Functional Medicine Supplements
Reviewed by Dr. Mark Hechler, DO, FAOCO, and Tandi Hechler, BSN, RN, NC-BC | Revelation Health & Well-Being, Lee's Summit, MO · Last reviewed: October 2026
TL;DR: In functional medicine, supplements follow testing. Vitamin D, magnesium, B12, and iron are among the nutrients most often found low, and what you need beyond those depends on your own results. At our Lee's Summit practice we test first, start with food, and recommend only what your labs and history support.
Do I Really Need Supplements?
Some people do, and many do not. Testing is how we tell which group you are in.
It is easy to end up with a cabinet full of bottles. Lists of the "best supplements" give everyone the same advice, and none of them can account for your body. A more useful question is which supplements you need, at what dose, and for how long. Those answers come from your labs and your history.
Our approach is simple. We would like you to take three supplements you need instead of twelve you do not.
When we do recommend a supplement, we do it through Fullscript, an online dispensary that carries third-party tested, professional-grade brands. Supplements are always optional, and program members receive member pricing.
Why Does Testing Come Before Supplementation?
We cannot correct a deficiency you do not have. Supplementing without testing tends to create three problems: money spent on things you do not need, a sense that something is being addressed when it is not, and in some cases real risk from build-up or interactions.
Markers such as vitamin D, ferritin, and B12 are straightforward to measure. Nutrient status is part of the comprehensive lab panel included in our Reveal Assessment, alongside thyroid, hormone, metabolic, and inflammation markers. Our overview of the functional medicine tests we run explains what each part of the panel shows.
We also ask you to list your current supplements and medications before your visit, so we can look at everything together. Many people come to us already taking a long list, and part of our work is sorting out which ones are addressing something real.
What Supplements Does a Functional Medicine Doctor Recommend?
It depends on your results. A handful of nutrients come up often enough, and have enough research behind them, that they are worth understanding.
Vitamin D
One of the markers we most often find low, particularly through Missouri winters. It plays a role in bone health, muscle function, and immune function. It is simple to test and simple to correct, so it is worth measuring before supplementing.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions, including muscle and nerve function and blood sugar regulation. Many adults get less than the recommended amount from food. Different forms behave differently in the body, so the form matters as well as the dose.
B12 and Folate
Both are needed for healthy red blood cells, nerve function, and energy metabolism. B12 is more likely to run low as we age, on a plant-based diet, and with certain medications. Some people do better with particular forms, and our article on methylation covers who may benefit from them.
Iron
Ferritin reflects your iron stores. Iron is one nutrient we do not recommend without testing, because too much iron can be harmful.
Everything Else
Additions beyond these follow your results. Someone working on blood sugar needs different support than someone working on thyroid or gut health. That individualization is the point of our metabolic health care.
Which Supplements Are Usually Not Worth the Money?
These are the categories we approach with caution.
- High-dose multivitamins: Large doses of nutrients you may not need
- Proprietary blends: The amount of each ingredient is not listed, so the dose cannot be judged
- Bundles recommended before testing: The same recommendation for people with different needs
- Off-the-shelf detox and cleanse kits: Rarely matched to an identified need
- Anything that promises to cure a condition: Supplements cannot legally claim to treat or cure a disease
Supplements can be very useful. The question is always which ones, at what dose, for what reason, and for how long.
Are Supplements Regulated Like Medications?
No, and this surprises many people. According to the FDA, it does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are sold. Manufacturers are responsible for the safety and labeling of their own products, so quality can vary from one brand to the next. That is why we look for third-party tested products.
Can You Take Too Many Supplements?
Yes. Fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D are stored in the body, so high doses can build up over time. High-dose minerals can compete with each other for absorption. Some supplements interact with prescription medications, including blood thinners and thyroid medication.
Some supplements also interfere with lab tests. Biotin is a common example, which is why we ask our patients to stop it for a week before a lab draw.
More is not always better with B vitamins either. Some people feel worse on higher doses than they need, so we match the dose to your labs.
The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheets give evidence summaries and upper intake levels for individual nutrients. We use them alongside your labs.
To be clear about scope: supplements are never a substitute for medication your physician has prescribed. Please tell every provider what you are taking, supplements included. We do not treat emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek immediate care.
How Do Supplements Fit Into a Functional Medicine Plan?
They are one tool among several, and rarely the most important one. Here is the sequence we follow.
- Test. We establish which nutrients are low and what else may be driving your symptoms.
- Start with food. Whole food sources come before capsules wherever that is realistic.
- Fill identified gaps. We recommend specific supplements at doses matched to your results, in forms your body can use.
- Retest. Follow-up labs confirm whether your levels have come up.
- Taper where appropriate. Many supplements are a temporary correction and are not meant to be taken for life.
Find Out What You Need
If you have a cabinet full of bottles and are not sure which ones are helping, testing can answer that. Nutrient status is part of the comprehensive lab panel in our Reveal Assessment, and we will tell you if we think you need less instead of more.
The first step is a free discovery call to talk through your goals and see whether we are a fit. Schedule your free discovery call, see every price on our pricing page, or read more about Dr. Mark and Tandi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need supplements?
Some people do and some do not, and testing is what tells the two apart. Supplementing a nutrient you are not short of adds cost without benefit, and in some cases adds risk.
What supplements does a functional medicine doctor recommend?
It depends on your results. Vitamin D, magnesium, B12, and iron are among the nutrients most often found low. Beyond those, recommendations are specific to what your labs show.
Can you take too many supplements?
Yes. Some vitamins build up in the body, high-dose minerals can compete with each other, and some supplements interact with prescription medications or interfere with lab tests. Dosing should be individualized and monitored.
Are supplements regulated like medications?
No. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are sold. Quality varies between manufacturers, which is why third-party tested products matter.
How do I find out which supplements I need?
Through testing. Nutrient status is part of the comprehensive lab panel included in our $1,111 Reveal Assessment. The first step is a free discovery call to see whether we are a fit.
About the Providers
Dr. Mark Hechler, DO, FAOCO is an osteopathic physician with more than 30 years of medical experience and advanced certification in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy through WorldLink Medical. He leads diagnostic evaluation and medical management at Revelation Health, with a clinical focus on hormone health, thyroid, and metabolic health in midlife.
Tandi Hechler, BSN, RN, NC-BC is a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Nurse Coach. She is part of every visit alongside Dr. Mark and supports patients between visits, helping turn a plan into daily practice across nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Mark Hechler and Tandi Hechler. It is general education and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any supplement or medication without consulting your own provider.
Visit Our Lee's Summit Office
Revelation Health & Well-Being is located in Unity Tower at Unity Village in Lee's Summit, MO, serving adults throughout the Kansas City region.
- Revelation Health & Well-Being
- Dr. Mark Hechler and Tandi Hechler
- 300 Unity Cir N, Suite 700, Lee's Summit, MO 64086
- Phone: (816) 542-6238
- Email: health@revelationhealthkc.com
Functional medicine, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, metabolic health, and nurse coaching for Lee's Summit, the Kansas City region, and surrounding Missouri and Kansas communities.