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Functional Lab Tests
Functional lab tests are a cornerstone of integrative healing, providing in-depth insights into your body’s unique needs and challenges.
Unlike standard lab tests that often look for disease or acute conditions, functional tests dig deeper to uncover imbalances and dysfunctions before they manifest as full-blown illness.
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"Test don't Guess"
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As an Integrative Healing Practitioner I am certified to order functional lab testing.
I always say “test, don’t guess” so we can pinpoint the true root causes of your symptoms. I use these tests to uncover imbalances and deficiencies within the body. Mindset, nutrition, lifestyle changes and supplements are also used to rebuild and repair to bring the body back into balance.
Lab interpretation is only done for clients. I do not diagnose or treat disease.
Full Blood Panel: Normal vs. Optimal
In conventional medicine, doctors are trained to assess health based on "normal" lab ranges. However, these ranges are often too broad, derived from a general population that may not represent optimal health. For instance, the Canadian range for ferritin levels in women is between 10-200 ug/L, but individuals at either end of this spectrum are unlikely to feel their best.
The difference between normal and optimal ranges is crucial for achieving true wellness. I focus on optimal ranges—those that are supported by research in functional medicine and represent the best state for overall health.
When blood work falls outside optimal ranges, it signals potential areas of concern, or "healing opportunities." By examining the root causes behind these deviations, we can address deficiencies and imbalances before they develop into more serious conditions. It's not uncommon for people to seek my help after being told by their doctors that their bloodwork is "normal." Often, we discover issues that were missed—subtle imbalances that, when corrected, can lead to significant improvements in health and well-being.
Understanding and aiming for these optimal ranges is a proactive approach to health, ensuring that you don't just avoid illness but truly thrive.
For all my clients I order the following blood work*:
Complete metabolic panel
Complete blood count
Full thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3, Thyroid antibodies)
Full iron panel (Iron, TIBC, Iron saturation, ferritin)
Lipid panel
Homocysteine
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
CRP
Hemoglobin A1C
HNK1 (CD57) panel
Urinalysis
*Please note these markers may differ depending on where you are located
OAT: Organic Acids Test
This is a urine test that provides a comprehensive nutritional and metabolic snapshot of an individual’s overall health. The OAT measures 76 organic acids from one easy to collect urine sample.
What this test shows:
Mold, yeast and bacterial imbalances
Mitochondrial dysfunction
Neurotransmitter metabolites
Fat metabolism
Oxalates
Nutritional markers
Amino acids
Detoxification markers
Ammonia
Genetics Testing: Ancestry Website
Understanding your genetics and any possible mutations makes a difference in how we treat each individual uniquely. Your genetics are your blueprint, and if we don't uncover what is going on in your DNA then we will never get to the root cause.
You can order your ancestry test here: https://www.ancestry.com/dna/
(Some) Genes I analyze:
COMT enzyme that breaks down dopamine
MAOA mutations slow the breakdown of serotonin
GAD speed at which glutamine is converted to GABA
VDR TAQ affects Vitamin D receptors
MTHFR C677T conversion of folic acid to methylfolate
MTHFR A1298C mutation causing higher ammonia levels
BHMT enzyme that converts homocysteine back to methionine
CBS upregulate the CBS enzyme
MTR & MTRR mutations affect how much methyl B12 is needed and how
Vitamin B12 is regenerated
CYP mutations affect phase one detoxification enzymes
DUTCH Test: Dried Urine for Comprehensive Hormones
DUTCH offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites.
What I look at:
Progesterone, estrogen and testosterone metabolites
Adrenals free & metabolized cortisol, cortisol curve
Circadian rhythm
DHEA
Estrogen detoxification
Sulfation detoxification
Oxidative stress
Organic acid markers
Melatonin marker
Parawellness Stool Test
This is the best test for identifying parasites and protozoa.
To order this test, click this link: https://parawellnessresearch.com/order/
Gi Map Stool Test
The GI-MAP was designed to detect microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function.
What this test shows:
Pathogens bacterial, parasitic & viral
H. pylori
Opportunistic bacteria, fungi, yeasts & viruses
Parasite, protozoa & worms
Digestion
Immune response to gluten
Estrogen detoxification
Immune response in the gut
Inflammation
SiBO Breath Test
The small intestinal bacterial overgrowth test is an additional test done for those who need it.