What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine isn’t a replacement for conventional care—and it isn’t the opposite of it. It blends the best of both.

It uses the science, labs, and clinical tools of conventional medicine alongside a deeper, systems-based look at how your gut, hormones, brain, immunity, and environment all influence each other.

Instead of choosing either/or, functional medicine uses whatever supports your healing most - nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, medication when needed, and nervous system support. It focuses on identifying root causes, understanding the whole person, and creating personalized pathways that actually make sense.

Not alternative. Not anti-medicine.

Just a complete, evidence-informed approach to helping your body heal.

How is Functional Medicine Different from Conventional Medicine?Conventional medicine is designed to diagnose what’s wrong and treat it quickly—usually with medications or targeted procedures. It’s essential, especially for acute issues.

Functional medicine looks at health through a different lens. Instead of asking “What diagnosis fits these symptoms?” it asks “Why is the body out of balance—and what’s driving it?” It connects patterns across systems: gut, hormones, immunity, brain, stress, sleep, environment.

Where conventional care often focuses on managing symptoms, functional medicine works to uncover and address the root causes beneath them. And instead of one-size-fits-all plans, it creates personalized, evidence-informed pathways based on your history, labs, lifestyle, and biology.

But the key is this:
You don’t have to choose one or the other.
Functional medicine complements conventional care by giving you a deeper, whole-body view—so you get both the clinical tools and the long-term healing strategy.

 
Who is a good fit for AK Wellness?
AK Wellness is a great fit for women and children who want answers, not band-aids. If you’re tired of feeling dismissed, stuck in cycles of symptoms, or told “everything looks normal” when you know it’s not — this is for you.

People who benefit most are ready to explore root causes, open to making meaningful changes, and want a provider who listens deeply, thinks broadly, and collaborates every step of the way.


What Functional Medicine Tests Are Available?
Functional medicine uses a blend of standard medical labs and specialty tests to understand how your body is functioning beneath the surface. Not everyone needs every test — we choose them based on your symptoms, history, and goals.

Common options include:

• Comprehensive blood work (nutrients, inflammation markers, thyroid, hormones, metabolic health)

• Gut testing (stool analysis to look at digestion, microbiome balance, inflammation, infection, and overall gut function)

• Hormone testing (blood or DUTCH testing to evaluate sex hormones, cortisol, and circadian rhythm)

• Food sensitivity or immune-response testing (when clinically appropriate)

• Mold and environmental toxin testing (if symptoms or history suggest exposure)

• Micronutrient testing (to assess deficiencies affecting energy, mood, and immunity)

Not every patient needs specialty labs — many people start with targeted blood work and a careful clinical assessment. Together, we decide what testing (if any) will actually move your healing forward.

 

Do I Have to Do Testing?
Testing isn’t mandatory for every person, but it is strongly recommended for most patients because it gives us a clearer, more accurate picture of what’s going on beneath the surface.

Functional medicine is built on understanding root causes, and labs often reveal things we can’t see through symptoms alone — nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, gut dysfunction, inflammation patterns, or toxic exposures. The right tests can save months of trial-and-error and allow us to build a plan that’s targeted instead of generic.

That said, we don’t run every test on every person. We choose testing strategically, based on your story, symptoms, history, and goals. Some people start with foundational labs; others benefit from more advanced testing.

You won’t be pushed into unnecessary tests — but you will be guided toward the ones that will meaningfully move your healing forward.

 

How long does it take to feel better?
Healing timelines vary, but most people begin noticing shifts within the first 4–8 weeks once we address the right root causes.
Some improvements happen quickly (energy, digestion, sleep), while deeper healing (hormones, nervous system regulation, inflammation) can take longer.

Functional medicine isn’t “slow”—it’s strategic.

Instead of chasing symptoms, we’re rebuilding the foundation that allows your body to function the way it’s meant to. I’ll outline your expected timeline based on your labs, history, and goals so you always know what to expect.

Can Functional Medicine be Integrated with Conventional Treatments?
Yes. Functional medicine and conventional medicine can work beautifully together. Many patients combine both to create a more complete, effective approach to healing.

Most people who come to functional medicine have already explored conventional treatments, so our work often focuses on the deeper, root-cause layers that haven’t been addressed yet. When medications, procedures, or conventional support are helpful, we integrate them thoughtfully.

Your care plan is always tailored to your unique needs, drawing from both approaches as appropriate — not choosing one at the expense of the other.

What can I expect during the first visit?

Your first visit is a deep dive into your whole health story — not just your symptoms. We explore your digestion, hormones, stress, sleep, environment, history, and patterns you may not even realize are connected.

You can expect:

• A comprehensive conversation about your health timeline

• Review of any available labs

• A clear explanation of what might be driving your symptoms

• An initial plan focused on foundations (habits, nutrition, nervous system support, targeted supplements)

• Recommendations for any testing that will move your healing forward

• Plenty of space to be heard, ask questions, and feel understood

You’ll leave with a roadmap — not guesswork.

What happens after the first visit?

After your initial deep dive, we review any needed labs and create a personalized healing plan. Follow-up visits focus on interpreting results, adjusting your plan, supporting your nervous system, optimizing nutrition, refining supplements, and troubleshooting anything that isn’t shifting yet.

You’ll always know your next steps — there’s no guessing or generic protocol.

How often will we meet?
Most patients meet every 4–6 weeks, especially in the beginning when we’re uncovering root causes and adjusting your plan. As you start to feel better and things stabilize, visit frequency decreases.

The goal isn’t to keep you in endless appointments — it’s to build momentum and help your body heal efficiently.

Can Alani Kalfayan, NP-C be my primary care provider?
No. AK Wellness provides specialized, functional medicine care, not primary care. You’ll still need to maintain a relationship with a conventional primary care provider for routine screening exams, acute issues, and emergency care.

Think of AK Wellness as your deep-dive partner in root-cause healing, while your primary care provider handles the day-to-day medical necessities. They work alongside each other — not in place of one another.

Do I need to live in Washington to work with you?
You don’t need to live in Washington. Alani is licensed in Washington, California, Arizona, and Hawaii, and can provide full medical care to residents of those states.

If you live elsewhere, you may still be able to work together in a consulting/coaching capacity depending on your needs. Ask during your consult. 

Can you prescribe medication?
Yes. As an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with full prescriptive authority, Alani can prescribe medications when they are appropriate and helpful.

Functional medicine is never “anti-medication” — it’s about using the right tools, at the right time, in a way that supports long-term healing.

Are supplements included in the visit cost?
No. Supplements are purchased separately. You’ll receive personalized recommendations and access to high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade options through Fullscript, but you’re never required to buy anything.

How do virtual appointments work?
All visits are conducted via secure telemedicine through the AK Wellness patient portal. You’ll receive a link and instructions before each appointment.

Virtual care allows you to access comprehensive, root-cause support from the comfort of home - no commute, no waiting rooms, and ideal for busy women and families.

What makes AK Wellness different?
AK Wellness blends the science and structure of conventional medicine with the depth and personalization of functional medicine - without the shame, overwhelm, or perfectionism that often comes with health care.

You get a provider who listens, thinks critically, digs for answers, and treats you like a full human, not a diagnosis. Care is collaborative, evidence-informed, rebellious in the best ways, and rooted in truth, fueled by heart.

How can I ask Alani Kalfayan, NP-C a quick question?
If you’re new to AK Wellness, you can book a free 20-minute consult to ask quick questions and see if we’re the right fit. Just click on the "book now" button on the page named “Consultations” and you’ll see the appointment openings.

If you’re an established patient, you can reach me through the secure messaging function in the AK Wellness practice portal.

 
Is Functional Medicine Covered by Insurance?
AK Wellness doesn't bill insurance directly. This allows for longer appointments, deeper investigation, and personalized care that isn’t restricted by insurance requirements.

You can, however, use:

• HSA/FSA funds

• Superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement (depending on your plan)

Most patients appreciate the flexibility this model gives them — it lets us focus on what will actually help you heal, not what insurance will or won’t approve.

Will medical insurance pay for testing?
Maybe. Some insurance plans cover portions of certain labs, while others do not. Coverage varies widely depending on your plan, the specific test, and the lab performing it.

During your visit, we can review your options and help you understand which tests might be eligible for insurance reimbursement and which are typically out-of-pocket. Our goal is always to recommend testing that is truly useful and worth the investment.

 
What is the average cost of testing?
Testing costs vary because each person’s health needs are different. Your recommended labs will depend on your symptoms, history, and goals. Some people start with basic blood work, while others benefit from more in-depth specialty testing.

You can browse the lab store to get a general idea of pricing, and we’ll review which tests are most appropriate (and cost-effective) for you during your visit.

Can Functional Medicine Help with Preventive Care?
Absolutely. Functional medicine isn’t just for addressing symptoms — it’s a powerful approach for preventing health issues before they start. By looking at your genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, stress, gut health, hormones, and early warning signs, we can identify imbalances long before they become problems.

Preventive care in functional medicine means optimizing the foundations of long-term health so you feel better now and stay well in the future.

What Conditions Can Functional Medicine Address?
Functional medicine can support a wide range of conditions — especially those rooted in chronic inflammation, hormone shifts, gut dysfunction, immune imbalance, and nervous system stress.

Common areas include:

• Digestive issues (bloating, IBS, constipation/diarrhea, reflux, SIBO)

• Hormonal imbalances (PMS, perimenopause/menopause symptoms, irregular cycles, thyroid concerns)

• Chronic fatigue and low energy

• Mood and nervous system concerns (anxiety, overwhelm, stress dysregulation)

• Skin issues (eczema, acne, rashes)

• Autoimmune tendencies or early markers

• Metabolic challenges (blood sugar imbalance, weight changes)

• Chronic inflammation or vague symptoms that haven’t improved with conventional care

It’s an approach designed to find the “why” behind your symptoms, not just label them — so we can build a personalized plan that actually helps you heal.

What is the AK Wellness cancellation policy?
AK Wellness is committed to providing exceptional care, and a significant amount of time goes into preparing for each appointment.

For this reason, we have a 48-hour cancellation policy.
If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment time, the full appointment fee will be charged.

There is no fee to cancel or reschedule when the request is made more than 48 hours in advance.

We understand that true emergencies happen. Situations such as a death in the family or hospitalization will be reviewed by the provider on a case-by-case basis.

Where is Alani Kalfayan, NP-C, licensed to practice?
Washington, California, Arizona and Hawaii.

What is Alani Kalfayan’s training?
Alani Kalfayan, NP-C is trained in both conventional and integrative medicine, bringing a comprehensive, whole-person approach to every patient she serves. She completed the Institute for Functional Medicine’s training program and is experienced in identifying and treating root causes using in-depth medical testing, pharmaceutical-grade supplements, and evidence-based botanicals.

Alani is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Seattle University in 2012. Her clinical background includes HIV prevention research, full-spectrum family primary care, and women’s health.

She holds full prescriptive authority and is licensed in Washington, California, Arizona, and Hawaii. Alani also participates in ongoing functional and conventional medical trainings throughout the year to stay up-to-date on the latest research and treatment approaches.