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Test, Don’t Guess!
If you’ve landed on this page, it’s probably no surprise to you that conventional medicine is chock-full of glaring problems.
But one of the biggest issues is a lack of pursuing root causes.
Even when a diagnosis is provided, it doesn’t answer the very important question of WHY.
Why is this person experiencing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
Why is this person experiencing Multiple Sclerosis?
Why is this person experiencing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
You see, when we experience symptoms, it’s the body’s way of desperately communicating that something is wrong at a deeper level. All the diagnosis does is give us a label (and some validation) for the set of symptoms we’re experiencing.
But what the heck is next?
In conventional medicine, it’s usually about “managing” the symptoms, oftentimes with medications that create even more chaos in the body.
As an FDN practitioner, I am not interested in managing symptoms. I am interested in getting more data, so I can understand why the symptoms have presented in the first place, and from there – systematically building better long-term health.
That’s why I prefer to test, not guess.
Butttt… with all of the different functional health labs, which ones should you run? It’s a tough question, especially because many of these tests aren’t covered by insurance companies, which means you have to fork over the money “out-of-pocket” in most cases.
Here are the top 5 functional health tests everyone can benefit from. Each one evaluates the body from a different angle, giving you a truly holistic view of what’s happening inside.
Top 5 Functional Health Tests:
Stress & Hormone Profile
Type of Lab: Saliva
This test provides insight into what is going on in the body in relation to stress and hormone production, looking for key indicators of any immune system dysfunction.
It measures cortisol levels and the pattern it follows throughout the course of a day, also evaluating for any sex hormone imbalances.
Metabolic Wellness Profile
Type of Lab: Dried urine test
The Metabolic Wellness Profile addresses digestion, detoxification, and oxidative stress.
Specifically, it looks for dysfunction in protein digestion, measures liver function to see how well (if at all) your body is detoxing, and assesses cell and tissue damage resulting from metabolic dysfunction.
Mucosal Barrier Assessment
Type of Lab: Dried Blood Spot (DBS)
This test evaluates intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and any systemic inflammation that has developed in response.
It tests for Zonulin, the protein that leads to leaky gut, and assesses histamine intolerance that can develop as a result of gut imbalances, including Diamine Oxidase (DAO) levels.
G.I. Map
Type of Lab: Stool test
This test provides the best overall view of gut health, looking for a variety of specific organisms (both good and bad), including unwanted bugs and pathogens.
The presence of these bugs and pathogens signals the need to investigate potential larger issues outside of the gut.
Mediator Release Test (MRT) for Food Sensitivities
Type of Lab: Blood draw
While food sensitivities are not a root cause for symptoms, addressing them during the healing process is crucial.
The MRT test is recommended for its complexity, measuring sensitivities in real time by observing the white blood cell count and the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals when introducing different foods.
Metabolic Typing Test
Note: Although I initially mentioned five tests, I'm including this one as well. The Metabolic Typing Test is an online questionnaire that uncovers an individual’s personal metabolic type. While not a functional test on its own, when coupled with the five functional health tests above, it proves quite helpful.
Feel free to Book Consultation with me to gain access to these 5 Functional Labs and Online Metabolic Type test.
Sending Optimal Health & Ultimate Wellness,
Julia Smila, FDN Practitioner
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