You’re going to learn how to choose a functional medicine doctor, the five things to look for, and whether you’re even a good fit for functional medicine.
My name is Dr. Tom Rofrano from the Natural Medicine Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I’ve been blessed to have seen over 100,000 patient visits over the last 39 years, many involving gut, thyroid, and ferritin issues.
The goal of functional medicine is to restore the body’s optimal function by identifying and addressing the root causes of illness—not just treating symptoms. It looks at diet, lifestyle, and environment to help patients achieve optimal health.
- The Type of Testing and Interpretation the Doctor Provides
One of the most important things to look for is the type of testing the doctor performs—and how they interpret it.
A patient once came to me with bloating, constipation, nausea, and fatigue. She had previously seen a functional medicine doctor who ran a comprehensive health panel, found an iron deficiency, and prescribed iron, digestive enzymes, and a few supplements. She was also told to avoid gluten, grains, and legumes.
But she still had all the same symptoms.
When she came to me, I used a holistic approach and evaluated five main areas:
- Deficiencies
- Toxins
- Infections
- Food reactions
- Hormonal imbalance
It turned out she had:
- Multiple deficiencies
- High mercury levels
- H. pylori infection
- Gluten sensitivity and other food reactions
- Adrenal dysfunction
Once we addressed all these root causes—including eliminating H. pylori—she finally got better.
There are two components here:
- Proper testing
- Proper interpretation
Many patients order tests online and come in confused because they don’t know what the results mean—or they ordered the wrong tests altogether.
Both the testing and the interpretation matter.
- The Recommended Treatment Plan
Does the practitioner have a specific diet and supplement plan that has been proven effective over many years with many patients?
I developed an anti-inflammatory diet called the FreeDiet® when I had to figure out how to heal my own autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroid condition, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, skin issues, and more. Through trial and error, I was able to get better and have refined the diet over decades of helping patients.
A functional medicine doctor should have a clear, structured plan—not guesswork.
- The Follow-Up Process
Follow-up is crucial.
I saw a patient who was frustrated after seeing a functional medicine doctor who:
- Took months to schedule
- Took months more to review labs
- Spent an hour going over results
- Recommended testosterone replacement (which the patient didn’t want)
- Provided no follow-up support
The patient left overwhelmed and confused—and didn’t implement anything.
In our clinic, we:
- Review results within a month
- Provide clear solutions
- Schedule follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months
This ensures patients stay on track and get results.
- The Type of Practitioner
Functional medicine practitioners can include:
- MDs
- DOs
- Nurse practitioners
- Chiropractors
- Acupuncturists
- Naturopaths
If medications are important to you, an MD or DO may be a better fit, as they often prescribe hormones, blood pressure medications, and more.
Acupuncturists may take a Chinese medicine approach.
Chiropractic physicians are trained to address physical, chemical, nutritional, and mental aspects of health—especially helpful for pain, headaches, numbness, and tingling.
Choose the practitioner type that aligns with your needs and preferences.
- Experience
They don’t need 40 years of experience, but experience does matter.
A patient once asked if I had treated autoimmune hepatitis before. I hadn’t—but I had helped many patients with autoimmune conditions. By applying the same principles, her autoimmune hepatitis resolved, and her need for medications and a future liver transplant was eliminated.
The practitioner doesn’t need experience with your exact condition, but they should have experience with similar conditions.
A bonus is when the doctor has personally recovered from a chronic health condition. When I healed my own gut, thyroid, and autoimmune issues, it gave me a deeper understanding of what patients go through and what it takes to get better.
Who Is Not a Good Fit for Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is not for everyone.
You may not be a good fit if:
- You’re not willing to invest time and resources in your health
- You expect insurance to cover everything
- You’re not willing to make lifestyle changes
- You prefer medications so you can continue unhealthy habits
For example, a patient with severe constipation went to the ER and spent $11,000 in a few hours. They found nothing wrong and referred her to a GI doctor, which would have cost another $10,000.
She came to me instead. Over six months, her visits, testing, and supplements cost less than the ER visit, and she got better.
Functional medicine is an investment—but one that can save you money, suffering, and time in the long run.
If You’re Coachable, You Can Get Better
If you’re willing to:
- Get the proper testing
- Address the five main root causes
- Follow a structured plan
- Make lifestyle changes
Then I believe almost anyone can get better.
Feel free to schedule a call here if you want personalized help!
