The Importance of Functional Labs in Your Health Journey

 Functional labs are designed to identify underlying imbalances and dysfunctions in your body that may not yet manifest as overt diseases but could be causing symptoms and affecting your quality of life. These labs test for a wide range of biomarkers including:

• Hormone Levels: To understand adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive health.
• Digestive Function: To detect issues with digestion, absorption, and gut flora.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: To identify deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.
• Detoxification and Liver Function: To assess how well your body is eliminating toxins.
• Metabolic Health: To monitor blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles.

  My approach to functional labs is holistic and integrative. I use these labs to:

• Identify Root Causes: By looking at the underlying issues rather than just treating      symptoms, we can develop targeted interventions that address the real problems. Symptoms are not the problem-they are the result of the problem.
• Personalize Your Treatment Plan: Each person is unique, and so should be their health      plan. Functional labs allow us to tailor our recommendations to your specific needs.
• Prevent Disease: By identifying imbalances early, we can implement strategies to prevent chronic diseases before they develop.
• Monitor Progress: Functional labs help us track your progress and make adjustments to your plan as needed, ensuring you achieve optimal health.

In the journey toward better health and wellness, we often focus on the visible aspects: diet, exercise, and sleep. However, many of us overlook the underlying issues that silently disrupt our well-being. These are the HIDDEN stressors—unseen factors that can significantly impact your health. HIDDEN stands for:

• Hormonal Imbalances
• Immune System Dysregulation
• Digestive Issues
• Detoxification Impairments
• Energy Production Problems
• Neurotransmitter Imbalances

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in your body's ability to function optimally. When they are out of balance, they can lead to chronic fatigue, weight gain, digestive problems, mood disorders, and more. 

Imagine you're trying to fill a bucket with water, but it has small, hidden holes. No matter how much water you pour in, the bucket never fills up. Similarly, addressing only the surface aspects of your health without identifying and fixing HIDDEN stressors is like trying to fill a leaky bucket.

HIDDEN stressors can:

• Sabotage Weight Loss Efforts: Hormonal imbalances or digestive issues can make it difficult to lose weight despite your best efforts.
• Drain Your Energy: Chronic fatigue often stems from problems with energy production or detoxification.
• Impact Mental Health: Neurotransmitter imbalances can lead to anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
• Cause Digestive Distress: Unresolved digestive issues can lead to discomfort, bloating, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Weaken Immunity: Immune system dysregulation can make you more susceptible to infections and chronic illnesses.

I specialize in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, which means I don't just treat symptoms; I dig deeper to find the root causes of your health issues. Here's how I can help:

• Comprehensive Testing: I use advanced diagnostic tests to identify hormonal imbalances, digestive issues, detoxification problems, and more.
• Personalized Plans: Based on your test results, I create a tailored plan that addresses your specific HIDDEN stressors.
• Ongoing Support: My holistic approach includes regular follow-ups and adjustments to ensure you stay on track and achieve optimal health.
• Empowerment through Education: I believe in educating my clients so they understand their bodies better and can make informed decisions about their health moving forward.

The Adrenal Stress and Hormone Profile is a simple saliva test that can be conveniently done at home. This test measures salivary cortisol, DHEA, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, melatonin, and SIgA. Hormonal balance is essential to good health, and the adrenal glands play a central role in the body's ability to regulate hormones. In cases of adrenal or HPA Axis dysfunction, underlying causes must be determined through lab testing.

The FLUIDS iQ Stress and Hormone Profile (SHP) involves a straightforward collection of four saliva samples over the course of a day. Proper interpretation of the lab test results can help identify environmental and lifestyle stressors, as well as provide insights into supporting the endocrine system.

Here are some key functions of the Stress and Hormone Profile:

• Tests for adrenal function, circadian rhythm, stress, and sex hormone levels
• Measures additional hormones for a comprehensive view of the impacts of chronic stress on the body’s core systems
• Tests SIgA for insight into immune function
• Provides useful insights and information about necessary interventions and records hormone levels at the outset of a health-building process

 Markers Included On This Screening

• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Progesterone:Estradiol Ratio
• Melatonin (Daytime @ Noon)
• Secretory IgA
• DHEA-S
• Cortisol (Morning, Noon, Afternoon, Night)
• Cortisol:DHEA ratio
• Testosterone

The Fluids iQ Metabolic Wellness Profile (MWP) is a dry urine screening that measures levels of urinary indican, urinary total bile acids and urinary 8-OHdG all key markers of digestion, detoxification, and oxidative stress. These markers can give us insights into:

• Poor protein digestion and absorption which can indicate gut dysbiosis

• Congested liver function and detoxification problems

• Excess oxidative stress which can lead to free radicals and accelerated cell aging

Markers Included On This Screening

• Indican
• Total Bile Acids
• 8-OHdG

The Fluids iQ Mucosal Barrier Assessment (MBA) is a dry blood screening that measures levels of the zonulin family of peptides, diamine oxidase (DAO), histamine, and the ratio between DAO and histamine.  All of these markers further provide us with insights into intestinal permeability.

Zonulin (pre-Haptoglobin 2) is a protein that modulates the permeability of tight junctions between cells of the digestive tract wall. Once triggered, Zonulin plays an important role in the creation of what we think of as gut “leakiness.” Histamine is an important regulator of gut function and plays a key role in the body’s inflammatory processes. Diamine Oxidase (DAO) is one of the primary ways our body makes sure that Histamine levels stay in check.  

Markers Included On This Screening

• Zonulin Family Peptides (Zonulin FP)
• Diamine Oxidase (DAO)
• DAO:Histamine Ratio

The Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory GI Microbial Assay Plus (“GI-MAP”) includes markers for gluten sensitivity, inflammation in the gut, immunity in the gut, pancreatic enzyme sufficiency, and occult blood. It also looks for the presence of pathogens – including H. pylori and other bacteria, parasites, worms and viruses – in the gastrointestinal tract. The GI-MAP provides us with information on:

• Intestinal health issues like gas, bloating, distension, diarrhea, and constipation

• Possible overgrowth and excessive colonization by opportunistic bacteria

• Pathogenic parasites and protozoa

• Markers of intestinal health as pertaining to digestion, immune response, inflammation, and detoxification

Markers Included On This Screening

• Bacterial Pathogens
• Parasitic Pathogens 
• Viral Pathogens
• H pylori 
• Normal Bacterial Flora
• Phyla Microbiota
• Opportunistic Bacteria 
• Autoimmune Triggers
• Fungi/Yeast
• Viruses
• Worms
• Additional Tests
• Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Markers Included On This Screening

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains
• Beans/Nuts/Legumes
• Seafood
• Meats & Poultry
• Dairy
• Chemicals
• Flavor Enhancers
• Miscellaneous

The Oxford Biomedical Technologies MRT LEAP 176 screens for hidden inflammatory responses to 176 different foods and food-chemicals.  

Metabolic typing is a nutritional approach that tailors diet and lifestyle recommendations based on an individual's unique metabolic and biochemical profile. This method can improve energy levels, digestion, weight management, mental clarity, hormonal balance, and reduce inflammation by aligning food choices with the body's specific needs.