A test may be reasonable when
- there is a defined clinical question;
- the result could change treatment, monitoring or referral;
- the method is suitable for the question;
- you understand the possible findings and next steps.
Doctor-led functional medicine in London
Functional medicine, with time to listen.
One doctor reviews your symptoms, history, medicines and previous results, then agrees a clear next step with you.
GMC 6092503Doctor-led assessment
London and onlineAppointments for UK patients and people overseas
Care stays connectedConventional treatment remains part of the plan
What functional medicine means here
Functional medicine at Dr Stavy's practice is a doctor-led way of reviewing persistent or complex health concerns in context. It brings your symptoms, medical history, medicines, previous results, sleep, nutrition and priorities into one assessment. It works alongside conventional medicine. Tests are considered only when they may change what happens next.
Functional medicine does not describe one test or one treatment. In this practice, it describes how Dr Stavy organises the clinical picture. The aim is to understand what has already been checked, identify important gaps and agree realistic priorities without assuming that every symptom has one hidden cause.
You may find this approach useful when several concerns overlap, previous appointments have felt fragmented, or you need more time to understand your options. It does not remove the need for your NHS GP, hospital team, mental health service or another specialist.
Reasons people ask for this kind of assessment
Symptoms can overlap and have more than one contributor. These examples are starting points for assessment, not diagnoses.
You do not need to arrive with a theory about what is wrong. Bring the pattern as you experience it: when it began, what changes it, what has already been investigated and what worries you most.
- Persistent fatigue or low energyIncluding poor recovery, brain fog or symptoms that affect daily life.
- Digestive concernsSuch as bloating, reflux, bowel changes or uncertainty about food.
- Sleep, stress and moodReviewed with appropriate mental health and medical support where needed.
- Hormone or thyroid concernsIncluding symptoms around menopause, cycles, thyroid health or men's health.
- Metabolic and cardiovascular riskWeight, glucose, blood pressure, lipids and related risk factors considered together.
- Several long-term symptomsWhen care feels divided between appointments and you need a joined-up review.
From our practice
A test should earn its place in your plan.
Tests only help when they answer a useful clinical question. Treatment should have a clear reason. When conventional or specialist care is the right route, that remains part of the plan.
Dr Stavy reviews the information you already have before suggesting more. If a test is considered, you should know which question it may answer, what the result could change and what it will cost before you decide.
An uncertain or abnormal result does not speak for itself. A doctor must read it alongside your symptoms, examination, medicines and established clinical guidance. Sometimes the safest decision is to use a standard investigation, ask your GP or refer to a specialist.
Read about the testing approachWhat to expect from your consultation
The first appointment creates a usable clinical picture. You should leave knowing what matters first, what remains uncertain and what happens next.
See consultation fees-
Before the appointment
Gather your medicine and supplement list, relevant letters, recent results and a short timeline of your main concerns. You do not need to organise a complete medical file.
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During the consultation
Dr Stavy asks about the symptom pattern, medical and family history, medicines, sleep, nutrition, movement, stress and your priorities. She also looks for symptoms that need conventional investigation or urgent care.
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Your first plan
You agree the next steps in plain language. These may include reviewing existing treatment, standard investigations, a targeted test, a referral or a small number of changes that can be measured.
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Follow-up
Follow-up is based on the question being answered, the treatment being monitored and how you are responding. The plan can be simplified, adjusted or stopped when the evidence does not support continuing.
Testing is discussed, not assumed
More data does not always produce a better decision. Diagnostic testing can find useful information, but it can also produce incidental, unclear or misleading results.
It may be better to pause when
- a broad panel has no clear purpose;
- an existing result already answers the question;
- the finding would not change the plan;
- the test lacks adequate validation or useful reference standards.
A systematic review of diagnostic testing across healthcare found substantial variation and overuse. The practical lesson is simple: decide what a result would change before ordering the test.3 You can ask the practice a question about your consultation.
What the evidence can and cannot tell us
Research on functional medicine as a complete model of care remains limited. One retrospective cohort study reported a small association with better patient-reported physical health at six months. The study could not show that the care model caused the difference, and the longer-term comparison was less consistent.1
A 2024 trial tested health coaching during an elimination diet. Both groups improved, but the main analysis found no overall difference between them. A subgroup with more symptoms at the start appeared to benefit, which needs confirmation in other patients.2
These studies do not prove that functional medicine treats every chronic condition or that broad testing can find a single cause. Each part of a plan should stand on its own evidence, safety, likely benefit and relevance to you.
Is this the right appointment for you?
It may suit you if
- you have persistent or overlapping concerns that need a structured review;
- you want time to understand previous results and current treatment;
- you are comfortable discussing benefits, limits and uncertainty;
- you want care that can work alongside your GP or specialist.
Another service should come first if
- you have new, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms;
- you need emergency assessment or same-day urgent care;
- you want to replace essential specialist, cancer or mental health treatment;
- you expect a guaranteed diagnosis, result or cure.
Urgent symptoms need urgent care.
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. If you need help now but are unsure where to go, use NHS 111 online or call 111. Do not wait for a private functional medicine appointment.
Clear from the beginning
You decide before anything is ordered
Functional medicine consultations start from £200. Laboratory tests are charged separately. If a test is considered, Dr Stavy explains why, what it may change and the cost before you decide. There are no automatic test packages.
- Initial consultation
- From £200
- Follow-up
- Planned around the clinical question
- Testing
- Agreed separately before ordering
- Online care
- Available where clinically appropriate
Questions before you book
A functional medicine consultation should start with clear expectations. These answers cover the questions that matter most before an appointment.
Request an appointmentEvidence for functional medicine as a complete model is limited. Some parts of care, such as condition-specific treatment, sleep support, nutrition or exercise, have their own evidence. Dr Stavy considers each recommendation separately and explains where evidence is uncertain.
Not necessarily. Dr Stavy reviews your history, existing results and current treatment first. A test is considered only when it may answer a defined question or change the next step. Its purpose, limitations and cost are discussed before it is ordered.
No. Keep taking prescribed medicines unless the clinician responsible for them advises a change. Bring an accurate medicine and supplement list to your appointment. Dr Stavy can review possible conflicts and discuss any suggested change with you and, where needed, your usual prescriber.
Online consultations are available for many concerns in the UK and for people overseas. Some symptoms need a physical examination, local testing or urgent assessment. Dr Stavy will explain when remote care is suitable and when you need an in-person clinician.
Follow-up depends on the clinical question, any treatment that needs monitoring and how your symptoms change. Dr Stavy should explain the reason for another appointment, what will be reviewed and whether your GP or a specialist should take over part of the plan.
Bring your current medicine and supplement list, recent results, relevant clinic letters and a short timeline of your main symptoms. Include what has helped, what has not and your main concern. Do not delay booking because you cannot find every record.
No. Functional medicine at this practice works alongside conventional care. Keep attending NHS and specialist appointments and follow urgent advice. With your permission, relevant information can be shared so that recommendations do not conflict and responsibility for monitoring remains clear.
Evidence and guidance used for this page
The research below informs the limits, testing policy and shared decision-making described above.
- Beidelschies M, et al. Association of the Functional Medicine Model of Care With Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes. JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(10):e1914017. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14017
- D'Adamo CR, et al. Functional medicine health coaching improved elimination diet compliance and patient-reported health outcomes: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2024;103:e37148. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037148 2024 correction.
- Müskens JLJM, et al. Overuse of diagnostic testing in healthcare: a systematic review. BMJ Quality & Safety. 2022;31:54-63. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2020-012576
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Shared decision making: recommendations. NG197. Published 2021.
- General Medical Council. Decision making and consent. Updated 2024.
Start with a proper medical conversation.
Book a functional medicine consultation with Dr Stavy in London or online. You can also learn more about Dr Stavy's medical background before deciding.