What happens at your first functional medicine appointment?
Your first functional medicine appointment explores your full health story, connects symptoms and develops a personalised plan with health coaching.
- Updated
- 3 min read
- By Charmaine Shepherd, IFM Certified Practitioner
Your first appointment gives us time to explore why you are struggling and how your symptoms connect. We review your history and results, discuss appropriate testing and create a practical plan. The £354 initial consultation includes a 75-minute appointment, a separate 60-minute health coaching session, a written report and two email check-ins.
You do not need to arrive with all the answers. You may have several diagnoses, a folder of normal results or symptoms you have struggled to explain. Our first task is to make sense of that together.
Step 1: a free discovery call
We begin with a free call of up to 20 minutes. You tell me what has been happening and what you hope to change. I explain how I work and whether this approach is a good fit for your needs.
Step 2: your intake form
The detailed form helps me understand your health before we meet. Allow around 90 to 120 minutes, with breaks if needed, and aim to return it at least two days beforehand.
It covers your symptoms, medical and family history, medicines, supplements, diet, digestion, sleep and significant events in your life. Those details often reveal connections that shorter appointments cannot explore.
Upload previous results and letters, including the actual numbers and laboratory ranges where possible.
Step 3: the initial consultation (75 minutes)
We meet in Edinburgh or online and work through your story together.
| What we cover | What it helps us understand |
|---|---|
| Your health timeline | When symptoms began and what changed around that time |
| Connections between symptoms | How digestion, hormones, immunity, energy and nervous system function may interact |
| Previous investigations | What has been assessed, what the trends show and what remains unexplored |
| Everyday life | The practical demands affecting meals, sleep, movement and recovery |
| Your priorities | Which changes would make the greatest difference to you |
I explain the patterns I see and distinguish what we know from what needs further investigation.
Step 4: testing, if it’s needed
Testing can make a plan more specific. Options may include fuller blood panels, stool testing, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath testing, urinary hormone metabolites or metabolic testing such as Metabolomix. Cardiovascular assessment may include carotid ultrasound where appropriate.
For sex hormone questions, I often find metabolite testing useful for exploring hormone processing. Blood tests remain important for thyroid function and other diagnostic questions.
We agree the purpose and cost before ordering. Tests are charged separately, and existing NHS results may already answer some questions.
Step 5: health coaching (60 minutes)
Your health coach helps translate the plan into changes that fit your life. That might mean building better meals, finding a manageable sleep routine or working around fatigue and family commitments.
Step 6: your report and plan
You receive a written account of the assessment and your Functional Medicine Prescription. This may include nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine and supplements where appropriate, with clear priorities and two email check-ins for questions.
What happens after the first appointment?
Follow-ups allow us to review results, assess progress and adjust your plan. They last 50 minutes and cost £264. The Wellness Package includes the initial consultation and coaching plus three follow-ups for £899, saving £247 compared with individual bookings.
What should I bring?
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Recent results, scans and relevant letters.
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Your medicines and supplements, with doses.
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Your completed intake form.
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Questions and a note of what you most want to improve.
Common questions
How long is the first functional medicine appointment?
The consultation lasts 75 minutes, with a separate 60-minute coaching session. Completing the intake form beforehand helps us use that time well.
How much does the first appointment cost?
£354, including coaching, your report and two email check-ins. Testing is additional and agreed in advance.
Can I have my first appointment online?
Yes. We can review your history and results by video, and many samples can be collected at home. Hands-on treatments require a clinic visit.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly. With your consent, I can share relevant findings with your medical team.
Ready to explore your health in more depth? Book a free discovery call.
Sources
Ferritin “normal” but still exhausted? How to read your iron results
Normal vs optimal: 5 blood test ranges explained
Why am I always tired? 10 causes a standard blood test can miss
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for personal medical advice. Please don't start or stop any medication without speaking to your GP or prescriber.