If you need additional details about your health status, functional medicine in Toronto can provide insight. By modifying treatment plans, our clinicians aim to tackle the root cause of health issues – and, for this to happen, detailed lab testing may be advised. 

Lab tests are not only meant for extenuating circumstances. Functional lab tests are used by some health providers and their patients to manage chronic conditions. The details from these tests help with tailoring treatments to help alleviate current symptoms, support disease prevention, and adhere to long-term health goals. 

In this blog post, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) explores the following: 

• • What exactly functional medicine is;
  • The difference between conventional lab tests and functional medicine testing;
  • And the types of things functional testing can tell healthcare providers. 

What is functional medicine? 

The main thing to know about the functional medicine model is that individuality is a focus. This is a personalized approach to wellness that recognizes the patient as a unique entity; using this paradigm, practitioners help patients unveil their natural healing potential. The patient’s condition is not compared to other groups and individuals; rather, their biology, medical history, genetics, current symptoms, lifestyle and environmental factors are carefully scrutinized by a practitioner who follows functional medicine (i.e. functional-practising medical professionals or naturopathic doctors). 

For further analysis, lab testing may be used to quantify some aspects of health, such as hormone imbalances, inflammation (oxidative stress levels), nutrient deficiencies, the presence of toxins (i.e. heavy metals), the functioning of your cellular health, and more. In fact, these tests may detect information that some conventional labs cannot pick up! This is why some patients request functional labs for customizing their treatment plan.

What’s the difference between conventional lab tests and functional medicine testing?

There are differences between conventional labs and tests from a functional medicine practitioner:

• • Conventional tests provide ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers for diagnosing conditions. Routine bloodwork for annual checkups is a general overview, but they may not suffice for tackling specific concerns (i.e. irregular periods). Also, the measurement ranges are based on groups of people. They do not offer details for strategizing a treatment plan. 
  • Functional tests do not offer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers, and they’re not necessarily used to diagnose patients. These lab results quantify biomarkers, organic acids, and other metabolites, and these are elements that Western labs may not be able to detect. Measurements report what’s going on in the individual patient, not according to certain populations. 
  • After a medical doctor interprets conventional test results, these results are not always explained in full detail to patients. This is because patient involvement is not emphasized by the modality.  
  • A functional medicine practitioner takes ample time to explain how to read lab reports and what these results mean for your current and future health. This coincides with the principles of functional medicine, which value collaboration and education to patients.

Overall, the point of functional medicine testing is to help locate the underlying cause of a health issue; the data from these tests can reveal how your body is operating. Some of these tests can be designed to detect patterns, too, such as cortisol levels at different times of the day. Think of these lab tests as tools for disclosing ‘warning signs’; in turn, this can encourage patients to reflect on the big picture of their wellness. 

What you can learn from functional lab tests

Due to the sensitive nature of these tests, functional lab results can motivate people to apply lifestyle modifications now to improve their current health status. Here are examples of what functional medicine tests can disclose: 

• • Exactly which hormones may be triggering discomforts: Sex, adrenal, and thyroid hormones make up your hormone balance. A comprehensive profile of all hormones is usually offered by functional medicine practices, and it can unveil exactly which hormone requires attention. These details bear weight over the supplements to take, dosages for certain therapies (i.e. hormone optimization programs), etc.

• • The makeup of your gut bacteria: Whether you have mild digestive issues or chronic constipation, stool can be inspected to analyze your microbiome. The results may reveal which bacteria you need to increase or decrease, types of parasites that are affecting your digestion, and how inflamed your gut is. 

• • Which and how much pollutants are lurking in your body: If it’s suspected that pollutants, such as BPA, mold, and mercury, are overloaded in the body, these lab tests disclose which substance may be causing issues and how much is in the body. This data can help determine the next action steps, such as dosing chelation therapy. 
  • Explicit details about food sensitivities and allergies: For taking the guesswork out of food items that you’re allergic or sensitive to, functional medicine testing may be beneficial here. These tests can quantify antibodies from the foods and beverages you’ve consumed, providing a detailed report of how you respond to these items. 

For many patients, validation is needed for relieving chronic symptoms. At the TFMC, we want to make your clinical experience comfortable and informative, while focusing on your individual health needs! Reach out to us to inquire about our lab testing services. 

Suggested reading: How does mold affect the brain? The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre responds

Personalize your clinical experience at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

Inside our functional medicine clinic, we recognize your uniqueness and how education to patients can affect optimal health outcomes. Each patient is given ample time for consultations, and we’re open to answering questions, discussing lab results, teaching you how treatment options work, and giving tips to maximize your long-term health! 

As we adhere to integrative medicine, your comprehensive treatment plan may be drafted with various modalities, including allopathic treatments, Traditional Chinese Medicine, holistic nutrition, herbal medicines, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine. Our lab tests are also used to further customize your treatment plan, such as dosing ingredients for IV therapy. 

Inside the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is also our IV Lounge. In here, we offer patients adjunctive intravenous therapy drips to help with general wellness concerns, such as energy production, stamina, and nutrient deficiencies. All of our IV treatments are customized with the functional medicine model; this allows us to apply a personalized approach to your biological needs! When IV drips are amalgamated with healthy lifestyle factors and additional therapies, they may contribute to health improvements. 

What’s the source of your weight gain, muscle weakness, and brain fog? Let’s explore this with our lab services – our functional medicine clinic in Toronto is currently accepting new patients. Request your consultation by clicking here right now.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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Cabalar I, Le TH, Silber A, O’Hara M, Abdallah B, Parikh M, Busch R. The role of blood testing in prevention, diagnosis, and management of chronic diseases: A review. Am J Med Sci. 2024 Oct;368(4):274-286. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2024.04.009. Epub 2024 Apr 16. PMID: 38636653.

Wu, J., Dong, M., Rigatto, C., Liu, Y., & Lin, F. (2018). Lab-on-chip technology for chronic disease diagnosis. Npj Digital Medicine, 1(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-017-0014-0