Functional Testing
"My blood tests came back normal, but I know I don't feel right"
If you can relate to this you're not alone! It's an all too common complaint I receive from my patients. Standard pathology tests used by GP's will look for significant pathology, identify red flags that indicate more serious disease states and can diagnose more sinister conditions. They are a necessary step in your healing journey, however many times standard blood tests don't always give us the information needed to identify more subtle changes in the body before a full blown disease is identified.
Most common functional tests.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
At Ivine Health we use the GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile. This is a group of advanced stool tests that provide immediate, actionable clinical information for the management of gastrointestinal health. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies and biomarkers, this profile offers valuable insight into digestive function, intestinal inflammation, and the intestinal microbiome.
Organic Acids Test (OAT)
Organic acids are metabolic intermediates produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, and intestinal microbial activity. Accumulation of specific organic acids in urine often signals a metabolic inhibition or block. This abnormality may be due to a nutrient deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficit, toxic build-up, or drug effect. An organic acids urine test helps reveal activity and changes at the metabolic level, helping practitioners discover hidden issues and pinpoint where therapeutic focus is needed.
Adrenal and Complete Hormone Testing
The Adrenocortex Stress Profile (ASP) provides an assessment of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis using carefully timed salivary samples of the hormones cortisol and DHEA.
Complete Hormones™ is a comprehensive urinary hormone test, designed to assist in the clinical management of hormone-related conditions. This hormone test assesses parent hormones, their metabolites, and key metabolic pathways. This test uses a 24-hour collection.
Other common functional tests.
Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis
This test evaluates the levels of essential and non-essential red blood cell membrane fatty acids important in metabolism and cellular function. Fatty acid imbalances can be a causative factor in a variety of chronic health conditions. The Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis can indicate the need for fatty acid supplementation and/or dietary modification
Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment
Genomic Profiling
The Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment is a hormone test that provides a thorough analysis of thyroid hormone metabolism. This test analyzes serum levels of TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TG antibodies, and anti-TPO antibodies to assess central and peripheral thyroid function, as well as thyroid auto-immunity.
Genomic testing is used to evaluate common genetic variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The presence of specific SNPs may indicate a predisposition for health vulnerabilities. SNPS may be assessed in multiple functional areas including cardiovascular, detoxification, methylation, immune modulation, and estrogen metabolism.