Why Don’t Doctors Get Trained in Functional Testing?

“If functional testing is so helpful, why don’t doctors use it?”

It’s a fair question. Functional testing like the DUTCH test for hormones, GI-MAP for gut health, or organic acids testing can offer deep insights into the root causes of symptoms. Yet, most GPs and specialists never recommend these tests. Why?

Here’s what’s really going on.

1. Medical Training is Rooted in Disease Management

Doctors are trained in a system that prioritizes diagnosing and treating disease—often after it’s already fully developed. The focus is on managing symptoms using medications or surgical interventions, not investigating subtle imbalances that could be addressed earlier.

Functional testing, on the other hand, is all about prevention and root-cause exploration. It’s a different lens—one that isn’t typically covered in conventional medical school.

2. Functional Testing Isn’t in the Guidelines

Functional tests aren’t usually part of standard medical guidelines or large clinical trials, which means they’re often seen as “unnecessary” or “unsupported” by mainstream bodies. The issue here isn’t that the tests are ineffective—it’s that they don’t fit neatly into the pharmaceutical model that much of conventional medicine is built around.

3. The System Rewards Quick Fixes

Doctors often work within systems that are fast-paced and insurance-driven. They’re given 10–15 minutes per patient, and reimbursement models support standard lab testing and medication. Functional testing takes time, nuance, and deeper investigation—none of which are rewarded by the conventional model.

4. Pharmaceutical Influence Runs Deep

Much of the healthcare system is structured around pharmaceutical solutions. Functional testing often leads to dietary changes, lifestyle shifts, or nutritional supplementation—not drugs. That means less incentive (and funding) to research or promote these tools.

5. Functional Medicine is a Separate Path

Some doctors do learn to use functional testing—but it requires additional, often expensive training after medical school. Programs like the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) or A4M are popular pathways, but they’re optional and not part of standard medical education.

So, What Does This Mean For You?

It’s important to understand that conventional medicine and functional medicine are two different models. One isn’t inherently “better” than the other, they just serve different purposes.

• Conventional medicine is fantastic for acute care, emergencies, and life-saving interventions.

• Functional and naturopathic medicine shine when it comes to chronic symptoms, prevention, and finding the “why” behind your health struggles.

If you’ve been told everything is “normal” but you feel far from it, functional testing might be the missing piece.