Root Cause Anxiety Care
Functional Medicine for Anxiety: Addressing the Physical Drivers Behind Anxious Symptoms
Anxiety is frequently treated as a purely psychological issue, yet hormonal imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar instability, and nutrient depletion can all directly produce or worsen anxious symptoms. Functional medicine for anxiety evaluates these physical contributors alongside your mental health care, not in place of it. Julie McDonald, MMS, PA-C, FMACP, sees patients in-person in Marquette, MI and virtually in Michigan through the 12-Week Reset (The 12 Week Reset is our foundational program, and where every patient begins. Comprehensive bloodwork (including hormones) and genetic testing give us a clear picture of what’s driving how you feel — so we can build your specific plan across Nutrition, Sleep, Stress, Supplements, and Mindfulness, the foundation functional medicine builds on).
Trusted & loved by our patients.
Years of clinical experience
Testing the Physical Side of Anxiety
Anxiety Evaluation That Looks at Hormones, Thyroid, and Blood Sugar
Estrogen and progesterone shifts, thyroid dysfunction, blood sugar swings, and nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium can all produce physical anxiety symptoms. Functional medicine for anxiety tests these systems directly, combined with genetic testing. Available in Marquette, Michigan and through fully virtual consultations in Michigan.
- Hormone panel: estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol, all directly linked to anxiety symptoms
- Full thyroid panel, since both underactive and overactive thyroid can cause anxiety
- Fasting insulin and glucose testing to rule out blood sugar-driven anxiety symptoms
- Genetic and nutrient testing for GABA, serotonin, and magnesium-related pathways
Is This Right for You
Functional Medicine for Anxiety Is for People Who Want to Understand the Physical Piece of Their Symptoms
Anxiety That Arrived or Worsened in Your 30s or 40s
New-onset anxiety during this life stage frequently tracks with hormonal shifts, particularly declining progesterone.
Physical Anxiety Symptoms: Racing Heart, Restlessness, Trouble Relaxing
These physiological symptoms often trace to cortisol, blood sugar, or hormonal patterns that can be tested directly.
Anxiety That Tracks With Your Menstrual Cycle
Cyclical anxiety often points to progesterone and GABA-related hormonal patterns. See our mood swings page.
Anxiety Alongside Fatigue or Wired-but-Tired Energy
This combination frequently reflects adrenal dysregulation. See our adrenal fatigue page.
Tried Therapy or Medication With Only Partial Relief
When treatment helps but doesn't fully resolve symptoms, an unaddressed physical contributor is often part of the picture.
Remote Patients Seeking Expert Care
We offer complete virtual anxiety-related care in Michigan, with labs coordinated locally and consultations via telehealth.
Over 22 years of medical experience ★★★★★
The Monarch FM Process
How We Approach Functional Medicine for Anxiety at Monarch FM
Anxiety often has a measurable physical component alongside its psychological dimension. Our process tests hormones, thyroid, and blood sugar to identify physical contributors, then builds a protocol that works alongside your mental health care.
- 22 Years of Clinical Experience
- MMS | PA-C | FMACP Certified Provider
- In-Person in Marquette, MI | Virtual in Michigan
Comprehensive Hormone and Metabolic Testing
We evaluate estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid function, and blood sugar, combined with genetic testing for neurotransmitter-related pathways.
Identifying Physical Contributors
Julie McDonald determines whether hormonal shifts, adrenal dysregulation, or blood sugar instability is contributing to your anxiety symptoms.
Personalized Support Protocol
Your protocol may include targeted nutrients such as magnesium, hormonal support, and blood sugar stabilization strategies, designed to complement any therapy or medication you are already using.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
We track symptom patterns alongside repeat labs to confirm your protocol is addressing the physical contributors effectively.
Why Monarch Functional Medicine
Anxiety Can Have a Physical Component Worth Investigating.
Hormonal, thyroid, and blood sugar factors can all produce or worsen anxiety symptoms. Related pages include sleep issues, adrenal fatigue, and hormonal mood swings.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hormones or thyroid problems cause anxiety?
Yes. Fluctuating estrogen and low progesterone directly affect GABA and serotonin activity, both overactive and underactive thyroid function can produce anxiety symptoms, and blood sugar instability triggers physical anxiety responses through cortisol and adrenaline. Functional medicine for anxiety tests these systems directly. At Monarch Functional Medicine, this includes hormone, thyroid, and metabolic testing alongside genetic analysis, available in Marquette, Michigan and virtually in Michigan.
Does functional medicine replace therapy or anxiety medication?
No. Functional medicine for anxiety is designed to complement mental health care, not replace it. We identify and address physical contributors such as hormones, thyroid function, and blood sugar, and many patients continue working with a therapist or psychiatrist alongside our program.
Why does my anxiety get worse before my period?
Cyclical anxiety in the luteal phase is commonly driven by declining progesterone, which reduces its calming effect on GABA receptors, combined with shifting estrogen levels. See our hormonal mood swings page for a full explanation.
Can anxiety-related testing be done virtually?
Yes. Monarch Functional Medicine offers complete virtual evaluation in Michigan. Lab work is coordinated through a draw site near you, with consultations conducted via telehealth.
How long does it take to notice improvement?
Many patients notice reduced physical anxiety symptoms within 4 to 8 weeks of starting a personalized protocol, as hormonal and metabolic contributors are addressed through the 12-Week Reset. The 12 Week Reset is our foundational program, and where every patient begins. Comprehensive bloodwork (including hormones) and genetic testing give us a clear picture of what’s driving how you feel — so we can build your specific plan across Nutrition, Sleep, Stress, Supplements, and Mindfulness, the foundation functional medicine builds on.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. You can book a free 15-minute strategy call directly, and we encourage continuing any existing mental health care alongside our program.
What does treatment cost?
Care begins through the 12-Week Energy, Hormone and Metabolism Reset (The 12 Week Reset is our foundational program, and where every patient begins. Comprehensive bloodwork (including hormones) and genetic testing give us a clear picture of what’s driving how you feel — so we can build your specific plan across Nutrition, Sleep, Stress, Supplements, and Mindfulness, the foundation functional medicine builds on), priced at $849 paid in full or three payments of $297, with hormone and metabolic testing available as needed.
What qualifies Julie McDonald to address the physical side of anxiety?
Julie McDonald holds a Master of Medical Science (MMS), is a board-certified PA-C with the FMACP designation, and has 22 years of clinical experience, with hormonal and physiological contributors to anxiety among her areas of focus. Learn more on the About Us page.
Patient Results
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The Monarch FM Standard
Clinical Expertise. Advanced Testing. A Protocol Built for You.
Julie McDonald is a MMS, PA-C, and FMACP with 22 years across Emergency, Family, and Internal Medicine. Monarch Functional Medicine runs the labs most providers never order, interprets them through a functional medicine lens, and builds a protocol specific to your biology. Learn more about Julie or book a free strategy call today.
Ready to Start
Anxiety Can Have a Physical Root. Let's Test for It.
Functional medicine for anxiety at Monarch FM tests the hormonal, thyroid, and metabolic contributors behind anxious symptoms, working alongside your mental health care. See us in person in Marquette, MI or work with us virtually from anywhere in Michigan.
Join hundreds of patients who have reclaimed their energy, hormones, and health.
