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Helping you make sense of what’s next in health

Advances in testing and technology are transforming preventive care — but knowing what really matters can be confusing. Private Medical physicians help you make sense of it all and focus on what’s truly meaningful for your health.

How are our physicians so well-informed?

Each physician-led medical team cares for only 100 members. They are empowered to stay on top of research and innovation to act as a single source of health-related guidance for members. This is a luxury rarely afforded to physicians.

We’ve been invited to help with product design, beta testing, and clinical roll-out of advanced diagnostics so we have experience even before some of these technologies hit the market.

Our six offices collaborate both within themselves and across the offices, as a cohesive platform. Our lifestyle & natural medicine physician and our gynecologists partner with our dedicated physicians, creating unparalleled integration and learning opportunities.

Private Medical runs Grand Rounds* for our physicians every month, as well as 100+ expert talks a year.

* educational presentations by leaders in their field

See Member Benefits

Diagnostics Menu

To get an expert view, we present perspectives from some of our physicians, each with firsthand experience guiding our members through these advanced diagnostic categories.

Early Cancer Detection

In collaboration with Grail, Dr. Eric Swagel has had an early window into the development of the world’s first multi-cancer early detection test in randomized clinical trials.

Dr. Swagel

Private Medical Founder, Practicing Physician

  1. Early access and clinical role – Private Medical was part of Grail’s beta testing group, serving as clinical advisors to shape how the test and results were communicated to both patients and physicians.
  2. Scientific rigor – Grail stands apart as the only multi-cancer early detection test currently in a randomized clinical trial, underscoring its commitment to science and not just market demand.
  3. Patient impact – Over four years of using the test, we’ve seen meaningful outcomes, including the early detection and successful treatment of cancers that would not have been caught otherwise.
  4. Responsible use – Every patient undergoes informed consent, with transparency about the test’s limitations, status with FDA approval, and what it can and cannot tell us.
  5. Future potential – Molecular diagnostic tests like Grail represent a transformative future in cancer detection, with enormous potential for earlier, less invasive, and more effective interventions.

“Due to people I trained with in medical school and residency, I heard about Grail from someone who was involved in their clinical trials. So we learned about Grail as part of a beta testing group, and started to understand it before it was more widely released. I also served as a clinical advisor, helping them create the information that informed patients and doctors about the test and the results. So it gave us a very early window into the test’s development, how it was being communicated, and how physicians and patients were being educated.

I think it’s really promising. What I’ve appreciated about Grail is their willingness to rigorously test their product. In many ways, a diagnostic test puts the whole company on the line when they do the types of trials Grail has been willing to do. To date, it’s the only multi-cancer early detection test in a randomized clinical trial. And I think that speaks to their commitment to the clinical mission—not just to meet a huge and growing market need, but to advance science responsibly.

I’ve been using the test for over four years, with patients who have been given the opportunity to provide informed consent—understanding what the test is, what its limitations are, and how much we know about it. I haven’t had any false positives, meaning tests that indicated a cancer was present when it wasn’t. But I did have one very high-yield positive in a patient who otherwise wouldn’t have been screened. We found a cancer in a very early and treatable stage. It was successfully treated and not only extended that patient’s life but also helped them avoid the hardship of later-stage treatment, which would have been far more difficult and painful. That was a huge win.

It’s worth noting that anyone ordering a test should always disclose it to patients. And in today’s climate, it’s important to understand what the FDA does and doesn’t do, and for patients and doctors to be thoughtful in evaluating tests and treatments. Grail is unique among tests of this class in that it has an application in for FDA approval. There’s debate about what the benchmarks should be—it’s a unique product that tests for multiple cancers. But the goal is clear: to show that the test provides earlier-stage diagnosis than would otherwise be possible.”

Dr. Eric Swagel graduated from Tufts University and earned a master’s degree in plant biology at UC Berkeley.

After medical school at UCLA, he completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at UCSF. He stayed on as faculty at UCSF, where he received numerous awards for his work as a clinician, educator, and mentor.

Fifteen years ago, he was drawn to Private Medical by a practice model that focused on relationships. He is proud to have developed with our teams and doctors a methodology for primary care that preserves our values and enables exceptional care.

Dr. Swagel and his wife live in San Francisco, where they have raised their three sons.

“Eric and the Private Medical team have been a partner-in-health to me in a way that has been profoundly important.”

“As Eric knows, I have recommended Private Medical to my closest friends. The level of care and professionalism is simply off the charts. I can’t imagine navigating a tricky health issue without you.”

“I love my relationship & experience with Dr. Swagel and his team. Honestly, I see PM as insurance. I know if something tragic happens to me I have an experienced quarterback to lead who knows me personally.”

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Longevity testing packages

Longevity testing should focus on high-yield markers for long-term health, not just endless panels of numbers.

Dr. Afshar

Private Medical Physician, San Francisco

  1. Core testing first – Every patient should be evaluated for key metabolic markers (lipoproteins, not just cholesterol) and high-yield nutrients like Vitamin D and homocysteine.
  2. Beware over-testing – Large panels with 100+ markers often add noise and are not always evidence-based, though they may provide reassurance for some patients.
  3. Case-by-case approach – Some individuals benefit from more extensive testing, especially if they have unexplained symptoms or need peace of mind.
  4. Think long-term – Good care looks not just at the next 5–10 years, but at the 20–50 year horizon.
  5. Advanced markers matter – Tests like apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) are among the best indicators of long-term cardiovascular risk, yet many physicians don’t order them.
  6. Useful packages – Core panels from companies like Aetas can be valuable, but the full mega-panels are rarely necessary.

“Longevity testing really starts with the core of what we should do for every patient. That means testing for different metabolic markers—lipoproteins, as I like to call them, rather than just ‘cholesterol,’ the older term. Beyond that, we focus on the highest-yield vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that we know can influence health if we intervene on them. Vitamin D is one. Homocysteine is another.

Now, many of these longevity packages involve extensive testing—sometimes well beyond what is evidence-based. That can provide some utility for individual patients who have particular issues—digestive, skin, or other concerns that aren’t explained by usual diagnostics. And that’s fine. But when you see a company offering panels of 100-plus markers, I’d be cautious. You’re going to find some noise in there.

That said, there can be benefit in reassurance. For some people, getting that extensive testing and hearing ‘everything looks fine’ provides peace of mind. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Still, it’s not something I routinely do. I approach it case by case—some patients need more testing than others, and if it brings them to a place of reassurance and calm, then it has value.

The real point is that going beyond the 20-minute annual primary care visit matters. Outstanding care isn’t just about the short- or medium-term; it’s about the 10-, 20-, even 50-year outlook. That’s a key difference in what we do here: we’re not only focused on the next five years, but on the long term.

For example, in a typical cholesterol panel, you’ll see LDL, HDL, triglycerides—that’s fine. But I also test apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a). Those are probably the two best lipoprotein markers for long-term risk, yet most doctors don’t check them. Some companies, like Atos, include them in their standard core panels, which I think is great. You don’t necessarily need the full 100-plus marker panel, but a thoughtful core panel is useful—especially for patients whose doctors may not be fully up to date on the latest literature. That’s where I think these longevity packages can be genuinely helpful.”

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Whole-body MRI

The value of whole-body MRI depends on asking the right question first.

Dr. Ivan

Private Medical Physician, Miami

  1. Understand the question first – Before ordering a whole-body MRI, clarify what you’re trying to answer (screening for a specific disease, establishing a baseline, or preventive cancer detection).
  2. Useful but double-edged – Whole-body MRIs can find helpful information, but they can also uncover incidental findings that lead to unnecessary tests, IV contrast, or procedures.
  3. Shared decision-making is key – Best outcomes happen when patients and physicians decide together what tests to order and how to follow up on results.
  4. Not always needed – Younger or asymptomatic patients sometimes get whole-body MRIs that identify benign issues they wouldn’t otherwise worry about.
  5. Consult before you act – Because some MRIs don’t require a physician order, patients should still consult with a doctor to see if it’s appropriate for them.
  6. Dedicated care team advantage – Having a physician plus a broader support team for a small member panel (around 100) ensures highly personalized guidance on whether tests like whole-body MRI make sense for each individual.

“Whole-body MRI is a really important topic. People are always asking questions about it. Before I can say whether I ‘recommend’ it or not, it’s important to understand what question we’re trying to answer with any test. Whole-body MRI can be helpful for folks who want a general screen, preventive cancer detection, to find abnormalities in certain organs, who have a family history of disease, or who want a complete baseline of their body and organs.

While that can be very helpful, we often find information we weren’t anticipating—things that aren’t going to be an issue down the line—and then we end up running extra tests and diagnostics just based off of an MRI screen that may or may not have been indicated in the first place. So while I can recommend a whole-body MRI, I think it needs to be a shared decision between the physician and the patient. That way everyone can understand what further tests might be needed down the line to answer the question they initially had.

Particularly younger patients come in asking for a whole-body MRI, and of course, I partner with my patients. We get the whole-body MRI and we might find things like a benign cyst on a kidney that we never would have known about otherwise. It’s completely benign, no need for follow-up, yet we find ourselves running extra tests, administering IV contrast, and doing things that generally aren’t necessary and wouldn’t have been necessary had we not done the exam.

Sometimes these exams don’t even need a physician order, and patients can get them on their own. I would encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about whether it’s right for them. Because it’s not right for everyone.”

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Microplastics

In partnership with Harvard, Dr. Shlain is leading new research on the hidden health impacts of microplastics.

Dr. Shlain

Private Medical Founder, Practicing Physician

“The biggest way being a Private Medical member impacted my life is that it saved my life. I was 38 years old, zero symptoms, I just went to go do routine blood work and Dr. Shlain told me he had a test that just came out that allows you to screen for 50 different types of cancers through the blood. And I was like, ‘Cool, run it.’ It found colon cancer, late stage two, maybe early stage three. I got a second shot of life.

It’s like having a friend that actually knows about your body and health and stays on top of it.”

“If you’re not going to spend your money on your health, what are you going to spend it on?

I chose Private Medical because I wanted a different kind of relationship with my doctor — something more personal, more accessible. When I met Dr. Shlain, we just clicked. He gives me personal attention, helps coach me through what I should be doing, and stays on top of things that really matter for my health. Jordan has been an incredible partner in keeping me ahead of it all, from proactive testing to lifestyle habits I might not have paid attention to otherwise.

The access is unmatched. I can reach out anytime I’m worried, and he helps problem-solve right away, wherever I am. My kids are in the practice too — they all feel that same peace of mind, knowing they can get care quickly and from people who really know them.

At this point, I’m 60 and still heli-skiing in Alaska, fishing, golfing, biking — living fully. Having Private Medical and Dr. Shlain in my corner gives me the confidence to keep doing all the things I love, without worrying about my health.”

  1. Microplastics are everywhere – in water, gum, plastic tea bags, clothing fibers, and the environment. Everyone has some level of them in their body.
  2. Testing matters – you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Testing is still new but critical for understanding exposure and taking steps to reduce it.
  3. Health impact is real – microplastics accumulate in the brain, reproductive organs, and even in arterial plaques, raising concerns for long-term health.
  4. Research-backed insights – a new white paper (co-created with a Harvard researcher) will share practical knowledge: where exposures come from, how they affect the body, and what you can do.
  5. Practical solutions help – sometimes small changes (like wearing a mask in a darkroom) can significantly reduce exposure once you know the source.
  6. Access Dr. Shlain’s whitepaper created in partnership with Harvard here.

“Most people don’t realize there are microplastics everywhere. And if you don’t get tested, well, what you don’t measure, you can’t manage—and you don’t even know about it. Microplastic testing is still pretty new compared to all the other things we can test for, but it’s important. Because once you understand your levels—and everybody has some—you can start taking steps to reduce your exposure.

Most of those exposures come through water, through chewing gum, through those fancy plastic tea bags, even from clothing that off-gasses polyamides and polyamines. Plastics are literally everywhere. And if you don’t test, you probably won’t take it seriously. But they do accumulate—in the brain, in the ovaries, in the testicles, in arterial plaques.

To get a deeper understanding, I teamed up with an old friend—she was at Stanford, now at Harvard, working at the Center for Environmental Health on microplastic testing. After I tested myself, I wanted her perspective, and she sent me a lot of information. I thought, wow—everyone needs to know this. So together, we filtered and refined her research into a white paper, which we’re publishing next week. It covers exposures, what they do to the body, and what you can actually do about them.

We also tested several Private Medical members. One case stood out—a gentleman with very high levels of a particular microplastic. Turns out he’s a photographer, spending hours in the darkroom. The off-gassing plastics from his work were in his blood. The simple fix? Wear a mask in the darkroom. He’d never considered it—because we usually think masks are for infection or hospitals, not photography. But that one small shift dramatically reduced his exposure.”

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Biometric tracking

Dr. Walsh works closely with members, and ultimately says biometric tracking can be powerful, but it works best when paired with listening to your own body.

Dr. Walsh

Private Medical Lifestyle & Natural Medicine Physician

From members:

“Natalie, I have just received my preliminary blood test results and my cholesterol numbers have improved dramatically. My total cholesterol is down to 163 and my LDL to 85. I have no doubt that the diet you prescribed is the principal reason. Thank you!”

“Just wanted to send a quick note to say your naturopath Natalie is phenomenal. She’s been such a helpful resource.”


From physicians:

“A member signed up with an online service to consider getting testosterone. The service said to eat 30 grams of fat before the blood test, so we asked our intrepid Dr. Walsh to investigate. Her response: ‘There are many published studies that suggest high-fat meal suppresses testosterone. This leads me to the question: why they would want to suppress testosterone before a blood test… unless they are looking for a reason to prescribe more and more?’”


“Dr. Natalie Walsh gave a remarkably thoughtful assessment of potential interactions between herbal treatments and chemotherapy treatments in a mutual patient. Extremely impressive.”


“Dr. Walsh discussed with a reluctant patient that a statin (lovastatin) has natural properties and compared it to Red Yeast Rice. I may have learned as much as the patient did from that call.”

  1. Upside of tracking – Biometrics can help people learn more about their physiology, habits, and provide rapid feedback on lifestyle changes.
  2. Risk of over-reliance – Some individuals get too focused on the numbers and lose touch with how they actually feel.
  3. Positive change driver – Overall, tracking often supports healthier choices and sustained improvements.
  4. Explosive growth – There’s been a major surge in biometric tracking tools, though not every application is equally reliable or useful.

“I think there are pros and cons to all of the tracking. Anybody who wants to learn more about their physiology, their habits, or get faster feedback on changes they’ve made to their lifestyle, that’s a strong plus.

Some people, though, can get a little carried away. Sometimes they become more devoted to the biometrics than to how they actually feel, or to the feedback they could be getting directly from their own body.

But overall, I’ve seen a lot of people make positive changes as a result of having that kind of information.

There’s definitely been an explosion in biometric tracking lately, but I’m a little iffy on some of the applications.”

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