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Lab Services

Functional medicine through salivary tissue analysis addresses four primary functions in the body and seeks to bring each into balance:

  • Nutrition and Digestion
  • Detoxification and Elimination Immune function
  • Endocrine (hormonal) function

Functional medicine evaluates the following major symptom categories:

  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Skin problems
  • Immune problems
  • Mental and emotional/behavioral problems Reproductive health
  • Syndrome X
  • The process of optimal aging

As an example of the value of functional medicine, consider the following. Choosing which supplements to take to maintain optimal health is a daunting task even for someone with training in natural healthcare. Functional medicine uses noninvasive, specialized laboratory tests that can show which supplements and substances are indicated to support optimal functioning of the body's many systems - systems that come under stress from the environment, lifestyle or genetics. Many of these tests are listed below.

The following information will help in understanding the difference between the Conventional Clinical Approach and the Functional Medicine approach:

Conventional Clinical Approach

  • Focuses on the illness or disease itself - not on the underlying causes leading to it.
  • Focuses on suboptimal functioning of the body's systems as the underlying cause of illness and disease.
  • Focuses on how the patient compares to the "average."
  • Focuses on the biochemical individuality of the patient.
  • Treatment focuses on suppressing the signs and symptoms of an illness, not on eliminating its causes.

Functional Medicine Approach

  • Treatment focuses on correcting the functional imbalances that can cause illness.
  • Views the organ systems and functions as isolated and acting alone.
  • Considers the interconnectedness of the organ systems and functions.
  • Considers genetic triggers and mediators (hormones) of body function

Conventional Laboratory Testing

  • Lab tests focus on pathology - the disease. Tests are not useful until disease is present.
  • Lab tests focus on suboptimal functioning. Tests are useful before disease can be identified.
  • Lab results identify "what" symptoms are occurring.
  • Lab results identify "why" symptoms are occurring.
  • Lab results identify a single cause.

Functional Laboratory Testing

  • Lab results identify the interrelationships among the causes.
  • Symptoms are separated from one another.
  • Symptoms are viewed in relationship to one another.
  • Lab results are compared to the "average" for the population.
  • Lab results are compared to what is "normal" for the individual.
  • Lab results are numerical data only.
  • Lab results are graphical data together with numerical values.
  • Lab results are used only as a clinical tool.
  • Lab results are used as a clinical tool and to educate the patient.
  • The results, which show "what," are not link to the therapeutic treatment.
  • The results, which show "why," act as a guideline for therapeutic treatment.

List below are common laboratory tests used in functional medicine to assess current health.

The Adrenal Stress Index™: Four saliva samples taken during the course of the day measure DHEA and cortisol levels. These two hormones are directly involved in the body's resistance to stress, as well as cardiovascular function, modulating thyroid function and immune system response.

The Female Hormone Panels™: Maintaining balanced hormone levels are essential for optimal menstrual cycles and maintenance of bone and cardiovascular health. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.

The Post-Menopausal Health Panels™: Same as above but custom tailored for post-menopausal women. The assessment of cycling women is done using the up to 11 sample FHP to map the full cycle. Hormones Tested: The free fractions (the biologically available portion of Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Progesterone (P1), Testosterone, and DHEA are measured in both panels.

The Male Hormone Panel™: Proper levels of male hormones helps strengthen bone and muscle tissue, improves thinking ability, heightens energy levels and increases sex drive. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of testosterone and DHEA.

The Gastrointestinal Health Panels™: A high degree of intestinal permeability has been linked to many chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and failure to thrive. The panel utilizes a stool sample to determine digestive function, the presence of normal levels of helpful bacteria and the presence of pathogenic bacteria and parasites. It also tests for specific markers that have been linked to high risk cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer.

Hair Mineral Tissue Analysis: Essential minerals are factors in cellular function and are necessary for the body's structural and metabolic processes, in particular, enzyme reactions. Toxic minerals can affect many areas. They can damage brain function and activity, cause kidney damage and cause symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, insulin resistance and digestive problems. This test monitors fifteen essential minerals and twelve toxic minerals. The essential minerals include calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, boron, iodine, lithium, rubidium, selenium, sulfur, and vanadium. The toxic minerals include aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, thallium, tin, and uranium.