Hair loss is one of those symptoms that can feel incredibly frustrating—and there is rarely just one possible cause. At Tendwell Functional Medicine, when someone comes to us concerned about increased shedding, thinning hair, a widening part, or changes in hair texture, we like to take a deeper look at why it may be happening rather than focusing only on the hair itself.
When we talk about preventing heart disease, cholesterol numbers are only part of the story. Tests such as ApoB, LDL cholesterol, Lp(a), blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammatory markers can tell us about cardiovascular risk—but sometimes we want to answer a more direct question: Is there actually plaque in the coronary arteries? Two tests you may hear about are a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and Cleerly coronary plaque analysis. They both look for coronary artery disease, but they provide very different information.
If you've spent any time exploring nervous system regulation, you've probably come across wearable vagus nerve stimulators like Pulsetto, Nurosym (sold as NuroPod in the U.S.), or Truvaga. These devices promise to reduce stress, improve sleep, support digestion, and even increase heart rate variability (HRV). As someone who spends much of my day helping patients navigate anxiety, IBS, SIBO, reflux, constipation, chronic stress, and functional GI disorders, I understand why there's so much excitement around these devices.
One of the most exciting developments in women's health over the past few years is the emergence of saliva-based testing for endometriosis. For decades, diagnosing endometriosis has been frustratingly slow. The average woman waits 7-10 years from the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis. Many are told their painful periods are "normal," while others undergo years of imaging, medications, or even surgery before finally getting answers.
Many of us spend our days rushing from one task to the next, constantly planning, worrying, or replaying the past. While stress is an unavoidable part of life, how we respond to it can have a profound impact on our health.
Some temporary water retention is incredibly common and usually does not mean you've gained fat or that your hormones are harming you. For most women, patience really does pay off. Support your body with hydration, movement, potassium-rich foods, adequate protein, fiber, good sleep, and time. If you're still feeling persistently swollen after 3-4 months, or the symptoms are becoming severe, it's worth talking with your healthcare provider. Sometimes a small adjustment to your hormone regimen can make all the difference.
Methylene blue has become one of the most talked-about compounds in the longevity and biohacking world. From social media influencers to physicians interested in mitochondrial medicine, it's being discussed as a potential tool for improving brain function, energy, and even healthy aging. But what exactly is it—and does the science support all of the excitement?
At Tendwell, we aim to make your care as transparent, thoughtful, and cost-effective as possible. One place this often comes up is lab testing—whether to use insurance or choose a cash pay option. While insurance seems like the obvious choice, that’s not
Many patients come to Tendwell with a sense that something is off—but no clear answers. Sometimes they already suspect mold exposure. Other times, they’ve seen multiple specialists—ENT, neurology, gastroenterology—and still don’t feel better. Their labs may be “normal,” yet symptoms persist.
There’s been a surge of new lab companies—Function Health, Superpower, and others—promising deeper insights, more data, and a clearer picture of your health. In this blog we explore these offerings.
Many patients come to Tendwell after mold exposure, trauma, chronic illness, or perimenopause saying the same thing: “I feel like my body is stuck in fight-or-flight.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You may be experiencing nervous system dysregulation — and there is a physiological reason for it.
If you’ve been told you have Hashimoto’s, or that your thyroid labs are “normal” but you still feel exhausted, anxious, foggy, or stuck with weight gain — you are not alone. We see this every day at Tendwell.
When someone is living with chronic stress or chronic illness, the nervous system often gets stuck in a state of threat. The vagus nerve plays a central role in calming the body, supporting digestion, immunity, and emotional regulation. Limbic retraining helps re-pattern the brain’s threat response, reducing overactivation and allowing the body to shift toward safety, healing, and resilience.
The Menopause Moment is a refreshing, evidence-based, and deeply empowering guide for women navigating perimenopause and menopause—and for clinicians who care for them. Dr. Kelly Casperson brings a much-needed blend of medical rigor, clinical clarity, and straight talk to a phase of life that has been historically under-taught, under-treated, and often dismissed.
If you struggle with falling asleep—or staying asleep—there’s a surprisingly simple habit that may help: wearing socks at night. It sounds almost too easy, but this small change can support one of the most important drivers of good sleep: healthy temperature regulation.
There’s no single “right” way to do a cleanse, and the word itself often means very different things to different people. For some, it brings to mind water fasting (my sister-in-law immediately thinks of this!). But starving your way through a fast—only to regain weight or feel depleted afterward—isn’t my idea of an effective or sustainable cleanse. Others think of juice-only programs, which can send a surge of natural sugar straight into your system without offering much in the way of real detox support.
At Tendwell, I’m constantly searching for the safest, cleanest, and most nourishing products—both for myself and for the people I care for. As a holistic nurse practitioner and the founder of a functional medicine practice, I only recommend items I trust, use, and genuinely love. Here are a few of my Favorite Things for 2025—from fragrance-free moisturizers to nourishing foods and simple lifestyle tools that support a healthier, calmer, more balanced everyday life.
Wondering if GLP-1 medications affect egg freezing or fertility? Tendwell Functional Medicine in Denver offers personalized fertility optimization, metabolic support, and hormone balancing to prepare your body for IVF and pregnancy.
Anyone who’s ever started a business has probably been told to define their “ideal client.” When I first launched my functional medicine practice, that concept felt foreign — even uncomfortable. I mean, I’m a people person. I like everyone. I find challenging personalities interesting. I didn’t want to exclude anyone. I’m here to help.
Discover how vagal nerve stimulation and limbic retraining calm the nervous system and support recovery from chronic illness. Learn tools like Gupta, Primal Trust & Apollo Neuro.