Dear Colleague,

A positive test gives you a finding. What makes it the explanation?

Before you choose your functional medicine training, step into this case—and decide what you would do next.

At Functional Medicine University, we teach comprehensive functional medicine and advanced clinical sequencing: the clinical knowledge, the tools, and the reasoning behind what comes first.

FMU Case Challenge #6

A parasite was detected. Does it explain her diarrhea?

A 58-year-old woman has endured four months of watery, nonbloody diarrhea, urgency, and occasional episodes that wake her at night.

An advanced stool test detects Blastocystis.

She completes a prescribed course of parasite-directed treatment. Her symptoms do not meaningfully improve.

Her recent colonoscopy was reported as normal.

Then you review the procedure report and notice one detail:

No colon biopsies were obtained.

She asks:

“If the parasite is still causing this, do I need a stronger treatment—or a parasite cleanse?”

Before treating again, what would you clarify?

Choose your next step

A. Pursue another parasite-directed treatment first, interpreting the persistent symptoms as unsuccessful treatment.

B. Manage the symptoms as IBS, relying on the normal visual colonoscopy to defer further evaluation.

C. Reassess whether Blastocystis explains the symptoms and coordinate further gastrointestinal evaluation, including whether colon biopsies are needed.

Choose your answer. Then finish this sentence:

“My next step is ___ because ___.”

That “because” matters. It makes your clinical reasoning visible.

[SEE THE ANSWER AND CLINICAL REASONING →]

On the answer page, examine which findings change the next decision—and take away a Clinical Decision Pearl for your next case discussion.

Put two clinical minds on this case. Forward it to a colleague who reviews stool tests or sees patients with persistent digestive symptoms. Ask them to choose before you reveal your answer, then compare your reasoning.

Learn the tools—and how to decide what leads

You may know FMU through my articles and these case challenges. Now explore the full education behind them.

FMU provides comprehensive functional medicine training across interconnected clinical systems, laboratory interpretation, nutrition, and lifestyle care.

Advanced clinical sequencing takes that knowledge further. It teaches you to organize competing findings, explain what deserves attention first, and identify what should wait.

Because a patient may need many things—but they cannot all be first.

Develop as a clinician who can explain the plan, including its order.

FMU’s education brings together:

• Comprehensive functional medicine instruction, with advanced clinical sequencing.
• Contributions from 75 instructors and advisors.
• Practical laboratory interpretation resources and focused certification training.
• Personal student support.
• Continuing education opportunities and professional recognition to review for your profession and goals.

For 20 years, FMU has educated health professionals, with more than 9,000 students.

One physician put it simply:

“Functional Medicine University is a hidden gem.”

— Dr. Terry Lakin, D.O., M.P.H.
Osteopathic Physician | Oklahoma, USA

Excerpt from Dr. Lakin’s testimonial published on FMU’s website. Read his original statement at the link below.

[READ DR. LAKIN’S TESTIMONIAL AND MORE STUDENT STORIES →]

Choose your training with the details in front of you

Can I afford it? Can I trust the education?

You deserve clear information for both decisions.

Examine the curriculum. Review the contributing experts. Read students’ own words. Experience the teaching through this case.

Then consider the tuition:

Physician tuition: $4,895
Tuition for other eligible healthcare professionals: $4,595

Six- and twelve-month payment options are available.

[SEE THE CURRICULUM AND WHAT TUITION INCLUDES →]

Warmly,

Ron Grisanti, D.C.
Founder, Functional Medicine University

P.S. October enrollment opens October 19. Start with one clinical decision. Explore the explanation, then see how FMU’s comprehensive education and advanced sequencing fit your professional goals.

P.P.S. Explore FMU’s professional recognition and educational credentials, review the curriculum, and meet the instructors: Explore FMU.