What is Functional Lab Testing?
Functional Lab Testing can identify patterns within the body utilizing blood, stool, saliva and urine samples. More comprehensive data can be gathered than conventional lab testing and we partner with an industry leader- Vibrant Labs.
Click here to view specific functional labs we offer and to order.
When should I get lab testing?
Anytime it makes sense.
- This could include at the beginning of care to get “lay of the land” and based on your current condition.
- During the middle of care to make sure all pertinent organ areas are being addressed as well as to determine cellular energy, hidden pathogens, environmental toxic burdens, and lyme/tick-borne pathogens to name a few. We also have tests that include assessments of genetic predispositions as well as presence of antibodies. For many of our patients we start with foundational testing through the use of muscle testing however as we continue care functional nutritional blood testing can add to what we are already doing.
- As you enter maintenance care as an input for designing and managing a customized health maintenance program.
Bottom line:
“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted.”- (attributed to Albert Einstein). Functional lab testing is another input to addressing your health picture and is best utilized in conjunction with other assessments.
What type of lab testing should I complete?
When to do lab testing is person and circumstance specific.
If you are a new patient and have never had any lab work completed beyond what your medical doctor has completed there is an opportunity to use it to “get the lay of the land.” How much of the land we may want to see is person and condition specific and can be determined when doing an Initial Consult with a Practitioner.
For example, if you are a new patient experiencing symptoms that may include fatigue, anxiety/depression, weight gain, poor libido, hair loss, etc. and you’ve had a basic blood work run by your doctor and your doctor tells you your thyroid looks fine, you would be a great candidate to run our Thyroid Panel and possibly a Hormone Panel.
There are countless scenarios and incredible tests available that are not covered by insurance that can provide valuable insights in managing health. When you come in for an Initial Consultation, part of your recommendations will include if there are any tests that could be beneficial for you to complete in the beginning of care. We will also ask about what lab tests you have completed to date.
How accurate are lab tests?
We partner with Vibrant Labs for our functional lab testing as they are meticulous in validating their tests for sensitivity specificity and can provide certification for each. They also provide comprehensive aspects of assessment including genetics, antibodies, serum level and intra-cellular level information.
I’ve heard everyone has parasites, do you test for them?
We do! But not in the conventional stool testing. We have found that parasites, especially when not being provoked, won’t show up in the stool tests. We use other means of testing for this, such as Nutrition Response Testing, though heightened IgE in food sensitivity tests on food testing can often be correlative to parasite infections.
Do you do food sensitivity testing?
We can! And we do it in a couple of different ways for the most accurate results. Learn more about how we do this here. The Food Sensitivity Profiles from Vibrant Labs are also helpful as they go beyond where conventional testing goes by measuring for both protein in the blood as well as in the cells. Learn more about these tests here.
Do you do genetic testing?
We used to and we found it just SCARES people! Some of the tests we run currently will include genetic predisposition information but they are usually accompanied by detection of other things that may be contributing to the expression of the genetic predisposition.
Plus, we also have found that we don’t want to perpetuate the common, yet mistaken belief, that YOU ARE YOUR GENES. It’s simply not true. Just because your mother/father/grandmother etc. had a particular condition doesn’t mean you are destined for it. We know now that genes can be turned ON and OFF. We don’t to date, however, have laboratory testing that can distinguish when it is expressed and when it is not. Until then we need to go by symptom and/or laboratory testing to determine if a condition could be present and if a medical doctor can diagnose it.
What happens if we determine I am deficient in a nutrient on a blood test? Do I have to take supplements for the rest of my life?
We don’t run bloodwork to determine a nutrient deficiency in order to provide you with a supplement to fill in the gap. While this can sometimes have an effect on a future test in the long run this is only a temporary fix and our goal is to see improvements in your total health picture, not just what your bloodwork says at a particular given moment.
If we need to help you repair your diet through nutritional coaching we are going to do that first. We also recognize that many nutrient deficiencies are caused by the presence of toxins and pathogens that are laying hidden within your body and that when we use supplements to HANDLE those items completely and allow the body to heal, rather than just relying on a supplement for a specific nutrient that is depleted.
I’ve already spent so much money on lab tests with another doctor and it didn’t get me anywhere. Why should I do it now?
Maybe you shouldn’t. But the approach you have taken until this point in time still may not have been in the correct order and may have been missing a few pieces that we can detect in adjunct testing that is performed in our office. Bring this up to your practitioner and we can discuss what, if any, tests could be performed.
If you are a current patient, is lab testing is for you?
Talk to your Practitioner. Review these aspects of tests and considerations to determine if it’s right for you:
- Are we at the beginning, do we want to get a bigger picture perspective?
- What’s the purpose of the test? How can it help me move my health forward?
- Are we going to treat due to what the test shows? Will it possibly identify areas that we haven’t encountered yet?
- Where are you in your healing journey?
- What’s the big picture and how does it relate back to the toxin burden in the body?
- Are you curious?
- Do you want to cross the T’s and dot the I’s?
- Have you also covered your bases with periodic Thermography and/or Heart Sound Recorder assessments?
For more information about the specific tests we offer and/or to order go here.
Does Insurance or Flex-Spending/HSAs cover Functional Lab Testing?
Paramount Wellness accepts cash, check and credit card payments. We do not bill insurance companies directly, however, we will provide you with a properly coded receipt of services for submitting to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company before your visit to understand what may be covered (see your insurance card for contact information).
Here are some questions to ask:
- Does my plan cover lab testing?
- How many tests are covered in a calendar year?
- Do I need a referral from a doctor?
- Are there limitations on how many funds can be allocated toward lab testing?
Also, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and/or Heath Spending Accounts (HSA) can be used for acupuncture/nutrition services and supplements with most plans.
Check with your health savings account service provider and/or your insurance provider to see which of these services are covered.