Through lab testing, we can uncover and gain a better understanding of some of the imbalances in your blood, gut, and nutrient levels that may be driving your symptoms. This helps us eliminate the guesswork, which means faster outcomes for you. Depending on your results, we will then be able to create a more targeted plan or protocol for you. Please note that currently, none of my programs include the cost(s) of lab work or functional test kits. 

I am able to order most labs through Evexia Diagnostics. Blood work would be drawn at a LabCorp near you; or, if that is not an option, at-home kits and/or local phlebotomy clinics can be good options as well. Functional lab tests/kits would be mailed to you at your preferred address, complete with full instructions on how to complete the test and how to process & send back the specimens (usually blood, stool, saliva, or urine).

IMPORTANT: I am unable to use the results of your lab work or any other information to diagnose or treat any medical conditions.

Standard labs:

• Complete blood count (CBC)

• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)

• Lipid profile

• Urianalysis 

• Thyroid profile 

If you have not had any of the above labs completed recently, I will likely recommend that you have these done at your earliest convenience, either via your PCP or one of the options outlined above (ex. Evexia). Viewing your results from these labs through a “functional” or nutritional lense may help us identify any imbalances that could signal the need for diet/lifestyle change, even long before a diagnosed medical condition develops (even if your lab markers are technically within the “normal” range). 

Other helpful lab tests & markers that can provide us with greater insight include: Hemoglobin A1C%, fasting insulin, CRP & Hs-CRP, homocysteine, full iron panel, vitamins and minerals, etc.

Ultimately, getting comprehensive bloodwork done is a great starting point for anyone who has multiple symptoms and would love to get a helicopter view of their health.

Stool testing (yes, stool) can provide a great snapshot into the health of your gut and microbiome. Ultimately, the health of your gut is a *huge* determining factor of most other aspects of your health and body (including your hormones, immune system, metabolism, and even your skin and mental health!). For most individuals, but especially those struggling with chronic gut issues (GERD, bloating, constipation, IBS, IBD, etc.), a stool test can help uncover some areas of your gut that could use some TLC.

I typically recommend one of two tests: either the GI Effects (Genova Diagnostics) or GI Map (Diagnostic Solutions). These tests both give us key information on several areas of your gut health, including: how well you’re digesting food, how much inflammation you have in your gut, how well your gut barrier is likely functioning (which impacts food sensitivities), how your immune system is responding to gluten, how balanced your microbiome is (how many beneficial bacteria you have relative to “opportunist” bacteria & yeast that can overgrow and cause symptoms), and whether any pathogens (including bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses) are present.

Below is a list of symptoms that would likely warrant a stool test:

• Frequent bloating

• Constipation (infrequent bowel movements/BMs, BMs in the shape of “rocks,” and/or BMs that are difficult-to-pass)

• Diarrhea & frequent loose stools

• Frequent nausea, gastritis, or GERD

• Skin rashes & outbreaks (rosacea, eczema, acne, etc.)

• Fatigue that is chronic or frequent

• Joint pain

• Food sensitivities

• Frequent or recurring infections (ex. UTIs, yeast infections)

• Headaches or migraines

• Insomnia; difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Blood sugar dysregulation & metabolic issues (ex. weight gain, high blood pressure, etc.) that do not respond well to diet and lifestyle changes.

While TSH alone is typically ordered in doctor’s offices, looking at all the other thyroid markers (including free T4 & T3, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, etc.) can provide deeper insight into not only the health of your thyroid gland, but also other aspects of your health (especially liver, adrenals, and nutrient stores), which play big roles in how thyroid hormones are used by your body’s cells.

Below is a list of symptoms that would indicate the need for a full thyroid panel:

• Fatigue or frequent lack of energy

• Feeling cold often; can’t get warm easily; low body temperature (<97.6-98.5 degrees F consistently)

• Cold hands & feet

• Weight gain & difficulty losing weight despite changing diet

• Insomnia; difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Frequent headaches or migraines

• Short or irregular menstrual cycles & painful periods

• Infertility, difficulty conceiving

• Dry skin

• Constipation

• Slow heart rate

• Hair loss

• Joint pain or muscle aches

• Depression

The Dutch Complete test (via Precision Analytical) provides a snapshot into your endocrine system, and how your sex hormones and their metabolites (including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and more) are in balance with each other. This test also gives great insight into your daily cortisol and melatonin patterns, which greatly affect our energy levels, cognition, thyroid health, metabolism, ability to fall asleep & stay asleep, and more.

Below is a list of symptoms that would warrant a DUTCH complete test:

• Abnormal or irregular menstrual cycles

• PMS or painful periods

• Period abnormalities: heavy, prolonged, excessive clotting, etc.

• Pelvic pain

• Unusually high energy in the evening & at night

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

• Low energy in the morning & throughout the day; difficulty waking up

• Low libido/ sex drive

• Infertility or difficulty conceiving

• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Breast changes: swelling, tenderness; fibrocystic breasts or fibroadenomas (benign breast tumors)

• Mood swings

• Difficulty handling stress; high-stress lifestyle

If you would like to learn more about how functional lab testing may benefit you, go ahead and book a FREE 20-minute discovery call with me at the button below: