:
- Persistent fatigue that has been investigated without a clear answer
- Digestive symptoms, bloating, irregularity, discomfort after eating
- Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight despite reasonable effort
- Wanting a considered, evidence-informed approach to diet rather than following whatever is currently popular
What to expect
Recommendations usually begin with food and daily habits, because that is where the largest and most durable changes tend to come from. Where a specific nutrient deficiency is identified, supplementation may be suggested to correct it.
Nutritional and functional approaches work alongside conventional medical care. They are not a replacement for it. If you are under the care of another doctor or specialist, please tell us, we would rather coordinate than work in parallel.