What the hell are “functional labs”?
Understanding Functional Labs
Functional labs are specialized diagnostic tests that delve into different facets of an individual's health and physiological functions. These tests offer detailed analyses of the body's various systems, examining markers like hormones, vitamins, minerals, and other vital substances. The insights gained from functional labs help pinpoint hidden imbalances or dysfunctions that conventional medical tests might overlook. Healthcare professionals use the results to tailor precise treatment strategies aimed at enhancing wellness and tackling specific concerns at their core.
Different Types of Functional Labs
1. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA):
- What it looks at: HTMA analyzes mineral content in the hair. It provides information on the levels of various minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and toxic metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
- Insights provided: HTMA can offer insights into mineral imbalances and toxic metal exposure over an extended period. It's often used in alternative and functional medicine to assess nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, adrenal function, and metabolic issues.
2. Stress and Hormone Panel:
- What it looks at: This panel typically measures levels of various hormones such as cortisol (stress hormone), thyroid hormones (T3, T4), sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), and sometimes adrenal hormones like DHEA.
- Insights provided: It provides insights into hormonal balance, stress response, thyroid function, reproductive health, and adrenal gland function. Imbalances in these hormones can affect mood, energy levels, metabolism, and overall well-being.
3. Metabolic Wellness Panel:
- What it looks at: This panel assesses markers related to metabolism and overall health, including fasting glucose, insulin, indican, liver bile acids, and sometimes markers of inflammation/oxidative stress.
- Insights provided: It gives insights into metabolic health, including blood sugar regulation, lipid metabolism, liver function, and inflammation levels. Abnormalities in these markers can indicate risks for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or liver dysfunction.
4. GI Map Stool Test:
- What it looks at: This test examines the composition of the gut microbiome and checks for pathogens like bacteria, parasites, fungi, and markers of inflammation and digestion.
- Insights provided: It provides insights into gut health, including microbial balance, presence of pathogens, inflammation, and digestive function. It's useful for assessing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and identifying imbalances in the gut microbiota.
Commensal bacteria are considered the normal bacteria we want in our body.
Intestinal health markers provide insight into digestion, liver function, pancreatic output and inflammation
5. Organic Acids Test (OAT):
- What it looks at: OAT measures levels of organic acids in urine, which are metabolic byproducts of cellular activity. It assesses various metabolic processes, including energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism, detoxification, and intestinal microbial activity.
- Insights provided: It offers insights into metabolic function, nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial health, neurotransmitter balance, and gut microbial activity. It's often used to identify underlying causes of conditions like autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mood disorders, and to guide personalized treatment strategies.
These tests can provide valuable information for understanding individual health status, identifying underlying imbalances or dysfunctions, and guiding targeted interventions for optimal health and well-being.
Markers that show fungal, yeast and bacterial overgrowths by looking at the urine metabolites
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