You're not alone if you've ever typed in search terms like 'what is a functional endocrinology' or 'functional endocrinologist near me' into search engines. Millions of Americans, just like you, have been battling with hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, or adrenal fatigue, only to discover how challenging it can be to receive effective, comprehensive care for these health issues through traditional care. But there's a moment of relief, a glimmer of hope, when you finally find the answer to your health struggles.
Patients with endocrine disorders need more than cookie-cutter solutions; they need a personalized, integrative approach. Many endocrinologists fail at doing this. As an example, research shows that endocrinologists tend to prescribe the same medication to patients with hypothyroidism as an endocrine dysfunction–even though hypothyroidism could stem from a wide range of health issues. They frequently fail to investigate the root cause and instead apply a one-size-fits-all approach, which is dangerous.
The rarity of endocrinologists who take a holistic approach to addressing endocrine dysfunction creates a massive market gap. One that endocrinologists willing to go the extra mile to learn how to read thyroid panels and how existing health issues like spinal leaks impact the endocrine system can fill. You don't need a brick-and-mortar clinic to enter this lucrative market; a virtual clinic, which allows for remote consultations and personalized care plans, is a viable and effective option.
[Related: How to Create a Virtual Clinic Business Plan Blueprint]
Functional endocrinology provides comprehensive diagnosis based on a patient's body's systems and personalized plans that evolve as their body heals. Allopathic endocrinologists sticking to textbook protocols often make patients feel like they're being shuffled from one misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment to the next.
Finding a Functional Endocrinologist Near You: What is Functional Endocrinology?
Functional endocrinology combines traditional, allopathic endocrinology with a holistic, root-problem-focused approach. Instead of only focusing on treating symptoms with prescriptions for medications like levothyroxine, a functional endocrinologist digs deeper, focusing on the root cause of the patient's hormonal imbalances. This approach is comprehensive, examining all aspects of a patient's health, and is personalized, considering individual factors like existing spinal leaks, diet, exercise, and stress. It's a reassurance that you're not just a number but a unique individual receiving the care you deserve.
The magic of the body is that natural is sometimes better because your body has pathways set up for the goal of protection. One example is present in the fact that people can take too much Vitamin D in supplements and develop hypertoxicity (in rare instances). Your body naturally controls how many IUs of Vitamin D you receive from the sun to prevent over-intake.
Functional endocrinologists should not be confused with naturopathic doctors (ND) or functional medicine specialists who might dabble in endocrinology but aren't medical doctors like MDs and DOs. NDs typically focus on providing expensive supplements that often make endocrine disorders worse, based on patient reports.
We commonly see videos by naturopathic doctors and functional medicine specialists who recommend large doses of iodine. In thyroid cases, iodine intake must be carefully controlled to prevent excess intake.
For some people, their bodies may overreact to iodine and produce more thyroid hormone than is needed, causing hyper- or hypothyroidism. Endocrinologists are needed to work with patients to create dietary plans that individualize their care and determine the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of iodine appropriate for that specific patient.
Physicians specializing in functional endocrinology often use advanced hormone testing techniques (saliva, blood, or urine tests) to gather patient information to develop customized treatment plans.
Additionally, we hear from patient reports that very few endocrinologists test blood iodine levels. Of those we have seen reported in Facebook groups on hypothyroidism, patients typically reported confusion because their iodine levels were high despite the common misconception that hypothyroidism means not enough iodine.
There is the Jod-Basedow phenomenon and the Wolff-Chaikoff effect in relation to too much iodine in the body. The Jod-Basedow phenomenon is a condition that occurs when the body's protective Wolff-Chaikoff effect fails, leading to hyperthyroidism. The Wolff-Chaikoff effect is a protective mechanism that temporarily reduces thyroid hormone production when there's too much iodine in the body. Despite the wealth of resources on these topics, endocrinologists typically do not understand this process.
Unlike some functional medicine specialists who might offer expensive supplement regimens with little individualized follow-up, a functional medicine endocrinologist combines scientific methods with a holistic mindset that focuses on long-term hormonal balance and well-being.
Health Issues Functional Endocrinology Helps With
Functional endocrinology often shines when conventional approaches have failed for health issues like:
- Thyroid disorders: Functional endocrinologists consider factors like iodine sensitivity and potential underlying issues like spinal leaks instead of focusing on medication alone.
- Adrenal fatigue: Endocrinology evaluates cortisol regulation and stress management instead of only addressing symptoms.
- Hormonal imbalance: A holistic approach offers more effective solutions for menopause-related hormone replacement therapy (HRT), weight gain, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) linked to endocrine dysfunction.
- Metabolic health: Patients with metabolic issues like diabetes or chronic fatigue syndrome may respond better to personalized treatment plans emphasizing nutritional interventions and lifestyle medicine.
Treatment Approaches: Testing and Personalized Hormone Therapy
Functional endocrinology relies on putting patients through tests that allow physicians to provide personalized treatment plans. Here's how the process works.
Comprehensive Testing
Functional hormone testing typically uses saliva, urine, or blood. These tests show what's happening inside a patient's body, allowing functional endocrinologists to detect issues that a routine lab test might miss.
Endocrinologists need to be aware that pituitary enlargement due to a spinal leak can still cause endocrinological disorders even though prolactin is not elevated in all spinal leak cases of an enlarged pituitary, as visually noted on brain MRIs if using the Bern score method.
Too many endocrinologists are only taught to consider true pituitary adenomas and assess for hormones such as elevated prolactin, which can all fall within normal range despite the pituitary being more sensitive to iodine with slight engorgement. Often, there is the idea that pituitary involvement would be obvious with both an elevated TSH and an elevated free T4 or a low TSH and a low free T4, as described by the American Thyroid Association.
The idea is that the pituitary will over- or under-produce all thyroid hormones at once rather than manifest as subclinical hypothyroidism with a high TSH and normal free T4. However, iodine's involvement in pituitary feedback is not considered when the pituitary has become oversensitive to iodine, and a lower daily consumption may be needed.
It is interesting that Graves’ disease is often associated with the recommendation to focus on maintaining moderate iodine intake. Likewise, researchers have noted that “Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease linked to iodine intake” with issues with excessive iodine intake.
However, our interviews with patients battling thyroid disorders revealed that their endocrinologists had not educated them on the role of iodine in their condition and of the need to control iodine intake. At the same time, endocrinologists are reporting a lack of knowledge on how to manage iodine-related thyroid cases.
Personalized therapy plans
Instead of a one-size-fits-all medication regimen, your treatment plan might include natural therapies, nutritional adjustments, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with a functional endocrinologist.
Holistic techniques
Functional endocrinology uses holistic treatments, such as gut health optimization, detoxification, stress management techniques, dietary education, and lifestyle modifications.
Natural and non-pharmaceutical options
Functional endocrinologists often offer patients natural alternatives other than high-dose supplements and hormone treatments. All too often, physicians think patients want to choose natural because the patients “don’t like taking medication,” instead of recognizing that patients with medication sensitivity often are scared and desperate to find something that works but may do better with natural approaches.
In some cases, we have encountered patients with hospitalizations following a single 25 mcg dose of levothyroxine as the patient likely had hypothyroidism due to the protective Wolff-Chaikoff effect with pituitary sensitivity to iodine amounts secondary to a spinal leak. With this effect, the body was trying to protect against making too much T4, and the levothyroxine overrode through synthetical chemicals what the body was trying to prevent, sending the patients into hyperthyroidism and costly hospital visits. This is why looking for the root issue is essential so that protective mechanisms are not disrupted.
Why Traditional Methods Often Fall Short
You might have stories from friends or family about endocrinologists who read a thyroid panel and immediately prescribed levothyroxine—even if lab results suggest the issue might be more complex.
Many conventional endocrinologists fail to address nuanced thyroid imbalances, leaving patients stuck in a cycle of ineffective treatments and worsening symptoms.
This leads to more patients turning to searches like 'how to find a functional endocrinologist' or 'best functional endocrinologist near me' to find a doctor who will look beyond the surface of their health issues. Such patients are not just looking for a diagnosis but for a physician who can explain to them why medication has been ineffective for them because of underlying issues like a spinal leak causing iodine sensitivity. Understanding their health issues empowers them to take control of their well-being.
Finding the Best Functional Endocrinologist Near Me: Tips for Success
Ready to find a functional endocrinologist who can diagnose the root cause of your endocrine dysfunction and provide comprehensive care? Here are some tips on how to find a specialist who not only meets your needs but also listens to your concerns, providing the reassurance you need on your health journey.
- Check their credentials: Ensure the doctor you choose is a certified functional endocrinology practitioner. Ideally, you want a physician with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree trained to view the entire body as a complete system instead of focusing on only the region impacted by symptoms. An MD who specializes in functional endocrinology is just as good.
- Explore integrative approaches: Look for local holistic hormone doctors who blend traditional science with holistic care.
- Seek personalized care: A good functional endocrinologist will offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs.
- Read reviews and success stories. Look for success stories from previous patients to verify that the physician uses a holistic approach.
- Ask questions. Educate yourself on the role of iodine in thyroid health. Ask the endocrinologist in the first consultation about their knowledge of iodine intake in the role of thyroid disorder management and their success rates in managing such cases.
Patients ready to find functional endocrinologists who look to understand their unique needs should start their search by exploring local practitioners and physicians who offer virtual care.
The Future of Functional Endocrinology: Time to Step Up
For endocrinologists reading this, there's an enormous demand for high-quality, personalized care. Patients want more than a quick fix; they want their physicians to understand the root cause of their endocrine disorders. It's a profitable niche for endocrinologists who run private practices to explore, especially with a cash-based business model.
Contact us to learn how to integrate functional endocrinology into your practice. Countless patients are willing to pay premium rates for effective care; they're just avoiding the waiting rooms of endocrinologists who don't take extra steps to discover the root causes of their health issues.
