Talking to Your Healthcare Practitioner About Your Supplements

Kristen McCormack-Sedransk, ND

With thousands of supplement options on the market and an ever-growing stream of information online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with what you should or should not be taking. That is why it’s important to talk openly and honestly with your healthcare practitioner about any supplements you are taking or considering. The conversation could feel intimidating or awkward, even when working with an integrative healthcare practitioner, but it can offer great clarity. 

Some supplements can interact detrimentally with medications, impact lab results, or complicate existing health conditions. Transparency is therefore essential to ensure that they support, rather than hinder your overall care. Open communication also allows your practitioner to confirm that the supplements you are taking align with your personal health goals. Here is how you can confidently discuss your supplements with your practitioner.

Preparing for Your Visit

Step 1. Organize Your Supplements

Bring your supplements to your appointment or prepare a detailed list (click here for a free downloadable chart). A structured approach helps your healthcare practitioner quickly understand what you're taking and why.

What to Include:

• Supplement Name and Brand: Clearly note the exact supplement you're using. If you’re going to take pictures, it’s best to be able to clearly see the front panel as well as the supplement facts box.
• Dosage and Frequency: Specify how much and how often you take it. Are you taking it daily or intermittently? It can also be useful to state whether you take it with meals or away from food and generally what time of day you take it.
• Duration of Use: Indicate how long you've been using each supplement. Did you recently start this one or have you taken it for months or years?
• Reason for Use: Clearly state your intended goal or the health issue you are addressing for each supplement. It may be relevant to note if a different healthcare practitioner recommended this supplement and if it was based on previous labwork.
• Effects Noticed: List any benefits or side effects you've experienced.
• Purchase Location and Cost: Include where you buy the supplement and its monthly cost (if this matters to you or if you’re going to chat about prioritizing supplements based on budget). 

Note: It is also important to ensure that your medications and health history are up to date to ensure that supplement use is safe and will not cause any interactions with your prescriptions.

Step 2. Set Clear Health Goals

When discussing supplements, explain your specific health objectives. Instead of general statements like "for energy," detail your purpose clearly:

• "I take Vitamin D because my blood levels were low."
• "I use probiotics for occasional gas and bloating and to regulate my bowel habits."

This clarity allows your practitioner to help evaluate effectiveness and necessity. 

Step 3. Be Transparent About Your Experiences

Your personal response to a supplement matters greatly. Share openly if a supplement:

• Improves your symptoms
• Causes unexpected side effects (even seemingly mild ones like vivid dreams or mild fatigue)
• Doesn’t seem to be making a noticeable difference

Keep in mind that some supplements like multivitamins may not have a measurable outcome or benefit that can be tracked. 

Optional: Talking About Your Budget

If your budget is a concern, then it may be beneficial to discuss this with your healthcare practitioner. While practitioners usually won't ask directly about your budget, they're often willing and able to help prioritize your supplements based on your financial comfort level.

• Clearly state how much you currently spend or would like to spend monthly.
• Ask for recommendations on effective, yet budget-friendly alternatives.
• If you’d rather not discuss your budget directly, you can also report if you are seeking more affordable solutions, as healthcare practitioners may know of something with a similar benefit or ingredient profile at a better price. 

What to Expect During the Visit

Your practitioner might categorize your supplements into different groups:

• Continue taking – Supplements that clearly benefit you
• Finish and stop – Supplements that may have limited benefit or unnecessary long-term use
• Stop immediately – Supplements that are potentially harmful or inappropriate given your health profile
• As needed – Supplements that can be used intermittently for a specific reason

Schedule a Dedicated Supplement Visit if Needed

If your supplement list is extensive, consider scheduling a separate appointment focused solely on reviewing your supplements. This allows for more thorough and thoughtful consideration by your practitioner.

Disclaimer:
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician or healthcare practitioner if you have specific questions before instituting any changes in your daily lifestyle including changes in diet, exercise, and supplement use.

Dr. Kristen McCormack-Sedransk is a licensed naturopathic physician with a passion for practitioner education, evidence-informed therapeutics, and personalized medicine. She brings extensive experience in both clinical practice and the natural products industry, with expertise spanning functional endocrinology, nutritional biochemistry, and integrative product development.
Dr. McCormack-Sedransk has worked closely with healthcare professionals across disciplines to translate complex clinical concepts into actionable strategies. Her work bridges the gap between research, formulation, and frontline clinical use. At ARG, Dr. McCormack supports product development and practitioner training that empower clinicians to deliver individualized, effective care.