Raynaud’s Phenomenon Functional Medicine Care

Primary Raynaud’s occurs on its own. Secondary Raynaud’s can signal an underlying autoimmune disease and deserves a broader workup. Conventional care includes trigger avoidance, hand-warming strategies, and sometimes medication for severe cases.

Functional medicine looks for immune and vascular contributors, especially when Raynaud’s appears with fatigue, joint pain, dryness, or positive antibodies.

Mechanistically, episodic vasospasm reduces blood flow to fingers or toes in response to cold or stress. When autoantibodies or connective-tissue disease are present, the same symptom can be a clue rather than an isolated circulation quirk — which is why we take overlapping autoimmune features seriously.

We clarify primary vs secondary patterns, review autoimmune labs, and build a plan addressing inflammation, gut health, and lifestyle triggers while coordinating with specialists when connective-tissue disease is present.

What testing looks like: ANA and related antibodies when secondary disease is possible, review for Sjögren’s, lupus, or scleroderma features, and gut or inflammatory markers when the systemic picture suggests more than cold hands alone.

What to expect: telehealth history and trigger mapping from Boulder, practical lifestyle strategies, and clear escalation guidance — digital ulcers, severe asymmetric attacks, or new systemic symptoms need prompt in-person evaluation.

It can be frustrating trying to find help with chronic and complex conditions, which is why we have chosen to dedicate our practice to exactly that. Instead of treating the symptoms, the functional medicine approach focuses on uncovering the causes.

All autoimmune diseases start in the gut. We design custom plans of dietary intervention, supplements and lifestyle recommendations to help heal the gut and support the immune system. In supporting these fundamental functions of the digestive tract we can reduce inflammation and see dramatic changes in symptoms.

Our small intestine consists of 25 feet of tubing, the inside surface area being equivalent to that of a doubles tennis court!

Proteins called “tight junctions” prevent a flood of material into the gut. Low vitamin D levels coupled with inflammation in the gut starts to widen the space between cells, allowing materials (bacteria and food) to start seeping through. This triggers inflammation and antibodies are formed against your own tissue.

Dr. Autoimmune is based in Boulder, Colorado, and delivers care entirely by telehealth so patients across Colorado and the United States can work with the team without travel.

Lab draws are coordinated at a facility convenient to where you live. Discovery calls and evaluations happen by secure video. If you are searching for a raynaud’s specialist in Boulder, start on this page and the homepage. Denver metro patients can read how visits work with the Boulder clinic on the Denver telehealth page, then book a discovery call to confirm fit alongside any specialists you already see.