Tests are used for the Gut Intensive Healing Protocol and as needed after:

Functional Food Sensitivity Testing: This is a blood test that identifies your body’s food and chemical additive sensitivities by measuring the release of something called mediators. These mediators (such as histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and cytokines) cause inflammation and pain that show up as everything from IBS, joint pain, gas and bloating, headaches and even skin conditions. It is not a test for food allergies, and is different from an IgG test, which measures only IgG production in response to a certain food.

This is a pivotal test because with food being genetically modified, hybridized, processed, preserved, chemically treated, artificially flavored and colored, food sensitivities are rising. All of this leads to reactions in our bodies, which further damage our intestines and lead to more food sensitivities.

With the test results I create a personalized anti-inflammatory diet, eliminating foods that create a response in your body. This provides a wonderful window for healing. I should add that while certain foods are so commonly implicated in inflammation that you may feel better entirely omitting them, the purpose of this test is not to permanently remove a lot of foods. Once you have completed your protocol, you will receive specific steps on how to gradually reintroduce the foods that created a response in your body, so we can check for how you are now tolerating them.

Gastrointestinal Functional Test: I use a single-sample stool test that assesses the microbiome of the gastrointestinal tract. This test utilizes DNA analysis, providing detailed information about the presence of various bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other microorganisms in the gut. Think of your microbiome as a garden, that can get a little weedy and out of balance. But, when supported and in harmony, can help provide you with everything from better digestion to improved vitamin production.

In addition, markers for digestion and inflammation are also provided. Digestive issues are often at the core of our health struggles, leading to malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and food sensitivities. You will receive your results, along with an explanation, and recommendations for strengthening your digestion, as well as eradicating or building microorganisms in your gut.

Depending on your needs, a hormone test may be beneficial:

Hormone Test with Urine: This test is done via urine samples you collect at home. When collected over a 24-hour period it provides both sex and adrenal hormone information, with cortisol pattern throughout the day (unlike a single time-point blood test).

Useful information on how your body is processing and eliminating hormones is also gained by this test. This gives a picture of how your body can be supported for balanced hormones, which can help resolve everything from mid-day fatigue, difficulty sleeping at night, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms and so much more.

Hormone Test with Saliva: This is a hormone test which is collected by you in your home. When collected over a 24-hour period (rather than one time-point like most blood hormone tests) both sex hormones and adrenal hormones are provided, with a cortisol rhythm through the day.

Balancing hormones can help resolve everything from mid-day fatigue, difficulty sleeping at night, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms and so much more.

Functional Bone Health Panel: This Bone Health Panel provides estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and FSH by a urine sample. In addition, a saliva sample provides information on Pyrilinks-D, which is a marker of bone resorption, letting us know if the rate of resorption and bone degradation is higher than appropriate.

This is a great add-on for detecting risk of bone density loss (osteopenia and osteoporosis).