The Essential Functional Lab Tests I Use for Healing
I've walked the path many of you are on. A path of frustration, trial-and-error, and the desperate hope for answers. I know firsthand the damage that guesswork can inflict. In my own journey to clear my skin, I tried every cleanse and remedy, guessing based on my symptoms. I ended up developing interstitial cystitis – the most excruciating bladder syndrome imaginable, feeling like a constant bladder infection. It took me years to repair that damage.
But that immense pain also gave me the push I needed. It led me to become a practitioner and to obsessively learn about functional medicine labs. My mission became clear: to help others avoid the pitfalls of trial-and-error and truly understand what their bodies need to heal.
Over the years, I've run hundreds of different functional medicine labs and thousands of individual tests on people worldwide. This extensive experience has shown me which labs provide the most crucial information – the biggest "bang for your buck." We don't need to run a hundred tests; we need a strategic handful that show the clearest path forward.
The "Heal Yourself" Program: A Strategic Approach to Healing
In my "Heal Yourself" program, we follow a precise, lab-driven sequence, starting with what I call our Foundation Labs. These tests give us a comprehensive picture of what's truly going on beneath the surface.
Phase 1: The Foundation Labs – Our Powerhouse Trio
Organic Acids (OAT) – My Favorite! This incredible test (I use the Great Plains Lab, now Mosaic Diagnostics) is a true powerhouse. It reveals:
Candida, Yeast, Fungal, and Bacterial Markers: Helping us identify overgrowths.
Oxalate Markers: Crucial for understanding inflammation.
Mitochondrial Function: How your cellular energy factories are performing.
Neurotransmitter Metabolites: Not just levels, but how your brain is breaking down neurotransmitters.
Detoxification Markers: Insights into your body's ability to process toxins.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Reveals a wide range of deficiencies.
Protein Absorption: How well you're breaking down and absorbing protein. This test gives us so much actionable data, making it indispensable.
Genetics (e.g., Ancestry.com Basic) While many associate genetics with disease predisposition, my focus is different. We use genetics (currently I recommend the basic Ancestry test) to:
Brain Function & Neurotransmitter Breakdown: Understand how your body processes dopamine, serotonin, and GABA – whether quickly or slowly – which, combined with the OAT, gives us a full picture of brain support needs.
In-Depth Detoxification Pathways: It reveals all of your Phase One CYP enzymes and provides deep insights into your methylation cycle (much more than just MTHFR!).
Why I Avoid Disease Predisposition Markers: I personally do not look at markers that indicate a predisposition to disease. This often creates anxiety, putting the body into a "fight or flight" state, which hinders healing. We believe in epigenetics – that we can turn genes on and off through our environment and healing practices. Our goal is to promote a calm, parasympathetic state for optimal healing. If you know this will cause you anxiety, work with a practitioner to interpret your results.
Blood Work This conventional lab work provides critical insights:
Full Thyroid Panel: Beyond just TSH, we need the complete picture of your thyroid function.
Iron Levels: Essential for energy and overall health.
Key Detox Pathways: Provides additional markers to assess detoxification. When we combine these three labs – Organic Acids, Genetics, and Blood Work – we establish a robust foundation for understanding your body's unique needs.
Phase 2: Hormonal Harmony with the Dutch Test
After we've given your body time to integrate the foundational support (typically at least 30 days), we introduce the Dutch Test.
Adrenal and Sex Hormones: This test is superior to blood or saliva because it shows metabolites – how your body is breaking down these hormones. More often than not, the issue isn't just with free hormone levels, but with their metabolism.
Preventing Harm: For example, if you have low progesterone but are prone to high toxic estrogen levels, supplementing progesterone without knowing your metabolism could cause more harm than good. The Dutch test prevents these dangerous guesses.
Phase 3: Strategic Gut Work – When Your Body is Truly Ready
This is where my approach differs from many. Over the years, working with hundreds of people, I've found that the majority of symptoms are actually caused by imbalances and deficiencies in the body (addressed by our foundation and Dutch labs), not necessarily what's going on in the gut first. Many people get significantly better without ever immediately diving into extensive gut work.
Why Not Gut First? Jumping into gut work too soon can add more stress and if your body isn't stable enough to handle it.
When to Proceed: When your blood work markers indicate that you are stable and ready, we then move to targeted gut testing.
Biofilm Buster + ParaWellness Test: Pathogens often hide in biofilm, leading to false negatives on tests. We start with a two-week biofilm buster, then run a ParaWellness test to identify parasites and protozoa. These can create significant gut imbalances and even autoimmune issues. Our protocol is a thorough three months to ensure eradication.
GI Map: After addressing parasites and protozoa, we then run a GI Map. This test confirms our success and shows us bacterial balance, H. pylori, and yeast levels. What's amazing is that after all the foundational work and rebuilding, most people find their yeast issues have resolved because their immune system is now strong enough to keep it in check!
SIBO Breath Test (If Needed): Finally, if imbalances persist, we may run a SIBO breath test to address any small intestinal bacterial overgrowth as a final factor for optimal health.
Healing with Clarity, Not Chaos
The key to true, lasting healing is a strategic, lab-driven approach. We rebuild the body, rebalance hormones, and then, only when appropriate, systematically tackle gut health. This method has proven incredibly successful in helping people reverse their symptoms and reclaim their health. I’ve used these tests to help clients heal from a range of conditions and symptoms include but not limited to: anemia, adrenal fatigue, anxiety & depression, candida, fatigue, hair loss, gut issues, migraines, PCOS, hormone imbalances, insomnia, long covid, skin disorders, Lyme’s disease, MTHFR mutation, thyroid issues…and more. The steps are clear and the order is effective no matter what you’re struggling with.
If you're ready to stop guessing and start a clear path to healing, I invite you to explore the "Heal Yourself" program. You can find more information on my website: www.sgintegrativehealing.com
Your health journey deserves clarity. Let's find your answers together.