Specialty Lab Testing

Dr. Alice may order certain labs for you based on what you discuss in your initial assessment. She will have the kit shipped right to your home.  Once the results come in, she will go over it with you during your follow-up consult and discuss the next steps to optimizing your health. 

During the initial assessment, Dr. Alice will make recommendations on what functional medicine labs would be most useful for you and go over pricing for each lab (most labs range from $200-500 each).

Functional medicine labs are not covered by insurance generally because they show you how you can optimize your health and feel better in your body and mind, versus basic bloodwork mainly serves to rule out any major diseases. 

Here are the most common labs ordered (though this is not a comprehensive list):

  • Food Sensitivity & Allergy Testing
    • Certain foods could be contributing to your stress and anxiety. Knowing how food impacts your body and mind can make a big difference! If you are experiencing any digestive issues or seem to be sensitive or reactive to certain foods, we can help! Dr. Alice can help you with the elimination/challenge diet, as well as offer support and guidance on the process. In addition, we can order a blood test that can check for possible food allergies or sensitivities. Food sensitivities can occur later in life and are generally more chronic long-term reactions that are not typically life-threatening, but can still cause great distress or discomfort on the body in various ways such as bloating, gas, skin issues, migraines, etc. These can also be delayed reactions that make it more difficult to figure out which food a person may be reacting to. Whereas food allergies tend to cause more immediate reactions and are sometimes life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, that typically are present from birth/childhood.
  • Micronutrient Test
    • There is overwhelming evidence confirming that nutrient deficiencies have been shown to suppress immune function contributing to chronic disease process including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer’s. The Micronutrient test provides the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available by measuring functional deficiencies at the cellular level. It is an assessment of how well the body utilizes vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites, while conveying the body’s need for these micronutrients that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances essential for proper growth, development, and good health. This test provides the basis of a personalized, functional approach in addressing a broad variety of clinical conditions. Rather than shooting the dark with what supplements to take, this test lets you know exactly what your body is deficient in so we can treat accordingly based on the results. 
  • Adrenal Testing
    • This salivary hormone profile provides a comprehensive view of the stress response and HPA axis/adrenal function and includes 4 cortisol levels collected over the course of the day, as well as DHEA and a secretory IgA level.
    • Useful for:
      • Feeling stressed 
      • Fatigue 
      • Insomnia 
      • Nervousness/Irritability 
      • Salt/Sugar cravings 
      • Dizzy spells 
      • Headaches 
      • Decreased stamina 
      • Burn out 
      • Chronic disease 
      • Anxiety/depression 
  • Hormone Testing
    • Hormonal imbalances can led to PMS symptoms, migraines, irregular menses, fertility issues, and more. Whether you are a male, cycling female, peri-menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal, finding out more information on your hormone levels can help us figure out the best approach to treating your conditions.
  • NeuroHormone Complete
    • This profile is the best starting point for the initial assessment of hormonal status, adrenal function and neurotransmitter balance. This profile is important for both men and women, providing baseline and monitoring information for patients of all ages. It is especially useful in individuals who are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
      • Mood disorders, depression, anxiety
      • Addiction, dependency
      • Fatigue, lack of stamina, insomnia
      • Chronic illness, immune deficiency
      • Cognitive confusion, learning challenges, declining memory
      • Weight issues, appetite control
      • Low libido, sexual dysfunction
      • PMS, menopause, andropause
      • Fibromyalgia, chronic pain<
    • Neurotransmitters are the brain chemicals that facilitate the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next across a synapse. Neurotransmitters work with receptors in the brain to influence and regulate a wide range of processes such as mental performance, emotions, pain response and energy levels. Functioning primarily in the Central Nervous System (CNS), neurotransmitters are the brain’s chemical messengers, facilitating communication among the body’s glands, organs, and muscles. Numerous clinical studies have shown that inadequate neurotransmitter function has a profound influence on overall health and well-being. In fact, imbalances in certain neurotransmitters are associated with most of the prevalent symptoms and conditions seen in practitioners’ offices today.
    • This is a non-invasive urine and saliva test that you can do in the convenience of your home.
  • CardioMetabolic Profile
    • This advanced test evaluates risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) plus metabolic factors associated with metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes.  In addition to the traditional CVD risk factors, the test includes much more clinically sensitive atherogenic lipoprotein sub-species, the primary apolipoproteins, arterial inflammation and the activity of the lipoprotein- associated phospholipase- A2 (PLAC®).  PLAC® activity is a very sensitive indicator of active atherogenesis and instability of advanced arterial plaque.  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is centered around insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia, and is a risk factor associated with CVD and kidney disease. The test includes cystatin C to better assess glomerular filtration, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (Glycomark®) that is a better indicator of hyperglycemic episodes than HbA1C.  The primary adipokines associated with insulin sensitivity and hepatic fatty acid metabolism are also addressed.
  • Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acid Analysis
    • The Essential & Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis (EMFA) 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.
    • Dietary fat is emerging as one of the most important nutritional modifiers for overall health. There are many health implications that make measuring fatty acids vitally important. Relying on dietary recall may not be accurate since fatty acids can not only be obtained from the diet, but also created endogenously. Imbalances in fatty acids have been implicated in many clinical conditions including but not limited to:
      • Cardiovascular disease
      • Chronic inflammatory conditions
      • Autoimmune diseases
      • Osteoporosis
      • Cognitive decline
      • Mood disorders
      • Neurologic disease
      • Cancer
      • Diabetes
      • Eczema and Psoriasis
      • Metabolic syndrome
      • Polycystic ovary syndrome
      • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
      • Asthma
  • Melatonin Profile
    • The Melatonin Profile is a convenient, non-invasive salivary hormone test that analyzes the circadian secretion patterns of melatonin. Using a complete light-dark cycle, this hormone test reveals abnormal levels of melatonin that relates to various physical and psychological symptoms as well as premature acceleration of the body’s aging process.
    • Melatonin imbalances have been associated with a wide array of health problems, including:
      • Sleep disorders
      • Depression
      • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
      • Chronic progressive multiple sclerosis
      • Menstrual irregularities
  • Comprehensive Thyroid Panel
    • The analysis of thyroid hormones and antibodies together may improve the accuracy diagnosis and clinical success.  The American Thyroid Association estimates that approximately 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and approximately 60% of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Many patients with thyroid disorders may remain undiagnosed in many patients with asymptomatic or non-specific clinical presentations. The recognition of auto-immunity as a leading cause of thyroid dysfunction has led to the evaluation of auto-antibodies in thyroid testing.
    • Measuring only thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) may be misleading in a variety of circumstances, including the recent treatment of thyrotoxicosis, pituitary disease, non-thyroid illness, thyroid hormone resistance or rare, TSH-secreting tumors.  Under these circumstances, and in many other cases, the evaluation of thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies may clarify the diagnosis of thyroid conditions and improve clinical success.
  • Heavy Metal Testing
    • There are a number of elements that are toxic to the human body at high doses which can interfere with its functioning and undermine health—such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic. These toxic metals have no known physiological functions. They can be toxic to organ systems and may disrupt the balance of essential nutrients. Toxic metals and essential element status can be assessed in urine, blood, feces and hair. Hair Elements analysis provides information regarding recent and ongoing exposure to potentially toxic metals, especially methylmercury and arsenic, and time-averaged status of specific nutrient elements.
    • This test is useful for evaluating: toxic element exposure, excessive fish consumption, alopecia, depression, fatigue, malabsorption, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, kidney function, Parkinson’s-like symptoms, sexual impotence or decreased testosterone production, and vision problems.
    • Toxic elements may be 200 to 300 times more highly concentrated in hair than in blood or urine. Therefore, hair is the tissue of choice for detection of recent exposure to elements such as arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, antimony and mercury. The CDC acknowledges the value of hair mercury levels as a maternal and infant marker for exposure to neurotoxic methylmercury from fish.
  • GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Panel
    • Maintaining a healthy GI system is essential to your overall health. GI infections and inflammation can lead to a wide range of abdominal symptoms and decrease the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Commonly thought to only be found in developing countries, parasites are a cause of GI symptoms in millions people in the United States as well. These are non-invasive screens of the GI system and its function.
    • GI Effects assesses three critical areas of gut health: digestive function, gut inflammation, and the gut microbiome—areas affecting not only GI health, but overall health as well. For patients with symptoms that may have gastrointestinal dysfunction as their root cause, comprehensive stool diagnostics provide an effective tool for gaining clinical insight into next steps.
  • Intestinal Permeability Test – “Leaky Gut Test”
    • Intestinal Permeability Assessment is a powerful noninvasive gastrointestinal test assessment of small intestinal absorption and barrier function in the bowel measured in the urine. The small intestine uniquely functions as a digestive/absorptive organ for nutrients as well as a powerful immune and mechanical barrier against excessive absorption of bacteria, food antigens, and other macromolecules. Both malabsorption and increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) are associated with chronic gastrointestinal imbalances as well as many systemic disorders.
  • SIBO Test
    • SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is a condition in which abnormally large numbers of bacteria – the types that are normally found in the large intestine – are present in the small intestine. When not functioning properly, the migrating motor complex (MMC) fails to effectively sweep intestinal contents into the colon during periods of fasting. Once in the small intestine these bacteria proliferate and feed off carbohydrates from food, creating fermentation gases, specifically methane and hydrogen.
    • It can be a cause of many health problems, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and protein/fat malabsorption. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in SIBO since it has now been implicated in the pathophysiology of certain diseases previously not classically associated with overgrowth. The World Journal of Gastroenterology claims a definitive association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and SIBO, suggesting that SIBO be excluded before diagnosing a patient with IBS. This a Non-invasive breath collection that involves a lactulose challenge to detect bacterial overgrowth in the distal small intestine. The 3-hour collection method reveals SIBO in patients with slow transit times.
  • CICA Test (Celiac, IBS, and Crohn’s Array)
    • Two out of five Americans have gastrointestinal disorders: up to 20% are affected by IBS, 0.44% impacted by Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and up to 1% with celiac disease.
    • Accurate diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and celiac disease is complex because both specific and nonspecific pathways of the immune system are involved.
    • The CICA evaluates a patient’s genetic risk for celiac disease, serum markers associated with active celiac disease process, and genetic serum markers associated with Crohn’s disease, and serological markers for diminished antigen exclusion in the gut.
  • Candida Testing
    • Candida overgrowth is the most common cause of systemic fungal infection and accounts for 80% of all major systemic fungal infections. Symptoms may be attributed to food sensitivity because the invasive fungi can increase rapidly in number and permeate the digestive tract. Diets high in simple carbohydrates have been found to increase rates of oral candidiasis. Mild, chronic and polysystemic candidiasis can be positively diagnosed by the determination of high serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against Candida antigens. Immune complexes are clusters of interlocking antigens and antibodies. Normally, immune complexes are rapidly removed from the bloodstream. Sometimes, however, they continue to circulate, and eventually become trapped in the tissues of the kidneys, the lungs, skin, joints, or blood vessels. There they set off reactions with complement that lead to inflammation and tissue damage.