Functional Medicine; Genetic & Functional Lab Testing
The Functional Medicine Domain
When we suffer from a condition or set of symptoms we are often given a diagnosis that labels those symptoms. Based on that label we are given a prescription that is supposed to address the symptoms. The result is that millions of us are on drugs that affect other parts and systems within our bodies while our overall health and vitality are not at all made better.
Functional Medicine and the use of Genetic and Functional Lab Testing approach health and health care from the root cause. Conventional medicine tends to focus on symptoms and diagnoses and labels them with disease and condition names based solely on those symptoms. Functional Medicine looks at the root cause and seeks to answer why the symptoms occur- why a body's systems are imbalanced and producing the symptoms- and restore balance and vitality through non-drug interventions.
Imbalances can be hormonal, immunological and inflammatory, structural, cellular, absorptive and microbiological among others. Functional lab tests use markers found in our blood, urine and stool to uncover where we may have deficiencies and levels that are not within healthy range or properly aligned, much like some common conventional medicine lab tests. The difference is that with functional lab testing the doctor's are going deeper- looking at things like allergy, genetic predisposition and micronutrient levels. And rather than using the broad one size fits all ranges of conventional medicine, functional medicine takes into account your unique biochemical makeup and individual genetics to ascribe healthful ranges and guide treatment recommendations.
Genetic and Functional Lab Testing
The functional medicine approach is entirely scientific and based on quantifiable data and results. Rather than label our symptoms with some disease or condition name functional medicine doctors -traditionally Naturopathic Doctors - use advanced lab testing to pinpoint where our body's organs and systems are imbalanced.
Testing Options; What We Test For
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Gastrointestinal Health
- Food Intolerance
- Inflammatory Markers
- Autoimmune Function
- Gluten Intolerance
- Thyroid & Adrenal Function
- Blood Sugar Regulation
- Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
- Intracellular Micronutrient Levels
- Hormonal Balance
- Testosterone Levels
- Neurotransmitter Function
- Genetics
- Blood Chemistry
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The KOI Wellbeing Approach to Functional Medicine
Our approach is patient centered, focused on your individual makeup, lifestyle and health goals. Book your appointment online or by telephone. Meet with one of our Naturopathic Doctors for a full hour initial consultation at our beautifully appointed offices, where our approach to good health begins with creating a pleasant environment and service built on the patient experience.
Your doctor will listen to your concerns and ask questions about your health goals, history and lifestyle. With that he or she will order the right array of functional and specialty lab tests. Results are usually back within two weeks and your doctor will analyze the results as a foundation for creating your treatment plan.
At your followup appointment results will be presented and explained along with an explanation of recommendations for improving function and addressing issues. You'll have a full hour to discuss and ask questions, and your doctor will give you an organized folder that includes your individualized plan, lab results and recommendations.
In most cases your doctor will make diet change recommendations along with suggestions for lifestyle adaptations and perhaps supplements to ensure your body has everything it needs- based on the scientific evidence revealed in lab testing- to thrive and restore balance.
Prescribed supplements range from vitamins and minerals to adrenal support and amino acids. Functional lab testing may reveal hormonal imbalances in which case your doctor may prescribe bioidentical hormones or testosterone.
Functional Medicine is all About Your Uniqueness
No two of us are exactly alike. Functional medicine as practice by Naturopathic Doctors- the only doctors that study functional medicine as their core curriculum- holds this recognition of our individuality as its foundation for treatment and care planning. As such your treatment plan and how often your doctor wants to retest to mark progress is based on whats being treated, your health goals and feedback. The functional medicine approach relies on quantifiable results-based diagnostics, and is typically absent the sort of symptom masking an side-effect causing drugs prescribed conventionally.
Call or Book your online appointment whenever your ready.
