Frequently Asked Questions
Any additional questions can be directed to hello@avlfunctionalmed.com
Is Asheville Functional Medicine a virtual practice? Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Asheville Functional Medicine is a fully virtual practice. All appointments with Dr. Erin are conducted via telehealth. There is no in-person office to visit. This means you can access functional medicine care from the comfort of your home, without commuting or waiting rooms. Based in Asheville, NC and available via telehealth. If you have questions about your location, contact me at hello@avlfunctionalmed.com.
What conditions does Dr. Erin treat?
Dr. Erin works with patients dealing with gut health disorders (IBS, SIBO, constipation, diarrhea), autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, mold and mycotoxin-related illness, chronic infections, and hormone imbalances. She also addresses conditions that are not classified as autoimmune but are immune-mediated, such as eczema. Dr. Erin also sees pediatric patients for gut health concerns.
Is Dr. Erin my primary care physician?
No. Dr. Erin does not replace your primary care physician. Functional medicine works best alongside conventional care. Your primary care doctor handles acute illness, urgent concerns, and routine screenings, while Dr. Erin focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of your chronic symptoms. Many patients find that the two approaches complement each other well.
Is Dr. Erin's approach evidence-based?
Yes. The approach at Asheville Functional Medicine is grounded in science. Functional medicine draws from peer-reviewed research in areas like nutritional biochemistry, immunology, endocrinology, and gut health to identify the root causes of chronic disease.
Rather than matching a symptom to a drug, Dr. Erin asks why the symptom is there in the first place and uses that understanding to build a personalized plan using natural and emerging therapeutic approaches, without pharmaceuticals or surgery.
Does Asheville Functional Medicine accept insurance?
Asheville Functional Medicine is a cash-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Many patients find that the comprehensive, root-cause approach reduces long-term healthcare costs by addressing the underlying issue rather than managing symptoms indefinitely. HSA and FSA payments are accepted. Contact me at hello@avlfunctionalmed.com for current pricing.
Does Dr. Erin work with children?
Yes. Dr. Erin sees pediatric patients for gut health, skin health, and behavioral concerns. If you are unsure whether your child's situation is a good fit, book a free 15-minute health strategy session and we can discuss it together.
What is functional medicine and how is it different from conventional medicine?
Functional medicine is a root-cause approach to health that looks at the underlying biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors driving your symptoms rather than simply naming a diagnosis and prescribing a medication to manage it. Conventional medicine excels at acute care and identifying disease. Functional medicine specializes in chronic, complex conditions where the question isn't just 'what do you have?' but 'why is this happening in your body specifically?'
At Asheville Functional Medicine, I take a science-based approach using detailed health histories, comprehensive functional lab testing, and personalized care plans to find and address what's actually driving your symptoms, without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgery.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your initial consultation is 90 minutes, conducted via video call. This gives me time to go well beyond your symptom list. I review your full health history, prior lab work, lifestyle factors, diet, stress, sleep, and any previous diagnoses or treatments.
By the end of the visit, you will have a personalized testing plan and clarity on exactly what comes next.
What is the free 15-minute health strategy session?
The free health strategy session is a 15-minute phone call with Dr. Erin designed to see if functional medicine is the right fit for you. You'll share your primary health concerns, and Dr. Erin will explain how she approaches your specific situation.
There's no pressure and no commitment. It's a genuine conversation to determine mutual fit before you invest in a full consultation. Book your free session.
How do lab tests work if the practice is virtual?
Functional lab testing works seamlessly with a virtual practice. Dr. Erin orders labs through national functional lab networks (such as LabCorp, Quest, or specialty functional labs), and you complete testing at a lab location near you or via at-home collection kits depending on the test.
Results are reviewed together during a follow-up telehealth appointment. The only travel required is to your local lab.
How long does it take to see results?
This varies depending on the condition, how long it's been present, and how comprehensively I can address the root causes. Some patients notice meaningful improvement within 4-8 weeks of implementing their initial plan.
More complex chronic conditions, particularly autoimmune disease or long-standing gut dysfunction, may take 3-6 months to see substantial change. Dr. Erin works with patients on an ongoing basis to adjust the plan as your health evolves.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Erin?
No referral is needed. You can book directly through the website at avlfunctionalmed.com.
If you're unsure whether functional medicine is the right fit for your situation, the free 15-minute health strategy session is a good place to start.
What labs do you run that my regular doctor doesn't?
Functional medicine uses a much more comprehensive approach to lab testing than conventional medicine. Where a standard panel might check basic markers and flag only what falls outside a narrow normal range, I look at a broader set of markers and interpret them through the lens of optimal function, not just the absence of disease.
Testing may include comprehensive thyroid panels (not just TSH), gut microbiome analysis, organic acids, nutrient deficiencies, hormone panels, mold and mycotoxin testing, chronic viral illness testing, inflammatory markers, and more.
The goal is to build a complete picture of what is actually happening in your body, not just rule out serious illness.
What labs do you run that my regular doctor doesn't?
Functional medicine uses a much more comprehensive approach to lab testing than conventional medicine. Where a standard panel might check basic markers and flag only what falls outside a narrow normal range, I look at a broader set of markers and interpret them through the lens of optimal function, not just the absence of disease.
Testing may include comprehensive thyroid panels (not just TSH), gut microbiome analysis, organic acids, nutrient deficiencies, hormone panels, mold and mycotoxin testing, chronic viral illness testing, inflammatory markers, and more.
The goal is to build a complete picture of what is actually happening in your body, not just rule out serious illness.
Can functional medicine help if I've already tried everything?
This is one of the most common things I hear. Many patients come to Asheville Functional Medicine after years of seeing specialists, trying elimination diets, and being told their labs are normal. If that sounds familiar, functional medicine may be exactly what you've been missing.
Conventional medicine and functional medicine ask fundamentally different questions. If you've only been worked up through a conventional lens, there is likely a lot that hasn't been explored yet. The goal is to look deeper and find what has been missed.