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How I Work Functional Medicine: Clinical Principles of Functional Medicine

by | Jul 20, 2025 | DUTCH Test, Hormone Health | 0 comments

More and more people are turning to functional medicine — not just because it’s popular, but because they want real answers. People are more informed than ever. They’re asking questions, doing their research, and realising that the way to feel better isn’t to chase symptoms — it’s to find the root cause.

When you’ve been living with symptoms for years, having someone who can finally connect the dots can be life-changing.

How I Work Functional Medicine

I want to share how I work, who I support, and why this approach helps the women I see feel better.

I Don’t Treat Everything at Once

It’s common to want to fix everything straight away — every symptom, every lab result, every imbalance. But that rarely works. In fact, it often makes things feel more confusing and overwhelming.

I do things differently. I gather the full picture — your health history, symptoms, lifestyle, and lab results. Then I prioritise what matters most.

I ask:

  • What’s driving most of these symptoms?
  • Where can we start to create the biggest shift?
  • What’s the simplest first step that supports your whole system?

Less Is More — When It’s the Right Thing

You don’t need 15 supplements and another restrictive diet.

I’ve had many clients come to me after seeing someone else who gave them 10 different supplements to take — all at once. They often say it was too much, they couldn’t follow through, or it just made them feel worse.

And I’m not surprised. If your liver is sluggish, if you’re not eating enough, or you tend to have small meals, your body might not cope well with a long list of pills. It can feel overwhelming and discouraging.

I also know practitioners who run loads of tests and recommend 15 different things, keeping their fingers crossed that something will work. That’s not a good approach — and it’s not what I do.

I focus on what actually moves the needle:

  • nutrition
  • targeted supplements (only when needed)
  • lifestyle habits
  • functional testing or referrals, but only if they make sense

It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things, at the right time. I help you quiet the noise and focus on what your body can actually take in and respond to.

Everyone Moves at Their Own Pace — and That Matters

Over the years, I’ve worked with all kinds of clients.
Some people are all in from the start. They’re ready, take action quickly, and follow through consistently. Others need more time. They go gently, I teach them how to build habits step by step, and make changes in a way that feels manageable.

And some people aren’t quite ready yet. They might show up for a consultation but feel stuck when it comes to following through. Sometimes they don’t see how certain things — like stress, alcohol, or sleep — are affecting their symptoms. That’s okay too. I’ve seen it all, and I believe there’s always a reason for where someone is on their journey.

I get it — I’ve been there myself.

I’m not someone who sticks to a perfect supplement routine either. I focus on the core habits that genuinely support me: sleep, strength training, nourishing food, and rest. I use targeted supplements when I feel I need extra help — especially for focus or sleep.

Lifestyle First — Then the Rest

This is what I always come back to — for myself and for my clients:

Lifestyle first. Diet, sleep, movement. Then supplements — when needed, not just for the sake of it.

Let’s not forget — I’ve been working on my health for many years. I’m now in a place where I don’t need a lot of support. I’m 46, I feel strong, and I know what helps me stay well. That didn’t happen overnight — but it’s possible.

The goal isn’t to rely on a long list of supplements forever. It’s to build a solid foundation and support your body in a way that feels clear, realistic, and long term.

For some women — especially if things feel really out of balance — starting with supplements can help. It can give your body a nudge so that the bigger changes feel easier. Everyone’s story is different, and I always tailor the plan to reflect that.

The most important thing is that your plan feels realistic for you. Functional medicine isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress, and understanding what really works for your body.

Who I Work With

Women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s:

The women I work with are often tired, wired, and fed up. Their hormones feel off, they’re not sleeping well, they can’t focus like they used to, and they don’t feel like themselves.

A lot of them have already tried eating better or taking supplements, but nothing’s really helped — or it felt too complicated to stick with.

What they need is someone to look at the full picture, explain what’s actually going on, and give them a plan they can follow.

That’s what I do. We focus on what matters most and take it one step at a time — with the goal of feeling better, thinking clearer, and having more energy again.

Women in their 20s:

I also support younger women coming off birth control, navigating irregular or missing periods, or wanting to better understand their hormone health. Whether you’re trying to improve skin, get your cycle back on track, or just feel more balanced, this work can be a game-changer.

Practitioners and clinicians:

Alongside client work, I also help practitioners interpret DUTCH hormone test results. Some simply don’t have the time to go through it all, while others are looking to deepen their understanding of hormone patterns and practical next steps.

I support practitioners by:

  • Interpreting DUTCH results clearly and clinically
  • Linking symptoms with what the test is actually showing
  • Suggesting realistic, impactful actions they can use with confidence

This helps them deliver better care — without the overwhelm.

Re-evaluation Is Where Progress Happens

One of the most overlooked parts of functional medicine is re-evaluation.

I don’t just hand over a plan and disappear. As your body responds and things shift, your needs change. That’s why we check in, tweak the plan, and keep moving forward.

It’s not about fixing everything in one go. It’s about staying consistent, adjusting when needed, and moving forward at a pace that works for you

The Difference Experience Makes

Inexperienced practitioners often see 20 symptoms and come up with 20 different strategies. But true progress comes from recognising patterns, understanding physiology, and starting in the right place.

I don’t use ready-made protocols. I keep things simple and tailored to you — it’s not a generic plan anyone could follow. In all my years of practice, I’ve never used the same protocol twice. Even when women come in with similar symptoms, the root cause is often different. The body works like a web — and when you pull on the right part, the rest starts to shift.

If you’re dealing with hormone symptoms, feeling off-balance, or a practitioner who wants help interpreting DUTCH results, I’d love to hear from you.

You may also like: Beyond Quick Fixes: A Functional Medicine Approach That Lasts

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I´m Iwona

Everything I share here comes from my clinical experience and the women I work with.
It’s for anyone looking for calm, honest guidance on hormones, health, and the root causes behind their symptoms.

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