Laboratory Testing

"I believe in treating chronic conditions without the use of pharmaceuticals". Susan Blum, MD

The following is a list of Functional Medicine laboratory testing routinely done in our office. There are many more tests, not listed here, that Dr. Blum uses in certain situations.

For a comprehensive list of all Functional Medicine testing available, click on the web links to the several labs referred to below.

Bowel Function Test: Stool Analysis

• Evaluates ability to digest and absorb food. Includes special cultures to assess dysbiosis: the presence and quantity of both beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria, and yeast.
• Dysbiosis can be the underlying cause for many clinical symptoms and is involved in conditions such as immune dysfunction, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia, migraines and more.
• Optimal bowel health is key for a healthy immune system and general vitality and well being. Recommended for everyone.
• For more information, visit www.gsdl.com or www.metametrix.com

• Spectracell Intracellular testing
• Blood test that directly measures intracellular vitamin and mineral levels
• Most accurate way to determine deficiencies
• Important basic screening for both prevention and treatment of all medical conditions
• www.spectracell.com
• Organix: Urine organic acids
• Urine test that measures a breadth of biochemical processes in the body: Ability to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, mitochondria function, dysbiosis markers and neurotransmitter metabolites.
• Indirectly measures vitamin and mineral deficiencies by assessing function of enzymes
• Excellent comprehensive screening for everyone
• www.metametrix.com

Hormone Evaluation

• Adrenal Testing
• Saliva test to evaluate adrenal fatigue by measuring cortisol levels during the course of the day, also measures DHEA
• Especially helpful for those with excessive fatigue, inflammatory conditions, and weight issues.
• www.gsdl.com
• Estrogen Metabolism Testing
• Urine test to measure estrogen metabolites indicating how well your body is detoxifying and eliminating estrogen.
• "Good" elimination will result in improved hormone balance and a lower risk of breast cancer.
• "Bad" elimination can be positively influenced with targeted supplementation and diet
• Important for all women with a history of breast cancer, at risk of breast cancer or interested in prevention.
• www.metametrix.com
• All further hormone testing, including basic male and female hormone levels, as well as thyroid evaluation is done through Quest labs, and would be covered by insurance.

Immune System Evaluation

• Food allergy IgG testing
• Blood test that measures IgG levels to 90 different foods, also mold
• Goes beyond traditional IgE testing; not the same test done by allergy specialists.
• Especially useful to identify food triggers for many health conditions
• www.metametrix.com and www.immunotek.com
• Immunoscience Testing
• Specialty lab that directly measures the function of different components of the immune system
• Costly, but very useful for those with medical conditions involving the immune system
• www.immunoscience.com

Heavy metal testing

• Urine test to assess the accumulated body stores of mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium
• Especially useful for those with autoimmune conditions, severe fatigue or neurological symptoms, unexplained symptoms, or environmental exposure.
• Treatment available to safely remove elevated heavy metals.
• www.doctorsdata.com

Anti-oxidant status

• Urine lipid peroxides: Urine test to measure your level of anti-oxidants.
• Important for anyone with neurological illness or symptoms, and also as a basic screening for those with inflammation.
• www.gsdl.com

Liver function: Detoxification pathways

• Standard Detoxification Profile: Saliva testing to assess your detoxification enzymes
• Impaired detoxification is an underlying issue for many health conditions, including migraines, fibromyalgia, allergies and chemical sensitivities.
• Is especially important for those on multiple medications as these use up detox enzymes and can cause deficiencies in the pathways.
• www.gsdl.com

Neurotransmitter testing

• Urine test that measures neurotransmitter metabolites
• Important for those with sleep problems, depression or other mood disorders
• Can use to direct treatment with amino acid supplementation to balance neurotransmitters instead of using anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication
• www.neuroscience.com