Functional Medicine has a Complexity Problem
More testing, supplements and interventions doesn’t necessarily equal more personalized care or more effective care.
There are a few things I want to discuss in this reflection:
Volume of tests (and associated costs)
Inconsistencies between practitioner interpretations
A supplement to address every symptom
The Volume of Possible Testing
There are a lot of functional medicine tests - assessments for hormones, gut, bacterial environment, toxin presence, infection presence, genetics and more. Doing more testing, especially if the interpretation falls short, doesn’t necessarily equal more personalized care.
Your practitioner may recommend 5+ tests, but if they can’t adequately interpret them, why spend the money? In addition to the cost, will the answers in a particular test actually influence your treatment plan in a meaningful way?
Functional medicine is frequently paid for out of pocket, and if you are paying for additional testing, you deserve an thorough and accurate assessment of the results. Fishing through the sea of practitioners who all claim to know how to interpret the results can be tough.
I don’t have all the answers, but vetting your practitioner is important. And, it is okay to ask questions to better understand what value the test results bring before you spend money on them.
Inconsistencies Between Practitioner Interpretations
Not only do practitioners interpret differently based on experience and training, but many companies use different reference ranges. This is a tough one to manage.
I think the best we can do as practitioners is continue to take courses and trainings by reputable sources that continue to evolve our ability to properly interpret information.
A Supplement to Address Every Symptom
I always wonder, is it any different taking a supplement for each symptom than taking a prescription?
Symptom management by supplement that doesn’t addressing the root cause is part of the problem. Many patients can fall victim to the marketing strategies of supplement companies. In the short term, there may be value in taking particular supplements to support symptoms. But, the goal of most patients is to reduce the overall number of supplements they are taking in the long term.
The goal is not to be on a treatment plan forever. For that to happen, you and your practitioner need to address the accurate root cause through appropriate interpretation and treatment interventions.
- Dr Hall, ND
If this perspective resonated with you...
These reflections are inspired by conversations I have every day with patients navigating chronic illness, fertility, hormonal health, and the realities of everyday life.