The Power of Personalized Functional Medicine Care for POTS

For those living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), the journey is often exhausting. Many patients cycle through symptom management without ever addressing why the condition began in the first place. As a result, debilitating orthostatic intolerance, chronic fatigue, and persistent “brain fog” continue to interfere with daily life. Unfortunately, these symptoms do not fit into a one-size-fits-all treatment plan.

As a Holistic Cardiologist, I believe lasting relief from POTS begins with a shift in focus. Rather than targeting symptoms alone, we must identify the root cause of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. This approach forms the foundation of Personalized Functional Medicine.

If you are tired of merely coping with POTS, then it may be time for a more comprehensive strategy. Most importantly, this approach treats you as an individual, not just a diagnosis.

Conventional Care vs. Functional Medicine: A New Perspective

Conventional treatment for POTS plays an important role. In particular, it can be invaluable for stabilizing acute symptoms. Typically, this approach includes:

• Fluid and Salt Intake: Increasing blood volume to support blood pressure

• Medication: Prescribing beta-blockers or Florinef to regulate heart rate and pressure

• Compression: Using garments to reduce blood pooling in the lower extremities

While these strategies provide support, they rarely resolve the condition fully. Instead, they focus on managing the effects of dysautonomia rather than its cause.

In contrast, Functional Medicine (FM) offers a different perspective. Specifically, FM asks a critical question: What triggered the nervous system to malfunction in the first place?

From this viewpoint, POTS is not a single-system disease. Rather, it represents a complex manifestation of underlying imbalance driven by one or more root factors.

Why POTS Requires Personalized Care

If all POTS patients shared the same cause, then a standard protocol would work every time. However, that is not the reality. In fact, the origins of POTS vary widely from person to person. Therefore, sustainable healing requires a truly personalized approach.

Functional Medicine commonly investigates several potential root causes, including:

• Chronic Infections: Conditions such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), or viral reactivation can disrupt immune and nervous system function.

• Gut Health and Inflammation: The gut-heart connection is significant. Issues like leaky gut, dysbiosis, or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can drive systemic inflammation and impair autonomic balance.

• Hormonal Imbalances: Thyroid dysfunction, adrenal stress, and sex hormone fluctuations—especially in women—strongly influence nervous system regulation.

• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): In this condition, mast cells release inflammatory mediators inappropriately, often worsening or mimicking POTS symptoms.

• Nutrient Deficiencies: Low levels of B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, or iron can impair nerve signaling, energy production, and cardiovascular stability.

What Personalized Functional Medicine for POTS Looks Like

When you work with a Holistic Cardiologist trained in Functional Medicine, your care goes deeper. Above all, it becomes highly individualized.

This process often includes:

• Advanced Diagnostic Testing: In addition to standard labs, we may use comprehensive stool analysis, advanced hormone testing, inflammatory markers, and assessments for heavy metals or environmental toxins.

• Creating a Health Timeline: We carefully trace your medical history to identify key events, infections, or exposures that preceded symptom onset.

• Customized Treatment Protocols: Treatment is both tiered and personalized, commonly including:

  • Dietary Healing: Anti-inflammatory or low-histamine nutrition plans to reduce systemic inflammation

  • Gut Restoration: Targeted supplements and probiotics to repair the gut lining and rebalance the microbiome

  • Nervous System Retraining: Techniques such as vagal nerve stimulation and intentional breathwork to restore autonomic regulation

  • Targeted Supplementation: High-quality nutrients to correct deficiencies and support mitochondrial (cellular energy) function

POTS is complex, but it is not hopeless. With the principles of Personalized Functional Medicine, we can uncover the mechanisms driving your condition. From there, we can build a tailored pathway toward restoration and resilience.

Dr. Cynthia Thaik offers telehealth consultations and follow-up appointments. As a result, specialized care is accessible regardless of your location.

To discuss your health journey and learn more about our comprehensive care model, call (818) 842-1410.

Important Note: Personalized Functional Medicine Case Reviews and certain initial telehealth consultations are not covered by insurance. However, other services may be eligible. Telehealth appointments provide a high level of personalized care and accelerated insight from the comfort of your home. If you are interested in learning more about in-person consultations that may qualify for insurance coverage, please call (818) 842-1410.