Functional Medicine Tests & Labs

Lipoprotein (a) sticks in the arteries and is known to cause heart attacks, but it is not checked on a typical lipid (cholesterol) panel, but Pathway Health & Beauty can check this lab to dig deeper than the basic lipid lab panel

LDL particle size/pattern type can be tested with advanced labs. We all want the large fluffy pattern A which does not stick in the arteries causing plaque unlike pattern B/dense particle size that sticks in the arteries of the heart leading to heart disease 

I also check a  lab test called  high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to assess for inflammation in the body

Homocysteine levels are also associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke (high levels associated with MTHFR Gene Mutation)

One of the most famous heart studies, the Framingham Heart Study, showed that dietary cholesterol intake had no effect on heart disease and research shows half of heart attack victims had normal cholesterol levels!

Did your provider check a CT Calcium Score to assess plaque burden before ordering the statin medication? Statin drugs are linked to diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, dementia, hemorrhagic stroke (yes, really!), liver toxicity, rhabdomyolysis, and interstitial lung disease. Statins also greatly reduce Co-Q10 in the body which is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells from damage

Cholesterol is an important component to the cell membrane in the body and also the precursor or “mother” of all hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 

A true IgE food allergy may help diagnose unexplained hives, itching, and rashes, IgG food testing are recommended for those delayed food reactions (up to 72 hours after eating a specific food) that may result in headaches, joint pain, brain fog, itching, and/or rashes. IgG food testing is also recommended in kids and adults with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder as food allergies can affect the moods of those with neurodivergency. 

Chronic allergy symptoms, chronic fatigue, mood changes, brain fog may be related to mold exposure, ringing in ears (tinnitus), dizziness, numbness/tingling, and metallic taste may be related to mold toxicity and testing can be completed with a simple urine test. 

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) affects so many people who think they are suffering with irritable bowel syndrome when up to 70% of these cases are likely due to SIBO. The gut bacteria is supposed to stay in the large intestine but sometimes it moves to the small intestine causing bloating, stomach pain, excess gas, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea. There are certain carbohydrates that ferment in the intestines causing all these symptoms. SIBO can be managed with herbal or prescription antibiotics and a SIBO diet is recommended as well. Treating SIBO can also help you lose weight! Certain gut bacteria are linked to obesity. Stool tests and breath tests completed in the comfort of your home can be used to diagnose SIBO, gut dysbiosis (too many bad pathogens), and infections such as H. pylori and C. Diff

I do not like to use the term "adrenal fatigue"; I prefer the medical term: hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis dysfunction (HPA Axis Dysfunction). Sometimes our stress becomes so bad that our poor adrenal glands cannot keep up from the demand of cortisol. We are so stressed as Americans due to work, finances, family obligations, elderly parents, childcare, and so much more. It is no wonder we are sick! Unfortunately, our stress can make us sick (really, it can). I can check specialized tests for HPA axis dysfunction through home saliva tests (stress can affect our precious hormone levels) and form a treatment plan if this is an issue. 

Simply put oxidative stress damages our cells in the body. There are tests such as urine tests to measure free radical markers in the body. Free radicals damage our cells and DNA giving rise to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress is the overabundance of free radicals in the body and the body's inability to keep up with clearing these free radicals. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that fights the free radicals and is so important to our health and lowering the risk of disease. 

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551541/

SNPS (single nucleotide polymorphisms), pronounced "snips" are genetic variants in a single base pair of DNA. Most SNPS do not cause any harm, but certain SNPS such as MTHFR mutation can cause problems with methylation. 

MTHFR is a gene that provides the genetic code to make an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). The enzyme takes folic acid from your diet and converts it to its active form (ready to be used by the body form) 5-MTHF, or 5-methyltetrahydrofolatemethyl-folate.

5-MTHF is used for methylation in the body which affects every cells and helps us with detoxification and hormone metabolism. This gene mutation can also affect neurotransmitters in the brain leading to mood disorders. Some people will not have problems if they have MTHFR gene mutation but others may experience increased symptoms of ADHD, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue. The gene mutation can cause high levels of homocysteine in the body which can lead to cardiovascular disease. 

Reference:

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/snp/

Heavy metals testing is a urine or blood test to assess for metals including mercury, cadmium, aluminum, etc. High levels of heavy metals can cause mood disturbances, joint pain, brain fog, gut dysfunction, and high blood pressure