Table of Contents
- How to Prepare for Your First Functional Medicine Consultation
- Step 1: Complete the Pre-Appointment Questionnaire
- Step 2: Gather Your Past Results
- Step 3: List Every Medicine and Supplement
- Step 4: Write a Symptom Timeline
- Step 5: Note Your Family History
- Step 6: Keep a One to Two Week Diary
- Step 7: Pick Your Top Three Concerns
- Step 8: Write Down Your Questions
- Printable Checklist: What to Bring and Why
- What to Expect at a Functional Medicine Appointment
- Questions to Ask a Functional Medicine Doctor
- What Not to Do Before Your Appointment
- Fees and Medicare
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 29, 2026
How to Prepare for Your First Functional Medicine Consultation
A functional medicine consultation is a long, doctor-led appointment that looks at your full health story, not just one symptom. At Mojo Klinik, we ask you to prepare so the hour is spent on answers, not admin.
Think of it like packing for a trip. Pack properly and you arrive ready.
Here is what to do before your first functional medicine consultation.
Step 1: Complete the Pre-Appointment Questionnaire
This is required. We send it before your visit, and it needs to reach reception at least 2 days before your appointment. Fill it in honestly and completely
Step 2: Gather Your Past Results
Collect blood tests, scans and specialist letters from the last two to three years. Ask your GP for copies if you do not have them.
Step 3: List Every Medicine and Supplement
Write down everything you take, including the dose. If that is hard, bring the bottles in a bag.
Step 4: Write a Symptom Timeline
Note when each symptom started, what seems to trigger it, and what has helped. A simple list works.
Step 5: Note Your Family History
Ask about parents, siblings and grandparents. Heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes and mental health conditions all matter.
Step 6: Keep a One to Two Week Diary
Track food, sleep and symptoms for one to two weeks before your visit. A few lines a day is enough.
Step 7: Pick Your Top Three Concerns
Choose the three things you most want help with, and write down your goals. Three is the right number.
Step 8: Write Down Your Questions
Bring your questions in writing. The Healthdirect Question Builder is a free Australian tool that helps you build a list before any medical appointment.
What Happens at My First Appointment? →
Printable Checklist: What to Bring and Why
|
What to bring |
Why it helps |
|---|---|
|
Completed questionnaire |
Saves time and guides the history |
|
Blood tests and scans (2-3 years) |
Shows trends, not just one snapshot |
|
Medicine and supplement list |
Helps avoid missed interactions |
|
Symptom timeline |
Shows triggers and patterns |
|
Top three concerns and goals |
Keeps the appointment focused |

What to Expect at a Functional Medicine Appointment
A functional medicine appointment runs for about one hour. Your doctor takes a full history, reviews your results and explains what the picture suggests.
Testing is organised afterwards, and your plan is given at the follow-up appointment. If your main concern is hormonal or gut-related, you may instead start with a 45-minute Hormone Assessment or Gut Assessment. For more on how we structure this, see our approach.
Questions to Ask a Functional Medicine Doctor
Good questions make the hour work harder. Write down:
- What do you think is driving my symptoms?
- Which tests are you considering, and why those?
- How will we know if the plan is working?
- How does this work alongside my GP?
If you have normal blood tests and still feel unwell, read why are my blood tests normal.
What Not to Do Before Your Appointment
Do not stop any medicine or supplement unless a doctor advises it. Do not cut out gluten or other food groups before testing. Do not order online test kits beforehand.
Fees and Medicare
Fees are listed on our consultation fees page. Mojo Klinik is private billing. Medicare rebates apply to eligible in-person consultations. Telehealth appointments are only eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have seen the same doctor in person within the last 12 months. If all your care is by telehealth, no Medicare rebate applies. This is why we recommend attending your first appointment in person
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a functional medicine consultation?
Your first functional medicine consultation runs for about an hour. The doctor takes a full history, reviews any past blood tests, scans and specialist letters you bring, and asks about your symptoms, sleep, food and stress. Testing is usually organised after this appointment, and a plan is discussed at the follow-up. You can read more on the first appointment page.
Do I need to bring my medical records to my first appointment?
Yes. Bring blood tests, scans and specialist letters from the last two to three years, plus a list of all medicines and supplements with doses. If you do not have copies, ask your GP clinic for them before the visit. Having these on hand means the doctor can review your history properly rather than ordering tests you have already had.
Should I stop taking my medications before seeing a functional medicine doctor?
No. Do not stop any medicine or supplement unless your prescribing doctor advises it. Keep taking everything as normal and simply bring the list or the bottles to your appointment. Stopping suddenly can affect your health and can also change the results of any testing organised afterwards.
How long does a functional medicine appointment take?
The first appointment is about one hour. This is longer than a standard GP visit because the doctor needs time to take a full history, review your past results and understand your main concerns. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and are where test results and a plan are discussed.
Can I prepare for a functional medicine consultation if I live outside the area?
Yes. Much of the preparation, such as completing the intake form, gathering results and keeping a symptom diary, can be done from home. Appointments can be held by Zoom anywhere in Australia. Telehealth appointments are only eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have seen the same doctor in person within the last 12 months. If all your care is by telehealth, no Medicare rebate applies, and some clinical options may not be available. This is why we recommend attending your first appointment in person, if possible.