FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Functional Medicine and working with Dr Gayetri
Functional Medicine FAQs
Functional medicine uses a scientific approach to find the root cause of illness and treat that rather than randomly treating the symptoms. Functional Medicine takes a holistic approach to health, treating and preventing chronic diseases by considering the whole person. Unlike conventional medicine, it focuses on finding the main reason why someone is unwell, instead of just managing the symptoms. Functional Medicine aims to restore your mind and body to a state of optimal health.
When you go to the doctor, the question most people have in their minds is, “Why am I ill?” Functional medicine tries to answer this question specifically for the individual, so that the doctor can make an individualised plan, just for you, factoring in all of your own health concerns. By finding and treating the root cause of the illness, we can provide personalised care that goes beyond just treating the symptoms.
A Functional Medicine Doctor’s goal is to find the real and main cause of the disease, help the body heal itself using natural support, and make sure each person stays healthy and full of energy. They work hard to solve all kinds of health problems in a comprehensive way.
While conventional medicine primarily focuses on managing symptoms, Functional Medicine aims to uncover the underlying causes of health issues. We take the time to gather detailed medical histories and explore various factors that impact your well-being, including genetics, internal factors (mind, body, and soul connection), and external factors (physical, social, and environmental impacts). These aspects correlate and interact with each other in a way that can affect the overall functioning of the human body. Functional Medicine considers it imperative to carefully listen to the patient’s history and their concerns to devise a management plan focusing on prevention along with treatment. Our comprehensive approach allows us to address your health as a whole, providing tailored solutions and empowering your body’s natural ability to heal itself.
For example, if you have high blood pressure your GP will prescribe drugs to lower it. If you see a Functional Medicine Doctor your treatment plan will start with finding what is causing the high blood pressure, and then proceed to what is needed to lower it. While conventional medicine primarily focuses on managing symptoms, Functional Medicine aims to uncover the underlying causes of health issues.
Absolutely! Functional Medicine is rooted in scientific research that highlights the significant impact lifestyle factors have on our health. By focusing on areas such as diet, sleep, movement, stress, and relationships, Functional Medicine has shown long-term health improvements in a broad range of conditions. Our approach is founded on the understanding that addressing these areas leads to sustainable health outcomes.
We see that most illnesses are instigated by lifestyle triggers. Clinical research clearly indicates that the five lifestyle areas are likely to have the biggest impact on the broadest range of conditions. There is clinical research behind our approach so when a patient addresses one or many of these five areas they see long term health improvements.
The conventional medicine system still has its place for short-term problems like surgery or acute infection. However in today’s world, where patients are themselves looking for alternatives to conventional medicine systems, functional medicine and it’s holistic and personalised approach ticks all of the boxes.
Functional Medicine is beneficial for both prevention and addressing chronic symptoms. Many individuals turn to Functional Medicine when they prefer to avoid lifelong medications for chronic conditions. It is also sought after when conventional practitioners are unable to provide satisfactory answers or when individuals aim to optimise their overall health and well-being.
Whether you are dealing with a chronic medical condition, frequently experience illness, fatigue, or chronic pain, or simply want to optimise your health, we may be able to assist you. If you find yourself relying on numerous prescription drugs and desire a more natural approach, or if you’re uncertain about which supplements are suitable for you, we can provide guidance.
Conventional medicine often overlooks the search for the root cause of illness. Standard medical tests typically do not encompass assessments for food sensitivities, hidden infections, environmental toxins, mold exposures, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, or genetic testing. These comprehensive evaluations can uncover underlying risks that can be modified through changes in diet, lifestyle, supplements, or medications.
Functional Medicine is effective in treating various chronic conditions, including gut problems (IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease), Women’s health issues (PCOS, Endometriosis, menstrual disorders), chronic pain, brain fog, fibromyalgia, allergies, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, and mental health conditions. By focusing on the root causes and providing personalised treatment plans, we aim to help you overcome these challenges and achieve optimal health.
Certainly! Many patients find that integrating Functional Medicine with conventional treatments, such as medication or surgery, maximises their overall health and well-being. We encourage open communication and collaboration with your healthcare provider to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to your care.
Results vary for each individual, as chronic illnesses develop over time. Some patients experience significant improvement within the first month, while others may take longer. Our standard treatment programs typically span 3 to 6 months, allowing ample time to restore your body’s function.
Remember, your condition didn’t develop overnight. Years of stress and illness take their toll and a proper amount of time is necessary to restore function. There are so many factors to account for, things such as your particular diagnosis, how long you have been sick, and how well you are able to follow the treatment plan. On average it takes one month of repair for each year that you have suffered from a specific problem.
While we can’t provide an exact timeframe, addressing the root cause of your illness ensures that the healing process unfolds naturally, leading to long-lasting results.
Appointments FAQs
Before your initial appointment, we’ll provide a comprehensive health questionnaire for you to fill out. This questionnaire covers your current health symptoms, medical history, lifestyle habits, significant life events, and family medical history. However intrusive and cumbersome, all these questions may seem, they are not without reason. This allows us to gather as much relevant information as possible to help you have a productive appointment.
During your appointment, our experienced doctor will review this information and conduct a thorough case history and, with your permission, a physical examination. We’ll work together to identify the underlying causes of your health issues and develop a personalised treatment plan that may include dietary and lifestyle changes, lab testing, supplements, and natural therapies to restore balance to your body.
To ensure a productive and effective appointment, we kindly request that you complete some forms online at least three working days before your scheduled appointment. This will allow our doctors sufficient time to review your comprehensive case history.
If you have undergone any relevant test results within the past six months, we encourage you to upload them into our patient portal. Alternatively, you may bring these lab test results with you to your appointment. However, allowing our doctors to review them beforehand will facilitate a more thorough evaluation.
Additionally, we request that you maintain a three-day food diary and bring it with you to your appointment. This information will provide valuable insights into your dietary habits and assist in tailoring our recommendations to your specific needs.
Our dedicated team of doctors practice primarily in Marylebone, London, offering outstanding healthcare services to our patients. Additionally, we have recently extended our medical care to Birmingham through a dedicated clinic in that area. It’s essential to note that we exclusively serve patients within the United Kingdom, ensuring adherence to local regulations and indemnity requirements.
Yes! While we prefer face-to-face initial appointments whenever possible, we can accommodate remote consultations using video conferencing technology such as Zoom or MS Teams. Distance should not hinder you from receiving the care and support you need.
No, the practice’s doctor cannot act as the patients’ GPs (General Practitioners). Due to indemnity requirements, our doctors are solely focused on providing exceptional Functional Medicine care within our practice. For comprehensive GP services, we recommend registering with a local GP who can address your general healthcare needs.
To provide the best service to all our patients, we kindly request that you cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours in advance. Last-minute cancellations within 24 hours will incur the full fee, as it’s challenging for us to fill that time.
Fees & Payment FAQs
Investing in your health is invaluable, and our goal is to provide long-lasting results. Most of our patients typically require two or three appointments within the first three months, followed by two or three follow-up appointments per year to maintain progress.
We offer different packages tailored to your needs, ranging from £659 to £1499 (check the full range of packages for details). These packages provide comprehensive care and support. Many of our patients have described this investment as the best decision they’ve ever made for their well-being. Additionally, please consider factoring in the cost of lab tests and medications, which may vary.
We utilise a range of lab tests to identify the underlying causes of your health issues. The number of recommended tests depends on your specific situation, including the number of concerns you’re experiencing and the duration of your symptoms. Typically, we suggest 1-4 lab tests over a period of 3-6 months.
The required samples for testing can include saliva, urine, hair, and stool, depending on the test type. Most tests are easily self-administered at home using convenient test kits provided. Some tests may require a blood draw. Our team will guide and assist you in coordinating the initial and follow-up testing.
Our consultation fees do not cover the cost of lab tests or supplements. These expenses are paid directly to the suppliers or labs. However, we will provide recommendations regarding necessary supplements and which lab tests are suitable for your case. Please refer to the average pricing below for budgeting purposes.
On average, patients can expect to spend approximately £100-150 per month on supplements.
The cost of initial lab tests typically ranges from £150 to £375 on average.(check prices for some of the tests we conduct here). As your treatment progresses, we will assess whether additional tests are needed. The decision on further testing will be made in consideration of your financial resources and the level of testing you wish to pursue. The testing plan will be reviewed and discussed with you.
Yes, we accept all major debit and credit cards for your convenience.
Yes, we do offer payment plans for those who choose one of our packages. Please inquire further to discuss the available options.
Our acceptance of insurance for Functional Medicine consultations and treatments depends on the insurance provider. While we strive to accommodate our patients’ needs, it’s important to note that Functional Medicine is not widely known or covered by most insurance plans in the UK.
It’s worth noting that in some cases, insurance providers may cover specific Functional Medicine testing but not the actual consultation or treatment costs.
We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider to inquire about coverage options for Functional Medicine services. Our team is also available to assist you in understanding the payment options available and finding the best solution for your healthcare needs.
We only accept patients residing in the UK over the age of 18.
