Did you know that our Toronto functional medicine tests could provide you with surprising information about your body with? These detailed health tests could disclose new information about your bloating, hot flashes, low energy, chronic pain, or unsolved malaise.

Under conventional Western medicine, ultrasounds or blood tests are sought after to understand why patients feel unpleasant. However, many patients may have “normal” test results, even though they still feel unwell.

Each health journey is a unique experience; for many patients, this journey can be a shaky one. However, functional medicine in Toronto with the use of functional medicine lab test results could help steer you on the course towards optimal health. Read on to learn what functional medicine lab testing is, details about different tests, and how to find out which test is suitable for you.

What Exactly is Functional Medicine Lab Testing in Toronto?

First, know that functional medicine is a health care methodology that deems each patient as a distinctive individual. This means that every patient has different triggers behind their ailments. For that reason, integrative and functional medicine doctors need to thoroughly understand the patient’s background, which includes family history/genetics, environment, lifestyle factors, etc.

The human body is a complex entity, and so functional medicine practitioners suggest certain tests that are not always used by conventional medicine. Think of it this way: functional medicine practitioners use particular lab tests to deep-dive into a patient’s wellness. 

By considering both functional medicine lab tests and personal history, a practitioner can help determine the root causes of illness, while helping patients make their own health care decisions.

Types of Functional Medicine Lab Tests in Toronto

If you still feel ill after undergoing conventional lab tests, which functional medicine lab tests should you consider? Our functional medicine practitioners from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre may recommend these tests (based on your health history and main health concerns):

SEX AND ADRENAL HORMONES IMBALANCES (DUTCH TESTS)

DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) tests provide a profile of hormone levels that cannot be identified through regular saliva, 24-hour urine samples, and blood tests. They’re used to examine sex hormones and their metabolites, adrenal hormones and their metabolites, and also organic acids (i.e. melatonin levels, oxidative stress, dopamine and adrenaline metabolites).

In particular, specific DUTCH tests are available for adrenal function, male hormones, and female hormones. The results from these tests can help a functional medicine doctor and patient determine your next steps in treating adrenal and hormonal issues (i.e. “male menopause” or andropause, mood swings, weight gain, menopause).

COMPLETE THYROID PANEL

Thyroid hormones help regulate your metabolism and body functions. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to determine if you have a thyroid dysfunction. It isn’t uncommon for doctors to not conduct a full thyroid profile, as they usually only test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and the T4 (thyroxine). However, a functional medicine doctor in Toronto will recommend a comprehensive thyroid panel, which highlights TSH, T3 (triiodothyronine), T4, thyroid antibodies, and other thyroid components.

GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT  (GI 360 Test)

Abdominal Inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, and parasites pain can all contribute to poor gut health. In order to assess your gut, a gastrointestinal profile may be recommended by a functional doctor. This meticulous test can pinpoint parasites, yeast, bacteria, and viruses with a comprehensive and clinically applicable stool profile. Technology used during the lab testing includes: multiplex PCR molecular technology, ID by MALDI-TOF, growth-based culture and biochemical assays and microscopy. These technologies are used to help detect and assess the status of microorganisms that could trigger acute or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms, chronic disease and/or dysbiosis. So if you suffer from gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and other digestive symptoms, this test may help you receive proper treatment. 

SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH (SIBO Test)

Did you know that breath testing could possibly disclose the causes behind abdominal symptoms? 

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is common among patients, with symptoms ranging from diarrhea and flatulence to abdominal pain. In fact, SIBO is frequently linked to IBS and IBD, diabetes, fibromyalgia, obesity, celiac disease and Parkinson’s.

Functional medicine centres, such as ours in Toronto, may offer patients a breath test for SIBO. This breath test is non-invasive: you ingest a lactose solution and the test measures hydrogen and methane gases from your exhaled breath. This test may be highly recommended because, if left untreated, risk factors for SIBO include motility concerns, organ dysfunction, and altered gut microflora (from the continual use of PPIs and antibiotics). 

METABOLIC SNAPSHOT OF PATIENT’S OVERALL HEALTH/ORGANIC ACIDS TEST (OAT)

Individuals with chronic and neurological conditions often urinate atypical organic acids. Antibiotics, diets high in sugar, and immunity issues can sometimes trigger high amounts of organic acids. It’s also not uncommon for organic acids to form due to genetic malfunction.

If your body has a metabolic discrepancy or microbial imbalance, an OATS test can reveal high amounts of irregular organic acids in the urine. Unlike standard urine tests from conventional medicine, this specific urine test is a “snapshot” of 76 markers, including detections of abnormally high levels of yeast and bacteria that could affect immunity, fatigue and hyperactivity. This particular test can also help the functional medicine doctor diagnose some conditions, such as mitochondrial and gut dysfunction; imbalances with neurotransmitters, amino acids and acids/alkaline; inflammation; and ketosis.

FOOD SENSITIVITY TEST

Some foods can trigger discomforts or they’re linked to conditions such as Crohn’s, migraines, depression, joint pain and skin rashes. A food sensitivity test can help identify which foods are problematic to you. In particular, an immunoglobulin G (IgG) food antibody blood test identifies IgG antibodies from the foods that you frequently eat. Test results can help determine which foods to remove from your diet and nutrition plan, which may contribute to alleviating symptoms.

How To Get Functional Medicine Lab Testing in Toronto

It’s a relief to know that there are various ways to find triggers behind suboptimal health. Different functional medicine tests, such as panels for food sensitivity, SIBO and organic acids, may help provide the answers we’re seeking. Whether you’re seeking the root causes behind your inflammation or you want to learn other facts about your body’s functioning, functional medicine lab tests can help you reach your health goals.

Which test is suitable for you? At our clinic, we offer various functional medicine lab tests to provide care for patients. Functional medicine testing is beneficial for establishing individualized treatment plans. (Note: select tests are affiliated with our integrative care program, which require an initial joint consultation with our naturopathic doctor and registered nurse.) We’re proud to announce that we’re currently accepting new patients – let’s meet to learn how to upgrade your quality of life!

About Our Center for Functional Medicine

The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre practices integrative naturopathic functional medicine. We fuse the functional medicine approach with alternative medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine or Eastern medicine, homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine, IV therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement, and others.

Additionally, our clinic uses functional medicine and alternative therapies to treat these health concerns, among others: neuropathic pain, nutritional health, hormone imbalances, postmenopausal health, chronic disease, acute health issues, etc.

Let’s unveil the inner workings of your health! Become a patient to elevate your wellness – call (416) 968-6961 to learn about functional medicine Toronto lab tests.