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Laboratory Testing

Uncovering the Root Causes of Imbalance

Here's a comprehensive list of diagnostic tests commonly used by naturopathic doctors (NDs) and functional medicine practitioners, grouped by category. These tests help assess the root causes of illness and guide individualized treatment plans.

🔬 Hormone & Adrenal Testing


These assess imbalances in sex hormones, adrenal function, and stress response.
 

  • DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones)

  • Measures cortisol, cortisone, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, and their metabolites.

  • Salivary Hormone Testing

  • Cortisol (diurnal rhythm), DHEA, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone.

  • Serum Hormone Panels

  • Standard lab test for reproductive hormones and thyroid hormones (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3).

  • Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)

  • Measures cortisol levels throughout the day in saliva.

🧬 Food Sensitivity & Allergy Testing


These help identify immune or inflammatory responses to food.
 

  • IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

  • Measures delayed hypersensitivity reactions (commonly used for elimination diet planning).

  • IgE Food Allergy Testing

  • Detects immediate allergic reactions (true allergies).

  • Mediator Release Test (MRT)

  • Identifies food sensitivities by measuring immune mediator release.

  • Celiac Panel / Gluten Sensitivity Testing

  • Anti-tTG, EMA, and total IgA for celiac disease; sometimes Cyrex arrays for gluten cross-reactivity.


💩 Digestive & Gut Health Testing


These assess microbiome balance, gut inflammation, digestion, parasites, and pathogens.
 

  • Comprehensive Stool Analysis (e.g., GI-MAP, GI Effects, Doctor’s Data)

  • Tests for microbiome diversity, pathogens, parasites, yeasts, inflammation markers (calprotectin), digestive enzymes, SCFAs.

  • SIBO Breath Test

  • Measures hydrogen and methane gas to detect Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

  • Zonulin & Leaky Gut Markers

  • Measures gut permeability and immune response to bacterial toxins.

  • H. pylori Testing

  • Via stool antigen, urea breath test, or blood antibodies.


🧠 Neurotransmitter & Mental Health Testing


Useful for mood, anxiety, sleep, and cognitive issues.
 

  • Urinary Neurotransmitter Panel

  • Assesses serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, epinephrine, etc.

  • Organic Acids Test (OAT)

  • Provides markers for neurotransmitter metabolism, yeast overgrowth, nutrient deficiencies.


🩸 Nutritional & Metabolic Testing


Evaluates nutrient status, mitochondrial function, and metabolic health.
 

  • Organic Acids Test (OAT)

  • Identifies vitamin/mineral deficiencies, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, detox issues, and gut dysbiosis.

  • Micronutrient Testing (e.g., SpectraCell)

  • Intracellular levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants.

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

  • Blood test for glucose, electrolytes, kidney & liver function.

  • Hair Mineral Analysis

  • Measures mineral imbalances and toxic metal exposure.


🦠 Immune & Inflammatory Markers


Help assess autoimmune activity, chronic inflammation, or immune dysfunction.
 

  • High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)

  • Inflammation marker, especially cardiovascular risk.

  • ANA, RF, ESR

  • General autoimmune screening.

  • Cytokine & Inflammatory Panels

  • For chronic inflammatory diseases.

  • Immunoglobulin Panels (IgA, IgG, IgM)

  • Evaluate immune strength and deficiency.


🧪 Detoxification & Environmental Testing


Assesses body burden of toxins and ability to detoxify.
 

  • Heavy Metals Testing (Urine, Blood, Hair)

  • Mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum, etc.

  • Mycotoxin Testing

  • Detects mold toxins from environmental exposure.

  • Environmental Pollutants Panel

  • Includes VOCs, pesticides, phthalates, parabens.

  • Glutathione and Detoxification Pathway Testing


🧬 Genetic & Epigenetic Testing


For personalized medicine and deeper root cause insights.

  • MTHFR & Methylation Panel

  • Assesses genetic variants affecting detox, B vitamin usage, neurotransmitters.

  • DNA Wellness Panels (e.g., Nutrigenomics)

  • Explore predispositions related to diet, metabolism, inflammation, and stress

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