1) Can you be my primary care doctor?

While I am board-certified in family practice and adult gerontology acute care medicine, my primary focus is functional and lifestyle medicine consultation. It is important to maintain a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) for routine preventative health screenings, such as pap smears, colonoscopies, and breast exams, as well as for urgent care situations that require immediate attention. However, I am happy to collaborate with your PCP and/or specialists to ensure that you receive comprehensive, coordinated care. I believe in a team-based approach to health, as this helps optimize your overall health outcomes. Your health and well-being are my top priorities, and I am here to support you every step of the way. Please note that I do not accept insurance for our work together, but I am able to accept HSA and can utilize insurance for labs where applicable. Should you elect to use my services as opposed to conventional PCP Care; please understand I do not participate in insurance reimbursement.

2) Are specialty labs required?

Laboratory testing plays a vital role in providing personalized and effective functional medicine care. During your initial consultation, lab tests will be requested to assess your health status and guide our treatment plan. We partner with Quest Diagnostics and the Cleveland Heart Lab to ensure accurate and efficient testing. For insurance-based patients, labs can be completed in-office or through mobile draws when applicable. For self-pay patients, we recommend a Function Health Panel to get a comprehensive overview of your health.

Routine labs we may recommend include:

• Cardiac Markers (Expanded Lipid Panel, Lipoprotein(a), Apolipoprotein B, LDL particle sizes)

• Thyroid Panel (e.g., TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies, zinc, iodine, selenium)

• Immune Regulation (e.g., ANA, Rheumatoid Factor, WBC count)

• Hormonal Health Labs (e.g., Testosterone, Estradiol, Cortisol, DHEA-Sulfate)

• Metabolic Health (e.g., Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c, Insulin, C-Peptide)

• Nutrient Panel (e.g., Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium)

• Liver & Renal Health (e.g., AST, ALT, Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)

• Pancreatic Health (e.g., Amylase, Lipase)

• Heavy Metal Testing (e.g., Lead, Mercury, Arsenic)

• Food/Respiratory Allergies (Celiac, Food allergy IgE/IgG)

Additional testing may include stool analysis for microbiome evaluation, SIBO testing, allergy and food sensitivity testing, celiac panels, and more, as necessary for your health concerns.

3) Are supplements always required?

The decision to recommend supplements is based on a comprehensive assessment of your health, including your medical history, symptoms, lab results, and lifestyle factors. We first aim to address root causes through dietary, lifestyle, and behavioral interventions. Supplements may be considered when specific nutrient deficiencies are identified, or when targeted supplementation can aid in the body's healing process. The supplements recommended, including their dosages and duration, are always tailored to your unique needs and carefully monitored for effectiveness.

We work with Ortho Molecular, a reputable and trusted provider in the functional medicine field, to ensure that any supplements we offer are of the highest quality and support your health goals. Our priority is always to promote optimal health and well-being through a personalized, integrative approach, whether that includes supplements or not.