What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a cutting-edge, patient-centered approach that focuses on identifying the root causes of disease rather than merely treating symptoms. This approach relies heavily on lab tests that dig deeper than conventional ones, offering a holistic perspective of a patient's health. This article will cover the top seven functional medicine lab tests: metabolic and nutritional tests, stool tests, hormonal tests, food sensitivity tests, environmental toxins tests, mycotoxins tests, and SIBO tests.
Understanding Functional Medicine Testing
Functional medicine is a unique approach to healthcare that considers factors such as diet, genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle elements that may contribute to disease development and treatment. Instead of brief, surface-level consultations, functional medicine practitioners spend considerable time with their patients, utilizing specialized labs to understand the body's functionality comprehensively.
Standard lab ranges may not always offer a complete insight into a patient's condition. Many patients, despite being within the "normal range," continue to experience symptoms. To combat this, functional medicine practitioners often order detailed functional labs to understand the body's overall functioning better.
The Power Comprehensive of Stool Tests
Stool tests play a critical role in functional medicine due to the significance of gut health in overall wellness. Comprehensive stool tests examine various biomarkers, like digestion and absorption levels, inflammation levels, parasites, worms, the breakdown of the gut microbiome, and bacteria.
GI 360
Stool
The GI 360 stool test by Doctor's Data provides an in-depth look at the gut function and a detailed microbiome analysis.
Key Features:
- It screens pathogenic and commensal microbes, including mycoplasma, which other tests don't consider.
- It also screens for incomplete digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Assessing Hormone Health
Balanced levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and adrenal hormones are crucial for optimal health. These levels vary among patients depending on their life stage. Conventional labs often only look at blood, but a complete hormonal picture can be better understood by testing saliva and urine.
DUTCH Plus
Urine
The DUTCH Plus by Precision Analytical offers a comprehensive analysis of how a person's adrenal and sex hormones function together.
Key Features:
- It includes an analysis of oxidative stress, melatonin, and eight organic acids related to hormonal function.
- It uses four specific collection times to assess hormonal rhythms.
Saliva
DUTCH Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) (Saliva Only) Test
- The DUTCH Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) (Saliva Only) test, developed by Precision Analytical, offers insightful data on an individual's neuroendocrine function status of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis. This is achieved by examining the diurnal pattern of free cortisol and the distribution of cortisol metabolites.
- The DUTCH CAR test measures the fluctuations in cortisol levels as a patient wakes up. This information sheds light on the functioning of the HPA Axis and its stress response, which aids in understanding the individual's ability to maintain homeostasis under stress.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Test
A SIBO test is often one of the first functional tests ordered when patients experience GI symptoms that might be SIBO-related. SIBO occurs when bacteria enter the usually sterile small intestine and begin to colonize. By measuring the release of hydrogen and methane in the breath, SIBO can be detected.
GI 360
Stool
The GI 360 stool test by Doctor's Data offers a comprehensive look at the gut function along with a detailed view of the microbiome.
Key Features:
- It screens pathogenic and commensal microbes, including mycoplasma, which other tests don't consider.
- It tests for incomplete digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
- It provides a more extended test period for assessing SIBO in slower transit times and in those with constipation.
Importance of Nutrition Panels
A key aspect of functional medicine is the belief in food as medicine and the need for the body to process all nutrients properly. Nutritional labs help identify issues in the metabolic chain.
NutrEval Plasma
Serum and Urine
The NutrEval Plasma by Genova Diagnostics tests over 125 biomarkers and over 40 antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Key Features:
- It provides a more accurate measure of amino acids if a patient has proteinuria, mood disorders, or an uncontrolled diet.
- It offers a multifaceted view of metabolism by testing serum, whole blood, and urine.
Environmental Toxins Test
Exposure to environmental toxins can have a significant impact on health. The Environmental Toxins Test measures the body's burden of various environmental toxins, providing an understanding of potential health risks associated with toxin exposure.
Vibrant Wellness: Environmental Toxins
urine
Environmental toxins, or toxicants, are substances that are man-made or naturally occurring in the environment. When absorbed, inhaled, or ingested, they can cause acute or chronic toxic overload. This test can be beneficial if you were diagnosed or suspect multiple chronic inflammatory conditions, resistance to weight loss, or signs of toxic burden.
Mycotoxins Test
Mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by molds, can cause various health issues. The Mycotoxins Test measures the body's burden of these harmful compounds, helping practitioners devise a targeted treatment plan to reduce the mycotoxin load.
Vibrant Wellness: Mycotoxins Test Kit (Mold)
Urine
Exposure to mycotoxins may result in an array of symptoms, ranging from memory issues to increased fatigue. With a single test, it's possible to determine if mold exposure from your food or environment contributes to your health problems.
Food Sensitivity Test
Food sensitivities can trigger various symptoms, from digestive issues to skin problems. The Food Sensitivity Test measures the body's IgG response to different foods, helping identify potential food sensitivities and guiding dietary modifications.
Food Sensitivity Complete (over 200 foods) - IgA & IgG by Vibrant Wellness
Serum
The "Food Sensitivity Complete" test thoroughly examines an individual's sensitivity to a comprehensive set of over 200 commonly consumed foods and 57 food additives. This advanced testing mechanism utilizes both IgG and IgA immunoglobulins to determine sensitivity.
Consultation Rates
We strive to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services for individuals and our communities.
1 hour: $450
30 minutes: $225
The Future of Functional Medicine
Functional medicine leads a healthcare revolution, offering a personalized, preventative, and patient-centered approach to health and wellness. By leveraging advanced lab tests, functional medicine practitioners can delve deeper into the human body's complexities, uncovering the root causes of diseases and providing tailored treatment plans.
Through comprehensive testing, functional medicine practitioners empower patients with knowledge about their health, paving the way for improved health outcomes and a better quality of life. As research and technology continue to advance, the scope and potential of functional medicine testing will only continue to grow.
Personalized Care Through Functional Medicine Testing
Functional medicine lab tests are pivotal in the holistic and individualized approach that characterizes functional medicine. They offer a wealth of insights into a patient's health, informing the development of personalized treatment plans. From understanding gut health to assessing hormone balance and testing for environmental toxins and food sensitivities, these tests offer a comprehensive view of a patient's health. Functional medicine practitioners can detect disease risk early by focusing on optimal rather than standard lab ranges, enabling proactive intervention and improved health outcomes.
Book Your Consultation Today
During your first 60-minute functional televisit, we will try to figure out what’s causing your current health problems. Contact us today at Internal Healing and Wellness MD in the Houston area and The Woodlands, we will make sure to provide you with a personalized functional medicine-based treatment plan so that you can begin working towards your goal of a better, healthier life.
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In search of a functional medicine doctor in The Woodlands? Dr. Khan and his experienced team are at your service, ready to help you make life-changing strides toward your health and wellness goals.
Contact Info
Our Location
255 Ed English Dr
Suite A
Shenandoah, TX 77385
Our Schedule
9AM-5PM Monday - Friday
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For functional medicine inquiries, contact our experienced functional medicine doctors. We take a holistic approach to improving health and well-being.