Can a data-driven, Functional Medicine approach really affect fertility?

I invite you to read Kristen’s story below to find the answer!

In 2017 at the age of 37, Kristen and her husband Ryan began fertility treatments. They started first with IUI, and when that wasn’t successful, moved on to IVF. For years they stayed the course, following the guidance of their well-renowned fertility specialist with only large bills and much disappointment to show for it. Kristen and Ryan had nearly given up on their dream of being parents when she came to see me. Kristen wondered if there were any answers a data-driven, Functional Medicine approach might be able to offer in the fertility conundrum she and her husband were encountering.

Where we began our work…

Kristen and I spent 90 minutes together. Acting as a detective, I learned about her health history, current health, family health history, digestion, energy levels, diet, stress levels, movement and exercise and much more. As I listened, I began to put Kristen’s fertility-puzzle together and to identify missing puzzle pieces we would have to gather through lab work.

Following this first appointment, we sent Kristen to complete a very comprehensive round of blood tests. “I’ve never had so many tests completed – not even in all these years working with my fertility doctor!”

The data showed her body was struggling with a biochemical process known as “methylation”. Healthy methylation is crucial to become pregnant, to maintain pregnancy and to birth a healthy baby. The labs didn’t show precisely why her body was struggling, so I suspected a common genetic mutation, confirmed with a simple swab test. Since we couldn’t change her genes, I ordered a specialty “Methylation Profile” to find actionable answers.

A targeted approach…

The Methylation Profile showed which enzymes weren’t working well and how to support them – like identifying “kinks in a hose.” With this information, I prescribed a customized supplement approach coupled with nutritional interventions and lifestyle, designed to restore healthy methylation and promote fertility.

What came next?

Two months later, we retested. The result? YES!! Kristen’s labs were absolutely beautiful, showing healthy methylation and a body well-prepared for a healthy pregnancy and birth. With our work done, she returned to her fertility specialist.

Then I received an email. The subject? “It worked!” The message: “We had our embryo transfer 10 days ago, and we are pregnant!” Kristen reported she felt great – energized and calm – throughout her pregnancy. And then the most beautiful photo of all arrived: Kristen, husband Ryan and beautiful, healthy son Matthew, leaving the hospital. Kristen and Ryan had realized their dream of becoming parents.