FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE LABS

Getting to the Root Cause with Advanced Testing

Many people come to me feeling frustrated, exhausted, and out of answers. They’ve been told their lab tests are “normal”—but they still don’t feel well.

That’s because conventional blood work often only scratches the surface. It looks for disease, not dysfunction. But before illness shows up on standard tests, imbalances have already been at play for months—sometimes years. That’s where functional medicine testing makes the difference.

I go beyond routine labs to assess your gut health, hormones, food sensitivities, metabolism, nutrient status, and inflammation markers—giving us a clear, detailed picture of what’s actually going on inside your body.

Most conventional doctors follow standard lab ranges—which are based on an average of the population (not necessarily what’s optimal). I take a functional approach by analyzing your results through an optimal health lens, looking at patterns, trends, and deeper imbalances that may not be flagged on a traditional report.

If you’ve ever been told “your labs are fine” but you still don’t feel well, this is why.

I also call for more comprehensive blood panels than what’s typically ordered in conventional medicine or general nutrition consultations. This ensures we’re not missing key pieces of the puzzle.

How I Interpret Labs Differently

Here are some of the most powerful functional medicine tests I use to uncover root causes and guide personalized protocols:

Hormones & Metabolism

  • DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) – A deep dive into estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and adrenal function. Unlike basic blood tests, DUTCH gives a full picture of hormone metabolism over time.

  • Comprehensive Thyroid Panel – More than just TSH, I assess free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to get the full picture of thyroid health.

  • Metabolic & Inflammation Markers – Including fasting insulin, hs-CRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein), homocysteine, and hemoglobin A1C to assess blood sugar regulation and inflammation.

Gut Health & Digestion

  • GI-MAP (Comprehensive Stool Test) – An advanced stool test that detects parasites, bacterial imbalances, yeast overgrowth, H. pylori, leaky gut markers, and digestive function.

  • SIBO Breath Test – Helps diagnose Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), a common cause of bloating, IBS, and poor nutrient absorption.

Food Sensitivities & Inflammatory Response

  • Wheat Zoomer – A highly sensitive test for gluten sensitivity, wheat-related inflammation, leaky gut, and celiac disease markers.

  • MRT (Mediator Release Test) or IgG Food Sensitivity Panel – Identifies hidden food sensitivities that could be driving inflammation, digestive issues, skin conditions, and more.

Nutrient Status & Toxins

  • Micronutrient Testing (SpectraCell or NutrEval) – Measures vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant levels to detect hidden deficiencies.

  • Heavy Metals & Toxin Exposure (GPL-TOX, Hair Mineral Analysis) – Assesses toxicity levels from environmental exposures, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals.

Comprehensive Blood Panels

  • Beyond the Basics – I order detailed blood panels that include ferritin, full iron panel, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, fasting insulin, homocysteine, and other key markers that are often overlooked in conventional testing.

Labs I Commonly Order

Once we receive your lab results, I provide:
✔ A detailed breakdown of your results—so you actually understand what’s going on in your body.
✔ A functional interpretation, looking for patterns and root causes—not just isolated numbers.
✔ A personalized action plan based on your unique data, including targeted nutrition, lifestyle shifts, and supplement recommendations (only if needed).

What Happens After Testing?

Ready to Get to the Root of Your Symptoms?

If you’re tired of guessing and want real answers, let’s start with a comprehensive lab assessment.

Book a consultation to discuss which labs are right for you.