Functional medicine — autoimmune
Functional Medicine for Autoimmune Conditions in St. Louis
Autoimmune conditions — Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and others — share a common underlying pattern of immune dysregulation. Conventional rheumatology and specialty care focuses on suppressing the immune response; functional medicine adds the question of why the immune response is dysregulated in the first place. At Simply Health Integrated Medical in St. Louis, autoimmune evaluation works alongside (not against) specialist care — adding the upstream factors that drive disease activity.
What to expect
Simply Health Integrated Medical helps patients understand symptoms, goals, and options before recommending a care path.
The next step is a consultation request or direct call so the team can determine whether the clinic is a good fit for your needs.
Where functional medicine fits in autoimmune care
Conventional autoimmune care — rheumatology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, dermatology, neurology — focuses on diagnosing the specific autoimmune condition, monitoring disease activity, and prescribing immune-modulating therapy. That care is essential and is not replaced by functional medicine. What functional medicine adds is the upstream question: what is driving the immune dysregulation, and which of those drivers can be modified to support remission, reduce flare frequency, or improve quality of life alongside specialist treatment.
Upstream factors that affect autoimmune disease activity
Several factors are known to affect autoimmune activity across multiple conditions: gut barrier function ('leaky gut'), microbiome composition, food triggers (gluten, sometimes others), chronic infections, vitamin D status, omega-3 status, chronic stress and HPA-axis dysregulation, hormone shifts, environmental toxin load, and sleep quality. Evaluating these contributors is part of a complete autoimmune workup.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis — the most common autoimmune at the clinic
Hashimoto's is the most common autoimmune condition in the United States and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Many patients with Hashimoto's still have rising antibody levels and symptoms despite being on thyroid medication. The functional medicine workup looks at gluten and food triggers, gut function, selenium and other nutritional cofactors, stress patterns, and hormone context. Many patients see reduced antibodies and improved quality of life with this broader approach.
Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and connective tissue autoimmunity
For RA, lupus, Sjogren's, and related connective tissue conditions, functional medicine works alongside the rheumatologist — never instead of. The workup considers food triggers, gut function, vitamin D and omega-3 status, infection screening when relevant, and the broader inflammatory load. The goal is to support specialist care, reduce flare frequency, and improve daily quality of life — not to discontinue necessary medication.
Inflammatory bowel disease and gut-focused autoimmunity
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are managed by gastroenterology with appropriate medical therapy. Functional medicine adds the gut-specific work — food triggers, microbiome support, SIBO evaluation when relevant, nutrient repletion, and the broader inflammatory factors. Many IBD patients benefit from this complementary approach alongside their gastroenterologist.
What functional medicine cannot do for autoimmune disease
Functional medicine cannot 'cure' autoimmune disease, cannot reverse established tissue damage, and cannot replace medication for patients with active disease requiring suppression. The clinic does not recommend stopping prescribed immune-modulating therapy without specialist coordination. The role of functional medicine is complementary — adding the upstream work that conventional care often does not address — not contrary to specialist treatment.
Request an autoimmune evaluation
If you have an autoimmune diagnosis and you want a functional medicine evaluation that works alongside your specialist care, request an autoimmune evaluation. The next step is a comprehensive workup focused on the upstream factors driving your immune dysregulation — and a plan that supports rather than replaces the specialist care you need.
Frequently asked
Common questions
▸Where can I get functional medicine for autoimmune in St. Louis?
Simply Health Integrated Medical at 12977 N Forty Dr, Suite 105, St. Louis, MO 63141 offers functional medicine evaluation for autoimmune conditions alongside specialist care. Led by Dr. Bryan Deloney, DC, MS-Functional Medicine. By appointment 24/7. Call (636) 590-4686.
▸Can functional medicine cure autoimmune disease?
No. Functional medicine cannot cure autoimmune disease and cannot reverse established tissue damage. What it can do is identify and address upstream factors driving immune dysregulation — gut function, food triggers, nutritional status, stress, infections — which often reduces flare frequency and improves quality of life alongside specialist care.
▸Should I stop my medication if I do functional medicine?
No. Do not stop prescribed immune-modulating therapy without coordinating with your specialist. Functional medicine at Simply Health Integrated Medical is designed to work alongside conventional care, not replace it.
▸What autoimmune conditions does functional medicine help with?
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes (alongside endocrinology), and many others. The functional medicine workup focuses on upstream contributors that span across autoimmune categories.
▸Will I have to give up gluten for autoimmune treatment?
Many patients with autoimmune conditions benefit from gluten elimination — particularly Hashimoto's, celiac (mandatory), and some other conditions. The decision is based on the specific condition, antibody patterns, and clinical response. Not every autoimmune patient needs to be gluten-free, but it is often part of the evaluation.
▸How long does autoimmune functional medicine take to work?
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 months of structured care. Some autoimmune patterns respond faster (Hashimoto's antibody reductions are often visible by 6 months); others take longer. The plan is iterative, and progress is tracked through labs and symptoms.
▸Does Hashimoto's require a separate workup from thyroid?
Hashimoto's evaluation overlaps significantly with thyroid workup — antibody levels (TPO, TgAb) are often the deciding factor. The functional medicine approach to Hashimoto's adds the upstream work (gut, food, nutritional cofactors, stress) that affects antibody levels and disease trajectory beyond TSH alone.
▸Is autoimmune functional medicine covered by insurance?
Some labs and prescriptions may be covered depending on the plan. The functional medicine evaluation and bundled programs are often not insurance-billed. Cost is reviewed during the evaluation.
Next step
Ready to find the right next step?
If this page sounds like what you are looking for, request a consultation or call the office so the team can help you choose the right starting point.