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Functional medicine works best when the foundation is solid before the advanced therapies begin. In this conversation with Dr. Jason Pencek, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, and founder of Fountain Wellness in Chicago, we unpack what that actually looks like in clinical practice. From the labs that should come first, to the peptides worth understanding, to the hormone and thyroid conversations most patients are still not being offered, this episode is a candid look at how thoughtful care is built.
If you have ever left a doctor's office being told your labs are "normal" while you continue to feel unwell, this conversation will offer a clearer path forward.
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​​​​​Key Takeaways
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00:06 Guest Introduction: Dr. Jason Pencek
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02:43 The Journey into Functional Medicine
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05:35 Peptides and Their Role in Health
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08:30 Navigating AI in Healthcare
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11:48 The Importance of Provider Guidance
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15:32 Traveling with Peptides: What to Bring
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18:18 FDA Approval and Melanotan Studies
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19:08 Melanotan-1 vs. Melanotan-2: A Comparative Analysis
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20:10 The Role of Data in Peptide Efficacy
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22:14 The Placebo Effect vs. Real Results
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24:30 Challenges in Peptide Research and Funding
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26:11 The Failings of Modern Medicine and Insurance
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26:58 The Shift from Symptom-Based Care to Holistic Treatment
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27:58 Exploring IV Therapy and Nutrient Infusions
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31:23 The Importance of Hormone Testing and Treatment
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35:09 Understanding Thyroid Health and Reverse T3
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36:53 Utilizing LDN and Gut Health in Autoimmune Conditions
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Guest Bio
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Dr. Jason Pencek is a chiropractor, nurse practitioner, and the founder of Fountain Wellness, an elective wellness clinic in Chicago. He began his career as a registered nurse in 2010, later completing both a chiropractic doctorate and a nurse practitioner degree in pursuit of a more complete, integrative model of care. Trained in dozens of therapies, including IV nutrients and chelation, PRF joint injections, bioidentical hormone replacement, and peptide therapy, his clinical focus is on longevity and healthspan through personalized, evidence-informed care. He is also one of the most active educators in the peptide space, known for openly sharing clinical insight with both patients and fellow providers.
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Visit their website at www.fountainwellness.org
Follow their instagram @dr.jasonpencek
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Full Transcript​​
Meet Dr. Jason Pencek
I am so excited today because my Instagram friend has officially become a real-life friend. I have Dr. Jason Pencek with me, and I want to give a little bio before we dive in.
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Jason is a chiropractor and nurse practitioner. He started in medicine as a registered nurse in 2010 and quickly realized that traditional Western medicine was failing many people. He went back to school in 2012 for his chiropractic doctorate at National University of Health Sciences, and while still in school added training in IV therapy. When the chiropractic scope of practice felt too limited, he began his nurse practitioner degree at Olivet Nazarene while still finishing chiropractic school. He has since been trained in dozens of therapies including IV nutrients, IV chelation, PRF joint injections, bioidentical hormone replacement, and peptides. His clinic, Fountain Wellness, is a boutique wellness practice in Chicago focused on personalized, longevity-oriented care.
He is also, in my opinion, the most generous voice in the peptide space right now.
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Why He Answers DMs
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The first time I reached out, I did not expect a response. Dr. Pencek replies to everyone.
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His view is straightforward. There is too much gatekeeping in medicine, and if he can share clinical knowledge freely, other providers can grow, patients get better care, and the field moves forward. His clinic works with practitioners across the country who send him cases. He believes there are too many patients and too much need for any one clinician to hoard what they know.
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That philosophy came through in every part of the conversation.
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The Journey From RN to Founder
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Dr. Pencek's path was not linear. He had taken the MCAT and was heading to medical school before falling into nursing during a personal detour. After a few years of nursing, he wanted more autonomy in patient care, so he went to chiropractic school. Along the way, a friend introduced him to IV therapy, and a mentor suggested he add a nurse practitioner degree to expand his scope. He did both simultaneously.
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After graduation, he moved into IV therapy and hormones. When friends asked about growth hormone and steroids, he went to research and stumbled onto growth hormone peptides for the first time. This was seven or eight years ago, when the peptide field was still small. He attended one of the first International Peptide Society mastermind sessions with just a dozen doctors in the room.
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Peptides are now a major part of his practice, but the foundation of his clinical work is functional medicine.
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The Sprinkle-on-the-Cake Principle
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The line that stayed with me most from this conversation was the framing of peptides.
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"Peptides are the sprinkle on the cake. Never the cake itself."
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When a patient walks into his clinic, the first step is always the same: comprehensive labs. What is iron doing? Where is ferritin sitting? Are there hormonal imbalances, infections, or inflammatory patterns? A peptide protocol for energy will not deliver in a patient whose ferritin is critically low or whose thyroid function is impaired. The foundation always comes first.
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Peptides are a powerful tool. They are also secondary to the fundamentals.
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On Self-Experimentation
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Dr. Pencek is candid that he tries almost everything before recommending it to patients. His first peptide combination was Sermorelin, GHRP-2, and GHRP-6, a combination he now considers rough. GHRP-6 in particular caused intense hunger, sending him to a Target basement in Chicago for gummy bears after each injection.
He treats his own body as clinical reconnaissance. If a peptide doesn't work on him, he tells patients that too. Selank, for example, doesn't do much for him because he doesn't experience meaningful anxiety, but many of his patients find it deeply helpful. Personal experience is not a substitute for clinical judgment, but it provides useful context.
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Cycling and Receptor Sensitivity
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Cycling comes up often in peptide conversations, and Dr. Pencek's framing is practical.
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Most peptides benefit from cycling, both to preserve receptor sensitivity and to mimic the body's natural rhythms. A common approach is eight to twelve weeks on, followed by a month off. GHK-Cu, for example, should be cycled because the body naturally produces it in bursts in response to injury, not continuously at high levels.
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BPC-157 is the exception. Both Dr. Pencek and his mentor, Dr. Jones, describe it as being safe for continuous use in most patients, with no strong argument for strict cycling.
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For most people, natural cycling happens anyway. Patients forget to reorder. They travel. They take breaks. That built-in irregularity may serve a clinical purpose even when it isn't intentional.
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Melanotan-1 Versus Melanotan-2
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This was one of the more interesting clinical distinctions in the conversation.
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Melanotan-2 works fast. Patients get tan quickly, often notice increased libido, and may see some anti-inflammatory benefit. But it can also increase freckling and worsen melasma in women, and there is limited long-term human safety data.
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Melanotan-1 works more slowly, but is more predictable and has meaningful human safety data. It is FDA approved as a pellet under the brand name Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria and is also used clinically for vitiligo, with some patients seeing meaningful repigmentation.
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For patients with melasma or pigment sensitivity, Melanotan-1 is generally the better choice.
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Neither peptide should be used in patients with existing melanoma, and Melanotan-2 in particular may accelerate the growth of already-present skin lesions.
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Why BPC-157 Divides the Field
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BPC-157 is the peptide people argue about most. Human data is limited to a small number of studies. Yet in clinical practice, patients report meaningful recovery and repair benefits.
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Dr. Pencek's honest position: the human data is thin, and he wishes there were more. Until larger studies emerge, clinicians who work with peptides are relying on clinical observation, animal data, and patient response. It doesn't mean the peptide is unsafe or ineffective. It means the evidence base is still developing, and providers should be transparent about that with patients.
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IV Therapy: What Actually Earns Its Place
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Fountain Wellness runs IV therapy as a treatment-based practice, not a wellness lounge.
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Their highest-volume IV is iron. Iron deficiency is one of the most underdiagnosed causes of fatigue, particularly in women, and IV iron often produces improvements that oral supplementation cannot.
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There is nuance here. Dr. Pencek and his team have seen anaphylaxis with the pharmaceutical (commercial) formulation of iron. When they switched back to compounded iron, the rate went down. He remains a strong proponent of compounded iron in appropriate patients.
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Other IVs he uses regularly include high-dose vitamin C for immune support, glutathione (though many patients now do this at home via injection), and ozone. Methylene blue and Poly-MVA are less frequent, but appropriate for specific clinical goals. Beauty IVs and general wellness drips are not the focus.
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Hormone Optimization: Labs and Symptoms Together
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Dr. Pencek uses labs to guide treatment and symptoms to guide refinement, which mirrors how I practice.
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His clinical range for free testosterone in women on injectable therapy is roughly 80 to 120, but he adjusts based on how the patient actually feels. Some women feel best at 80. Some at 120. Some at higher levels. Numbers guide the starting point. Symptoms guide the fine-tuning.
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He is direct about the fact that most primary care providers are not testing testosterone in women, are not running the full thyroid panel, and are dismissing symptoms that would be treated in a functional medicine setting.
This is where the field of women's midlife hormone care has to evolve, and it is the reason so many women arrive at functional medicine practices frustrated and exhausted.
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Thyroid: What Standard Testing Misses
Standard thyroid testing usually stops at TSH. A complete thyroid panel includes TSH, Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.
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Reverse T3 is often the missing piece. When elevated, it suggests the body is diverting active T3 into an inactive form, often in response to stress, inflammation, or illness. Patients can have a normal TSH, low Free T3, and elevated reverse T3, and still be told their thyroid is fine.
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Dr. Pencek's approach is to look at the whole picture and to work toward moving patients off thyroid medication when appropriate. Not everyone will get there, but many can meaningfully improve.
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Hashimoto's and the Gut Connection
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Hashimoto's is fundamentally an immune condition, and effective care requires addressing the immune system, not just replacing thyroid hormone.
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The gut is central. When intestinal permeability is compromised, immune triggers pass into circulation and drive ongoing immune activation. Dr. Pencek's Hashimoto's protocols often include BPC-157, KPV, PEA (palmitoylethanolamide), and Larazotide, with Larazotide often used long term.
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The critical piece is trigger removal. Common triggers include wheat, eggs, and dairy. Gut healing without trigger removal is like trying to heal a wound that is being continuously scratched.
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Larazotide was originally developed for celiac disease and initially considered a failed drug because patients in the trials were still eating gluten. Used correctly, in patients who have removed their triggers, it can be genuinely helpful.
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LDN in Autoimmune Care
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Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has become a widely used tool in autoimmune protocols. Dr. Pencek uses it regularly, often starting after Thymosin Alpha-1 and KPV. It supports immune regulation and reduces inflammation, and is generally well tolerated. The most common side effect is vivid dreams.
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I mentioned in the episode that I take LDN myself at 1 mg for undiagnosed autoimmune symptoms and joint swelling. It's been meaningful for me clinically, and I recommend it often for the right patients.
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Thymosin Alpha-1 and KPV
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Dr. Pencek made a strong case for Thymosin Alpha-1 in autoimmune care, and it is something I intend to add to my own protocol after this conversation. Thymosin Alpha-1 supports immune regulation and has been studied for viral infections, immune support, and as an adjunctive therapy in oncology. Combined with KPV, it forms a meaningful part of his approach to autoimmune care.
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AI in the Patient-Provider Conversation
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Patients are increasingly arriving with ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini interpretations of their labs. Dr. Pencek sees this as an evolution to embrace rather than resist.
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The distinction he draws is important. Providers use AI with detailed context, clinical experience, and specific questions. Patients often use it without that context, which produces recommendations that sound authoritative but miss the clinical picture. His example: a patient asked about MOTS-c for low energy based on Claude's suggestion. Her iron was 20 and her ferritin was 7. Fixing the iron came first.
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AI is a useful tool. It doesn't replace clinical relationships.
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The Final Takeaway
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At the end of the conversation, I asked Dr. Pencek for the one thing he wanted listeners to take away.
His answer was direct: do the lab work. Work with a practitioner. Do not source peptides on your own and hope for the best. Fix the foundation first. Peptides amplify what is already working. They do not build the foundation for you.
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That is the message that grounds this entire conversation.
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FAQs
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Do I need lab work before starting peptide therapy?
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Yes. Comprehensive lab work is essential before beginning any peptide protocol. It identifies underlying contributors to symptoms, ensures peptides are being used appropriately, and provides a baseline to measure response and safety over time. Any clinician who prescribes peptides without baseline labs should be approached with caution.
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What is peptide cycling, and is it necessary?
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Cycling refers to the practice of taking peptides for a defined period and then taking a break before resuming, to preserve receptor sensitivity and mimic the body's natural rhythms. For most peptides, a common approach is eight to twelve weeks on followed by a month off. Some peptides, such as BPC-157, are often used continuously without strict cycling. The right approach depends on the peptide, the patient, and the clinical goal.
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What is IV therapy actually useful for?
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IV therapy is most effective when used to address specific clinical needs rather than as a general wellness routine. Strong applications include correcting iron deficiency with IV iron infusions, supporting immune function with high-dose vitamin C, addressing oxidative stress with glutathione, and supporting recovery during illness, post-surgery, or post-exertion. Routine "wellness" infusions in otherwise healthy individuals have a much weaker evidence base.
Why do functional medicine providers test reverse T3?
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Reverse T3 reflects how the body is converting and using thyroid hormone. Elevated reverse T3 can indicate that stress, inflammation, or illness is diverting active T3 into an inactive form, leaving patients with thyroid symptoms despite "normal" standard labs. It is not part of conventional thyroid screening, but it offers meaningful information in functional and integrative care.
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Can Hashimoto's be reversed?
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Hashimoto's cannot be fully cured, but the underlying inflammation and immune activity can often be significantly reduced. With gut healing, trigger identification (commonly wheat, eggs, and dairy), targeted peptides, and ongoing monitoring, some patients are able to taper down or off thyroid medication. Results vary, and ongoing follow-up is essential.
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What is LDN, and who is it appropriate for?
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Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a medication used at much smaller doses than its conventional application, often to support immune regulation, reduce inflammation, and help with autoimmune symptoms. It is generally well tolerated, though vivid dreams are a common side effect. It has become a frequently used tool in functional and integrative protocols, particularly for autoimmune conditions.
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Is it safe to source peptides on my own without a provider?
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No. Self-sourcing peptides carries meaningful risk, unverified purity, incorrect dosing, contraindications with current medications, and the absence of ongoing monitoring. The clinical value of peptides depends heavily on appropriate selection, sourcing, dosing, and oversight. Working with a knowledgeable provider is the single most important safety step.
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How should I think about AI tools like ChatGPT in my health decisions?
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AI tools can be a helpful starting point for learning and asking questions, but they cannot replace clinical judgment. They lack the full context of your medical history, labs, medications, and individual circumstances, and they can confidently produce recommendations that are incomplete or inappropriate. Used alongside a provider, not in place of one, they can be a useful part of a thoughtful health conversation.
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Terms used:
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1. BPC-157 - a peptide derived from a protein found in stomach acid, commonly used in functional medicine to support gut healing, tissue repair, and recovery from injury
2. GHK-Cu - a copper-binding peptide associated with skin health, wound healing, hair support, and anti-aging
3. TB-500 - Thymosin Beta-4; a peptide involved in cell migration, tissue repair, and reducing inflammation
4. Thymosin Alpha-1 - a peptide that supports immune system regulation, often used in autoimmune and chronic infection protocols
5. KPV - Lys-Pro-Val; a small peptide with anti-inflammatory properties, often used in gut healing and skin protocols
6. Selank - a peptide used to support mood, focus, and anxiety regulation
7. MOTS-c - a mitochondrial-derived peptide involved in energy metabolism and exercise tolerance
8. SS-31 - Elamipretide; a peptide that supports mitochondrial function and is sometimes used to prepare the body before starting other mitochondrial therapies
9. Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2 - peptides that influence melanin production. Melanotan-1 is FDA-approved for a rare condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria and is also used clinically for vitiligo. Melanotan-2 is used for skin pigmentation and has additional effects on libido, though it has limited human safety data
10. Glow - a blended peptide formulation that typically combines BPC-157, GHK-Cu, and TB-500
11. LDN - Low-Dose Naltrexone; a medication used at much smaller doses than its conventional application, often to help regulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and support autoimmune conditions
12. Larazotide - a medication originally developed for celiac disease that helps support the integrity of the intestinal lining
13. TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; a signal from the brain that tells the thyroid how much hormone to produce. The most commonly tested thyroid marker
14. Reverse T3 - an inactive form of T3 that can rise during stress, inflammation, dieting, or illness, blunting thyroid activity at the cellular level
15. Ferritin - the storage form of iron in the body. Often a more sensitive marker of iron status than serum iron alone
16. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism over time
17. Vitiligo - a condition in which the immune system attacks pigment-producing cells, leading to depigmented patches of skin
18. Melasma - a common skin condition characterized by darker patches, often on the face, frequently triggered by hormones or sun exposure
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