Functional Lab Testing - what it is and how it helps

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had this happen to you:

You go to your doctor because something isn’t right. You’re having a hard time losing weight despite diet & activity changes. You’re constantly exhausted even though you’re getting enough sleep. You’re bloated all the time, you’re moodier than a teenager without Wifi, or your libido is in the toilet. Maybe all of the above?

You describe your symptoms to your doctor and they run some tests to get to the bottom of it.

But, guess what? All those tests come back “normal.”

Now what?!?

Sometimes “normal” tests are a relief - but other times they’re the most frustrating thing ever. Because if standard lab testing comes back within normal limits, it doesn’t give us much to work with. It can put the brakes on further help from more conventional providers. And it can even lead to minimization or dismissal of problematic, chronic symptoms.

That’s why I love utilizing Integrative & Functional Lab Testing. There’s always a nugget of actionable data that we can build on when we get the big picture!

How are functional labs different from standard labs? Well, each lab is different, and used for a different purpose. But there are a few general characteristics that my favorite labs share that are often lacking in standard, bare-bones lab tests (the ones that are usually covered by your yearly physical exam).

Functional labs tend to be more specific - meaning, they often have narrower ranges of “healthy” function for each measurement. For instance, when I’m working with a female client on hormonal concerns, the functional test that we often run breaks down the “normal” ranges for things like progesterone and estradiol into phase of the cycle and/or post-menopausal “normals.” In the instance of thyroid hormone testing, instead of relying on thyroid stimulating hormone as a generalized indicator of thyroid function, a full thyroid panel will measure each individual thyroid hormone PLUS thyroid antibodies AND reverse T3 (which helps measure how much stress is playing a role in thyroid function). The more specific the information we collect, the more targeted our treatment strategies and preventative steps can be!

Not only is functional lab testing more specific, but it’s also typically more comprehensive, giving us more data points with which to determine our next steps. I recently worked through a comprehensive digestive assessment with a client who was experiencing moderate to severe bloating every day, and from one stool sample we were able to determine a dozen contributing factors - which we could then prioritize and address utilizing Functional Medicine strategies. What a relief, to have so many treatment options!

But I think my favorite thing about functional lab testing is how it respects the functional nature of the body, bringing together multiple data points and measurements with intention and purpose - that purpose being a full, broad understanding of what’s actually going on in the body. I often feel like standard lab tests are utilized as a to-do list - separate data points that, if they’re “normal,” we just “check off” and ignore. But functional lab testing tells a story and helps us establish patterns - especially when we recognize the context of symptoms, history, and the whole person’s health and well-being.

And I think that we can agree that this is the best, most effective way to work towards health - by respecting the holistic nature of our bodies, minds, and emotions…and using testing that does so, too! Every time I recommend functional testing to my clients, and every time I study their results, I am awed by how complex yet elegant the workings of our bodies are - and how many options we have for restoring optimal function, health, and happiness!

So, if you’re frustrated by “normal” lab testing or ready to get a whole-person look at what’s happening with your digestion, hormones, nutrition, or stress-response system, consider functional lab testing! 

Here's what to do next:

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of your hormones or gut health without the commitment of a one-on-one consultation, you can order select Functional Labs HERE - and I'll help you interpret them!

If you want access to Functional Labs, but you're not sure which testing might be right for you, apply for a Newbie 1:1 Consult with me HERE! We'll figure it out together.