What’s the difference between functional testing and the testing doctors do?
Doctors use testing to make a diagnosis. The functional markers we look at are non-diagnostic tests, therefore doctors may not be familiar with them (the exception to this is the GI-MAP and the blood sugar, insulin + inflammation report). When doctors have a diagnosis, they can treat you with medicine for that condition. Generally, the medicine treats the symptoms that accompany that diagnosis.
Functional testing is used to help identify areas where your body is out of homeostasis. When your body is out of homeostasis you will not be functioning at optimal levels. At some point, when different cells and systems in your body are out of functional range, you will have disease and may begin to feel symptoms. This can be a very long process. You may be able to live with symptoms for decades before your overall health deteriorates.
The functional approach focuses on improving function—to see where your body is out of balance and make moves to get it back in balance. Testing gives us the data to make targeted moves to help you stay both symptom-free and full of health and resilience.
Recommended Foundational Labs
| Screening | Screening Fee |
| Stress + Hormone Profile Hormonal balance is essential to good health and the adrenal glands are at center stage in relationship to the body’s ability to regulate hormones. This panel will allow us to identify any adrenal dysfunction and/or hormonal imbalances. This knowledge will help us: understand how chronic stress is impacting your core body systems give us clues as to how to support your endocrine system determine our approach to the rest, exercise, and stress management pillars of your health building plan Markers: Cortisol (4 points), DHEA, Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone | $195 Sample collection method: saliva |
| GI-MAP Our gut microbiome plays an important role in our overall health—from helping us digest our food, to influencing our mood, to housing 70% of our immune system. The GI-MAP provides us with information on: Possible overgrowth of opportunistic bacteria and/or beneficial bacteria Inflammatory patterns in the gut Pathogenic parasites and protozoa Markers of intestinal health pertaining to digestion, immune response (including gluten sensitivity), inflammation, and detoxification Indications of leaky gut (aka intestinal permeability of the mucosal barrier) Results from this screening will help us create a targeted plan to combat symptoms as well as potential causes of poor health. Markers: Normal Bacterial Flora,Opportunistic Bacteria, Bacterial, Viral, Parasitic Pathogens, H pylori, Parasites, Fungi/Yeast, Viruses, Worms, Elastase, Steatocrit, Occult Blood, SigA, Anti-Gliadin, Beta Glucuronidase | $335 Sample collection method: stool |
| Metabolic Wellness Profile This panel gives us insight into possible dysfunction that can go undetected for years—even decades—before manifesting in symptoms. In many cases, if a client has tried everything to improve their health but hasn’t found significant improvement in their condition, this panel can help connect the dots in their health puzzle. This panel sheds light on: Your ability to digest and absorb protein, which can indicate gut dysbiosis and correlate with an inability to break down histamine Possible liver congestion and detoxification challenges Your levels of oxidative stress, an indication of cellular damage and accelerated cell aging Results from the screening will help us determine the moves to make to a) address any current baffling health issues, and b) set you up for long-term health. Markers: Indican, Total Bile Acids, 8-OHdG | $175 Sample collection method: dried urine |
| Accomplice Health Metabolic Panel: Blood Sugar, Insulin + Inflammation In the short term, excess glucose levels can lead to dehydration, fatigue and brain fog in people with or without diabetes. In the long term, high blood sugar levels or constant spikes in blood sugar cause the body to age faster and may also accelerate a variety of age-related diseases. This report will give us a read on your blood sugar levels over the last 3 months, your current insulin level (the hormone that helps reduce blood sugar), and a reading of the level of non-specific inflammation in your body. Results from this screening will help us create a targeted eating and movement plan to combat symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain, as well as potential causes of poor health. Markers: Glucose, HbA1c, Insulin, CRP, Uric Acid, Iron panel | $65 Sample collection method: blood draw, must go into a lab |
| Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Minerals are essential for growth, healing, vitality and wellbeing. They provide structural support in bones and teeth, and they maintain the body’s pH and water balance, nerve activity, muscle contractions, energy production and enzyme reactions—they are the ‘spark plugs’ of life. In today’s world, it is very common to have mineral imbalances and/or deficiencies, which can lead to health issues including: chronic fatigue, mood disorders, metabolic dysfunction, hormone imbalance, cardiovascular issues. This test identifies mineral status and provides insight on how your body is handling toxic metals. Markers included on this screening: 29 minerals, including “the big 4:” calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium; 8 toxic metals | $140 Sample collection method: hair sample |
Add-On Labs
| Screening | Screening Fee |
| Food Sensitivities Recommended for clients aiming to lower inflammation levels A food sensitivity is the result of a leaky gut and/or overtaxed immune system that is mistaking food for an enemy of the body. Identifying food sensitivities and temporarily abstaining from these foods can be a critical step in getting relief from symptoms while reinforcing the gut barrier and supporting the immune system. There are two options for this lab: MRT This screening will identify your current food sensitivities, whether you have eaten the food before or not. Markers included on this screening: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Beans/Nuts/Legumes, Seafood, Meats & Poultry, Dairy, Chemicals, Flavor Enhancers Miscellaneous (170 items) IgG This screening will identify your current food sensitivities, but you need to ‘challenge’ the test, meaning you need to have eaten the food within two weeks of taking the test to see results. Markers included on this screening: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Beans/Nuts/Legumes, Seafood, Meats & Poultry, Dairy, Miscellaneous (96 foods) | MRT $335 Sample collection method: blood draw, must go into a lab IgG $184 Sample collection method: dried blood spot (at-home) |
| Intestinal Inflammation Assessment Recommended for clients aiming to lower inflammation levels This panel will give us insight into your body’s histamine response and its ability to clear histamine. It can also give us clues into your ability to absorb nutrients. This panel is recommended when the client’s aim is to lower high levels of inflammation, as it can help identify a hidden source of high inflammation. Markers: Histamine, Diamine Oxidase (DAO) | $130 Sample collection method: dried blood spot |
| Omega 3 + Omega 6 Recommended for clients aiming to lower inflammation levels Omega-3s and Omega-6s are fatty acids that play a role in a number of body functions, including inflammation. Inflammation is essential and helps protect the body from infection and injury, but it can also cause severe damage and contribute to disease when it’s chronic or excessive. Omega-3s help reduce overall inflammation. Omega-6 acids promote inflammation. Thus, the ratio of 6:3 is important. This lab will help us uncover if your omega 3:omega 6 ratio is at an optimal level. Markers: Omega 3, Omega 6, Trans fats | $68 Sample collection method: dried blood spot |