FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE LABS CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH CONCERNS

As a naturopathic doctor with training in functional medicine, I understand the value in ordering certain labs that can help identify the foundational cause(s) of your health concern(s). Labs are chosen based on individual needs and may include any of the following:

• General blood work
• Hormone testing
• Adrenal stress index
• Preventative cardiovascular assessment
• Metabolic health assessment
• Vitamin and mineral assessment
• Amino acid analysis
• Food allergy/sensitivity testing
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, digest and gastrointestinal analyses
• Neurotransmitter testing
• Genetic testing
• Toxic mold & mycotoxin exposure assessment
• Toxic metal testing

Read on about the benefits that each of these labs can offer, or Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call to discuss your specific lab questions with me.

General Blood Work

Recommended annually for preventative purposes

Specific markers are recommended for particular symptoms or health conditions. Blood work can be useful to monitor thyroid problems, blood sugar imbalances, cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, inflammation, nutritional status, genetic predispositions, and more. Lab orders are created and dispensed in the office and blood draws are performed at a local laboratory draw site.

Hormone Testing

Recommended with symptoms or health conditions associated with hormonal imbalances

Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the primary hormones secreted by the ovaries and testes. Imbalances in these may cause menopause, infertility, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual irregularities, mood swings, fatigue, and loss of sex drive. The most effective way to measure these hormones is to use saliva samples, which contain the unbound or available form of hormones in your body. There are different types of hormone testing kits, customized individually for the patient. A test kit is dispensed to take home, prepare samples and send them into a lab directly.

Adrenal (Stress Handling) Index

Measures DHEA sulfate levels along with four cortisol levels throughout the day

The adrenals secrete many hormones that influence energy, ability to handle stress, kidney function, sex hormone balance, immune function, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Adrenal function in adults is often low due to high-stress lifestyles. A test kit is dispensed to collect saliva samples, which are sent into a lab directly.

Preventative Cardiovascular Assessment

One of the most comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment tests available

It assesses lipid levels (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) along with the size patterning of HDL and LDL (what determines their risk to benefit ratio), cardiovascular inflammatory and risk markers, and blood sugar markers. A test kit is dispensed to be taken to a local laboratory draw site.

Metabolic Health Assessment

Includes comprehensive metabolic assessment markers

This test combines several markers useful in assessing metabolism including fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin, Hba1c (average blood sugar over a 3 month window), adiponectin (a hormone made by fatty tissues that helps regulate blood sugar), the function of beta cells (cells that make insulin), and includes calculations for beta cell sensitivity, insulin receptor sensitivity and insulin resistance. This test may be combined with cardiovascular, thyroid, and/or other panels, as needed. A test kit is dispensed to be taken to a local laboratory draw site.

Vitamin and Mineral Assessment

Used to identify which specific nutrients your body may be lacking

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are often overlooked and contribute to a wide variety of symptoms and health conditions. This test measures the levels of several individual vitamin and mineral levels within the lymphocytes (white blood cells) to determine what your body is actually able to utilize. Instead of just taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, this test allows you to know which individual nutrients you need more of. A test kit is dispensed to be taken to a local laboratory draw site.

Amino Acid Analysis

Assesses the metabolism and levels of approximately 40 amino acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are important for the production of energy, hormones, and neurotransmitters. They are used by the liver in detoxification, they build muscle and repair damaged tissues. This test analyzes your metabolism and will give results of any deficiencies in certain vitamins, minerals and trace metals. A test kit is dispensed to take home, collect urine samples and send into a lab directly.

Food Allergy/Sensitivity Testing

Used to verify food allergies and/or sensitivities

Allergies cause immediate reactions and sensitivities cause delayed reactions. Examples of immediate reactions may include hives and anaphylaxis. Examples of delayed reactions include fatigue, asthma, irritable bowel, colitis, joint pain, headaches, depression, sinusitis, insomnia, rashes and more. Delayed reactions are more common than immediate reactions. If you have food allergies/sensitivities, they may contribute to your symptoms. A test kit is dispensed to take to a local lab for a blood draw.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) & Gastrointestinal Analysis

Recommended for patients that have specific gastrointestinal complaints

These tests assesses a variety of gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal infections, Candida overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, a history of antibiotic use, mal-absorption, and autoimmune diseases. There are several types of test kits available to test either markers of bacterial overgrowth, the presence of parasites or fungi, or to evaluate digestion and intestinal function. These test kits that are dispensed are based on individual symptoms. Stool samples and/or breath tests are collected in the comforts of your home and sent into a lab directly.

Neurotransmitter Testing

Recommended for patients with emotional instability and sleeping difficulties

This type of testing may be useful for finding the root cause of depression, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, and lack of motivation. A test kit is dispensed to take home, prepare saliva and urine samples, and are then sent into a lab directly.

Genetic Testing

Used to determine, genetically, where your body needs extra support to function optimally

Several genetic panels are available, depending on individual needs. It can utilized to assess detoxification pathways so the most appropriate support can be given to achieve optimal clearance of toxins. There are panels that provide individualized recommendations for lifestyle, physical activity, and nutrition needs to promote optimal metabolism and overall health.  It can also be helpful to determine the cause of familial tendencies for health conditions such as celiac disease, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, heart attacks, strokes, and more. A test kit is dispensed to be taken to the nearest laboratory draw site.

Toxic Mold (Mycotoxin) Exposure Testing

Used to assess exposures to and decreased clearance of toxic molds

Certain environments that we are expose to may have detectable levels of toxic mold that may be challenging for some people to excrete, leading to chronic health symptoms. Exposure to these molds may include contaminated air, water and food. They may be in the home or in a working environment. Toxic mold secretes mycotoxins and if we are exposed to them, we excrete them in the urine. This test uses a sample of urine to detect these excreted mycotoxins. If levels are high, treatment to remove the mycotoxin(s) from your body is optimal and further testing may be recommended. A test kit is dispensed to take home, collect urine and send into a lab directly.

Toxic Metal Testing

Used to assess heavy metal toxicity

Lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, nickel, copper and other toxic metals accumulate in tissues of the body. If your body has accumulated 1 or more of these metals, they may contribute to your symptoms. Exposure to these metals may include contaminated air, water and food, or they could be from environmental or work exposure. This test uses samples of hair to measure toxic metals that may reflect levels stored in your body tissues. If hair levels are high, treatment to remove the toxic metal(s) from your body is optimal and further testing may be recommended. A test kit is dispensed to take home, prepare hair samples and send into a lab directly.