Functional Testing
Conventional Medicine is the medicine of WHAT – What disease you have, determines What pill to take.
Functional Medicine is the medicine of Why – Why is the symptom occurring, Why is the disease developing and what's at the root of it.
This is where diagnostic testing to assess the root causes of illness can help. Functional Medicine testing utilizes advanced testing methodologies to identify dysfunctional pathways and develop a road map to treat patients more effectively.
There are many different tools they can use to determine what is driving your symptoms or illness but one of the most effective is laboratory functional testing.
Our Functional Tests
GI-MAP
(Microbial Assay Plus)
Research overwhelmingly indicates that gut health impacts overall health. The gut microbiome, in particular, plays a critical role in mediating the effects of diet and other factors on health, including digestive, immune, metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Assessing GI health with the proper tools can help practitioners get to the root cause of chronic illness.
The GI-MAP (Microbial Assay Plus) is unique in the field of comprehensive stool testing. It relies exclusively on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more, by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested.
In our experience, this microbiome information is central to the majority of cases we work with and often the reason that patients will get stuck in their healing work.
Functional Testing Sample – GI-MAP
This test is used to find the root cause of the following:
- Autoimmune diseases
- IBS/IBD
- Digestive complaints, diarrhea or constipation
- Brain fog
- Skin problems like acne and psoriasis
- Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety
- Diabetes and weight loss issues
Urine Toxin Screen
Heavy metals can disrupt a myriad of different organs and systems and this test is the gold standard for identifying levels of mercury, aluminum, lead, and cadmium.
Urine Elements are traditionally used to evaluate exposure to potentially toxic elements and wasting of nutrient elements. Additionally, the comparison of urine element concentrations before and after administration of a chelator can be used to estimate net retention of potentially toxic elements. Subsequent urine element analyses, also following the administration of a chelator, are useful for monitoring the efficacy of metal detox therapy. Results are expressed per 24 hours or creatinine corrected to account for urine dilution effects.
The test can be used to look for root cause information regarding:
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Toxic Element Exposure
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Alopecia
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Bone Density
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Cardiovascular Disease
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Depression
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Dermatitis or Poor Wound Healing
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Detoxification Therapy
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Fatigue
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Gastrointestinal Symptoms
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Hypertension
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Immune Function
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Impaired Glucose Tolerance
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Inflammation
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Kidney Function
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Nutritional Deficiencies
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Parkinson’s-like Symptoms
Organic Acid Test
The Organix® Comprehensive Profile is a nutritional test providing insights into organic acids and a view into the body’s cellular metabolic processes. Identifying metabolic blocks that can be treated nutritionally allows individual tailoring of interventions that maximize patient responses and lead to improved patient outcomes.
Organic acids are metabolic intermediates that are produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, or intestinal microbial activity. Marked accumulation of specific organic acids detected in urine often signals a metabolic inhibition or block. The metabolic block may be due to a nutrient deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficit, toxic build-up or drug effect. Several of the biomarkers are markers of intestinal bacterial or yeast overgrowth.
This test is used to find the root cause of the following:
- Weight Loss Resistance
- Chronic Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Depression & Anxiety
- Chronic Pain
- Poor Detoxification
Dutch Hormone Test
This advanced hormone testing was developed to improve on available hormone testing options. DUTCH offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites. Additionally, the daily (diurnal) pattern of free cortisol is included, along with melatonin (6-OHMS), 8-OHdG, and six organic acids.
This test offers the most comprehensive summary of hormone levels available and is easily collected in the home for shipment.
The test can be used to look for root cause information regarding:
- Irregular Periods
- Heavy Periods
- PMS
- PCOS
- Chronic Fatigue
- Low Libido
IgG Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivity is not a disease but may play a role in causing disease or worsening certain symptoms. Symptoms associated with food sensitivities develop slowly over time and can create inflammation. The RMA FST™ IgG Food Sensitivity Test can help identify potential food sensitivities and take the guesswork out of your diet.
There is a growing body of evidence to support the clinical benefits of eliminating IgG reactive foods from the diet.
In an IgG reaction, the IgG antibodies bind to food antigens creating antibody-antigen complexes. These complexes are normally removed by immune system cells called macrophages. However, if complexes are present in large numbers and the reactive food is still being consumed, the macrophages can’t remove them quickly enough. The food antigen-antibody complexes accumulate and can be deposited in body tissues. Once in tissues, these complexes can trigger inflammation, which may be responsible for a wide variety of symptoms.
Why Testing Matters
Without testing, medicine is not personalized. There are many different tools they can use to determine what is driving your health concern or illnesses but one of the most effective is laboratory functional testing.
We offer a host of functional tests to reveal the information needed to provide you a truly personalized treatment plan. If you come to us with anxiety for example, how do we know whether this symptom is being driven by a B12 deficiency, or an infection in the gut, or a heavy metal toxicity, or a food intolerance? We test!
Not Sure Where To Start?
Book A Free Discovery Call
We understand it can feel very overwhelming to choose your healthcare team. It is critical to start your healing journey by choosing a health team you trust, where you feel heard, and where your individual needs can be supported.
This compliment discovery call is the perfect opportunity to take a strategic step toward your best health.