Many of the people who come to see us on Hylan Blvd have already done the responsible things. They’ve had bloodwork. They’ve been told their labs look normal. And yet they’re still tired, still stressed, still fighting weight that won’t budge even though they eat well and exercise.
Dr. Marina Fest understands this situation through her years of experience in traditional healthcare. That primary care foundation continues to shape how we work with you today.
Where Primary Care Training Meets a Root Cause Approach
Dr. Fest has extensive experience in primary care. Over those years, she noticed something that many patients have felt firsthand: chronic symptoms often stay unresolved when care focuses only on managing diagnoses.
That observation sits at the center of our practice. Dr. Fest also has advanced training in functional medicine, and her approach looks at digestion, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and lifestyle factors together. The goal is to understand why your symptoms are happening, which is the idea behind our tagline, “Functional Medicine That Gets to the Why.”
Why a DNP background matters in your care
Dr. Fest holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and her specialization combines primary care with functional medicine. For you, that means doctoral level clinical expertise paired with a systems based way of thinking.
She blends evidence based clinical medicine with a root cause philosophy. Your care plan is personalized and science based, built around your clinical findings and health priorities, with a focus on long term health rather than temporary fixes. Patients often tell us they appreciate her collaborative style, how carefully she listens, and how clearly she explains what’s going on.
When your labs say normal but you don’t feel normal
This is one of the most common reasons people reach out to us. Maybe you’re exhausted even though your results came back fine. Maybe you can’t fully relax, or your weight keeps creeping up despite your best efforts.
We look at underlying factors such as hormone imbalances, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, blood sugar instability, thyroid dysfunction, and stress and cortisol dysregulation. Your evaluation reviews your medical history, lifestyle, stress, environment, digestion, hormones, and prior labs. Bringing in the labs you’ve already had matters. It means your past care becomes part of the picture instead of a dead end.
As we put it on our About page, this practice is for people who know something doesn’t feel right and want real answers, not reassurance that everything is “normal.”
How advanced testing adds detail
When more information would help, we use advanced diagnostic testing. Depending on your situation, that can include GI MAP microbiome testing, hormone panels, micronutrient testing, and inflammatory and immune markers.
GI MAP is a DNA based stool test that uses qPCR to analyze the gut microbiome. It looks for bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses, along with markers of gut health and inflammation, and it’s more detailed than a standard stool test. Dr. Fest uses it because it supports highly personalized treatment plans tailored to your biology.
For patients exploring testosterone replacement therapy, we offer comprehensive testosterone testing that includes free and total testosterone levels. Any plan is based on lab data, your symptoms, your health history, and your wellness goals.
Continuity of care after your plan begins
Continuity of care is central to our approach. We stay involved as your health needs and treatment plan evolve.
After your personalized protocol begins, which may include nutrition strategies, supplementation, gut restoration, hormone optimization, and lifestyle changes, we keep tracking how you’re doing. That ongoing phase includes progress tracking, protocol adjustments, follow up testing, and education. If something needs to change, we change it together.
Because follow up matters so much to us, this practice isn’t a fit for one time visits without follow up, prescription only solutions, or rushed appointments.
Who tends to benefit from this kind of care
Our patients often come in with persistent fatigue or low energy, hormonal imbalance or mood changes, digestive or gut related symptoms, thyroid or metabolic concerns, brain fog, chronic inflammation, weight resistance despite diet and exercise, or perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
We’re often a good match if you want deeper answers, feel unheard despite normal labs, value personalized concierge style care, and are ready to invest in your long term health. We also aim to keep costs transparent, so you get clear information about functional medicine costs.
Care in Staten Island and telehealth for Florida patients
Our office is at 2627 Hylan Blvd C5, Staten Island, NY 10306, and we primarily serve patients in Staten Island. If you live in Florida, you can receive care through our telehealth services.
Let’s Talk About What’s Going On
If you’ve been told everything looks fine but you still don’t feel like yourself, we’d like to hear the whole story. Dr. Fest’s primary care experience and functional medicine training help her explore the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Ready to start? Book your appointment online and call us at (347) 222-9107, or email lifestyledoctorwellness@gmail.com to schedule a consultation.
FAQs
What does Dr. Fest’s first evaluation look at?
The comprehensive functional evaluation reviews your medical history, lifestyle, stress, environment, digestion, hormones, and prior labs. Bring any prior lab results you have, since they become part of your picture.
What kinds of testing might be part of my care?
Depending on your needs, advanced testing may include GI MAP microbiome testing, hormone panels, micronutrient testing, and inflammatory and immune markers. For testosterone concerns, we test free and total testosterone levels.
Do you offer follow up care?
Yes. Ongoing care includes progress tracking, protocol adjustments, follow up testing, and education. Continuity of care is central to how we work, so we aren’t a fit for one time visits without follow up.
Can I see Dr. Fest if I don’t live in New York?
We primarily serve Staten Island, and patients in Florida can receive telehealth services.
