Additional Functional Lab Testing
We have also connected with laboratories if a deeper dive is necessary to understand the root cause of your symptoms. Some of our favorite tests are listed below, but if you don't see the test you're looking for please contact us.
Please note that the functional inhouse tests are used to ascertain additional information, but not as a diagnostic tool. If necessary, conventional lab testing will be suggested to confirm findings.
Organic Acid Test
The organic acid test provides a functional metabolic snapshot of what is happening internally. Everyone is interested in their genetic code right now, but research shows us your epigenetics (which genes are turned on) is just, if not more important than your actual genetics (which genes you have). The organic acid test looks at metabolic markers, so we learn how well the systems in the body are working. Metabolic function (Kreb and citric acid cycle), energy production, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitters, gastrointestinal bacteria and yeast, Ketone and fatty acid cycles, detoxification capability, nutritional cofactors, and some vitamin levels are assessed.
This is an excellent test for any brain or mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, metabolic function assessment such as challenges with weight, low energy levels, or unexplained chronic illness. It can also be used to monitor if care is working. A noninvasive test, requiring only first-morning urine.
Hair Mineral Assessment
The Hair Mineral Analysis, if interpreted properly gives a comprehensive, metabolic profile. It measures 60 essential minerals and toxic metals allowing us to understand the toxic burden of your body, what resources may be lacking. By correcting tissue mineral levels and ratios with proper diet, supplementary nutrients, and lifestyle modifications, many physical and behavioral health conditions can be prevented or reversed.
Comprehensive Hormone Analysis
There are many ways to measure your hormones, and the methodology we choose (urine, blood, saliva) will depend on how we are going to use this data. Urine offers the most comprehensive analysis, allowing us to understand metabolic how your body is utilizing its hormones and better understand ratios of ‘good’ vs ‘unhealthy’ hormones such as estrogen, but, it’s also the most important. Perhaps a simple blood test will suffice, talk to your Naturopathic Doctor to learn what what method is right for for you.
Once a hormone imbalance has been uncovered, nutritional and/or bio-identical hormone therapy may be initiated.
Thyroid Testing
There is so much more to thyroid function than simple TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone) which is routinely checked by your medical doctor. Free T3 indicates the active form of thyroid hormone, free T4 shows us what can be converted to T3, but then there is even reverse T3 just to make the situation more complicated. Add in thyroid antibodies and we can get a clear picture of what is happening with your thyroid. This is a must-do for anyone feeling fatigued, irritated, gaining weight, decreased mood or brain fog.
4 Point Adrenal and Melatonin Test
The adrenal gland works closely with the thyroid and pituitary gland to help us deal with stress, regulate metabolism, temperature, and feel alert and energetic. We know how detrimental stress is to our overall health, and here is a noninvasive, cost-efficient test to help us better understand how or adrenal glands are doing. Because our adrenal glands work on a diurnal rhythm, the 4-point adrenal function test looks at hormone levels 4 times throughout the day, and if sleep is an issue we can add in melatonin levels to get a full picture.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Yes, your issues may be due to food. We have a number of different ‘armies’ that come out to attack. IgE is the army that would be a full-on allergy, if you have an IgE attack you probably already know about it, or your allergist tested it for you. We also have lesser talked about ‘stealth’ armies, that don’t mount a full-blown allergic reaction, but nonetheless create an immune reaction resulting in symptoms such as stomach issues, fatigue, acne, eczema, and other skin issues just to name a few. The information can be invaluable when you don’t know what to eat anymore, but I always suggest ensuring we decrease inflammation in the gut before we do this test, or you will get many false positives.