First Functional Medicine Visit

My Experience

Yesterday’s 90-minute visit with the functional medicine practitioner was a refreshing experience compared to traditional medicine office visits, where I’ve often felt rushed.

Complete Health History is One Piece of the Optimal Health Puzzle

When I got there, Jasmin* went through my health history questionnaire with me.  Things like my health as a child, my school years, and everything leading up to today were discussed, both physical and emotional.  She would ask me questions, I would answer fully, and she would provide useful tips as the conversation progressed.  The complete health history in functional medicine is one key piece of the puzzle in regaining ideal health.  

*Not her real name to protect the identity of the individual.

Testing

Another Piece of the Optimal Health Puzzle

Jazmin also explained what tests she thought would be useful to gain a true picture of my health.  The results of these tests would determine a treatment plan.

Recommendations:

These are some things we discussed and some recommendations she offered at the appointment:

General Health:

1. Consume 25 grams of protein at every meal.

2. Be consistent in drinking half my body weight in water with at least 20-40 ounces consumed first thing in the morning.

3. Try a gym trainer to gain a familiar routine of five or six that can be done 2-3 times a week.  

4. Look into a functional dentist to replace metal fillings which can cause ongoing inflammation

5. Get a sleep study for my snoring.

6. Get an extensive blood test

Stomach/Constipation:

1. Water intake should be ½ your body weight in ounces and consume 20 ounces first thing in the morning

2. Introduce and stay consistent in taking a magnesium supplement for smooth muscles and to assist in regularity

3. Use a squatty potty

4. Read SIBO Made Simple by Phoebe Lapine

5. Perform a SIBO breath test that will be sent to my home

6. Consider staying away from dairy for 3 months to see if I notice a change in my digestion.

Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis)

1. Based on the health history questionnaire I completed, Jazmin deduced there are three contributors to the autoimmune disorders I suffer from:  Hashimoto’s.  For me, these contributors are stressors, genetics and gut imbalance.

2. Get a thyroid ultrasound

3. Continue to avoid gluten

Hormones and Hormone Replacement Therapy - HRT

Jazmin told me she would provide me with a list of resources to listen to and read to learn about possible hormone replacement therapy.  These would be provided in the after-visit summary that would be posted in the portal.  

The Plan

At this appointment, we both decided to work on healing my stomach first since this greatly impacts my daily quality of life.  Not having regular bowel movements and constant gas and bloating were one of the main reasons I decided to visit Jazmin in the first place.  I am ready to start feeling better.

A treatment plan summarizing everything we went over at the appointment, as well as next steps, will be posted to the portal the next day.  In my next post, I will let you know what is in the treatment plan.

Have you ever had a healthcare appointment that felt more thorough or unrushed than what you were used to? What stood out to you?

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