What to expect as a new patient:
Tired of your practitioner rushing you through your visit? Not listening and labeling you without hearing your whole story?
Your appointments here at the Northeast Ohio Institute for Functional Medicine will be unlike any you have experienced in the past.
The team at the NEOIFM gets to know and understand YOU, and supports you on your journey to wellness. Dr. Sprecher investigates all sources of inflammation in your body and tries to resolve or eliminate them. These triggers are revealed through various tests, bloodwork, and conversation with patients. As Dr. Sprecher says, "There is no magic pill or vitamin, but a process." Once your results come in, a plan is put together to help your body begin to repair and heal.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT: You will meet with our intake specialist, Ashley, Dr. Kim or Christine, who will do a thorough, hour-long intake of your symptoms. After that conversation, you will meet with Dr. Sprecher, who will decide on how to move forward. Most patients will have bloodwork ordered at their first visit, which can be done here on the premises. Expect to spend about 2.5 hours here at your first appointment.
TWO WEEKS LATER: You will typically meet with Dr. Sprecher to talk about your initial results.
SIX WEEKS LATER: Once all of the test results come in, you will meet again with Dr. Sprecher to get her analysis and a follow-up plan. You may then talk with Ashley, Dr. Kim or Christine for further treatment options and support.
Please review our cancellation policy.
If a cancellation is needed, please notitfy us 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment to recieve your deposit back.
Please feel free to bring a loved one or friend to your appointments, as a “second set of ears” is always welcome. Patients may also record their sessions, as the information can be overwhelming.
You must pay in full at your appointment, but you will receive forms to submit to your insurance company.
Many insurance companies cover some part of the visit, and much of the laboratory work.
For more questions on insurance, call our office at (440) 338-6344.
Your appointments here at the Northeast Ohio Institute for Functional Medicine will be unlike any you have experienced in the past.
The team at the NEOIFM gets to know and understand YOU, and supports you on your journey to wellness. Dr. Sprecher investigates all sources of inflammation in your body and tries to resolve or eliminate them. These triggers are revealed through various tests, bloodwork, and conversation with patients. As Dr. Sprecher says, "There is no magic pill or vitamin, but a process." Once your results come in, a plan is put together to help your body begin to repair and heal.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT: You will meet with our intake specialist, Ashley, Dr. Kim or Christine, who will do a thorough, hour-long intake of your symptoms. After that conversation, you will meet with Dr. Sprecher, who will decide on how to move forward. Most patients will have bloodwork ordered at their first visit, which can be done here on the premises. Expect to spend about 2.5 hours here at your first appointment.
TWO WEEKS LATER: You will typically meet with Dr. Sprecher to talk about your initial results.
SIX WEEKS LATER: Once all of the test results come in, you will meet again with Dr. Sprecher to get her analysis and a follow-up plan. You may then talk with Ashley, Dr. Kim or Christine for further treatment options and support.
Please review our cancellation policy.
If a cancellation is needed, please notitfy us 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment to recieve your deposit back.
Please feel free to bring a loved one or friend to your appointments, as a “second set of ears” is always welcome. Patients may also record their sessions, as the information can be overwhelming.
You must pay in full at your appointment, but you will receive forms to submit to your insurance company.
Many insurance companies cover some part of the visit, and much of the laboratory work.
For more questions on insurance, call our office at (440) 338-6344.
More information about our testing:
At nearly all new patient appointments, bloodwork is done on site at our Lab Corp laboratory. Dr. Sprecher will start with priority bloodwork, and follow up if more tests are needed at future appointments. We offer a variety of other tests, but below is information on the ones we use most frequently:
The NutrEval: This test provides information on nutrients, detoxification and the gut. It is one of Dr. Sprecher’s favorite tests as it is a great way to find out how well your systems are working.
What you need to do: Collect urine overnight, and come to our office for fasting bloodwork in the morning. Bring in the test kit to be mailed from our office.
Results: Results take about four weeks to come in.
NutrEval Instructions
NutrEval Photo Guide
NutrEval You Tube instructional video
More about the NutrEval
GI Effects Stool Test: The GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile can reveal important information about the root cause of many common gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. This test uses biomarkers such as Calprotectin to differentiate between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. In addition, the test can be used to diagnose a gastrointestinal infection or dysbiosis.
What you need to do: A receptacle will be provided to collect your stool. You will then distribute it into different tubes and refrigerate it until you send it to the lab via Fed Ex. It takes about six weeks for results to come in.
Results: We get results about six weeks after the test is submitted.
GI Effects Instructions
GI Effects You Tube Instructional Video
More about GI Effects
The Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This test requires the patient to drink a solution and then breathe into a tube at scheduled intervals. It is usually done at Hillcrest Hospital, but arrangements can be made to have it done at other locations. The results indicate whether the patient has Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), which contributes to several health issues.
Cost: It is done at a hospital, so costs vary depending on your insurance.
What you need to do: Through Hillcrest, the hospital will contact you to set up an appointment to do the test. You will eat a limited diet the day before and fast the day of the test, which takes about four hours. If you are doing the test at University Hospital, you will need to fill a prescription for a solution to bring with you to the test.
Results: We get results 2-3 days after the test is completed.
Breath Test Instructions
The Alletess: This test is also known at Delayed Sensitivity Food Testing. A blood draw will be done here to determine sensitivity to 184 different foods. Results can help guide food choices- in some cases, it confirms what you already know, but it can also reveal sensitivity patterns (i.e to dairy, grains, seeds, etc.)
What you need to do: This test is a blood draw done here at the office.
Results: Take about three weeks to come in.
The Glucose and Insulin Tolerance Test: This test measures your body’s response to sugar. It is given in cases of blood sugar fluctuations and insulin resistance.
Cost: Usually covered by insurance.
What you need to do: Plan to be in our office for about five hours. We will give you sugar the first hour then measure your glucose levels every hour after.
Results: Results come in about five days.
Home Sleep Study: This test measures how many times you wake up during the night and how much time you spend on one side or your back. It helps to diagnose sleep apnea.
What you need to do: Stop by the office of Dr. Benjamin Hornstein (Beachwood) to pick up a test kit. Put on the test kit at night (a watch-type device and a few electrodes) and return it to Dr. Hornstein’s in the morning.
Results: You should get results when you return the kit to Dr. Hornstein.
Salivary Hormone Test: This test measures your cortisol and HPA Axis levels at different times during the day through your saliva. Conditions associated with HPA Axis dysfunction include weight gain, depression, GI issues and chronic pain.
What you need to do: Your saliva will be collected into a tube four times during the day.
Results: Results take about two weeks.
The NutrEval: This test provides information on nutrients, detoxification and the gut. It is one of Dr. Sprecher’s favorite tests as it is a great way to find out how well your systems are working.
What you need to do: Collect urine overnight, and come to our office for fasting bloodwork in the morning. Bring in the test kit to be mailed from our office.
Results: Results take about four weeks to come in.
NutrEval Instructions
NutrEval Photo Guide
NutrEval You Tube instructional video
More about the NutrEval
GI Effects Stool Test: The GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile can reveal important information about the root cause of many common gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. This test uses biomarkers such as Calprotectin to differentiate between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. In addition, the test can be used to diagnose a gastrointestinal infection or dysbiosis.
What you need to do: A receptacle will be provided to collect your stool. You will then distribute it into different tubes and refrigerate it until you send it to the lab via Fed Ex. It takes about six weeks for results to come in.
Results: We get results about six weeks after the test is submitted.
GI Effects Instructions
GI Effects You Tube Instructional Video
More about GI Effects
The Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This test requires the patient to drink a solution and then breathe into a tube at scheduled intervals. It is usually done at Hillcrest Hospital, but arrangements can be made to have it done at other locations. The results indicate whether the patient has Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), which contributes to several health issues.
Cost: It is done at a hospital, so costs vary depending on your insurance.
What you need to do: Through Hillcrest, the hospital will contact you to set up an appointment to do the test. You will eat a limited diet the day before and fast the day of the test, which takes about four hours. If you are doing the test at University Hospital, you will need to fill a prescription for a solution to bring with you to the test.
Results: We get results 2-3 days after the test is completed.
Breath Test Instructions
The Alletess: This test is also known at Delayed Sensitivity Food Testing. A blood draw will be done here to determine sensitivity to 184 different foods. Results can help guide food choices- in some cases, it confirms what you already know, but it can also reveal sensitivity patterns (i.e to dairy, grains, seeds, etc.)
What you need to do: This test is a blood draw done here at the office.
Results: Take about three weeks to come in.
The Glucose and Insulin Tolerance Test: This test measures your body’s response to sugar. It is given in cases of blood sugar fluctuations and insulin resistance.
Cost: Usually covered by insurance.
What you need to do: Plan to be in our office for about five hours. We will give you sugar the first hour then measure your glucose levels every hour after.
Results: Results come in about five days.
Home Sleep Study: This test measures how many times you wake up during the night and how much time you spend on one side or your back. It helps to diagnose sleep apnea.
What you need to do: Stop by the office of Dr. Benjamin Hornstein (Beachwood) to pick up a test kit. Put on the test kit at night (a watch-type device and a few electrodes) and return it to Dr. Hornstein’s in the morning.
Results: You should get results when you return the kit to Dr. Hornstein.
Salivary Hormone Test: This test measures your cortisol and HPA Axis levels at different times during the day through your saliva. Conditions associated with HPA Axis dysfunction include weight gain, depression, GI issues and chronic pain.
What you need to do: Your saliva will be collected into a tube four times during the day.
Results: Results take about two weeks.
