Functional Medicine Informed Consent
This Informed Consent describes the nature of functional and integrative medicine as practiced at Lipedema Warrior Clinic and asks you to acknowledge that you understand and consent to this approach. Please read it carefully and ask questions.
1. What Functional Medicine Is
Functional medicine is a systems-based, patient-centered approach to healthcare that seeks to identify and address the underlying root causes of illness rather than focus solely on symptom suppression. It uses tools from conventional medicine (history, physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging, FDA-approved medications) along with tools from integrative and lifestyle medicine (advanced functional laboratory testing, nutrition, sleep, stress, environment, movement, supplements, peptides where appropriate, hormone optimization where appropriate, and targeted use of medications, including off-label use).
2. What Functional Medicine Is Not
• It is not a substitute for emergency care, hospital-based care, or specialty care (cardiology, oncology, surgery, etc.) when those are indicated.
• It is not a replacement for FDA-approved medications when those are clinically necessary.
• It is not a guarantee of cure, remission, or specific outcomes.
• It is not an alternative to following the recommendations of your other treating physicians.
3. Functional Laboratory Testing
Functional medicine often uses laboratory tests beyond those typically ordered in conventional care—for example, advanced micronutrient panels, comprehensive stool testing, food sensitivity testing, organic acid testing, expanded hormone panels, methylation and detoxification markers, mycotoxin testing, heavy-metal testing, and similar specialty tests. You should understand:
• Reference ranges used in functional testing may differ from standard laboratory reference ranges. "Optimal" or "functional" ranges are tighter and may flag values that conventional labs would call normal.
• Some of these tests have limited validation, variable sensitivity and specificity, and are not generally accepted in conventional medicine.
• Most functional laboratory tests are NOT covered by insurance and are billed directly to you.
• A finding on a functional test is not, by itself, a diagnosis. Results are interpreted in the context of your full clinical picture.
4. Treatments and Interventions
Recommendations may include dietary changes, sleep and stress interventions, exercise and movement, supplements, peptides, hormones, prescription medications (including off-label use), IV or injectable therapies, environmental modifications, and referrals to other providers. Some of these interventions have strong evidence; others are supported primarily by mechanistic reasoning and clinical experience. Your provider will discuss the evidence base, potential benefits, potential risks, and reasonable alternatives for each significant recommendation.
5. Lipedema-Specific Considerations
Lipedema is a chronic, often progressive condition. Functional and integrative approaches at the Clinic are intended to support overall metabolic, inflammatory, lymphatic, and connective tissue health, manage symptoms, and complement other lipedema-directed care (such as compression, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and where appropriate, surgical interventions provided by surgeons elsewhere). Functional medicine is not a cure for lipedema and does not replace surgical evaluation or treatment when indicated.
6. Risks of a Functional Medicine Approach
• Findings on advanced testing may lead to interventions whose benefit is not fully proven.
• Costs (testing, supplements, peptides, time) can be substantial.
• Lifestyle changes can be difficult to sustain and may cause frustration.
• Conflicts with other providers' recommendations may arise; you are responsible for sharing information with your other treating clinicians.
• Symptoms attributed to root causes may have additional or different explanations; reassessment over time is essential.
• Specific interventions carry their own risks, described in product- or therapy-specific consents.
7. Patient Responsibilities
• Share complete, accurate health history, current medications, supplements, and prior testing.
• Continue to see your primary care provider and specialists for issues outside the scope of the Clinic's care.
• Notify the Clinic of significant changes, new diagnoses, hospitalizations, or new medications.
• Follow-up and adhere to the plan as agreed; if you cannot, tell the Clinic so the plan can be adjusted.
• Make informed decisions about which recommendations to pursue; you may decline any recommendation at any time.
8. Alternatives
Alternatives to functional medicine include continued care with conventional providers, no treatment, other integrative approaches, and care from another functional medicine practice.
9. No Guarantee
The Clinic makes no warranty, express or implied, about the results of functional medicine evaluation or treatment. Outcomes vary.
10. Financial
Functional medicine evaluations, follow-ups, advanced testing, and many recommended interventions are largely not covered by insurance and are billed directly to you. See the Financial Policy and Cancellation & Refund Policy.