Gastrointestinal Disorders: Hippocrates once said “all disease begins in the gut”, we are now seeing how true this statement really is. There are many foundational systems that depend on good gut health to function well. For instance, 80% of an individual’s immune system is found in the GI tract, and up to 90% of serotonin is produced there as well. Therefore, we often see that poor gut health complicates and worsens other conditions including mental health disorders, immune dysregulation, hormone dysregulation, among others. We absorb nutrients in our gut, if our gut is inflamed or not functioning properly, key minerals and vitamins will not be absorbed and utilized. We need these key cofactors for basic biochemical processes in our body.

Through a functional medicine approach, Path 2 Health and Wellness, led by Dr. Julie Heyrman, MD, evaluates gut function and the microbiome to better understand how imbalances may contribute to systemic symptoms. Supporting gut health is often a foundational step in creating a personalized plan that promotes improved function, resilience, and overall well-being.

For this reason, just about all our patients undergo a thorough GI evaluation. The tests that are commonly used to workup and treat gut health may include a stool analysis, breath test, and organic acid profile. Due to the interactions of the GI tract with multiple other systems in the body, most functional evaluations and treatments are foundationally anchored with the health of the gut. If the gut is not functioning properly, it is more difficult to achieve wellness within other bodily systems.

GERD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Food Allergies / Intolerances

Yeast Overgrowth

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth

Skin is the largest organ in the body.  As physicians we look for clues in the skin when evaluating internal disease.  So it’s no surprise that oftentimes treating the skin means uncovering and treating root causes of inflammation, imbalance and nutrient deficiencies.

Therefore, evaluating hydration, gut health, hormone health, and nutrition, as well as stress and sleep habits are foundational to the treatment plan.

Eczema

Psoriasis

Dermatitis

Allergies

The immune system plays a central role in overall health and is closely connected to mental well-being, hormonal regulation, cardiovascular health, and the body’s ability to repair and regenerate. Today, approximately 1 in 12 people in the United States lives with an autoimmune condition, making it one of the fastest-growing categories of chronic illness.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system loses its ability to distinguish between self and non-self, leading it to mistakenly target the body’s own tissues. A functional medicine approach recognizes that immune dysregulation is often influenced by multiple, interacting factors. These may include gut microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis), chronic infections, environmental toxins, heavy metals, nutrient deficiencies, and neuroendocrine disruption, among others.

At Path 2 Health and Wellness, led by Dr. Julie Heyrman, MD, immune-related concerns are approached through a personalized, systems-based lens. Because autoimmune conditions rarely have a single cause, care focuses on identifying and addressing the individual factors that may be contributing to immune activation. The goal is to support immune balance by understanding root contributors rather than managing symptoms alone.

Conditions commonly supported through a functional medicine approach may include:

Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism

Lupus

Rheumatoid arthritis

Psoriasis

Sjögren’s syndrome

Cardiometabolic health plays a critical role in long-term wellness, energy levels, and healthy aging. A functional medicine approach emphasizes early identification of risk factors and personalized strategies to support blood sugar regulation, lipid balance, vascular health, and metabolic flexibility—key foundations for sustained vitality and longevity.

Cardiovascular and metabolic conditions are often driven by underlying inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. At Path 2 Health and Wellness, led by Dr. Julie Heyrman, MD, care focuses on evaluating key biomarkers that help assess cardiometabolic risk and guide individualized care planning. These may include markers related to lipoprotein status and arterial inflammation, such as hs-CRP, Lp(a), homocysteine, and other indicators of metabolic and vascular health.

Risk reduction strategies are centered on sustainable lifestyle interventions, including inflammation-supportive nutrition, stress management, sleep optimization, and movement. When appropriate, evaluation of gut health, environmental exposures, and hormonal balance may be incorporated to better understand contributors to cardiometabolic dysfunction.

Conditions commonly supported through a functional medicine approach may include:

Hypertension

Hyperlipidemia

Metabolic syndrome

Sleep apnea

Type 2 diabetes

Heart disease.

Small, personalized changes can have meaningful long-term impact.

Hormones act as the body’s chemical messengers, regulating metabolism, energy, reproduction, stress response, and many other essential functions. Hormone-producing organs—including the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, and adrenal glands—are directed by the central nervous system through the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. This creates a complex communication pathway that begins in the brain and ends at the cellular level, where hormones are intended to act.

Hormonal symptoms can arise not only from altered hormone levels, but also from disruptions in hormone signaling, transport, cellular sensitivity, or detoxification. A functional medicine approach evaluates this entire chain of function to identify where imbalances may be occurring. Rather than immediately turning to hormone replacement, care focuses on understanding underlying contributors such as metabolic health, stress physiology, inflammation, gut function, and environmental exposures.

At Path 2 Health and Wellness, led by Dr. Julie Heyrman, MD, hormonal concerns are addressed through a systematic, individualized process designed to support balance and proper regulation. When clinically appropriate, hormone therapy may be considered—but only after foundational contributors have been thoughtfully evaluated.

Conditions commonly supported through a functional medicine approach may include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Hypothyroidism

Insulin resistance

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction

Adrenal dysregulation

Female hormone imbalance

Hormonal balance begins with understanding the whole system—not just the lab value.

Brain health is closely connected to metabolic function, inflammation, gut health, and immune balance. A functional medicine approach explores how these interconnected systems may influence focus, memory, mood, and neurologic symptoms. Supporting brain health often involves a comprehensive, whole-body strategy rather than addressing neurologic concerns in isolation.

Dementia

Parkinsons Disease

Alzheimers Disease

Multiple Sclerosis

Autism

Insomnia

Anxiety

Depression

Inattention Disorders

Joint pain and stiffness can be influenced by inflammation, immune activity, metabolic health, and environmental exposures. A functional medicine approach evaluates these contributing factors to better understand why pain persists and how to support mobility, comfort, and function as part of a comprehensive wellness plan.

Tick-borne infections, including Lyme disease and co-infections, can cause complex, multi-system symptoms that often overlap with other chronic conditions. These infections may affect the immune system, nervous system, joints, and overall energy levels, making early recognition and comprehensive evaluation critical.

At Path 2 Health and Wellness, led by Dr. Julie Heyrman, MD, an LLMD. Care begins with a detailed functional assessment, including symptom history, exposure risk evaluation, and targeted laboratory testing when clinically indicated. Functional medicine strategies focus on addressing immune dysregulation, inflammation, and the underlying contributors that may perpetuate symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized and may integrate supportive therapies to promote recovery, resilience, and overall wellness.

Conditions and co-infections commonly assessed include:

Lyme disease and Co-infections