labs & testing for women

Conventional Laboratory Evaluation

There are a variety of different laboratory tests that may be ordered by the doctor. Some of these may include:

DUTCH Comprehensive Hormone Testing

The DUTCH (Dried Urine Testing for Comprehensive Hormones) test is a specialty lab test that goes into depth into your reproductive hormone status, metabolism of hormones, adrenal function, and more. This type of testing can help to more directly guide treatment of hormone imbalance, conditions like endometriosis and pcos, as well as fertility.

Adrenal Cortisol Testing

Our adrenal glands are largely responsible for managing our stress response by releasing cortisol. Low or elevated cortisol can cause symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. Salivary adrenal cortisol testing can give us a more comprehensive view of adrenal function that blood tests alone.

Comprehensive digestive stool analysis

This test offers a comprehensive evaluation of overall health of the gastrointestinal tract. The analysis evaluates digestion/absorption markers, gut metabolic markers, the gut microbiome, ova & parasite identification. This in depth look at gut health can help identify root causes and guide treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal conditions and concerns.

Food allergy/sensitivity testing

IgG food allergy testing is really better described as "sensitivity" testing, as they are not true allergies. True allergies are IgE reactions, which result in often severe, life-threatening situations. IgG reactions are often less severe and can be delayed, taking up to a couple of days for the symptoms to be noted. These sensitivities occur when our gut lining becomes "leaky". When this happens, small amounts of food particles get into our system and our body reacts to those as "foreign", resulting in a sensitivity reaction. IgG testing can help us identify the foods that you are currently reactive to and remove so we can help the gut heal.

IgG food reactions are not associated with histamine release. This is why you will not see the severe reactions of hives, shortness of breath, hives, swelling, etc, as you may associate with classic IgE food allergies. IgG is a delayed reaction, meaning the symptoms may not appear for up to several days later. Some of these symptoms include:

MTHFR Genotyping

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that converts folic acid into a usable form. It is a key enzyme in an important detoxification reaction in the body (one that converts homocysteine, which is toxic, to methionine, which is benign). If this enzyme is impaired, the detoxification reaction is impaired and homocysteine can build up in the blood. This can cause cardiovascular damage.

Impairment of the MTHFR enzyme can also compromise other methylation reactions in the body, including neurotransmitter function. So, MTHFR activity has also been linked to depression/anxiety. Inefficiency of the MTHFR enzyme has also been linked to migraines, autism, ADHD, fertility, cancer and birth defects because all of these depend on proper methylation.

A gene is responsible for how well the MTHFR enzyme works. A blood test can identify whether or not an individual has variant copies of the MTHFR gene.

Mold Testing

Mold testing can be done through urine to assess for environmental mold exposure. MycoTOX screens for eleven different mycotoxins, from 40 species of mold, in one urine sample. Mold may be a missed cause for symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, congestion, cough, watery/itchy eyes, headache, sneezing, anxiety, etc. Testing for mold can help to identify if it is a contributing factor and guide treatment to help minimize exposure and support detoxification.