Quick answer: A functional medicine evaluation is a multi-step workup that combines a detailed health history, a physical exam, and lab testing to look for the underlying dysfunction behind chronic symptoms, rather than stopping at a diagnosis. At Dr. Harrison’s Center of Functional Medicine in Westminster, CO, it runs in four steps, from a free 15-minute discovery call to a personalized Clinical Master Plan, and it works alongside the care you already get from your medical providers.
How is a functional medicine evaluation different from a routine medical visit?
Conventional medicine and functional medicine usually ask different questions. A routine medical visit is built to identify a diagnosis and match it to a standard treatment, and it is the right place for acute illness, emergencies, and medication management. A functional medicine evaluation is built for people with chronic, unexplained, or persistent symptoms, and asks what imbalances in the body may be contributing to them.
Neither replaces the other. The table below compares the two approaches as they are typically used, not as a judgment on any individual provider.
| Question | Routine medical visit | Functional medicine evaluation at our clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Identify a diagnosis and the standard treatment for it | Understand the underlying dysfunction behind chronic symptoms |
| Best suited for | Acute illness, injuries, emergencies, diagnosis, prescriptions | Chronic or unexplained symptoms that have not resolved |
| How it starts | An appointment for a specific complaint | A free 15-minute discovery call to see whether the approach is a good fit |
| Health history | Focused on the current complaint | A full virtual history session covering past labs, intake forms, goals, and care you have already tried |
| Physical exam | Based on the complaint | A non-invasive, problem-focused exam in person |
| Lab testing | Tests chosen to confirm or rule out a diagnosis | Functional lab testing chosen to fill in the picture, reviewed together with history and exam |
| What you leave with | A diagnosis, a prescription, or a referral | A Clinical Master Plan built on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted support |
| Medications | Prescribed and managed by your medical provider | Not prescribed or changed here; medication decisions stay with your prescribing doctor |
For a broader look at choosing a provider, see how to choose a functional medicine doctor in Colorado.
What are the four steps of the evaluation?
Dr. Harrison’s Center of Functional Medicine follows the same outline with every new patient. It is described in full on our Our Unique Approach page.
| Step | Format | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Free Discovery Call | 15-minute call | You talk through your health goals and what brought you in, hear how the clinic works, and decide together whether moving forward is a good fit. |
| 2. Virtual Discovery Session | Virtual appointment | A comprehensive medical history visit: your detailed history, previous labs, intake forms, goals, and the care paths you have already tried. |
| 3. In-Person Investigation | In-person appointment | A non-invasive, problem-focused physical exam, and a decision on whether additional lab testing is needed. |
| 4. Lab Review and Clinical Master Plan | Review visit | All findings are reviewed together. You hear what is happening, what needs to be done, how long it is expected to take, and what each side is responsible for. |
At the end of step 2, you and Dr. Harrison decide together whether to continue. Dr. Harrison only takes on patients he is confident he can help, which is why fit is checked more than once.
What kind of lab testing is part of the evaluation?
Testing is chosen for your situation, not run as one fixed panel. Depending on your symptoms and history, it may include expanded thyroid testing with antibodies, blood sugar and nutrient markers, stress and sex hormone testing, comprehensive stool testing, and food sensitivity testing. If you already have recent labs, bring them to the virtual session.
To see what specific panels look at, read what a complete thyroid and hormone panel includes and our guide to comprehensive stool testing.
What happens after the evaluation?
Your Clinical Master Plan is built around what the evaluation found. Care at our clinic is organized around six pillars of health: physical fitness, nervous system balance, detoxification, hormonal health, emotional well-being, and nutrition. Plans focus on diet, nutrition, and lifestyle changes made in small, manageable steps, with education on why each step matters.
Progress is tracked through follow-up appointments and follow-up lab tests, and the plan is adjusted when needed. If outside expertise is needed, which is uncommon, Dr. Harrison collaborates with specialists. Read more on how we are different.
Who performs the evaluation?
Every evaluation is led by Dr. Glenn Harrison, DC, a Doctor of Chiropractic with more than 10 years focused exclusively on chronic illness. He holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Northwestern Health Sciences University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba, with postgraduate training in functional neurology, functional endocrinology, functional blood chemistry, and clinical nutrition. Learn more about Dr. Harrison.
Does functional medicine replace my regular doctor?
No. The program works in conjunction with your primary doctor. Dr. Harrison does not prescribe medication and does not advise you to stop any medication; those decisions stay between you and your prescribing doctor.
When to get medical care first: functional medicine is not emergency or urgent care. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, severe bleeding, or another emergency, call 911. For new, severe, or rapidly worsening symptoms, contact your medical doctor promptly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a functional medicine evaluation take?
The evaluation is spread over four steps rather than one visit: a free 15-minute discovery call, a virtual history session, an in-person exam, and a lab review where your Clinical Master Plan is presented. The overall timeline depends on which lab tests are needed and how quickly results come back. At the final review, you are told how long the plan is expected to take.
Can I do a functional medicine evaluation by telehealth?
Partly. The discovery call and the discovery session happen virtually, and video consultations are available. Step 3 is an in-person, problem-focused exam at our Westminster, CO office. For people outside Colorado or outside the country, acceptance into the remote program is decided case by case, based on location, health history, and whether an in-person exam is needed.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring any recent lab work, a list of your current medications and supplements, and notes on what you have already tried for your symptoms. The virtual discovery session reviews your detailed history, previous labs, and intake forms, so having these ready helps Dr. Harrison understand your situation and decide whether more testing is needed.
Is Dr. Harrison a medical doctor?
No. Dr. Glenn Harrison is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) who has focused on functional medicine and chronic illness for more than 10 years. He does not prescribe medication, and he works alongside your primary care doctor and specialists rather than replacing them. Medication questions always go to the doctor who prescribed it.
How do I get started?
Every new patient starts with a free 15-minute discovery call, so you can ask questions and find out whether the approach is a good fit before committing to anything. Book your free discovery call or call 720-449-6217. The office is at 9035 Wadsworth Pkwy #3300, Westminster, CO 80021, open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm.