Functional laboratory testing can be a valuable tool and provide insights into complex chronic health conditions and those seeking optimal wellness. Some testing can be performed in the comfort of your own home. In addition, some functional laboratory testing can be performed and billed under insurance. For more details, please contact our office. Some examples of these tests are listed below:
Functional Thyroid Testing:Often, standard thyroid labs are not enough to determine thyroid dysfunction. A complete functional thyroid workup can determine autoimmunity and proper thyroid hormone levels. Quest Analytics and LabCorp are two key laboratories that offer this service, and is often covered by insurance.
Heavy Metals Testing
A hair metals test is a cost-effective and easy way to assess for heavy metals. We work with several laboratories that offer this service. Please get in touch with our office for more info.
Micronutrient testing:
This testing looks at any nutritional deficiencies and gives detailed reports on levels of micronutrients. For more information, see https://www.gdx.net/product/nutreval-fmv-nutritional-test-blood-urine and https://www.spectracell.com/
Stool Testing:
Since all health begins in the gut, it is often essential to perform functional gut testing. Insurance coverage varies. Testing can determine the following:
- Digestion and absorption levels
- Inflammation levels
- Presence of parasites and worms
- The gut microbiome
The presence of harmful bacteria such as H. Pylori, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile
Examples include G.I. Map testing and GI Effects. For more information, see https://www.diagnosticsolutionslab.com/tests/gi-map and https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test
Hormone testing:
ZRT Saliva and Blood Spot Hormone testing. These test kits can be sent to your home for convenience. They also offer neurotransmitter testing. For more information, see https://www.zrtlab.com/
DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)
The DUTCH test is the most comprehensive hormone panel and gives an in-depth look at hormones and their metabolic pathways. This test looks at the production of sex hormones and their metabolites, as well as their patterns and distributions, giving providers a visual result of the hormone pathways in a person’s body. For more information, see https://dutchtest.com/
Organic Acids Test (OAT Test)
An organic acids test, often called an OAT Test, is a foundational functional medicine test that is a “metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health.” It’s commonly ordered for many patients and is recommended as a baseline test after the initial appointment, especially if the patient is dealing with mood disorders, fatigue, digestive complaints, or weight issues.
The OAT test looks at organic acids in urine produced in a patient’s metabolism. Many different labs offer it, including Great Plains Laboratory and Genova Diagnostics. The test provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. The OAT test by Great Plains also includes markers for vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress, fungal levels, Clostridium, neurotransmitter levels, and oxalates, which are highly correlated with many chronic illnesses. For more information, see https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/organic-acids-test.
SIBO Breath Test
Determines the presence of bacteria in the small intestine if levels of methane or hydrogen are present. For more information, see https://www.gdx.net/product/bacterial-overgrowth-of-the-small-intestine-sibo-test.
IGG Food Sensitivity Panel
With food allergies on the rise, it is essential to look at them. Great Plains has an advanced food allergy panel looking at 190 potential food allergens. For more information, see https://mosaicdx.com/test/igg-food-map/
Autoimmune and Celiac Panels
Cyrex Labs has an extensive list of different array panels that can determine various types of autoimmune disorders and Celiac disease.
Lyme Disease Panels
Several laboratories offer advanced Lyme panels because Lyme disease is hard to detect via standard Western blot. Some examples include IgeneX and DNAConnexions. For more information, see https://igenex.com/ and https://dnaconnexions.com/.
Mold and Mycotoxin Testing
Several laboratories offer different types of technologies to detect mycotoxins produced by mold. Some examples include Great Plains Urine Mycotoxin testing, Real-Time Labs, and MyMycoTox Labs. Medicare coverage is available through Real Time Labs. For more information, see https://realtimelab.com/ and https://mymycolab.com/.
Genetics Testing
Available through 23andMe as well as advanced Nutrigenomics testing.
Testing for environmental toxicity
Great Plains Laboratory offers a Urine Toxicology scan (GPL-TOX) and Glyphosate testing. For more information, see https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/gpl-tox.
For more information, get in touch with us! We’re happy to talk to you about your many options.
