The evaluation and management process begins with the Health History Form. A patient’s concerns, symptoms and brief medical history are reviewed for possible evaluation at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. Appropriate patients are then scheduled for an initial visit and evaluation. An information packet is provided to help gather important health information and to help prepare for the medical and laboratory evaluation.

The Initial Visit and Evaluation

This is a comprehensive medical history, physical examination and laboratory evaluation lasting typically 2 – 3 hours.

1. 45-minute interview and assessment of medical, social and family history and introduction to the nutrient treatment program with the primary care nurse.
2. 45-minute history, physical examination and discussion of preliminary nutrient and other treatment recommendations with the practitioner, who may be an Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant.
3. Laboratory sampling of blood, urine and hair for analysis. If appropriate additional testing may be recommended.
4. A comprehensive review of the history, exam and laboratory findings by the practitioner to develop an individualized prescription nutrient program (see below).
   

After evaluation patients are encouraged to contact their primary care nurse with questions about or progress with the initial treatment recommendations.

Individualized Nutrient Program

Approximately 7 – 10 weeks after the initial evaluation patients will receive a packet of information containing:

1. A brief description of a patient’s biochemical imbalances.
   
2. Copies of their laboratory results.
   
3. An individualized prescription nutrient program of vitamins, minerals and appropriate supplements. Relevant dietary or other recommendations are also included in the treatment recommendations.
   
4. Progress Reports for ongoing assessment of the nutrient program.
   
   

Included in the cost of the initial evaluation is a 25 minute Results Consult with a nurse to review the information in the Results Packet of information. This consult is done over the phone and is a scheduled appointment. Should more time or more complex questions arise during the Results Consults, then a visit with the nurse or the medical practitioner can be scheduled for a fee.

Although the nutrient program can be taken as individual capsules or pills, compounding the nutrients into fewer capsules improves compliance. This issue arose during the study period of the paper published in Physiology and Behavior and lead to the establishment of the compounding HRI Pharmacy.

The nutrient program can be ordered from the HRI Pharmacy or a compounding pharmacy of your choice.

Follow-up visit and evaluation

This is a comprehensive reassessment of the medical history and response to therapy lasting 45 – 90 minutes

1. 25-minute interview and assessment with the primary care nurse.
   
2. 25-minute history, physical examination and discussion of new treatment recommendations with the practitioner, who may be an Medical Doctor, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant.
   
3. Laboratory sampling of blood, urine and hair.
   
4. A comprehensive review of the history, exam and laboratory findings by the practitioner to develop an individualized prescription nutrient program.
   
5. Approximately 7 – 10 weeks following this appointment the patient will receive a copy of the new nutrient prescription.
   
   

Follow-up appointments are scheduled for 4 – 6 months after onset of the nutrient program. Reassessment is an essential part of achieving effective treatment. This is especially true for children, as their nutrient needs change with growth and development. Reevaluation may also bring to light previously unapparent imbalances or factors that will need to be addressed.

Follow-up appointments can be scheduled at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in Warrenville or at an Outreach Clinic. After the first follow-up visit, a follow-up evaluation will typically be necessary annually or every other year for patients showing good response to the nutrient program who do not have significant ongoing medical issues.

If it is difficult to return to the Pfeiffer Treatment Center or to be seen at an Outreach Clinic, a follow-up by phone can be scheduled with the approval of the medical staff. In this circumstance, laboratory samples usually can be obtained locally with a kit from the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. We are not able to accommodate all states or some of our international patients due to difficulty in obtaining reliable laboratory services.

Prior to All Visits

Instructions to Follow Prior to Your Appointment (pdf)

Special notes to parents of young patients:

Obtaining blood, urine and hair samples from young patients can be very frightening for them and very challenging for us. We have found that using a soft restraint system called a papoose makes the blood draw quicker and safer for the patient.

Although initially hesitant most parents are pleased with this system, as the papoose serves to calm many young patients. The faster the blood draw process, the less time it takes for the child to calm down afterwards. If you are not familiar with the papoose system, please call before or ask about it when you arrive for your child’s appointment.

Urine samples can also be difficult to collect from younger children, especially if they are not toilet trained. To avoid waiting for a prolonged period to collect an adequate urine sample during the visit, those who live locally or are spending the night locally prior to the visit may collect two urine samples the night before or the morning of the appointment. If interested and able to collect urine ahead of time, please call the clinic to arrange to pick up a urine collection kit. A trained staff person will review the procedure with you when you come to retrieve the kit.

Note to international patients:

Our treatment program includes individualized nutritional supplements and compounded preparations. If you would like to or need to obtain these items from the HRI Pharmacy it is important that you are able to receive them from us in a timely fashion through customs. Periodic follow-up in the U.S. is part of ensuring a successful program and for renewing the nutrient prescription.

Fee schedule.