Can Functional Medicine Doctors Prescribe Medication?

When you hear the term functional medicine, you might think of supplements, lifestyle changes, and nutrition plans—but what about prescriptions? Many patients wonder if functional medicine doctors prescribe medication. Patients might be interested in the functional medicine world but are afraid they will have to have a secondary practitioner to prescribe them their necessary pills. 

Well, you’re in luck! Functional medicine doctors such as Dr. Lindgren can prescribe medication when it’s appropriate. However, as Dr. Lindgren likes to say, “The philosophy of functional medicine is to use medications thoughtfully, not reflexively.”

This article explains what makes functional medicine different from conventional care, why medication is sometimes—but not always—the answer, and how doctors such as Dr. Lindgren in Green Bay, WI, blend modern medicine with holistic approaches for comprehensive healing.

Can Functional Medicine Doctors Prescribe Medication?

Yes, they can—if they are licensed physicians. Not all functional medicine practitioners are medical doctors. Some may be nurse practitioners, chiropractors, nutritionists, or health coaches who specialize in root-cause care but cannot prescribe medications.

At Lindgren Functional Medicine, however, Dr. Lindgren is a licensed medical doctor (MD). This means, even as a functional medicine doctor, she can prescribe medications when necessary. However, she often focuses first on identifying and correcting the underlying cause of symptoms rather than simply managing them with medication.

The Key Difference: Philosophy and Approach

Traditional medicine often aims to suppress or control symptoms quickly with medication. Functional medicine, on the other hand, asks why those symptoms are happening in the first place. The treatment plan may still include prescription drugs, but they’re usually one part of a broader, more comprehensive approach that addresses lifestyle, nutrition, and biological imbalances.

Why Functional Medicine Doesn’t Rely Solely on Medications

So, if functional medicine doctors can prescribe medications, why don’t they rely on them as the first line of treatment?

Functional medicine views the body as an interconnected system. Rather than focusing on isolated symptoms, it looks for patterns and imbalances—such as inflammation, hormone disruption, gut issues, or nutrient deficiencies—that may be driving chronic disease.

Here’s why medications are used more selectively in this model:

• Medications manage symptoms but don’t always address root causes. For example, taking acid reflux medication may reduce heartburn, but it doesn’t explain why your digestion is off.

• Lifestyle changes are often more sustainable. When patients correct diet, stress, sleep, and toxin exposure, their health improves naturally, sometimes reducing or eliminating the need for medication.

• Medication side effects can complicate recovery. Functional medicine doctors aim to minimize dependency and encourage healing that’s gentle on the body.

• Functional medicine promotes long-term wellness. The goal isn’t just to silence symptoms—it’s to restore balance and prevent future illness.

That said, medications still play a valuable role when needed. For instance, thyroid hormone replacement, insulin, or blood pressure medications may be vital for stabilization while the deeper healing process unfolds. And trust us when we say that Dr. Lindgren will always support you taking necessary medication! 

Our functional medicine clinic values the power of prescription medicine to transform our patients’ health. We aren’t afraid of it: we view it as a magnificent tool. But we also recognize that it’s only one tool, and we’re always trying to help you find the best tool for your unique situation.

When Functional Medicine Doctors Do Use Prescriptions

When you visit Lindgren Functional Medicine in Green Bay, WI, Dr. Lindgren conducts a comprehensive intake that covers your health history, lifestyle, and lab results. If your condition warrants medication, she will prescribe it—but as part of a functional medicine plan that includes nutrition and lifestyle support.

Common situations where prescriptions may be used include the following:

• Thyroid disorders – Using medication such as levothyroxine while also addressing nutrient deficiencies and autoimmune triggers

• Hormone imbalances – Prescribing bioidentical hormones, along with recommending diet and lifestyle strategies to support the endocrine system

• Infections or acute conditions – Using antibiotics or antivirals when necessary, while restoring gut balance after treatment

• Chronic illnesses – Combining medications for symptom control with strategies to reduce inflammation and support organ health

In these cases, functional medicine does not reject medication prescriptions—it integrates them thoughtfully into a personalized, root-cause treatment plan.

Why Functional Medicine Takes Time—And Why That’s a Good Thing

One of the biggest differences patients notice at Lindgren Functional Medicine is that appointments feel unrushed. That’s intentional. Healing the body takes time, and so does understanding it. Rather than offering a five-minute visit and a prescription, Dr. Lindgren spends time getting to know your health history, environment, stressors, and habits.

This longer, investigative approach helps her identify how different parts of your body influence one another. For example, fatigue might not just be “low iron”—it could stem from gut absorption issues, thyroid imbalance, or stress-related hormone changes.

By taking time to connect these dots, Dr. Lindgren ensures that when medication is prescribed, it’s truly needed and supported by the right nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle strategies. The goal isn’t just symptom relief—it’s building a foundation for lifelong wellness.

A Partnership in Healing

Functional medicine is not an “either Western medicine or alternative healing” approach—it’s integrative. You don’t have to choose between conventional medicine or natural care, functional medicine or medication prescriptions. At Lindgren Functional Medicine, Dr. Lindgren combines the best of both worlds: evidence-based medicine with personalized, holistic care.

You’ll work together to decide the following:

• When medication is appropriate

• When lifestyle changes can achieve better results

• How to gradually reduce dependence on prescriptions, if safe and possible

The result is a collaborative, empowering approach where your body’s natural healing ability is supported—without ignoring the benefits that modern medicine can provide.

Experience Comprehensive Care in Green Bay, WI

So, can functional medicine doctors prescribe medication? Yes—but it’s rarely the first step. At Lindgren Functional Medicine, Dr. Lindgren’s goal is to help patients in Green Bay uncover the why behind their symptoms, using medications when necessary but focusing on long-term healing through nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted treatment.

If you’ve been frustrated with quick-fix prescriptions or unexplained symptoms, functional medicine may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Contact Lindgren Functional Medicine in Green Bay, WI, to schedule a consultation and learn how functional medicine can help you achieve lasting wellness—naturally and effectively.