Why Functional Medicine is not a Good Fit for Me

Although I strongly considered training in functional medicine, I decided it was not a good fit and here is why:

1. Training consisted of a series of weekend courses each costing $3500+. Total training was over $20K.

2. They said I would be an expert in fields that typically take YEARS to master after a weekend course… NOPE.

3. When I dug into specific related to my area (allergy/immunology) I found science that was categorically wrong.

4. I questioned the emphasis on these tests and supplements…I mean it does set them apart from “conventional medicine” and the ideas behind the testing at the surface seemed pretty novel, cutting edge and frankly, COOL AF BUT they also make for a great way to increase your profit margin. Did you know that most labs and supplements provide around 30-50% kickback to the ordering provider?

5. Anyone with any type of medical background could become a certified functional medicine provider as long as you paid the fees… The premise is GREAT. Treating the root cause. YES. Taking a holistic approach. YES. But there is also A LOT of money to be made on people’s suffering.

#lifestylemedicine #functionalmedicine #drkarawada #shorts

[vabeachwellness]

Im an FM doc. Good FM docs do not over test or over supplement. Also we only make 10-20% markup on labs and 30-40% on supplements… fyi majority of our revenue comes from consult fees AND we do lots of marketing to combat negative press and false narratives such as this that demonize the practice

[socialservice]

Functional medicine saved my life. Anyone who disapproves can mind their own business. I am a 27 year old Rheumatoid Arthritis survivor who is in sustained remission and not on any meds for three years, all thanks to Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Brooke Goldner, Dr. Susan Blum, Dr. Terry Wahls and so on.. . 😄

[joshuadc]

As if doctors aren't getting paid by drug companies to prescribe the drugs with active patents? Give me a break.

[jessicapikul]

It’s not like other doctors and medical professionals don’t get payment or promotions from big pharma in modern medicine….oh wait, they do….lol😂

[chrishayes]

Profit isn't inherently evil. If you're providing value you deserve compensation through commission or otherwise.

[kenshofalco]

If insurance companies paid for Functional doctor visits they wouldn't need to earn an income from supplements and services. I bet you haven't really helped anyone.

[rondepewwoodworking]

After several years of seeing “specialists) cardiologists & neurologists I literally got no answers. After some testing with an IFM certified MD I got answers and within a couple of months some symptoms begin to completely stop and now I’m on the road to healing.

[jez-bird]

I am a functional medicine practitioner, and I don't receive any commission for tests or supplements. But its a part of a practice. Pharmacists make money off selling drugs. Doctors charge for their proceedures etc.

[Plutogirl]

If insurance companies would acknowledge the science they wouldn’t need to but how exactly do you expect them to exist by treating you pro-bono? What about how much the insurance companies steal from you and the provider doing the work on a daily? Be fair…

[kenshofalco]

Functional medicine saved my life. How many lives have you saved?

[Honeycomblife]

I suspected that cuz she kept recommending supplements from the same company... instead of helping me she just kept adding more to the equation and I was already struggling dealing with the current treatment plan

[jennifermurphy]

Why would you care if the doctor gets commission or not??? Every doctor gets some kind of kickback. They also make commission of supplements and medications sometimes. That’s just the way it goes with most doctors even western medicine doctors. I used to work for a general surgeon and she made money off a lot of things. That’s just the way it goes. They’re there to help you heal. Thank God for Naturopaths and functional medicine! I’m a breast cancer survivor and a functional medicine doctor helped me help get through the torture from the chemo and radiation! Thank you Jesus! They’re truly a blessing!! #so grateful 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[hummingbirdhillhomestead]

What people should have known yesterday is that the only tests, medications, diagnoses, that can be approved by western medical practitioners are the ones preapproved by the insurance companies that pay them.

[CGhee]

Well I need to have a talk with my girlfriend. Because we are not seeing any of this money. She must be forgetting to cash all those checks while saving people's lives.

[Aurora]

I can't read the info. It is covered up by your name and the subscribe button. And it looks blurry....

[alexislane]

Yeah because medical professionals never get kickbacks, commissions, and vacation packages from pharmaceutical companies. My whole family worked in that dirty dirty industry, shame

[mimihernandez]

I don't understand why you consider this a problem🤔. They research and purchase the supplements they recommend for your health and wellness. They have to make a profit like any business in order to survive. Do you realize how much money big pharma is making from your illnesses!!??

[robwilhoit]

I don’t trust you…Do you know this? I knew this right away…

[ds]

Tricare health insurance pays to have your blood work done %100 for a functional medicine doctor, it’s done through a separate lab so the doctor receives nothing other than the lab results. This woman is spreading false information and lessons her credibility.

[TheWelchCrew]

Rather they get paid for ordering the right tests and selling the right supplements. This sounds ignorant to me.