Looking for a Lyme Literate Doctor?
Functional & Integrative Lyme Disease Care at Keystone Total Health
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Lyme disease is a complex, multi-system illness that often goes undiagnosed or undertreated for years. While early Lyme infections may respond to short courses of antibiotics, many individuals continue to experience persistent symptoms long after standard treatment has ended. This condition is commonly referred to as chronic Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).
At Keystone Total Health, we specialize in root cause care for Lyme disease and complex chronic illness. Our approach goes far beyond symptom suppression, focusing instead on immune dysfunction, inflammation, toxic burden, neurological stress, gut health disruption, and environmental contributors that allow Lyme and co-infections to persist.
If you are searching for a Lyme-literate functional medicine doctor, our team is trained to evaluate the full picture of Lyme disease and guide patients through personalized, evidence-informed care.
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Reviewed by Dr. Martin Hart, DC & Dr. Koji Aoki, DC
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks and can affect multiple systems throughout the body.
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While some individuals recall a tick bite or classic “bullseye” rash, many never see a rash or do not remember being bitten, allowing the infection to progress silently.
Over time, untreated or inadequately treated Lyme disease can contribute to widespread inflammation and dysfunction involving:
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The nervous system
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The immune system
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Joints and connective tissue
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The cardiovascular system
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Hormonal and metabolic regulation
Chronic Lyme Disease & Why Symptoms Persist
Many people seeking Lyme-literate care have already completed antibiotic therapy, yet continue to experience debilitating symptoms. This occurs because Lyme disease is rarely a single-factor illness.
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Persistent symptoms are often driven by a combination of:
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Ongoing immune dysregulation
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Inflammatory damage to tissues and nerves
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Co-infections and stealth pathogens
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Biofilms that protect microbes
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Toxic load and impaired detoxification
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Gut microbiome disruption
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Mitochondrial dysfunction and energy depletion
At Keystone Total Health, we view Lyme disease through a systems-based, functional medicine lens, allowing us to identify why the body has been unable to fully recover.
Common Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease symptoms vary widely and may fluctuate over time. Many patients are misdiagnosed with autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety disorders, or neurodegenerative conditions before Lyme disease is identified.
Common symptoms include:
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Neurological & Cognitive Symptoms
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Brain fog and memory issues
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Difficulty concentrating
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Headaches or migraines
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Dizziness or vertigo
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Tingling, numbness, or nerve pain
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Mood changes, anxiety, or depression
Musculoskeletal Symptoms
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Migrating joint pain or stiffness
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Muscle aches or weakness
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Neck and back pain
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Connective tissue inflammation
Fatigue & Energy Issues
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Persistent or crushing fatigue
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Post-exertional crashes
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Poor exercise tolerance
Immune & Inflammatory Symptoms
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Recurrent infections
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Sensitivity to foods, chemicals, or mold
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Autoimmune flares
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Histamine intolerance or MCAS-like symptoms
Hormonal & Autonomic Dysfunction
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Sleep disturbances
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Blood sugar instability
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Temperature regulation issues
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Heart palpitations or POTS-like symptoms
Lyme Disease Co-Infections
Ticks frequently transmit multiple infections at the same time, which can significantly complicate recovery. These co-infections may drive symptoms even when Lyme itself is not easily detectable.
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Common Lyme co-infections include:
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Babesia – air hunger, night sweats, fatigue
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Bartonella – anxiety, neurological symptoms, foot pain
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Ehrlichia & Anaplasma – immune suppression, fevers
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Mycoplasma – chronic inflammation, joint pain
At Keystone Total Health, we assess for patterns of co-infection involvement, even when standard testing has been inconclusive.
Why Standard Lyme Treatment Often Falls Short
Conventional treatment approaches often focus narrowly on killing bacteria. While antimicrobial therapy can be helpful, it does not address the internal environment that allows Lyme disease to persist.
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Key issues frequently overlooked include:
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Impaired detoxification pathways
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Biofilm formation and immune evasion
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Mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress
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Gut barrier dysfunction and dysbiosis
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Chronic inflammation and immune exhaustion
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Environmental contributors such as mold exposure
Without addressing these drivers, many patients remain stuck in cycles of relapse and partial improvement.
Our Root Cause Approach to Lyme Disease
At Keystone Total Health, Lyme disease care is built around our Keystone Root Cause Analysis™, a comprehensive framework designed to identify and address the underlying factors contributing to chronic illness.
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Our Evaluation Often Includes:
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Detailed health history and symptom pattern analysis
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Immune and inflammatory markers
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Gut health and microbiome assessment
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Mitochondrial and nutrient status
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Hormonal and stress response evaluation
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Toxic burden (including mold and heavy metals)
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Functional patterns associated with tick-borne illness
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol, we build individualized care plans based on each patient’s physiology, resilience, and symptom drivers.
Lyme Disease, Mold Illness & Toxic Load
A significant number of patients with chronic Lyme disease also have underlying mold exposure or environmental toxin burden. Mold toxins can suppress immune function, impair detoxification, and worsen neurological symptoms, making Lyme recovery far more difficult.
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Because of this overlap, our Lyme disease care often includes screening for:
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Environmental inflammatory triggers
Addressing these factors is often essential for sustained improvement.
Who We Help
We commonly work with individuals who:
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Have persistent symptoms after Lyme treatment
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Were told their labs are “normal” despite feeling unwell
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Suspect Lyme disease but lack clear testing confirmation
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Have been diagnosed with autoimmune or neurological conditions
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Experience complex, multi-system chronic illness
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Are seeking a Lyme-literate, root-cause-focused provider
We work with patients both in person and virtually, depending on state regulations and scope of care.
Why Choose Keystone Total Health for Lyme Disease Care?
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Root cause, systems-based approach
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Experience with complex chronic illness
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Functional medicine-driven diagnostics
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Personalized, phased care plans
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Focus on immune resilience and long-term healing
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Education-driven, patient-centered model
Our goal is not just symptom management, but helping the body regain the capacity to heal.
Serving Columbia, TN, Nashville, and Clients Nationwide
Keystone Total Health is located in Columbia, Tennessee, serving individuals throughout the greater Nashville area and welcoming clients from across the country who travel to work with experienced, -literate practitioners specializing in complex chronic illness.
The following questions address common concerns about Lyme disease, Lyme symptoms, and how Lyme-literate doctors evaluate complex Lyme-related conditions.
What is a Lyme literate doctor?
A Lyme literate doctor is a healthcare provider trained to recognize and manage the complex, multi-system nature of Lyme disease. Unlike conventional approaches that focus only on short-term antibiotic treatment, Lyme literate doctors evaluate immune dysfunction, inflammation, co-infections, environmental triggers, and factors that contribute to persistent symptoms.
How is a Lyme literate doctor different from a conventional Lyme doctor?
Conventional care often relies on limited testing and standardized treatment timelines. Lyme literate doctors recognize that Lyme disease can present differently in each person and may involve co-infections, immune dysregulation, gut dysfunction, or toxic exposures that require a more personalized, systems-based approach.
Can a Lyme literate doctor help if my Lyme tests are negative?
Yes. Lyme disease testing has known limitations, especially in chronic or late-stage illness. Lyme literate doctors rely on symptom patterns, exposure history, functional testing, and clinical judgment, not lab results alone, to guide care.
What conditions can Lyme literate doctors help with?
Lyme literate doctors commonly help patients with chronic fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, neurological symptoms, autoimmune conditions, persistent inflammation, and complex chronic illness that has not responded to standard treatment.
Do Lyme literate doctors treat chronic Lyme disease?
Lyme literate doctors frequently work with patients experiencing persistent symptoms after Lyme treatment, often referred to as chronic Lyme or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Care focuses on addressing root causes rather than symptom suppression alone.
Do Lyme literate doctors look at mold and environmental toxins?
Yes. Many Lyme literate doctors recognize that mold exposure, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins can suppress immune function and interfere with Lyme recovery. Addressing toxic load is often a key part of comprehensive care.
Can I work with a Lyme literate doctor virtually?
In many cases, yes. Some aspects of Lyme care can be provided virtually depending on location, scope of practice, and individual needs. Keystone Total Health offers both in-person and virtual care when appropriate.
Is functional medicine the same as Lyme literate care?
While not identical, functional medicine principles are commonly used by Lyme literate doctors. Both approaches emphasize root causes, systems biology, and personalized care rather than one-size-fits-all treatment.
Resources & Further Reading
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Shoemaker R. Surviving Mold
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National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
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World Health Organization – Dampness and Mold
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PubMed: Mycotoxins and chronic inflammatory response
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Cleveland Clinic – Mold Exposure Overview