Dr. Sarah J. Zielsdorf, MD

Dr. Sarah J. Zielsdorf, MD Internist & Functional Medicine Physician VA Hospital. Thus began her healing journey and a tremendous self-education in functional and integrative medicine.
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Dr. Sarah Zielsdorf hails from Ohio, where she received her BA in Microbiology from Miami University with a minor in molecular biology and a concentration in oboe performance. She went on to earn an MS in Public Health, Microbiology, and Emerging Infectious Diseases from The George Washington University in Washington, DC where she published her thesis on improving laboratory emergency preparedness post 9/11. Dr. Zielsdorf graduated from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center and Edward Hines, Jr. She holds a membership in the Institute for Functional Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. The trajectory of Sarah’s life and career radically changed during her intern year of residency, when she was diagnosed with fibrosis of the liver and autoimmune thyroid disease. Having already followed the conventional treatment plan for hypothyroidism for 10 years, she turned to more holistic approaches. Working with several innovative clinicians in varying fields, she began to reverse these chronic diseases, which changed the paradigm of her philosophy as a physician. Sarah has been described by autoimmunity authority Jessica Flanigan as “the progressive voice of functional medicine in Chicago”; Dr. Zielsdorf is now considered a regional thyroid and autoimmunity expert. She is proud to serve patients from six states and counting. She was recently featured as a thyroid disease expert in 'The Thyroid Secret' documentary series by Dr. Izabella Wentz. Dr. Zielsdorf’s goal is to empower patients to reverse chronic disease through a combination of nutrition and science-based, 21st century treatment approaches. Her ideal patients are committed to taking responsibility for their health and are passionate partners in the healing journey. Dr. Zielsdorf will take the time to listen to your story to get to the root cause of your concerns in a patient-centered, personalized way. She understands that every individual is biochemically and genetically unique. Dr. Zielsdorf supports the innate ability of the body and mind to heal, restoring optimized health. Above all, she values the transformative power of the patient-physician relationship. Health is not simply the absence of disease, but is living a life of passionate vitality. The biggest proof of Sarah’s healing is her vivacious toddler. Sarah’s passions include traveling and outdoor adventures with her husband and daughter, playing bass guitar, watching movies and Ohio sports, cooking delicious nutrient-dense meals/studying functional medicine, and being inspired by the immortal genius of The Smashing Pumpkins and Rush.

Happy Halloween, from your friendly neighborhood witch doctor.
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween, from your friendly neighborhood witch doctor.

L’Shanah Tovah 5786 to all that celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It is the Jewish New Year, and I wish for it to be a sweet, hap...
09/24/2025

L’Shanah Tovah 5786 to all that celebrate Rosh Hashanah. It is the Jewish New Year, and I wish for it to be a sweet, happy, healthy, and hopeful one. I’m still getting back into the swing of things from our Big Trip - my family and I had the thrill of a lifetime adventure in Iceland.

Happy Friday everyone! Some MM updates at the end of another week...TL/DNR Summary: Welcome back to Roxana, Dr. Z out of...
08/01/2025

Happy Friday everyone! Some MM updates at the end of another week...

TL/DNR Summary: Welcome back to Roxana, Dr. Z out of office 8/15-9/1/25.

The long version here:
We are grateful to have Roxana back in the office seeing patients next week. Please give her lots of love as she settles back in to patient care. I know that her patients have missed her terribly, as we have as well.

I have been excitedly hearing about all of my patients' summer travels as I work toward my own yearly break. For the last 5 years my family and I have camped for close to two weeks around the end of August -- a huge privilege and a daunting responsibility to plan.

We started camping trips with our kids during COVID - they were 3 and 7 years old. That first year Jack hiked more than 3 miles in Mammoth Cave, and many miles in Moab and Arches/"Candylands" NPs [Canyonlands]. We got to see Eva triumphantly scramble up her first rocky desert trail. The US/Canadian national parks have been a huge passion, to see our beautiful country and the things my husband and I never did as kids.

We've been out west to Carlsbad Caverns/White Sands, Mount St. Helens in WA, and the epic "big trip" to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons/Glacier/Badlands/Theodore Roosevelt and many more parks. Two years ago we circumnavigated Lake Michigan and one of my favorite memories was my son biting it and sliding face first laughing hysterically down the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes NP. Last year we circumnavigated Lake Superior, where my son and I got epically seasick on the crossing back from Isle Royale to Copper Harbor. It's really funny now. And because of the boat delay due to the rough seas, we were treated to the northern lights while we set up our campsite in Minnesota at 2am.

Three years ago I must have seen something on social media about renting camper vans in Iceland and I decided we were DOING THAT to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. So two years ago I rented a van and last year I bought plane tickets. Suddenly the trip is 2 weeks away. We will be camping the Ring Road and Westfjords. So. Much. Planning. Packing a portable toilet in a checked bag because kids. And very excited!

Mostly, I am excited to wake up before my kids and find a place to be alone on a fjord and think. Alone. 🤣

I spend all of my days being with people, talking intensely and listening intensely to people and working to solve complex problems. It's a bit sad that I have to wait for twice a year to get away and have a little solitude but, such is life. A good problem to have.

So, this is my official two week notice to patients to please check meds, check needs, check appointments, labs etc so I can take care of everything possible before leaving. As always, urgent messages will be answered and I will be notified about emergencies. Otherwise I will sign off and reboot for September.

Thank you very much for all of your help so I can come back (maybe not refreshed as this is a TRIP and not a vacation), with a renewed spirit.

*Photo credits: Jason Zielsdorf
- 2022, Devils Tower, WY
- 2024, Pancake Bay, Ontario
- 2024, Peninsula State Park, Door County, WI

Address

480 East Roosevelt Road Suite 105
West Chicago, IL
60185

Telephone

+16304921965

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