Discovery call
Tell me what’s going on, ask questions, and find out whether my approach suits you.
IFM Certified practitioner · in clinic & online
Functional medicine in Edinburgh for complex health conditions
Personalised, science-based care for fatigue, gut health, hormones and chronic illness. Find the root cause with advanced testing and a plan built around you, at the clinic in Edinburgh or by video.
Free, no obligation. First consultation £354, including a health coaching session. See fees
- 20+ yearsin clinical practice
- 3,000+ patientshelped to find the root cause
- IFMCPInstitute for Functional Medicine certified
- BSc Biomed, MBAcCBiomedical scientist & acupuncturist
Charmaine ShepherdIFMCP, BSc Biomed, MBAcC
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Is this for me?
Find your best next step
Four quick questions, under a minute. Your answers are passed to the booking page so Charmaine knows what you’d like to talk about. Nothing is stored or sent until you book.
This isn’t a diagnosis. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, contact your GP, call NHS 24 on 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
What I help with
Especially when you’ve been told everything is “normal”
I specialise in complex, chronic health problems, and in prevention for people who want to stay well.
Gut & digestive problemsHormones, perimenopause & menopauseThyroid problemsFatigue & low energyAutoimmunity & inflammationHeart & stroke preventionMemory & brain healthStress, anxiety & low mood“Normal” tests, still unwell
See all conditions →
Treatments and tests in one clinic
Every plan starts with functional medicine. Other services are added only where they will help you.
- Functional medicineFinding and treating the underlying causes of chronic illness
- Laboratory testingGut, hormone, nutrient, immune and toxin tests, with onsite blood draws
- Heart health checksCardioscopy blood panels and carotid artery scans
- AcupunctureFor pain, migraine, stress and chronic conditions
- HRV & biofeedbackHeart rate variability training to calm your stress response
- Health coachingA 60-minute session with every first consultation
How it works
Three simple steps
Start with a short, free call to see if we’re a good fit. No commitment until you’re ready.
Initial consultation
A deep dive into your history, symptoms and lifestyle, with lab tests recommended only where they will help.
Your plan & follow-up
A written report and protocol, with health coaching and email check-ins to help you put it into practice.
- In person 4 Albyn Place, Edinburgh EH2 4NG. Open Monday 8.30am to 7pm, Tuesday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
- Online by video, anywhere in the UK and beyond. How it works
- Seen within 3 weeks of booking, except during holidays
Want continuity? The Wellness Package includes four consultations for £899, saving £247. See all fees
“I've been searching for answers to my declining health and chronic pain for over a decade. I feel better than I have in years and I finally feel like I have a path out of this haze of poor health.”
Diana C., chronic pain and fatigue
“Charmaine has been a lifeline for me. She is a wealth of health knowledge, both conventional and alternative, and I always feel so cared for and listened to.”
Judy Jamieson, long-term patient
Iron & ferritin guide
Why your iron tests keep coming back “normal”
A guide to ferritin, the full iron panel and the gut connection most people miss.
Get the free guide →
Gut & menopause guide
The missing link: your gut and perimenopause
How your gut could be driving bloating, brain fog, anxiety and other perimenopause symptoms.
Get the free guide →
5 blood markers guide
The 5 blood markers your GP doesn’t usually test
Normal versus optimal for ferritin, vitamin D, thyroid, hs-CRP and fasting insulin.
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Charmaine’s latest articles, health news and event dates. Unsubscribe at any time.
Watch, listen & read
“Everything looks normal, but you don’t feel right”
Hear Charmaine explain how functional medicine looks for answers when standard tests don’t. More videos on her YouTube channel and conversations on her podcast.
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Don’t settle for feeling “fine”
Book a free discovery call and we’ll work out the best next step together.
Book a free discovery callFree, no obligation. First consultation £354, including a health coaching session. See fees
Quick answers
Common questions about the clinic
Short answers to the questions people ask most. Anything else, ring the clinic on (0131) 235 1232.
What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine looks for the root causes of chronic symptoms, rather than only managing them. It combines a detailed health history, a physical examination and, where useful, laboratory testing, then uses nutrition, lifestyle and targeted supplements to restore balance.
Who is Charmaine Shepherd?
Charmaine Shepherd is an IFM Certified functional medicine practitioner and acupuncturist in Edinburgh, with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has a BSc in Biomedical Sciences and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.
What does Charmaine help with?
Common reasons people see her include gut problems and IBS, perimenopause and menopause, thyroid problems, chronic fatigue and long covid, brain fog and memory, and heart health screening with carotid artery scans.
Where is the clinic?
The clinic is at 4 Albyn Place, Edinburgh EH2 4NG, in the city centre. It is open 8.30am to 7pm on Mondays and 8.30am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday. Consultations are also available online by video.
How much does it cost?
The discovery call is free and lasts up to 20 minutes. An initial consultation is £354 and includes a health coaching session. Return visits are £264. Tests are priced separately and always agreed with you first.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and Charmaine is happy to work alongside your GP and any specialists you see.