Digestive health and the microbiome
Digestive symptoms can be important clues about your overall health. We may consider stool testing for bloating, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, food reactions, abdominal discomfort or other digestive symptoms that won’t go away.
A comprehensive stool analysis such as the GI-MAP® can look at:
- The balance of the gut microbiome
- Bacteria, parasites and viruses
- Inflammation in the gut
- Digestive enzyme function
- Immune activity in the gut
- Markers of intestinal permeability
The health of your digestive system can affect much more than digestion.
Laboratories we use: GI-MAP® (Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory), Genova GI Effects
Nutritional and cellular health
Even a good diet doesn’t always tell us whether nutrients are being absorbed and used well.
NutrEval® (Genova Diagnostics) looks at nutritional status and metabolism at the cellular level. SpectraCell measures nutrients inside your cells rather than only in the blood, which reflects longer-term status, and may show deficiencies that routine blood tests miss. Doctor’s Data offers nutrient and mineral testing.
These tests can give information about:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Antioxidant levels and oxidative stress
- Mitochondrial function and cellular energy
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
- Detoxification pathways
We may consider them when fatigue, nerve symptoms, metabolic problems or long-term illness raise the question of a nutritional cause.
Laboratories we use: Genova NutrEval®, SpectraCell Laboratories, Doctor’s Data
Hormones and adrenal health
Hormones affect far more than reproductive health: energy, sleep, mood, metabolism, weight, thinking, fertility, bone health and healthy aging.
The DUTCH® test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, from Precision Analytical) looks at hormone production and metabolism, including:
- Estrogen metabolism
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- Adrenal stress patterns
- Cortisol rhythm through the day
- Melatonin
It can be useful when we’re looking into fatigue, sleep problems, mood changes or menopause symptoms.
Laboratories we use: DUTCH® (Precision Analytical), DiagnosTechs
Cortisol and stress
Your body’s stress-response system can affect energy, sleep, blood sugar, mood and resilience.
Salivary cortisol testing uses several saliva samples collected through the day to show your natural cortisol rhythm and adrenal stress response. It may add information when we’re looking into ongoing fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety and mood changes, or burnout.
Laboratories we use: DiagnosTechs
Cardiovascular and metabolic health
A standard cholesterol panel is useful, but sometimes a more detailed look is appropriate.
Boston Heart Diagnostics® testing goes beyond a basic cholesterol panel to look at:
- Lipid particles in detail
- Inflammatory markers related to heart disease
- Blood sugar regulation and insulin resistance
- Genetic influences on how you process fats
The extra detail can help shape a prevention plan that fits you.
Laboratories we use: Boston Heart Diagnostics®
Lyme and tick-borne disease
Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections can be complex, especially when symptoms have lasted a long time or earlier tests didn’t give clear answers. When your history suggests a tick-borne illness, specialty testing may help evaluate Lyme disease and related co-infections.
IGeneX specializes in tick-borne disease testing, including Lyme disease (Borrelia species), Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia and other co-infections. Galaxy Diagnostics is a specialty lab for Bartonella and other tick-borne infections that can be hard to find with standard tests.
We may consider this testing for long-standing, complex symptoms such as nerve problems, vascular symptoms, fatigue and ongoing inflammation.
Laboratories we use: IGeneX, Galaxy Diagnostics
Lyme disease care at our office Mold, mycotoxins and environmental exposures
Your environment can play a part in your health. When your history suggests exposure to a water-damaged building or other environmental concerns, we may consider testing as part of a wider evaluation, when it’s clinically appropriate.
RealTime Laboratories tests for mycotoxins, the toxins produced by mold, and can help when mold exposure is suspected but hasn’t been confirmed. US BioTek tests for mold and mycotoxins, environmental chemicals and immune responses to environmental triggers. Doctor’s Data tests for heavy metals, which can build up through exposures at home or at work.
These exposures may play a part in fatigue, brain fog and nerve symptoms, breathing problems, immune problems and long-term inflammation in some people.
Laboratories we use: RealTime Laboratories, Mosaic Diagnostics, Vibrant Wellness, US BioTek Laboratories, Doctor’s Data
Food and immune reactions
Some foods may contribute to inflammation without causing a classic food allergy. Food sensitivity testing looks for delayed immune reactions to foods, which can appear hours or even days after eating and are hard to pin down without testing.
We may consider it in selected cases, for concerns such as migraines, digestive symptoms, inflammation, skin problems or fatigue, and to help shape a nutrition plan. Results are read alongside your history, never as a diagnosis on their own.
Laboratories we use: KBMO Diagnostics (FIT Testing®), ImmunoSciences
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters affect mood, focus, sleep, memory and emotional well-being. In selected situations, testing can add information when we’re looking into concerns such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, brain fog or trouble focusing.
It may measure neurotransmitters such as:
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- GABA
- Glutamate
The Galleri® blood test
A blood test from GRAIL that looks for signals linked to some cancers. It doesn’t diagnose cancer; any result is followed up with your doctor.
Galleri is meant to add to recommended cancer screening, not replace it. Keep up with standard screening such as mammograms, colonoscopy and prostate exams.
Laboratories we use: GRAIL (Galleri®)
