Over the past few years, through my personal health journey and the experiences of many of my patients, I have witnessed the transformative impact of functional and integrative medicine on people's well-being. One tool that sets us apart from conventional general practitioners is the wider array of tests we use to aid in diagnosis.

So, what are the most common functional medicine laboratory tests I use in my practice and why do I find them useful?

1. SIBO test

Many people who seek my help suffer from digestive issues such as IBS, indigestion, reflux, heartburn, abnormal bowel habits, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The gut can also play a crucial role in the development of many seemingly unrelated problems, including autoimmune diseases (e.g. fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s), cardio-metabolic disorders (diabetes, high blood pressure), mental health issues (anxiety, depression), skin conditions (rosacea, acne, psoriasis), and more.

An excess of certain microorganisms in the small intestine can cause various issues, including those mentioned above. This test is quick and non-invasive. It detects these overgrown microorganisms by measuring gases they produce.

If SIBO is identified, we can treat it with antibiotics, herbal antimicrobials, prebiotics, probiotics, or a combination of these treatments, depending on the patient's preferences and circumstances.

2. Gut Microbiome, or GI Mapping

Sample: Stool

Price: $500-$800

Most of the microbes in our digestive system reside in the large intestine. These microbes include various types and species such as bacteria, archaea, viruses, yeasts, and fungi. This intricate ecosystem needs to remain balanced to support our health and well-being. An imbalance, or "dysbiosis," can lead to disease or sub-optimal function.

In addition to examining the microbiome's composition and diversity, these tests can also assess the following:

· Digestion and absorption levels
· Inflammation levels
· Microbiome metabolites (compounds produced by the microbiome that can have either negative or positive effects on our health)
· Presence of pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria or viruses
· Presence of parasites and worms
· Presence of a “pathobiome” (species that normally reside in our gut but have overgrown, often to the detriment of our health)
· The breakdown of the beneficial gut microbiome
· Antimicrobial sensitivities (if pathogenic or overgrown organisms are identified, some can be tested by the lab to see if they respond to certain antimicrobial agents)

3. Hormone tests

Sample: Urine and / or saliva

Price: $250-$1100

Hormones are chemical messengers that influence every aspect of bodily function. Maintaining optimal hormone balance is crucial for overall health.

Hormones like cortisol, melatonin, estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA play crucial roles in regulating various bodily functions. Disruptions in hormone production, processing, and elimination can impact these functions, resulting in problems such as weight gain, sleep disturbances, irregular periods, pre-menstrual syndromes, low libido, erectile dysfunction, fertility issues, chronic fatigue, and other issues.

I use different tests to thoroughly analyze these important chemical messengers. Unlike traditional blood tests for hormones, these assessments not only measure hormone levels but also evaluate how your body processes and eliminates them. This approach helps identify the root cause of many imbalances and can offer additional guidance on addressing the underlying issues.

4. Organic acid and toxin testing

Sample: urine

Price: $350-$1100

Testing organic acids in urine can provide valuable insights into various metabolic processes occurring within the body. Here are some reasons why this testing might be used:

Metabolic Function Assessment: Organic acid testing helps evaluate how well the body is metabolizing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Nutritional Status: It can indicate deficiencies or imbalances in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
Detoxification Capacity: Organic acids can reflect the body's ability to detoxify substances, including environmental toxins and medications.
Microbial Overgrowth: Abnormal levels of certain organic acids can suggest the presence of bacterial or yeast overgrowth in the gut.
Energy Production: It provides insights into the efficiency of energy production processes within cells.
Neurological Health: Certain organic acids are linked to neurotransmitter metabolism, providing clues about brain function and mental health.
Genetic Disorders: Organic acid testing can help diagnose certain genetic disorders affecting metabolism, such as inborn errors of metabolism.

Overall, organic acid testing in urine serves as a comprehensive tool for assessing overall health, identifying underlying issues, and guiding personalized treatment plans.

Additionally, selected kits can also assess for the presence of toxins, such as

Mycotoxins (mold toxins)
Glyphosate (herbicide)
Heavy metals
Other environmental and occupational toxins

5. Hair tissue mineral analysis

Sample: hair

Cost: $160- $250

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is conducted for several reasons, primarily to assess mineral imbalances and toxic metal exposure. It can be a good screening tool and is completely non-invasive. Here are the main reasons why HTMA could be performed:

Mineral Imbalances: HTMA provides information about the levels of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium in the body. Imbalances in these minerals can affect various bodily functions and may indicate nutritional deficiencies or excesses.
Toxic Metal Exposure: HTMA can detect the accumulation of toxic metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in the body. These metals can be ingested through food, water, or environmental exposure, and their buildup can lead to health issues over time.
Assessment of Nutritional Status: By analyzing mineral levels, HTMA can offer insights into overall nutritional status and identify areas where dietary adjustments or supplementation may be needed.
Metabolic Function: HTMA can provide indirect information about metabolic processes, enzyme activity, and energy production within cells, as minerals play crucial roles in these processes.
Health Monitoring: It can be used as a tool for ongoing health monitoring and to track changes in mineral and toxic metal levels over time, especially in response to dietary changes or treatments.
Identification of Underlying Causes: HTMA findings can sometimes reveal underlying causes of chronic health issues or symptoms that may be related to mineral imbalances or toxic metal toxicity.

Overall, HTMA is a non-invasive method that can provide valuable information about mineral status and toxic metal exposure, helping tailor nutritional and detoxification strategies

6. Food sensitivity testing

Sample: blood or hair

Cost: $50-1200

Food sensitivity testing is done to identify foods that might cause adverse reactions, which you may, or may not be aware of. A variety of methods are available to this type of testing. A wide range of foods can be tested. The method and what is tested determines the price. Here are some reasons for performing these tests:

Digestive Issues: To identify foods that may cause symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, reflux, or abdominal pain.
Chronic Inflammation: To find foods that might be contributing to conditions like eczema, arthritis, or migraines.
Fatigue and Mood Swings: Some foods might affect energy levels and mood, so testing can help pinpoint triggers.
Personalized Diet: To tailor a diet that avoids reactive foods, potentially improving overall health and well-being.
Elimination of Symptoms: By identifying and removing trigger foods, individuals might experience relief from various symptoms.

Eliminating "offending foods" is often a temporary measure to allow the body to heal. After healing, these nutritious foods are usually reintroduced gradually into the diet. This process helps identify which foods can be tolerated without causing symptoms.

7. Detailed Thyroid Testing

Sample: blood

Cost: $67- $180

Many people, especially women, experience thyroid disorders. Some continue to feel unwell despite taking thyroid replacement or other medications. In these cases, more detailed thyroid testing can provide valuable insights into the underlying issues and help guide treatment.

We can test thyroid hormone conversion, thyroid gland regulation, hormone production and secretion, body conversion processes, and autoimmune reactions linked to the thyroid, by measuring TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and antibodies (anti-thyroglobulin, anti-thyroid peroxidase, and TSH receptor antibodies).

8. Genetic & Nutrigenomic Testing

Sample: blood/ dry blood/ buccal swab

Cost: $350- $1500

Our DNA not only determines physical traits and disease risk but also contains regions called SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). These can be influenced by lifestyle, diet, and environment. By analyzing these, we can assess various processes and risks. This information can be used to prevent diseases, mitigate risks, and improve quality of life, health, and longevity.

By understanding genetic predispositions to disease, influences on nutrition and other biological processes, individuals can make informed choices to support their health goals.

Some examples, where epigenetic testing can be helpful are:

Understand Health Risks: Identify how lifestyle and environment affect gene expression related to health conditions.
Personalize Lifestyle: Tailor diet, exercise, and stress management to improve health outcomes.
Optimize Health: Identify nutrient deficiencies or susceptibilities to certain conditions.
Track Ageing: Assess biological age versus chronological age and adjust habits to slow aging processes.
Optimize Performance: Enhance physical and mental performance by understanding epigenetic influences.
Prevent Disease: Modify lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of diseases influenced by epigenetic changes.
Personalize Nutrition: Tailor dietary recommendations based on individual genetic profiles.
Weight Management: Discover genetic factors affecting metabolism and weight.