Lab Test Information
Much like a mechanic has a wide range of wrenches to access all the different systems in your car, I have a whole range of functional labs available in my toolbox to help me access all the intricate systems of your human machine. Without these labs to guide us, I would just be guessing. I don’t guess…I test.
I start every client off with two core labs: an organic acids test and the “GI-MAP”. Together, these two labs provide a wealth of information and get us started down the path to optimal quickly.
Below, you’ll find more information about these two labs and what they look at.
Organic Acids Test
Organic acids are byproducts of cellular metabolism - formed from the chemical reactions your body uses to turn food into fuel for growth, energy production, neurotransmitter breakdown, detoxification capacity, and repair and maintenance of your body’s cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
Impediments and insufficiencies in these processes can cause things like chronic fatigue, muscle pain and fatigue, accelerated aging, poor sleep, migraines, hormone imbalances, mental and emotional issues, mood disorders, and more.
The Genova Organix and Great Plains organic acids test measures how well these processes are working and can provide extremely valuable insight into not only WHY you feel the way you do, but how to get you feeling better.
This simple urine test helps us determine:
● Mitochondrial energy production & health
● Methylation sufficiency
● Certain bacterial and yeast overgrowth
● Fat, carb, and protein metabolism
● Exposure to environmental hazards
● Insulin sensitivity
● Oxalates
● Ammonia toxicity
● Nutritional status (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, CoQ10)
● Oxidative damage, toxicity, antioxidant need
● The liver’s ability to perform detoxification duties
● B vitamin status (very important to help manage stress)
● Neurotransmitter metabolites (responsible for mood,
mental/emotional behaviors)
No doubt you’ve heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” In truth, you are what you digest and metabolize. The organic acids test shows us this and helps us to not only uncover the root cause but also discover a path forward to better health.
GI-MAP
(Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus)
The health of your gut is one of the biggest determinants of overall health. Approximately 80% of your immune system is housed in the gut, and it's ground zero for hormone and neurotransmitter creation. It also happens to be the place where you break down and assimilate the nutrients from the food you eat, so if there's a breakdown in the machinery you can expect to be malnourished, along with everything that goes along with that - none of it good.
Unfortunately, our modern lifestyles assault us with things that disrupt and destroy gut health at every turn: antibiotics, chlorinated water, glyphosate, vaccines, chronic stress, poor nutrition, not eating a species-appropriate diet, alcohol consumption, many OTC and prescription drugs, poor circadian rhythms, poor sleep, and so much more.
Your gut also has its own brain - called the enteric nervous system - and it's in constant communication with your central nervous system via the vagus nerve to keep you informed about your environment. Ever wonder why we have "gut feelings?" That's why. If you have a sick gut, expect a sick brain - mental and emotional disorders go hand-in-hand with gut problems.
Gut health is also implicated in autoimmune diseases via a condition known as "leaky gut," so if you've been diagnosed with one (or several) AI disorders, addressing gut health should be at the top of your list if you want to put it into remission.
Incidentally, leaky gut can also be responsible for putting a strain on the liver, causing it to be less efficient at clearing out toxins, metabolic waste, and excess hormones - like estrogen, which is implicated in things like female-related cancers and can be one of many reasons behind migraine headaches. The liver also has a few VERY critical jobs with respect to thyroid function, as does the health of the gut and the balance of good and bad gut bacteria in the gut - something called "dysbiosis."
So poor gut health and poor liver function can also lead to poor thyroid function.
Then there's food allergies, skin allergies, seasonal allergies, and on and on...all related to gut health, which is why I test every gut in my program.
The GI-MAP from Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory is a simple stool test done in the privacy of your own home, and it provides valuable information about the health and function of the gut.
• Pathogens - bacterial, parasitical, viral…these are the real bad guys that have the potential to cause a lot of problems. Gut infections can often be root-cause drivers of overall poor health and must be addressed when trying to restore balance back to the system.
• H. Pylori - a common bacteria that we all have, but can become a problem if it grows out of balance. It also looks at some of its genetic behavioral characteristics - i.e. how dangerous it is. H. Pylori is implicated in GERD, ulcers, acid reflux, gastric cancer, hyperammonemia, and gastritis, as well as many downstream effects (i.e. it lowers stomach acid, which leads to malnutrition and increased risk of other infections...which leads to even more downstream effects and so on...).
• Fungi/Yeast - can interfere with nutrient absorption, contribute to leaky gut, drive sugar cravings, give off a tremendous amount of toxins, and be a driver of anxiety. Yeast overgrowths can also be an indicator of potential heavy metal toxicity.
• Normal bacteria - some of the more common ones in the body, which we also like to see in the right balance - not too high, not too low
• Opportunistic Bacteria - those that can create an imbalance, leading to dis-ease or trigger autoimmunity
• Parasites - Protozoa, worms
• Intestinal Health - functional health markers for digestive enzymes and pancreatic sufficiency, fat digestion, healthy liver detoxification, immune response in the gut, immune response to gluten/gliadin, and inflammation in the gut
• Viruses - associated with increased risk for autoimmunity
• Occult Blood - if elevated, can be associated with ulcers, IBD, Cancer, Intestinal polyps, and upper GI bleeds
• Antibiotic-resistant genes
I can't think of another investment that provides so much value and potentially so many answers to long-standing questions about a person's health issues than gut testing.
If you’d like to run these labs (or any other lab) and consult with me on a one-hour Root-Cause Analysis to start developing a more informed picture of what’s happening inside you, then click the green button below to schedule a one-hour Initial Consultation…
Please note: The GI-MAP and Organix are my two main labs that I find most helpful to run on everyone at the outset. However, depending on the information received from any of our consultations, your intake form, and the results of these two labs or any other previous lab work you may have, it may be necessary to dig deeper and run other, more specific labs to get to the root. Some examples of other lab work I can order include the DUTCH hormone panel, heavy metal testing, molds and mycotoxins, full thyroid panel, blood chemistry, wheat (and other foods) sensitivity, micronutrients, and more. Wholesale pricing on labs does not include 5% lab processing fee.
How lab testing through me works…
My program is designed so that no matter where you live in the world, we can partner together to help you find solutions to your health problems.
I have lab kits sent directly to your door for you to do in the privacy of your own home (with exception to those requiring a blood draw). After you provide the sample, you send it back to the lab in the prepaid shipping envelope, and 10-14 days later I receive the results. I then contact you to set up a one-hour appointment to discuss the results over the phone or a Zoom video meeting, while having the opportunity to ask questions and get answers. You’ll also receive a copy of your results along with a summary of their meaning for your records.
Any practitioner discounts I receive from the labs are passed on directly to you as a courtesy for signing up for a consult or enrolling in my program.
A note on insurance…
As stated on the FAQs page: “One of the ways I'm able to keep costs down, while also helping my clients achieve good outcomes is by not accepting insurance. You see, in order to remain profitable, it's a common practice for insurance companies to limit the amount of care you receive from your provider. In other words, the insurance company decides what kind of care you will receive - not you, not your practitioner. Many of the things I specialize in aren't even covered, especially in the area of prevention, nutrition, and functional lab testing. Some insurance plans or Health Savings Accounts may reimburse you for labs fees. To find out, talk to your insurance company.”
For more answers to some of the most popular questions, please visit my FAQs page.