Most functional tests are cash-pay only. Some labs may be partially reimbursed when submitted to your insurance company on your own. Good PPO insurance may cover labs partially. It’s an investment in root-cause and preventative care rather than ongoing prescriptions.

Functional testing looks deeper and earlier — before symptoms get serious. It’s more proactive than reactive, and focuses on why you’re sick rather than what label to give it. Visits also average 30-60 minutes explaining your health to you rather than just 10 minutes.

Functional testing is grounded in peer-reviewed science from a wide range of disciplines, including nutritional biochemistry, systems biology, genomics, microbiome research, psychoneuroimmunology, and chronic disease epidemiology. It uses the most current data on how the body functions as an interconnected system.

Functional testing is especially effective for chronic conditions — the kinds of things that don’t always get better with a quick prescription. That includes:

• Gut issues (IBS, bloating, constipation, SIBO)

• Autoimmune conditions (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis)

• Hormonal imbalances (PMS, PCOS, menopause, low testosterone)

• Fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, depression

• Skin conditions (eczema, acne, psoriasis)

• Blood sugar issues (pre-diabetes, insulin resistance)

• High cholesterol and high blood pressure

• Long COVID and post-viral syndromes

• Hidden infections: Lyme, parasites, mold colonization or mycotoxins

• And much more!

It can also be used preventatively to optimize health before symptoms appear.

That depends on the person and the condition. Some people feel better in a few weeks (especially with digestive or energy issues), while others take months to fully rebalance complex systems. Unlike a band-aid, functional health is about real, lasting change — so it requires commitment and consistency.

Conventional labs often look for disease thresholds — meaning you're either "in range" or you’re not. Functional labs look for optimal ranges and early dysfunctions that happen before disease sets in.

Dr. Macie does not prescribe any medication. We work with your body to balance systems and support organ function. The goal is to promote long term health by identifying root causes.

It’s time-intensive, not built for 7-minute insurance visits. It takes more training, deeper testing, and longer patient appointments. That’s why it’s not common in the fast-paced, insurance-dominated model of care in the U.S.

That said, it is growing rapidly. Clinics like the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, Mayo Clinic’s integrative programs, and many MDs are now blending functional medicine with their practice.

Most conventional doctors are trained to diagnose and treat acute disease using drugs and procedures — and they’re amazing at that. But they aren’t trained in nutrition, root-cause physiology, gut health, or environmental medicine.

It’s not about bad intentions — it’s about gaps in the system. Medical schools rarely teach nutrition. Food is the foundation of our health. Functional medicine fills those gaps with deeper testing and a broader understanding of how our physiology interacts.

It can feel expensive up front because it’s often not covered by insurance. But it’s an investment in getting well, not staying sick. Over time, many clients save money by reducing medications, ER visits, surgeries, and lost productivity.

You can also start small: one targeted lab, a focused nutrition plan, or simple lifestyle changes can go a long way.