Can functional medicine work alongside my GP and NHS treatment?

The short answer

Yes. You can benefit from medical treatment and a functional medicine assessment at the same time. I explore the contributors to your symptoms, review existing results and develop a personalised plan. With your consent, relevant findings can be shared with your GP or specialist, and medication changes are coordinated with your prescriber.

You may be receiving good treatment for a diagnosed condition and still want help with fatigue, digestion, sleep or the factors affecting your longer-term health.

That is a common starting point in my clinic. A functional medicine assessment gives us time to explore those questions and turn them into practical action.

How do functional medicine and the NHS fit together?

Both can contribute to your care. Medical diagnosis, appropriate treatment and specialist investigation remain important, while a detailed functional assessment can help connect symptoms and support daily health.

Area of care	How we work together
Investigations	I review existing results and identify questions that remain unanswered
Medicines	We consider effects and interactions; your prescriber manages changes
Nutrition and lifestyle	I develop an individual plan, with coaching to help implement it
Significant findings	With consent, I share a clear summary for medical review
Prevention	We assess modifiable metabolic, vascular and lifestyle risks

What does that look like in practice?

For someone with Hashimoto’s, it may mean thyroid treatment alongside assessment of iron status, digestion and other contributors to fatigue.

For someone with raised cardiovascular risk, it may mean lipid-lowering treatment alongside a plan for blood sugar, blood pressure, nutrition and movement.

For someone with inflammatory bowel disease, nutritional support can complement their specialist treatment, with attention to absorption and interactions.

I review your medicines and supplements together. If your health improves enough to consider changing treatment, that is a planned discussion with your prescriber, supported by appropriate monitoring.

Should I tell my GP I’m seeing a functional medicine practitioner?

Yes. Keeping your clinicians informed helps them interpret results and check interactions. You can share your plan, including supplement names and doses, and I can provide a summary with your consent.

What if my GP is sceptical?

The most productive discussion usually centres on a specific finding or question. For example, a nutrient deficiency, a pattern in thyroid results or symptoms suggesting sleep apnoea.

I aim to make reports clear about what a result shows, what it might mean and what action we are considering. Different perspectives can still contribute to a useful plan for you.

Keeping your care coordinated

We agree who is responsible for each part of your care. I discuss when a finding needs further medical investigation, check supplements against prescribed treatment and encourage you to continue relevant screening and follow-up.

Call 999 for suspected heart attack or stroke, severe breathlessness or life-threatening bleeding.

Common questions

Do I have to stop my medication to try functional medicine?

No. Continue prescribed treatment. If a change becomes appropriate, we coordinate it with the prescriber and agree monitoring.

Can functional medicine help while I’m having NHS treatment?

It can provide additional support with nutrition, sleep, digestion and daily function. During complex treatment, including cancer care, recommendations need coordination with your treating team.

Will you write to my GP?

With your consent, I can share relevant findings or explain investigations that may be worth considering.

Can my GP order functional tests?

Many conventional investigations are available through the NHS when clinically indicated. Specialist functional panels are generally arranged privately.

Want a more connected approach to your care? Book a free discovery call.