This is one of the biggest differences between conventional testing and a functional health approach. Many advanced functional lab panels are not covered by insurance, which is why they are rarely used in conventional settings. However, these tests can be incredibly helpful for identifying underlying contributors to chronic or stubborn symptoms when standard labs do not provide clear answers.

Urinary Organic Acids Test (OAT) – Organic acids testing provides a broad look at metabolic function. It can offer insight into nutrient and vitamin status, mitochondrial and energy pathways, detoxification patterns, neurotransmitter-related metabolites, and markers associated with gut microbial balance. This test can also highlight patterns that may be associated with yeast or fungal overgrowth and certain environmental exposures, including mold-related stressors.

Food Sensitivity Testing – Food sensitivity (IgG-based) testing helps evaluate whether the immune system may be reacting to specific foods in a way that contributes to inflammation. These reactions are different from true IgE food allergies and may be temporary or longer-term depending on the individual and underlying factors.

Autoimmune Reactivity Testing – In some cases, it can be helpful to explore immune reactivity patterns by evaluating antibodies related to specific tissues, such as the digestive tract, thyroid, joints, adrenals, pancreas, connective tissue, or neurological tissues like the brain. When immune reactivity is present, it often does not occur in isolation, and understanding these patterns can help guide supportive strategies.

Digestive Testing – Digestive testing is highly individualized and selected based on a client’s history and goals. Stool testing can provide insight into markers of gut inflammation, microbial balance, and potential overgrowth patterns. We may also explore markers related to intestinal permeability and immune activation within the gut using a variety of high-quality functional stool tests.

Hormone Testing – While hormone testing is widely discussed, it is not always the first step. Many clients are already aware they are experiencing hormone-related symptoms, and the focus is often on understanding why those imbalances may be occurring. When hormone testing is appropriate, thyroid and adrenal markers are commonly explored, and comprehensive reproductive hormone assessment is best done through multi-sample urine testing to evaluate both hormone production and metabolism.

Mold/Mycotoxin Testing – Environmental mold exposure can be complex and is often evaluated through a combination of history, symptom patterns, and targeted testing. When additional clarity is needed, urinary organic acids testing or urinary mycotoxin testing may be used. In some cases, select inflammatory or immune-related markers may also be reviewed to help guide next steps.

Other Testing – Occasionally, deeper or less obvious contributors may need to be explored, such as heavy metal burden, chronic immune stressors, or other environmental or metabolic factors. When appropriate, additional functional testing options are available and are always selected thoughtfully based on the overall picture.