Most people have only ever had one kind of lab work: the routine panel at a yearly checkup. That panel is designed to screen for disease, and it does that well. Functional testing asks a different question: how well are your gut, hormones and metabolism working day to day?
What a Typical Checkup Looks At
Most routine labs include a basic metabolic panel, a complete blood count, maybe cholesterol and a TSH for your thyroid. They’re important, but they’re a snapshot. They often leave out the systems that drive how you feel day to day: your gut, how your hormones are made and broken down, and how your body handles stress and energy.
The Tests I Use
Functional blood work. A deeper blood panel than your yearly checkup, with markers like a full thyroid picture, fasting insulin and ApoB. I break down exactly what I look at, and why, in Functional Blood Work: What I Look At That Most Panels Miss.
Comprehensive stool analysis. A detailed look at your digestion, gut inflammation and the balance of bacteria in your gut. If bloating, irregular bowels, skin issues or autoimmune symptoms are on your list, this is often where I start.
DUTCH hormone test. A simple at-home test that shows how your body makes and breaks down hormones over a full day, including your cortisol rhythm. One blood draw can’t tell you that.
Organic acids test (OAT). An at-home test that gives clues about yeast and bacterial overgrowth, nutrient needs and energy production. Think of it as a window into what’s happening inside your cells.
Not Everyone Needs Every Test
Testing isn’t about running everything and hoping something shows up. I start with your story: your symptoms, history, cycle, diet, stress and what you’ve already tried. Then we decide together which test, if any, would actually change your plan. Sometimes the answer is none, and that’s okay too.
Working Alongside Your Doctor
Functional testing doesn’t replace your medical care. It adds another layer of information. If anything in your results needs medical attention, I’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.