Functional Medicine’s Perspective on Anxiety: Looking Beyond the Obvious
- Dr Michael Elliott MSc, D.C., CFMP.
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges of our time, yet in many cases, its underlying causes remain hidden beneath the surface. Conventional approaches often focus on symptom management, but functional medicine takes a broader view—one that seeks to uncover and address the root contributors to anxiety.
Why Anxiety Is More Than “Just in Your Head”
From a functional medicine perspective, anxiety can be the visible tip of an iceberg of underlying imbalances. These can include:
Hormonal Changes and Imbalances
Fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone can directly influence neurotransmitter activity and stress response.
Thyroid dysfunction, often missed in standard testing, can mimic or worsen anxiety.
Glucose Dysregulation
Blood sugar highs and crashes can trigger cortisol surges, mood instability, and feelings of panic.
Neurotransmitter Imbalances
Low GABA (your calming neurotransmitter) or imbalanced serotonin and dopamine levels can drive an overactive stress response.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Low magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, or omega-3 fatty acids can all affect brain chemistry.
Gut-Brain Axis Disruption
Imbalances in the microbiome, leaky gut, or chronic inflammation can increase the production of anxiety-promoting neurochemicals.
Chronic Inflammation and Immune Dysregulation
Ongoing inflammation can impair brain signalling and resilience to stress.
Environmental & Lifestyle Triggers
Hidden mould exposure, environmental toxins, poor sleep quality, and overexposure to technology can subtly but powerfully influence mental health.
Why the Right Questions Matter
In functional medicine, the conversation goes beyond “When did your anxiety start?”We ask:
What was happening in your life physically, emotionally, and environmentally when symptoms began?
Are there patterns in your anxiety related to food intake, menstrual cycle, or sleep?
Have you had subtle digestive, hormonal, or immune symptoms that were never connected to your mental health?
The Role of Advanced Functional Medicine Testing
Conventional lab tests often look only at basic hormone levels or rule out disease. Functional medicine may include:
DUTCH testing for cortisol patterns and sex hormone balance
Organic Acid Testing for neurotransmitter metabolites
Comprehensive stool analysis for gut health and inflammation
Micronutrient testing for brain-supporting nutrients
Continuous glucose monitoring for hidden blood sugar swings
The Bottom Line
Anxiety is rarely caused by just one thing. By taking a systems-based approach, functional medicine helps identify the unique combination of factors driving your symptoms—allowing for a personalised, targeted plan that supports both mind and body.
If anxiety has been part of your life for too long, perhaps it’s time to look deeper. The answers might be hiding in places you haven’t looked yet.
