Revealing Specific Testing: When Normal Labs Don't Work

|| Category: Health & Testing || 

Sometimes more specific testing is needed to understand your health better. These tests give insights into how well each organ and system is functioning, helping to identify early signs of imbalance or disease. Here’s an overview of key functional health tests for each major organ and system:

1. Heart Health

Blood Pressure Test: Measures force against artery walls, an indicator of cardiovascular risk.
Lipid Panel: Assesses cholesterol levels to evaluate the risk of heart disease.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): Detects inflammation in the body, which can indicate cardiovascular disease.
ECG/EKG: Records electrical activity of the heart to check for arrhythmias or other irregularities.
Homocysteine Test: High levels can signal heart disease risk.

2. Female Hormones

Comprehensive Hormone Panel: Measures estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA to assess overall hormonal balance.
Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, T3, T4, and antibodies): Evaluates thyroid health, which influences metabolism, energy, and mood.
Adrenal Function Test (Cortisol): Measures cortisol levels to assess stress response and adrenal function.
FSH & LH (Follicle-Stimulating and Luteinizing Hormones): Indicates ovarian function and potential issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or menopause.

3. Liver Health

Liver Enzyme Tests (ALT, AST): Measures liver function and detects liver damage or inflammation.
Bilirubin Test: Helps diagnose liver disease by measuring the breakdown product of red blood cells.
Albumin and Total Protein: Evaluates liver’s ability to produce proteins.
Fatty Liver Test (ALT/AST ratio): High levels suggest fatty liver disease.
Hepatitis Panel: Detects viral liver infections.

4. Gut Health

GI-MAP Test (Stool Analysis): Assesses gut microbiome health, digestive function, and potential infections or imbalances.
Food Sensitivity Testing: Identifies foods that may trigger inflammation, digestive issues, or allergic reactions.
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) Test: Detects excess bacteria in the small intestine.
Zonulin Test: Measures intestinal permeability (leaky gut), which can cause systemic inflammation.

5. Stress & Adrenal Health

Cortisol Salivary Test: Measures cortisol at different times of day to understand the body’s stress response.
DHEA Test: Measures levels of the hormone DHEA, which helps balance cortisol and affects overall vitality.
Adrenal Fatigue Test: A combination of tests (like cortisol, DHEA, and others) used to assess adrenal function under chronic stress.

6. Immune System Health

Complete Blood Count (CBC): A basic test that measures immune cell counts and can indicate infection or blood disorders.
Vitamin D Levels: Essential for immune function, low levels can weaken immune response.
IgG Food Sensitivity Test: Identifies foods that could be triggering chronic immune responses.
Th1/Th2 Immune Panel: Tests for immune system imbalances that could lead to autoimmune disorders or chronic inflammation.

7. Kidney Health

Creatinine and eGFR Test: Measures kidney function and filtration ability.
Urinalysis: Detects kidney issues, such as infection, protein loss, or blood in the urine.
Uric Acid Test: High levels can indicate kidney problems or gout.

8. Brain and Cognitive Health

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Indicates neuronal health and brain plasticity.
Neurotransmitter Panel: Tests for imbalances in key neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which affect mood and cognition.
Omega-3 Index: Measures the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells, linked to cognitive function and mental health.
Homocysteine: Elevated levels are associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's risk.

9. Metabolism & Insulin Sensitivity

Fasting Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar levels after fasting to assess insulin resistance or risk for diabetes.
HbA1c Test: Provides an average blood sugar level over the past 3 months, an indicator of long-term glucose control.
C-Peptide Test: Measures insulin production and can help diagnose insulin resistance.

10. Skin Health

MELISA Test: A blood test for delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, which can affect the skin.
Vitamin D Levels: Essential for skin health, especially in the prevention of conditions like psoriasis.
Sebum Analysis: Measures the oil production in skin, which can indicate acne or other dermatological conditions.

11. Detoxification & Toxin Exposure

Heavy Metal Testing: Tests for exposure to toxins like lead, mercury, and cadmium.
Liver Detox Pathway Test: Assesses the liver’s ability to detoxify and eliminate waste, which can be a bottleneck in detoxification processes.
Urinary Organic Acids Test: Identifies metabolites that indicate the body’s detoxification processes.

Need help understanding these panels? Reach out to get started.

Love,

Sam 

Keywords: functional health tests, hormone panel, liver function, gut health, cortisol levels, immune function, kidney function, neurotransmitter imbalance, insulin sensitivity, detoxification pathways

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