What about Functional Lab Testing?

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• While not everyone may need or even want functional lab testing, it is something that I offer and I think it can be extremely beneficial in the right situations. Many functional lab tests can offer insight into the functioning of your body that conventional tests cannot. I offer the following functional lab tests:

 

• Comprehensive Stool Analysis: Offers an evaluation of various aspects of digestive function, microbial patterns and inflammatory status in the GI tract. Stool analysis typically includes both commensal (beneficial) and potentially-pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and parasites, secretory IgA as a measure of deficiency or increase in immune activity, digestive enzymes, calprotectin, lysozyme, lactoferrin, short chain fatty acids, red and white blood cells, and pH. This basic test is recommended for anyone with chronic health concerns.​

 

• Organic Acids Test (OAT): Provides an overview of urinary markers related to mitochondrial function, microbial patterns in the digestive tract, select nutrient status, detoxification status and neurotransmitter status. This is another foundation-level test that we use routinely in chronic health conditions.​

 

• Comprehensive Nutritional Tests: An extension to the OAT, comprehensive nutrition tests provide a more comprehensive view of nutritional status including additional vitamins, minerals, toxic elements, amino acids (blood preferred), fatty acids. (e.g. Genova ION or NutrEval)​

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• Food Sensitivity Tests (IgG): Helpful tests in uncovering hidden delayed food reactions that can manifest in diverse symptoms ranging from digestive issues, to skin manifestations, fatigue, behavioral and mood changes, headaches, autoimmune activity and more. (e.g. Genova, US Biotek, KBMO, Alletess)

 

• Advanced Hormone Tests: Breakdown of hormones and their metabolites to provide a view of where excesses and/or deficiencies may be occurring. (e.g. Precision Analytics DUTCH test)

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• SIBO Breath Test: Measures emission of hydrogen and methane after a lactulose challenge over a defined time period and can provide an assessment of potential small intestine bacterial overgrowth. We are finding an increasing number of clinic patients with this condition. Potential signs of SIBO include intolerance to many foods, constipation and/or diarrhea, gas and bloating, abdominal pain, increased allergic/histamine responses, unexplained brain fog, anxiety and/or insomnia along with digestive symptoms.​

 

• Additional: Neurotransmitter testing, adrenal function (usually with salivary cortisol), urinary toxic elements, bone resorption, methylation panel, genetic SNP testing.