The Center: Natural Health Specialists, 8404 Six Forks Road, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27615
Functional Lab Testing
The more pieces to a puzzle you have, the more clearly you can understand the picture.
FUNCTIONAL LAB TESTING
Imagine that you are trying to put together a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle, but you lost the box. You aren’t sure what picture you are trying to put together. Now imagine if you take half of the puzzle pieces and throw them away. It will be very difficult to fully understand the image you are putting together. Lab values and test results are each like a piece to the puzzle in understanding your overall picture of health. Sometimes we have enough puzzle pieces to know the picture we are trying to put together. Other times, we really need more information (puzzle pieces) to clearly understand what we need to do.
In an attempt to treat you as comprehensively and holistically as possible, we will review the previous laboratory work which you have available. In many cases, typical conventional Western medicine laboratory test findings leave many unanswered questions, and simply fail to recognize some imbalances causing pathology and ailments.
As a result, additional lab work may be necessary to detect and understand internal imbalances that previous testing fails to identify. The following are some of the most common tests we order which can provide a wealth of information necessary in becoming and maintaining health.
Some of these tests are done at a lab, some are done in our office and some test kits can be sent to you, where you can collect the samples in the privacy of your own home. Clear and easy instructions for fulfilling each test will be included.
Conventional Blood Chemistry
We have partnered with several different labs throughout the country where you can go to and have your blood drawn by a licensed phlebotomist. These labs will run the blood chemistry values and panels that we request and provide us with the results. In most cases, the fees for these tests are at a significantly reduced price compared to rates billed with insurance companies.
IgG Antibody Food Testing
These very simple and easy to do tests provides you with a wealth of information on how foods may be adversely influencing you. These tests measures the most commonly eaten foods and displays the severity of IgG antibody production to these foods. Food allergies and sensitivities are very prevalent and have the ability to affect the body adversely in so many different ways. For many of my clients, this is a key step in recovery. It is virtually impossible to heal your system when you are continuously exposing yourself to a food that is aggravating the system.
G.I. Function Testing
These tests can be critical in providing a great amount of information to really understand exactly what is happening inside your digestive tract. With this type of testing, we can understand if there is inflammation in your small or large intestine, the pH levels, if there is a presence of pathogenic bacteria, if there is an overgrowth of yeast or Candida, the overall intestinal immune function, adequate pancreatic enzymes, the presence of parasites, and much more.
Adrenal Stress Index
This saliva test will show exactly what is happening with the output of stress hormones throughout the day. Out of balance stress hormones can play a key role in weight gain, difficulty losing weight, insomnia, reproductive functions, lack of energy, and many more symptoms. Understanding these stress hormones fluctuations can be very supportive in creating herbal formulas, nutritional supplement, exercise and lifestyle recommendations to most effectively address your specific needs.
Hormone Testing
Sex hormone testing offers insight into how your body is functioning beneath the surface. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA influence energy, mood, sleep, metabolism, and libido. This testing will identify hormone imbalances driving fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, or low libido. Testing hormones offers clarity around PMS, cycle irregularities, perimenopause, or menopause. In addition, understanding your hormones allows for a more personalized and targeted treatment plan with acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement guidance. This testing provides a clear roadmap for restoring balance—supporting vitality, resilience, and long-term hormone health.
Mycotoxin Testing
Mycotoxin testing uncovers hidden mold-related toxins that can quietly (and very significantly) undermine your health and keep you stuck in symptoms with no clear explanation. Exposure to mycotoxins may contribute to chronic fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, hormone imbalance, digestive issues, and poor detoxification—often despite doing “all the right things.” This advanced testing provides clear answers and removes the guesswork, allowing for a personalized, targeted plan to reduce toxic burden, support detox pathways, and restore energy, clarity, and resilience so your body can truly heal and thrive.
And More...
While the tests listed here are our most common tests, there are many other types of testing available to fully understand your specific condition and needs.
