Functional Medicine

Knowing and understanding your entire personal and medical history is the foundation of functional medicine and the key to developing a comprehensive treatment plan. Prior to your first visit, you will be asked to complete an online health history through Henry Ford MyChart, our secure patient portal. The survey is confidential and includes questions about:

• Birth and infancy history. Where were you born and were you born naturally or by caesarian section? Were you breast or bottle fed, and at what age were you introduced to solid foods? These questions are relevant today because they may relate to your overall digestive health (gut microbiome), and the development of your immune system.
• Personal history. All major life events have impact on the body’s metabolic function and can cumulatively cause changes that lead to disease. Questions in this section look at the timeline of your life, including any major illnesses, frequent use of medications, physical or emotional trauma, major life stressors, change in jobs, marriages, finances, etc.
• Family medical history. Examining your family’s current and past conditions, diagnoses and treatments may shed some light on your own health.
• Environmental exposures. This section focuses on a geographical timeline of your life — specifically looking at where you have lived and worked during the course of your life to determine any possible exposure to environmental toxins.
• Lifestyle. A person’s lifestyle directly impacts health and wellness. The lifestyle section includes questions about your exercise habits, hobbies or leisure activities, sleep hygiene, stress management, tobacco use, and drug and alcohol history.

Because a functional medicine doctor uses your complete personal and medical history to guide treatment recommendations, the first office visit is typically much longer than other doctor appointments.

During appointments, your doctor will:

• Discuss your life and medical history and review the relevant answers from your online medical questionnaire
• Discuss your health and wellness goals
• Address any of your medical questions or concerns
• Recommend necessary labs or specialized testing
• Develop a treatment plan
• Recommend follow-up evaluation and office visits with a physician, registered dietitian, nurse or other specialist

Functional medicine uses specialized testing to look at your body as a whole and evaluate how all the systems communicate with one another. Several different avenues are used to gather metabolic and biological data, such as evaluating stool, urine, saliva and blood. Assessments include:

• General genetic testing
• Hormone assessment, including cortisol, insulin, estrogen and testosterone
• Mycotoxin testing
• Nutritional deficiency testing
• Food sensitivity testing
• Gut health assessment
• When necessary, your functional medicine doctor will order MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds or other traditional diagnostic imaging tests.

The results from your assessment, evaluation and testing are used to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that addresses your individual health goals and unique needs with evidenced-based treatment options. Treatment plans may include:

• Dietary and nutritional plans formulated by the physician and registered dietitian
• Prescription medications that may be used to balance stress, thyroid, brain and sex hormonal imbalances and sugar imbalances
• Counseling and treatment plans to address lifestyle changes which include stress management, weight management and improving sleep hygiene
• Certified pharmaceutical-grade vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements may be used temporarily to bridge a nutritional gap while implementing a healthy lifestyle and nutritional plan
• Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic care may be suggested