Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect from my first appointment?

Initial appointments are 50-60 minutes in length. During your intake, we will review the questionnaires you filled out prior to your appointment. We may also conduct a physical examination, which may include observation of your mouth, nails, hair, weight, blood pressure, oral mineral tests, etc. Lab testing may be conducted in subsequent appointments and have additional fees, which will be discussed.

Once all the information on the forms has been discussed and your goals are clear, we will discuss a plan for you regarding the health conditions you are interested in treating. Over time, we will work on nutrition education and work on your plan which will include all or some of the following:

• Recommended lifestyle and eating changes
• Recommended additional blood or saliva tests
• Referrals to other practitioners
• A nutritional supplement regimen to help you address any nutrient deficiencies and reach your goals efficiently and with optimal health

What should I bring with me to my first appointment?

• Complete online questionnaires (electronic)
• Any lab results from the last 24 months
• Your insurance card and a photo ID

What forms do I need to fill out prior to my first appointment?

Once you have an appointment scheduled, we will send a number of online questionnaires to you through ChARM. It normally takes 45-60 minutes to complete the questionnaires. These must be completed at least 2 full business days prior to your intake appointment. More information on these forms can be found in our SN Welcome Letter + Fee Schedule.

Do I need to do any lab testing beforehand?

This is a list of blood chemistry labs that give a basic overview of nutritional health. If you have had these labs done within the last twenty-four months, please bring them in. If you have not, you will discuss these and other possible labs during your appointments.

If you and your provider decide to get the following tests, you can ask your doctor if he/she will order them. If yes, they may be covered by insurance. Your nutritionist can also order labs at discounted rates. The cost for the following tests is $150 plus extra for the expanded thyroid panel, which is passed directly on to you. However, if you order through your nutritionist, they are not covered by insurance.

Please make sure you have your blood drawn after a 12-14 hour fast (no food, but water is okay), so it is recommended that you have blood drawn early in the morning and bring breakfast with you.

Do not take Vitamin D supplements 4 days prior to your blood draw.

• CBC with differentials including platelets (complete blood count)
• Lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
• Liver profile (ALT/SGPT, albumin, alk phos, AST/SGOT, bilirubin, globulin, LDH, total protein, GGT)
• Kidney panel (BUN, serum creatinine, uric acid)
• Minerals and bone (iron, calcium, phosphorus)
• Fluids and electrolytes (serum chloride, potassium, serum sodium, CO2)
• Fasting BG
• Vitamin D 25 hydroxy
• Blood type
• Ferritin

For those with thyroid issues:

• Complete Thyroid panel w/TSH (total T-4/thyroxine, T-3 uptake, free thyroxine index/FTI – T-7, TSH)
• Anti-TPO, anti-TGB antibodies

Can my nutritionist prescribe medication or refill my prescription?

The short answer is no, we do not prescribe medications and can not authorize a refill of your current medication. That being said, we work to provide effective treatment via individualized lifestyle and diet modifications that we “prescribe.” While we recognize that not all conditions can be treated without medication, we are extensively trained in medical nutrition therapy and can be a valuable resource for managing many medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. For complex medical conditions, we can serve as a valuable member of your health care team, working collaboratively with your primary care providers to individualize your treatment plan to meet your unique needs and optimize your overall care.

Will I need to take supplements?

Our professional opinion is that most of us do not get our optimal amount of nutrients on a daily basis from our foods. Our food supply has dramatically changed over the years, and we do not need to ingest as much food (and accompanying nutrients) as we used to, because we all have relatively sedentary lives. As we are working with you to achieve optimal health, we will recommend some baseline supplements to you for good general health. In addition, if you are working on a specific health condition, we may recommend other supplements to bring your body back into balance more quickly. For most conditions, these additional supplements may be discontinued later, once the imbalance is addressed.

How can I pay for my appointment?

Payment is due at the time of service. At this time, we are credentialed with Regence Blue Shield, Aetna, First Choice, select Kaiser Permanente PPO plans, Uniform, Cigna, Premera (including LifeWise), and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Your PLAN, even if it is with one of the above insurance companies, may or may not cover nutrition. If your insurance does not cover any or all of your appointment (such as in the case of unmet deductibles, uncovered services, etc.), A&R Billing Services will send you an invoice for the balance. It is your responsibility to pay this upon receipt.

For cash pay patients, we offer an out-of-pocket discount. We accept cash, checks, credit, and debit cards. To view our complete fee schedule please click here.

Does my insurance cover nutrition?

To see if our nutrition services are covered by your insurance company, please check with your insurance by asking the questions located on this page or call our billing agency A&R Billing Services at (206)725-0683 and ask for Anna, or email her at billing@starkelnutrition.com.

What is your cancellation policy?

We request that all appointments you cannot make are canceled at least two (2) business days (Mon-Fri), i.e. 48 hours, during business days, in advance of your appointment to avoid a $175 cancellation fee, and more importantly to allow someone else to fill this time slot. This fee cannot be billed to insurance.

This means that if your appointment is on a Saturday at 3 PM, you would need to contact our office by Wednesday at 3 PM to avoid the late cancellation charge.

If you have any last-minute scheduling questions or you need to cancel your appointment, please call or text us at (206) 853-0534 (your direct reply to an appointment confirmation or reminder email or text will not get delivered to us), send an email to admin@starkelnutrition.com or contact Administrative Assistant on ChARM.

How do I find your office?

We are located at 4500 9th Ave NE, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98105. Our door is to the left of the AMC theater entrance, where you will take the elevator up to the 3rd floor. Once there, go straight, take an immediate left and follow the hallway straight to our front door. Don’t hesitate to call us at (206)853-0534 if you are having trouble finding us.  

Do you have parking?

Yes, click on the parking instructions to learn more and follow the instructions listed.