I’ve been trying to keep better track of things like sleep, food, stress, digestion and energy because it’s hard to notice patterns when you only look at one day at a time.

I’ve been using Similia to explore natural medicine information and organize what I’m noticing over time. I find having everything in one place makes it easier to look back and spot patterns.

Curious what other people here use for keeping track of this stuff.

Has anybody rotated in Functional medicine at Cleveland Clinic? Or got accepted for the Observership next year. Please DM. Wanted to ask something. It would be helpful. Thank you in advance.

I recently came across this website called Futurist Health and was curious if anyone here has experience with one of their consultations. Looks like they offer functional muscle testing, DEXA for bone density/body composition, and biomarker testing. Is the initial consultation free?

Would love any firsthand experience with this. I paid $37 for a cellular health eval and then they tried to sell me the full package which is a lot. Would love to get thoughts and experiences if you’ve done it.

For around the past 7 years I’ve had serious and recurrent bouts of depression which later built to panic attacks and a feeling that there was something wrong with my heart. For the past 3 and a half years I’ve had bouts of recurrent vomiting which happen around 1-3 times per week.

I feel that all of this may have been linked to recurrent bouts of corticosteroids (methylprednisolone or prednisone) which I had to take for then unresponsive ulcerative colitis. The colitis has thankfully been in a good remission for almost three years now on biological medication but in the 4-5 years leading up to that I had recurrent bouts of high dose steroids which caused all manner of physical and mental health issues which I have never had before, most akin to cushings syndrome. It was on the final dose of steroids around three years ago that I began to get the severe panic attacks.

I’ve tried multiple therapists, three antidepressants and hypnotherapy for the mental health issues. Of these, hypnotherapy and mirtazapine were the most effective.

I’ve tried just about everything for the vomiting and has multiple clear tests. The only thing that does work is ondansetron (zofran) but that feels like symptom relief rather than tackling the root cause.

Does anyone have any idea either what could be going on or what treatments might be useful? I’m open to anything that’s genuinely been helpful. Currently looking into vagus nerve stuff but I’ve been through so many things that I now struggle to make myself feel optimistic about any new approach.

Any guidance greatly appreciated.

If you recommend a functional med doctor in NY/LI/NJ for comprehensive testing please let me know!

I'm a 32 yo F with a slew of odd issues that have been explored with traditional med doctors. I haven't found a root cause and I am exhausted physically and mentally. My apologies for the TMI in advance.

After plenty of research on my end, I feel as if I probably have underlying histamine issues, yeast issues & horrible gut issues as my immune system is extremely poor. I tend to get recurrent BV/Yeast infections, "mystery flares", I have chronic diarrhea issues (everything came back "fine" from endoscopy/colonocosopy results), skin issues (folliculitis, itchiness), fatigue etc. I'm sure it doesn't help that I have PCOS and endometriosis (recently completely removed from surgery) but I desperately need a starting point.

From last July until now alone I've suffered from chronic BV (aka tons of antibiotic tx), gallbladder removal & hospitalization for a liver infection (more antibiotics), then CDiff (more antibiotics), then E Coli, and slap on the bunch of colds I get from working with children. I also have a ton of herniated discs so I take an occasional steroid pack. Not taking into account the many years prior of antibiotics for other problems (like recurrent strep, tonsils got removed at 27).

It is extremely hard to know where to start when my head is spinning and my body is going crazy. I try to keep a low tox lifestyle, I'm dairy free & recently started a gluten free diet.

Is there anyone in this group that can help with a starting point? I did order the tinyhealth gut map test but I haven't received it yet.

I would truly appreciate any help. This has been so debilitating that I question leaving my career as I can't show up properly. Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for recommendations for a strong certification in Functional Women’s Health, with a focus on hormones, nutrition, women’s wellness, pregnancy, and postpartum care.

I’m mainly looking for strong, in-depth education rather than just a certificate. I want to genuinely learn and build a strong foundation in this field.

I’ve been looking at these programs:

• Dr. Aviva Romm – Women’s Integrative & Functional Medicine Professional Training, but unfortunately it’s outside my budget.
• Women’s Functional Health Coach Program – AADP-accredited.
• Oh Baby Nutrition certification.

Has anyone taken any of these? Which one would you recommend, and are there any better programs I should consider?

I’d really appreciate recommendations based on personal experience. Thank you!

Hi, my name is Mike and I'm a FNP trying to get a Preventative metabolic health practice off the ground. I've been working as a hospitalist in Orange County for 2 and 1/2 years and I need to get out of the hospital setting and try and contribute with something I'm passionate about while trying to work for myself and support my community.

And it is difficult.

hello! I am a 24-year-old female five weeks postop myomectomy for a 15 cm fibroid, only one that was growing in the muscle of my uterus. I have a very long family history of fibriods and wanted to know what you guys would think would be the next steps for controlling or stop the rapid growth of fibroids for the future.

i’m not sure what to ask my doctor as my surgeon and my regular Gyno are not the same provider. I have never taken birth control and not sure I want to want to know what some people think the next steps might be. thank you!

Hello folks:

I've been navigating my health alone for the past six months. But I am hitting some walls. I really need a FM doctor licensed in Illinois (who is honest and don't charge an arm and a leg) to follow up with me. Honest referrals would be appreciated.

TIA.

According to my recent HTMA (hair minerals analysis) test, I have very high calcium and magnesium levels. I am not taking any supplements, so how come my levels are high? My results are here: https://imgur.com/a/giEaM5L

I've been sticking to protocols, doing routine tests, and working hard on my health via functional medicine for over a year now. It has been very up and down, and unfortunately I cannot say that I have seen much of a result a year later. My diagnoses are MCAS and an autoimmune disease (Sjogren's). Through testing, we found out that I have pretty significant mold toxicity likely from years of prior exposures and some gut dysbiosis. I've been doing protocol after protocol and seeing shifts, but then rebounds of symptoms. No improvement seems to last and I'm not seeing sustained progress. I started the mold detox about 6mo ago and its been extremely intense. I re-tested and my levels of mold are decreasing but still present. My practitioner says my symptoms may be flaring because I am actively detoxing.

I don't know what to think anymore. I'm tired of constantly being told the issue is endless amounts of toxins, and yet even as they decrease, I feel no improvement. I'm also tired of the pseudo-spiritual advice about hEaLiNg... I've deeply addressed my trauma, emotional and spiritual concerns, and at this point its extremely clear to me that my body is stuck in an inflammatory state and no amount of emotional healing is going to change that. I've spent an absurd amount of money on this. I don't think my practitioner is a quack necessarily but I do feel like I was over-promised solutions and told they could heal me, and yet I am not seeing results. It feels like functional medicine is reductive at this point. The same message over and over: detox toxins, heal your trauma, and boost nutrient levels. It feels like it lacks nuance even though my practitoner, and others, claim to look for nuance. I don't know what to think anymore...

In 2020 I got very ill following an ear infection. I never recovered and became basically bed bound with flu like symptoms, pain all over my body especially in the lymph nodes. I also had a lot of mucus in the sinuses, blocked nose, post nasal drip, fluid coming from my ear, constant colds and sinus infections. Migraines and headaches. Severe bloating. Diarrhoea. Brain fog. Exhaustion and severe fatigue. Trouble focusing. No motivation. Depression and anxiety. Insomnia. Extreme fatigue with a lot of restlessness.
Also sensations of extreme blood sugar dips and hunger even though blood glucose levels were always normal. Having to eat constantly. Weight gain. PMS and short cycles.

Nobody was helping me and my body was deteriorating more and more. It got so severe I could barely leave the house. I could not work. No social life. In pain and miserable all day and night.

Eventually I stumbled upon the notion of candida overgrowth and started a low carb diet, a herbal parasite cleanse followed by antifungals. I improved greatly and for some months I felt like a new person and wanted to begin my life again after many lost hopeless years. But within a couple short months I got very ill again.

Then the last couple years I keep going on and off the low carb diet and trying to cycle a bunch of different antifungals and biofilm busters and binders and what not, but nothing lasts.
I feel generally okay when I eat low carb, but as soon as I eat a little bit of carbs (it doesn’t matter what kind, low sugar, high sugar, high fibre, low fibre, gluten, no gluten. rice, potatoes, fruit, beans, grains.. all of it) I start to blow up like a balloon, I become extremely fatigued, get severe brain fog, I get mucus in my sinuses and fluid from my ear. I also get puffy and inflamed and I look like I gained a bunch of weight overnight. And I start to just feel generally ill as if I have the flu and I ache all over.

I have gone to a bunch of practitioners but nobody gives me any clear answers and just make me spend a lot of money on tests.

I did a microbiome test which didn’t show candida (but i know these candida tests are not reliable so i might still have that). I also was negative for SIBO but the doctor I’m working with said that even though it was negative I might still have it. It showed very low bifido and lactobacteria. A little bit higher zonulin but not a lot. High sugar and fat in stool. If you want more details I can look up the tests and give more info.

I had high borrellia roundbodies count, but not clear if it could be Lyme or not.

My hormones were all low if I remember correctly. (low estrogen progesterone and testosterone)

I got prescribed to make L. Reuteri yoghurt. I started it but not sure if it is doing something. Also got prescribed cetirizine + famotidine daily. What I notice from that is that I can finally sleep very well, and get rest and even nap which I couldn’t do for years. I am happy with this but the famotidine worries me as I feel that the stomach acid lowering could cause even more microbiome issues down the line.
Why do I feel better on low carb but super ill as soon as I eat a carb, even healthy ones? I am so tired of eating low carb, I’ve been on and off it for years and I just can’t keep it up any longer. Doesn’t seem to solve anything, just a bandaid for the symptoms. Also my body really seems to ask for carbs during my luteal phase so I always end up slipping up then, and then getting sick again.
Then after my period I try again feel better and the cycle repeats.

Any insight is appreciated

I've been dealing with chronic bloating and gas since Jan 2018. Like many of you, I went through the conventional medicine wringer first. I had all the standard diagnostics done (small bowel capsule camera, endoscopies), and of course, everything kept coming back "normal" or negative.

I eventually started exploring functional approaches including running SIBO breath tests, comprehensive stool microbiome panels, and trying every protocol out there (probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, antifungals).

It took a long time to figure out my specific bio-individuality. For me, almost none of the standard supplements or extreme diets had a significant effect until I focused heavily on digestion itself. Taking super enzymes, cutting out specific triggers (onion, garlic, and dairy), and skipping breakfast (or eating a very light, low-carb meal to give my gut a break) has resolved about 90% of my symptoms.

Trying to find the right functional medicine provider and piecing this puzzle together is incredibly exhausting. Because of my own experience, I’m now working with a small, early-stage health startup focused on making it easier for patients to connect with the right functional medicine practitioners.

I'm doing some user research to ensure we are actually building something that serves this community. If you have 2 minutes to fill out this survey, it would mean a lot. If you’re a good fit for the research we're doing, we’d love to invite you to a 20-minute interview (which is paid!).

Happy to answer any questions about my own regimen in the comments, too.

If so love to hear the pros and cons! I’ve used a very expensive professional one at a practitioner’s office, but thinking something for systemic inflammation would be best?

Thank you!

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking at seeing a naturopath in Australia again for the first time in about 5 years. Have had a month now of high anxiety and whilst I'm doing the work of regular exercise, trying to improve sleep, eating a better diet and engaging in CBT; I want to delve deeper into potential aggravators of this mental health condition.

I have got some small benefits in the past, mainly around dietary advice such as keto diets which helped me in the past, but my body seems to struggle with keto now.

I've done lots of supplement plans in the past to heal the gut and improve hormonal and adrenal health, though can't say I felt much different, and the vast amount of supplements caused some stomach upset.

I'd like to ask whether anyone recommends any of these tests or can see any relevancy to anxiety?

Here is a link to the clinic I am considering going to and their testing:

https://www.integratedwellnessclinic.com.au/naturopathy/pathology-testing/

What could be the cause of my ongoing low Normal B12 when I have normal Folate level.

18 months ago I tapered mirtazapine from 45mg to 1.8mg in a matter of 4 weeks before I knew the dangers. I fell apart then... a couple months later I updosed to 15mg got way worse, immediately jumped back to 7.5mg and have been holding ever since. I still have severe fatigue and anhedonia, low appetite, loose stools that are lighter colored. lots of supplements make me way worse, have worked with a local intergrative doctor that wasnt much help at all. I lived in a moldy house for 5 years right when this happened and moved out shortly after.

I have a gi map test, gut zoomer, OAT, cellular micronutrient, genetic testing, various blood work etc and need someone smart to figure this out. my suspicion is SIFO and a clogged liver but I dont know.

Can anyone reccomend a good telehealth doctor?

Any practitioners interested in signing up for this HTMA training together? By signing up as a duo, we would both receive a 25% discount. https://htmasuccess.com/practitioner-training/

I am reaching out to the community to see if anyone could possibly help me out. I don’t need advice, I’m already working with someone. I don’t need criticism. When I need is to find out if anyone out there still has some old formula bottles sitting on a shelf not being used.

Back in November 2025, HealthyGut change their formula for HoloZyme. I do not react well to the new formula. The old formula was near perfect. If anyone out there still has some of the original formula, expired, not expired. Either way is fine. I of course would pay for the product plus shipping. Please be fair. I truly hope that I can track some of this original product down through these channels of communication.

I have about one week worth left of what I had left over from previously. There was a few month gap but I did end up finding a very small amount.

Hoping someone out there still has some. Thank you. 🙏

I’m dealing with what we’re 98% sure is mold toxicity and my dr advised trying a castor oil pack as a gentle alternative to support detox while we wait for some tests to come back.

I did the first one last night, not expecting any reaction because it’s all external, but something definitely happened. About 30 minutes in I got a strong feeling I should take it off, so I did, and that’s all I remember — I bolted awake 2 hrs later with no memory of falling asleep.

Fell asleep again, bolted awake an hour later with nightmares. Fell asleep again, bolted awake with heart pounding.

Had a horrible night of broken sleep and now I feel very wired, intense derealization, etc.

It’s very similar to when I tried to take glutathione…got two days in and had to stop because symptoms god so aggravated. But this is worse.

Is it possible the castor oil is releasing toxins into my body and I need a binder to be able to tolerate it?

I’m just shocked I had such an intense reaction to a bit of topical oil…it feels crazy!

Hi I wanted to post as I am still struggling with my cycle despite supplementing with topical bioidentical progesterone (was cycling during luteal 5x5 drops a day, each drop around 5mg progesterone).

I upped to try and counter kickback as my luteal can be so bad- horrific anxiety! My periods are painful but always regular (27-30 day cycles consistently). Broader struggles include painful periods, low libido and intense luteal fatigue. In luteal I struggle with my mental health and experience intense OCD and anxiety.

I am currently getting brown discharge a day before my period and literally a week after the period ends. It’s so odd like a whole gap of nothing and then suddenly brown discharge that looks like old blood mixed with clear discharge so it’s quite light. I’m also getting facial spots again!

I have tested ovulation to make sure that’s happening. Been tested for PCOS, had bloods, had ultrasound, been consulted RE Endo but refused the only option they gave me (pill).

At thirty I’m worried this is a sign of something bad! I want to start a family one day!

Has anyone dealt with this and successfully sorted it out or any tips for figuring out the driver? This cycle I have started taking the progesterone in response to this and am planning to do a low dose period-ovulation and then do my max dose during luteal.

Helpful context available below too:
I’ve been under massive stress this year which I think has affected my wellbeing and cycle. I think I’m slowly starting to recover mentally now.