You probably don’t think twice about the routine blood work you get done at your primary care doctor’s office, until something starts to go wrong with your health. Often, you will be told your lab work falls within the range of normal. As a Certified Holistic Health Coach, “normal” doesn’t cut it for me. As a Holistic Health Coach, I use tools like lab work and testing that gets to the root cause of your symptoms.
There are so many diseases that go unrevealed just because your lab work falls under that normal range, subclinical hypothyroidism is one example that comes to mind. My goal is to optimize your health so you feel better than “normal.”
In this article, I will share some of the most common tests and lab work that I order for patients to help identify what is truly going on behind the symptoms they are presenting.
Organic Acid Testing
Organic Acid Testing is a comprehensive test for identifying functional nutritional deficiencies and insufficiencies. I use the NutrEval FMV blood and urine test to assess your body’s need for 40 antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients.
This lab test helps to identify the root cause of dysfunction by providing nutrient recommendations and a system to guide therapy around needs for methylation support, toxic exposures, mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acid imbalances, and oxidative stress.
Ultimately, the goal of organic acid testing is to identify areas where we can adjust your diet to help your body perform optimally.
Symptoms and conditions associated with nutrient imbalances include:
- Mood disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Autism
- Fatigue
- Weight Issues
- Maldigestion/Malabsorption
GI MAP and GI 360
Research shows that gut health impacts your overall health. Your gut microbiome, which consists of millions of bacteria, archaea, and fungi, is responsible for mediating the effects of diet and other factors on health. Everything from your metabolism to your endocrine system is affected by the gut.
I use GI MAP and GI360 stool tests to get to the root cause of your digestive issues.
Both the GI Map and the GI360 test rely on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more, by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested. They detect and assess the status of these digestive invaders that may be contributing to acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.
Conditions and symptoms that often lead to this lab test include:
- Autoimmune diseases
- IBS/IBD
- Digestive complaints like diarrhea or constipation
- Brain fog
- Skin problems, like acne and psoriasis
- Mood disorders, depression, and anxiety
- Diabetes and weight loss issues
DUTCH Hormone Testing
The DUTCH test stands for “Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.” It’s a comprehensive assessment of sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites.
This lab work also includes the daily, free cortisol pattern, organic acids, melatonin (6-OHMS), and 8-OHdG.
The DUTCH test represents an entire day’s hormone production. It gives practitioners insight into what is actually going on with your sex and adrenal hormones. The DUTCH test is also extremely easy to use! Patients collect just four or five dried urine samples over a 24-hour period and mail the samples to be tested.
This test is used for women who suffer from hormonal imbalances. Symptoms you may experience that warrant testing include:
- Menopause
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Mood swings
- Depression
RELATED: BALANCE YOUR HORMONES WITH THE DUTCH HORMONE TEST
3×4 Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is something I am extremely passionate about. During my first pregnancy, I suffered from preeclampsia and preterm labor. I later discovered that I have the MTHFR gene, which increases your risks for miscarriages, preeclampsia, or a baby born with birth defects, such as spina bifida.
I offer genetic testing through 3X4 Genetic Testing. This lab test tool looks at how our genes work together in cellular pathways and functional systems to control processes such as inflammation, metabolism, and detoxification.
The reality is your genes don’t work in isolation. I fully believe that your genes load the gun but the environment pulls the trigger. What you eat, how you move, your stress levels and your emotional life all affect how your genes behave. Understanding your individual genetic blueprint can guide you to make healthy choices that help you live happier, longer, and better.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivities affect millions of people around the world. They cause symptoms like skin rashes and chronic intestinal disease. They are also often overlooked or misdiagnosed. It’s important to note that food sensitivities aren’t the same as food allergies, and that food sensitivity is more common.
Food sensitivity testing can help pinpoint the exact foods and spices that are affecting your health. In my practice, I use two different food sensitivity testing options.
KBMO diagnostics offers food sensitivity testing that measures sensitivities of up to 176 different foods, coloring, and additives through their Food Inflammation Test, or FIT. Another testing kit I use in my practice is the ELISA kit which tests for the measurement of food-specific IgG antibodies in human serum or plasma.
Both tests include taking a small blood sample that can easily be done at home.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
Environmental toxins are a huge health issue that many people don’t even know affects them. In our quest for optimal health, I use Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) to measure the mineral content of your hair. A hair tissue mineral analysis is considered a standard test used around the world for the biological monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in humans and animal species.
Hair contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows, and although the hair is dead the minerals remain. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months.
Here is a list of the information we can gather through an HTMA test:
- Metabolic rate
- Energy levels
- Sugar and carbohydrate tolerance
- Stage of stress
- Immune system
- Glandular activity
Work With A Holistic Health Coach
As a Certified Holistic Health Coach, it’s important that I get to the root cause of your symptoms. To do that I use tools like lab work and diagnostic testing. When you work with me you also receive a custom protocol of lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, supplements, and herbs that will heal you naturally.
My goal as a health coach is to be an encouragement to you on your health journey. I’ll show you that we can pursue optimal health with a spirit of joy! Ready to work together?
