Your Cholesterol Numbers Are High. The Reason Might Surprise You.
Most patients who come to us have already tried eating better, exercising more, even taking medication
— and their cholesterol is still a problem. That's because high cholesterol is rarely just about diet. It's a symptom. And until you find the root cause, nothing fully works.
THE PROBLEM WITH STANDARD TESTING
A Standard Cholesterol Panel Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
A basic lipid panel gives you four numbers. It doesn't tell you what's driving those numbers, whether your particles are the dangerous kind, or whether your
gut, liver, or blood sugar are playing a role.
That's why so many patients get the same advice over and over — eat less fat, take a statin — without ever understanding what's actually causing the problem.
What Standard Testing Misses
- Particle size and count (NMR testing reveals this — a standard panel doesn't)
- Insulin resistance as a cholesterol driver
- Gut imbalances that affect how cholesterol is processed
- Liver function issues that raise production
- Inflammation levels that make cholesterol more dangerous
HOW WE WORK
A Different Kind of Cholesterol Care
We don't start with a prescription. We start with answers.
📲Book Free Discovery Call
A 15–30 minute call with our office. You'll learn what working with us looks like — costs, testing, visits, and what to expect.
We'll also ask about your situation to make sure we're the right fit. If we are, you'll be scheduled as a new patient on that same call.
👩🔬 Advanced Testing
Depending on your history and symptoms, we'll recommend a combination of advanced blood testing (NMR, omega levels, inflammatory markers), stool testing, and/or an Organic Acids Test (OAT). These tests reveal patterns standard labs don't look for.
🔬 Test Review and Care Plan
We walk through every result in plain language and build a care plan specific to your results — not a generic protocol. Most patients leave this visit with more answers than they've gotten in years.
🤝 Ongoing Support
For patients who need it, we provide continued guidance on supplements, lifestyle changes, and monitoring so your results actually hold.
TESTING WE USE
The Tests That Find Root Causes
Not everyone needs every test. We recommend what your situation calls for.
Advanced Blood Lipid Testing
Goes beyond a standard panel to measure particle size, NMR lipoprotein analysis, omega-3 and omega-6 ratios, and CK levels. These markers reveal how dangerous your cholesterol actually is and what metabolic patterns are driving it.
Comprehensive Stool Testing
Your gut has a direct relationship with cholesterol regulation. Imbalances in gut bacteria, infections, or poor absorption can all affect cholesterol levels. We use comprehensive stool testing to identify these issues.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
A urine-based test that gives us a broad look at metabolic function — including mitochondrial health, nutrient deficiencies, and markers for yeast and bacterial overgrowth that may be contributing to your cholesterol issues.
MEET YOUR DOCTORS
Dr. Mathew Bradshaw
DC, AFMCP
Dr. Matthew Bradshaw is a Kansas City–born, Colorado-schooled chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner who blends natural healing principles with advanced training through the Institute for Functional Medicine. After overcoming his own debilitating panic attacks and gut issues using a clean diet, targeted supplements, and lifestyle changes, he now loves helping patients who feel stuck in the traditional medical system finally get answers and lasting relief.
Hilary Rutledge
DC, DABCI
Dr. Hilary Rutledge is a Sierra Nevada Foothills native, longtime Wilmington resident, and chiropractor-turned-functional medicine doctor who has spent more than two decades helping patients get healthy naturally. After returning to school for four additional years of advanced functional medicine training, she now focuses on partnering with patients who feel unheard in the traditional system, using in-depth testing, personalized care plans, and plenty of real-life empathy as a mom, horse lover, and yoga enthusiast.
Ready to Find Out What's Really Going On?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call. We'll talk about your symptoms, your history, and whether our program is the right fit.