Explore a comprehensive range of blood tests and functional lab assessments to gain deeper insights into your health. These assessments include hormone testing, comprehensive stool analysis, food sensitivity testing, SIBO testing, nutritional assessment and heavy metal testing.
Blood testing as a valuable tool for assessing a person’s health and determining the underlying causes of various health conditions. I offer a variety of blood testing panels and customized testing options tailored to your specific concerns and health goals:
Healthy Living Assessment Panel
Thyroid Panel
Hormone Panel
Inflammation Panel
Autoimmune Panel
Vitamin and Mineral Panel
Metabolic Panel
Fatigue Panel
Female Fertility Panel
Men’s Health Panel
Cost of test: varies depending on what tests are ordered
Food sensitivity testing is a tool designed to identify adverse reactions that individuals may have to certain foods. Unlike food allergies, which typically produce an immediate and severe immune response (such as hives or anaphylaxis), food sensitivities can trigger more subtle and delayed reactions. These reactions can be challenging to pinpoint without proper testing, making food sensitivity testing a valuable tool for individuals seeking to improve their health and well-being.
One of the primary purposes of food sensitivity testing is to pinpoint specific foods that may be causing adverse reactions. These reactions can vary widely from person to person and may include digestive issues (such as bloating, diarrhea, or constipation), skin problems, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and more. Identifying trigger foods can lead to symptom relief and an improved quality of life.
Food sensitivity testing is a process that starts with a consultation with a naturopathic doctor who selects the most relevant testing panel based on the patient’s unique symptoms and concerns. The patient then provides a blood sample at LifeLabs, where the sample is sent to another lab for a comprehensive analysis to detect reactions to various food antigens. Subsequently, the naturopathic doctor interprets the results and collaborates with the patient to develop a personalized dietary plan, often involving the elimination or reduction of problematic foods. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor progress and ensure that safe and effective dietary adjustments are made, ultimately aiming to alleviate symptoms and enhance overall well-being.
Cost of test: $379
Comprehensive stool testing offers a comprehensive evaluation of digestive health and related factors. This advanced diagnostic tool can provide valuable insights into several key aspects of gastrointestinal well-being:
Dysbiosis Detection: Stool testing helps identify dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome. Dysbiosis can contribute to various digestive issues, and by detecting it, naturopathic doctors can target treatment effectively.
Pathogenic Organisms: This test evaluates the presence of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be linked to acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. If these harmful pathogens are identified, naturopathic treatments are available to effectively eradicate them.
Digestive Function: Poor digestion often manifests in symptoms such as bloating, excessive gas, undigested food in stool, diarrhea, reflux, and persistent fatigue. Stool testing also evaluates digestive function and absorption. This aspect of the test provides insights into how well your digestive system is working.
Inflammation Assessment: Inflammation is a common contributor to gastrointestinal problems. The test checks for markers of gut inflammation, helping to pinpoint underlying causes of discomfort.
Intestinal Health Markers: Stool testing examines markers related to intestinal health. These markers offer valuable information about the overall health of your intestines and any potential issues that need attention.
By assessing various aspects of your digestive system, comprehensive stool testing serves as a valuable tool in understanding and improving your gastrointestinal well-being.
Cost of test: $592
The SIBO test is a tool used to detect and confirm the presence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO). SIBO is a condition characterized by the excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine, disrupting the normal digestive process and causing symptoms such as bloating, abdomen pain, excessive gas, diarrhea and/or constipation.
SIBO testing involves the following:
Preparation: 24 hours prior to the test, you’re instructed to follow a prep diet to limit the intake of certain carbohydrates that bacteria in the small intestine feed on.
Baseline Breath Sample: You provide a baseline breath sample.
Lactulose Solution: You’re provided with a drink containing lactulose. Lactulose is a sugar that doesn’t fully absorb in the small intestine. This unique feature is incredibly useful in the SIBO test because it enables us to detect gases produced by bacteria in the small intestine during fermentation.
Breath Samples Over Time: After drinking the lactulose solution, you’re asked to provide breath samples every 20 minutes over the course of 3 hours.
Analysis: The collected breath samples are analyzed to measure levels of hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases. Elevated levels of these gases at certain time points can indicate bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
Cost of test: $273
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) is a comprehensive urine test that analyzes various organic acids, natural chemical compounds produced as metabolic byproducts within the body. These acids serve as crucial indicators of metabolic and biochemical processes, offering valuable insights into overall health and well-being. The OAT is particularly useful for assessing health concerns including digestive issues, chronic fatigue, mood disorders, neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, environmental toxicity, nutritional deficiencies, mitochondrial disorders, and chronic illnesses.
Nutritional Status: The test can identify deficiencies or imbalances in essential vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, vitamin C, and coenzyme Q10, which are crucial for overall health.
Energy Production: The OAT assesses how well your cells produce energy by looking at how your mitochondria aka the ‘powerhouse of your cells’ work and how your body uses fats and protein for energy.
Neurotransmitter Metabolism: The OAT can provide insights into the production and breakdown of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which play a significant role in mood regulation and cognitive function.
Detoxification Capacity: It evaluates the body’s ability to detoxify harmful substances, such as heavy metals and environmental toxins, by measuring specific detox markers.
Gut Health: The OAT assesses markers related to gut health, including overgrowth of yeast (Candida) or bacteria, which can contribute to digestive issues and systemic health problems.
Cost of test: $455
DUTCH, or the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, revolutionizes the way we understand hormonal health. Unlike traditional single-point blood tests, DUTCH testing assesses dried urine samples collected over a 24-hour period, capturing the full spectrum of hormonal fluctuations throughout the day and night. This unique approach allows us to provide not only a more comprehensive assessment of vital hormones like cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone but also a deeper understanding of how they interact within your body.
DUTCH testing is particularly valuable for addressing conditions like PCOS, irregular periods, heavy periods, PMS, perimenopause/menopause symptoms, and adrenal fatigue. By revealing potential hormone imbalances, it guides the development of personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific hormonal needs.
Cost of test: $450
Blood Testing: This method involves taking a blood sample to measure the concentration of heavy metals. It provides a snapshot of recent exposure and can help identify acute poisoning. Blood testing is effective for detecting recent and ongoing exposure to heavy metals, making it suitable for acute poisoning cases or recent exposure incidents. On the other hand, blood testing does not reflect long-term exposure or tissue levels of heavy metals.
Hair Analysis: This method involves taking a small sample of hair, typically from the scalp, to analyze the levels of heavy metals. Hair analysis is often used to assess long-term exposure and accumulation of heavy metals in the body.
Cost of test: $111
