Web of Hormones: Insights & Education
Re-establishing Hormonal Balance
The hypothalamic, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, and gonadal axis modulates health in a wide variety of ways. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an extremely common intervention, but it has its own health risks and may not address underlying causes of hormonal imbalance. The functional medicine approach often starts with personalized lifestyle interventions, sometimes augmented with botanicals or supplements. Explore more below about how functional medicine addresses common issues related to hormone dysfunction.
This module will clarify how to approach hormonal dysregulation, with emphasis on comprehensive hormonal assessment and an integrative approach to treatment of hormonally-driven conditions.
- Broadly understand…
- The impact stress has on the physiology and pathophysiology of the HPATG axis and the autonomic nervous system.
- The physiology and pathophysiology associated with melatonin, cortisol, DHEA, pregnenolone, TSH, T3, T4, RT3, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, and, specifically, their signaling, sensitivity, activity, metabolism, and excretion.
- Recognize common antecedents and triggers and signs and symptoms associated with dysregulation of the HPATG axis.
- Evaluate the most important laboratory tests to use in assessing hormone-related dysfunction, and recognize common pitfalls of lab testing.
- Develop individualized treatment protocols using diet, nutraceuticals, botanicals, pharmaceuticals, and mind-body/behavioral interventions to address hormone dysregulation.
- Appropriately prescribe bioidentical hormones and understand important differences in routes of delivery, issues regarding safety and effectiveness, and HRT risks.
- Understand the controversies around breast cancer prevention and appropriately plan treatment programs for women.
- Recognize the role of the mind-body connection as antecedent, trigger, and mediator in the feed-forward cycle of chronic disease.

Hormone Related Articles
Who is AFMCP designed for?
IFM encourages a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. We welcome a variety of licensed healthcare disciplines to AFMCP, including MDs, DOs, NDs, DCs, physician assistants, nursing professionals, and nutrition professionals.
Can I take another course before taking AFMCP?
Many learners find taking AFMCP first helps them to understand IFM’s proprietary tools, such as the Functional Medicine Matrix, and provides context for the skills, processes, and science behind incorporating Functional Medicine principles into practice. The course is offered multiple times each year in order to meet the needs of clinicians wishing to begin their IFM education with AFMCP. However, AFMCP is not a prerequisite to take any IFM course if you are comfortable with the material to be presented.
Will I be certified as a Functional Medicine practitioner after attending AFMCP?
No. AFMCP is one of seven required courses in the IFM Certification Program. In addition to AFMCP, you must complete the six Advanced Practice Modules as required coursework for the IFM Certification Program.
Will I be listed on the Find A Practitioner search after I attend AFMCP?
After attending AFMCP, you will be eligible to list your profile in our Find A Practitioner search as long as you are also enrolled in the IFM Membership Program. Before your profile is listed, however, you must fill in your practice information within your account profile to activate your profile to appear in the search.

Hormone Signaling & Diet
Dietary patterns may influence cellular sensitivity to hormone signals.

Treating Uterine Fibroids
Dr. Joel Evans discusses lifestyle interventions that may reduce fibroid growth.

Testosterone Deficiency
Dr. Joel Evans discusses lifestyle interventions that may reduce fibroid growth.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
This common women’s hormonal imbalance presents with a host of comorbidities.

Stress & Hormones
Lifestyle factors may lower levels of stress to help restore hormonal balance.

Balancing Thyroid Hormones
Personalized lifestyle changes may help naturally restore thyroid hormone balance.

IFM's Hormone Experts
Join Functional Medicine Newsletter
Sign up for IFM's weekly newsletter to receive Functional Medicine news and insights on topics such as nutrition, common conditions you see in your practice, and improving patient compliance.**By submitting the form , you indicate that you have read and agree to IFM’s privacy policy. We promise to treat your data with respect. If your interests change in the future, you can update your preferences or unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link provided at the bottom of each email.