NUTRITIONAL TESTING

I get asked: what kind of blood work testing should I bring to the consultation? 

The minimum bloodwork tests that I work with are:

CBC (Complete Blood Count)

CMP (Complete Metabolic Panel)

Lipid panel (Cholesterol, Triglycerides)

Fasting insulin, Hemoglobin A1C

Vitamin D level 

But I’d also recommend the following bloodwork for better analysis:

Thyroid panel (TSH, T4, T3)

Hormone panel (DHEA-S, Testosterone, Estradiol)

Inflammation markers (C-reactive protein, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and also ferritin and homocysteine) 

Iron panel (Iron, TIBC & Ferritin)

You can download the PDF on the bottom of this page. Bring it to your healthcare provider, and ask if your insurance covers them. Independent labs can also run these tests - please see below for the recommended labs. 

Sometimes, more than blood biochemistry is required to determine the cause of health issues and imbalances. This is when specialty functional medicine testing comes in handy.

Unlike blood, hair element levels are not regulated by homeostatic mechanisms. Thus, deviations in hair element levels often appear before overt symptoms and can be a valuable preliminary tool for predicting the development of physiological abnormalities.

Hair element analysis provides important information which, in conjunction with symptoms and other laboratory values, can assist me with an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.

Read more about Hair Mineral test here.

The Organic Acids Test (OAT) offers a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health with 76 markers. It provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. 

Abnormally high levels of these microorganisms can cause or worsen behavior disorders, hyperactivity, movement disorders, fatigue, and immune function. Many people with chronic illnesses and neurological disorders often excrete several abnormal organic acids in their urine. The cause of these high levels could include oral antibiotic use, high sugar diets, immune deficiencies, acquired infections, and genetic factors. 

The Organic Acids Test also includes markers for vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter levels. It is the only OAT to include markers for oxalates, which are highly correlated with many chronic illnesses.

Read more about OAT here.

The Amino Acids Urine Test offers essential clinical data on metabolic, nutritional, and neurological disorders. The test analyzes 40 amino acids and provides a detailed explanation of the possible causes and consequences of detected abnormalities, along with nutritional information. Amino acid imbalances are frequently underlying factors in disorders such as ADD, depression, Tourette syndrome, tic disorder, OCD, seizures, and others.

Read more about AAT here.

Methylation is a biochemical process that controls your ability to detox and, in turn, lower inflammation, produce neurotransmitters, and protect your DNA. Every cell of your body depends on methylation, so if methylation is not functioning correctly, you are more prone to have various health issues. More than 50% of people are affected by genetic variations in the methylation pathway.

I work with raw DNA data and look for the genetic abnormalities in specific genes, such as: MTHFR, MTRR, MTRH, COMT, CBS, SHMT, VDR, BHMT, OTC, MAO, NOS. 

You can obtain your DNA raw data either through 23andMe or other companies. 

Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands during the ordinary day, but also in response to stress. A saliva cortisol test is done to measure the level of cortisol, a hormone in saliva.

• High levels of cortisol symptoms may include:
• Elevated blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Obesity with weight distributed around the trunk
• Weak muscles 
• Osteoporosis 
• Skin that’s easily broken

I recommend the following companies for the 4-point saliva tests: 

MyLabBox

ZRT Laboratory 

EVEXIA DIAGNOSTICS. If you would like to use an independent laboratory  - they are the most affordable and convenient choice. After I place a lab order you’d go to the closest LabCorps location and let them run the blood work. Please follow the instructions provided upon purchase.

Ulta Labs. They have different comprehensive and affordable panels you can purchase. Ulta Labs cooperates with Quest Diagnostics; you can find a laboratory close to you. Please follow the instructions provided upon purchase.