Root Cause Gut Health Care
Functional Medicine for Gut Health: Healing Digestion From the Root Cause
Bloating, irregular digestion, and food sensitivities are frequently treated with medication that manages symptoms without addressing what is disrupting your gut in the first place. Functional medicine for gut health investigates the underlying imbalance, whether that is bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, or a compromised gut lining. 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 Gut, Not Guessing
Gut Health Evaluation That Finds the Actual Imbalance
Digestive symptoms can stem from bacterial overgrowth, pathogenic infection, food intolerance, or a compromised intestinal lining, and each requires a different approach. Functional medicine for gut health uses comprehensive stool testing and, where indicated, breath testing, combined with genetic testing. Available in Marquette, Michigan and through fully virtual consultations in Michigan, with lab kits mailed directly to you.
- Comprehensive stool testing for microbiome balance, pathogens, and inflammatory markers
- SIBO breath testing where bacterial overgrowth is suspected
- Intestinal permeability evaluation to assess gut lining integrity
- Personalized gut repair protocol built around your specific results
Is This Right for You
Functional Medicine for Gut Health Is for People Ready to Find the Actual Cause of Their Digestive Symptoms
Bloating After Most Meals
Persistent bloating often points to bacterial overgrowth, food intolerance, or impaired digestive function, all of which can be tested directly.
Irregular or Unpredictable Bowel Habits
Alternating constipation and diarrhea, or stools that vary widely day to day, are common signs of an underlying imbalance. See our IBS page.
Growing List of Food Sensitivities
An expanding list of foods that seem to trigger symptoms often points to a compromised gut lining rather than the foods themselves. See our leaky gut page.
Fatigue or Brain Fog Tied to Digestion
The gut and brain are directly connected. Digestive dysfunction frequently contributes to fatigue and cognitive symptoms.
Remote Patients Seeking Expert Gut Health Care
We offer complete virtual gut health care in Michigan. Stool and breath test kits are mailed directly to you, with results reviewed via telehealth.
Over 22 years of medical experience ★★★★★
The Monarch FM Process
How We Approach Functional Medicine for Gut Health at Monarch FM
Gut symptoms are signals, not the problem itself. Our process identifies whether the underlying issue is bacterial imbalance, overgrowth, infection, or a compromised gut lining, then builds a protocol that repairs the system rather than only suppressing symptoms.
- 22 Years of Clinical Experience
- MMS | PA-C | FMACP Certified Provider
- In-Person in Marquette, MI | Virtual in Michigan
Comprehensive Gut Testing
We use advanced stool testing and, where indicated, SIBO breath testing, combined with genetic testing for digestive and inflammatory pathway variants.
Identifying the Root Imbalance
Julie McDonald determines whether your symptoms trace to dysbiosis, overgrowth, infection, or increased intestinal permeability, since each drives a different treatment path.
Personalized Gut Repair Protocol
Your protocol addresses the identified imbalance directly, often combining targeted supplementation, dietary changes, and gut lining support based on your specific results.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment
We track symptom improvement and, where appropriate, retest stool or breath markers to confirm the protocol is working as intended.
Why Monarch Functional Medicine
Digestive Symptoms Are Common. Living With Them Long-Term Isn't Necessary.
Most patients who come to Monarch Functional Medicine for gut health have already tried elimination diets or over-the-counter remedies with limited success. Our approach covers leaky gut, SIBO, IBS, chronic diarrhea, and the connection between gut health and autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s. For more, read our gut healing protocol explained.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional medicine for gut health?
Functional medicine for gut health investigates the specific cause of digestive symptoms, such as bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, infection, or a compromised gut lining, rather than treating symptoms with general medication alone. At Monarch Functional Medicine, this begins with comprehensive stool and, where indicated, breath testing, along with genetic analysis. Care is available in Marquette, Michigan and virtually in Michigan.
How is this different from standard digestive testing?
Conventional workups often stop at a colonoscopy or basic stool culture, which can rule out serious pathology but rarely explains chronic bloating, irregularity, or food sensitivities. Functional medicine gut testing evaluates the full microbiome, inflammatory markers, and intestinal permeability, providing a level of detail standard testing does not.
How is gut health connected to autoimmune and thyroid conditions?
A large portion of immune activity is regulated in the gut. Intestinal permeability and dysbiosis are well-documented contributors to autoimmune activity, including Hashimoto’s. Addressing gut health is frequently part of our approach to broader autoimmune care.
Can gut health testing be done virtually?
Yes. Stool and breath test kits are mailed directly to you anywhere in Michigan, and results are reviewed with Julie McDonald via telehealth. All consultations and protocol adjustments are conducted virtually.
How long does it take to see improvement in gut health?
Many patients notice changes in bloating and regularity within 4 to 8 weeks of starting a personalized protocol, with continued improvement 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), as gut lining and microbiome balance are restored.
Do I need a referral for gut health testing?
No referral is required. You can book a free 15-minute strategy call directly. If your symptoms suggest a condition requiring immediate evaluation, we will recommend appropriate referral alongside our care.
What does gut health 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. Stool, breath, and genetic testing may be additional depending on your case.
What qualifies Julie McDonald to treat gut health issues?
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 gut health as one of her core focus areas alongside hormones and thyroid. 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
Your Gut Symptoms Have a Cause. Let's Test for It.
Functional medicine for gut health at Monarch FM starts with comprehensive testing, not another elimination diet. 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.
