Functional Medicine Lab Testing

What is Functional Medicine?

“Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.” -The Institute For Functional Medicine

Available Lab Testing

While standard medical tests are generally used to identify an already diseased state, the purpose of functional medicine testing is to find areas of imbalance and organ dysfunction, even before the patient has presented with full-blown illness. Toxic overload and nutrient deficiencies within the body are the cause of most health conditions we are plagued with today. To achieve true health and wellness, it is necessary to understand if the body’s many daily processes are being efficiently carried out and where in the system there are areas of compromise and imbalance.

Dr. O’Maley works with the highest quality, technologically advanced labs in order to provide the clinical assessments we need to help you with all of your health concerns.

 

Comprehensive Metabolic Profile -“Provides a view into the body’s cellular metabolic processes and the efficiency of metabolic function. Identifies metabolic blocks or problems with detoxification, gut dysbiosis, or oxidative stress.” (Designs for Health/Metametrix Laboratory)

igG Food Sensitivity Profile – (Alletess Labs) Specific IgG, IgA ELISA food panels are arranged in comprehensive panels of 96 foods consumed in the typical western diet or 184 foods, many of the substitute foods typically found in rotation/elimination diets.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis – “An invaluable non-invasive diagnostic assessment that permits practitioners to objectively evaluate the status of beneficial and imbalanced commensal bacteria including Clostridium species, pathogenic bacteria and yeast/fungus. Precise identification of pathogenic species and susceptibility testing greatly facilitates selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical or natural treatment agents.” (Doctors’ Data)

Organix® Dysbiosis Profile – “The Organix® Dysbiosis Profile is a urine organic acid test measuring the byproducts of microbial metabolism, and is particularly useful in detecting the presence of pathogenic microbial overgrowth.” (Genova Diagnostics)

Saliva Hormone Profiles – “Estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol are routinely measured in saliva. Steroid hormones in the bloodstream are mostly (95-99%) bound to carrier proteins, and in this form are unavailable to target tissues. Only the unbound fraction freely diffuses into tissues, including the salivary gland. Hormone levels in saliva therefore represent the quantity of the hormone that is currently available to target tissues and actively exerting specific effects on the body.” (ZRT Laboratory)

 

 

The modern medical approach is most often to medicate first, without treating the root cause. Dr. O’Maley understands the complex interplay between organ systems and the symphonic balance of nutrients, hormones and neurochemicals within the body. She believes in using methods that work with the body’s physiology, rather than by altering it: Chiropractic, nutrition and lifestyle changes first, supplements second, and seeking out more invasive procedures like drugs and surgery if these less risky options have not been effective.