Part 4 of My Health Journey : My First Experience with a Functional Medicine Practitioner

HEALTH

8/5/20242 min read

Introduction to Functional Medicine

In my previous blogs, I discussed the reasons why I decided to switch from general medicine to functional medicine. Traditional general medicine often involves quick appointments where patients are in and out, with medications prescribed to mask symptoms without addressing the root cause of health issues. Functional medicine, however, takes a completely different approach.

The Initial Consultation

I was immediately intrigued after my first consultation with a functional medicine practitioner, which, interestingly, was conducted virtually. In fact, all of my appointments have been virtual; I've enjoyed the convenience. Prior to our deep dive appointment, I was required to fill out detailed paperwork. Unlike general medicine forms that only ask if your parents suffer from specific illnesses or chronic issues, this paperwork was comprehensive.

The forms delved into various aspects of my life, such as my diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, and environmental factors, major life events not just in adulthood. Even a section asked what was my typical childhood breakfast versus what do I eat now. It was clear that the practitioner was interested in understanding the complete picture of my health and lifestyle.

A Holistic Approach to Health

During our initial consultation, which lasted significantly longer than a typical general medicine appointment, the practitioner asked detailed questions about my health history, lifestyle, and even my mental well-being. It became evident that functional medicine practitioners aim to treat the person as a whole rather than just addressing isolated symptoms.

This holistic approach involves identifying the underlying causes of health issues. For instance, instead of merely prescribing medication for diabetes, a functional medicine practitioner might explore potential root causes such as dietary habits, stress, or even genetic factors.

My original primary ordered the usual blood tests including ANA test. My Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dr. Schena ordered additional blood work and GI map. Even though my ANA test results came back it does not mean I have an autoimmune disorder it only means I have antinuclear antibodies (ANA) found in my blood. We'll address that in another blog.

The Path Forward

Second round of blood tests helped gave my practitioner a better picture of my body health. Prior to her, I was once told, your glucose levels are high and border line pre-diabetic, lose weight and when you leave don't forget to make an appointment for next year's annual visit.

As we moved forward, the practitioner provided me with a tailored health plan that included dietary adjustments focusing on reducing insulin resistance, improving thyroid function, reducing inflammation, vitamins I should be taking, and sleep hygiene. This comprehensive plan was designed to address the specific issues we had identified during the consultation.

I am excited to continue this journey with functional medicine and am optimistic about the potential benefits it may bring to my overall well-being. This experience has been eye-opening, and I look forward to sharing more updates in future blogs. Next step... What will my GI map tell me?