What are Functional Medicine Tests?
Our team at Holistic Wholeness Institute is trained in Functional Medicine, an area of medicine that looks for the root of the problem instead of masking the symptom with a pill. Our experts specialize in looking at the whole person, not just a symptom. During a comprehensive evaluation, our practitioners typically recommend thorough testing to find the underlying cause or contributing factors to your health issues.
For example, some individuals suffer from fibromyalgia or migraines and this could be due to a hormonal problem or a heavy metal issue in the body. Even life-threatening health issues like cancer can be in part due to environmental carcinogens that are present in the body. Simply cutting out the tumor and killing the cancer does not get to the root of the cause. Most Western physicians are taught to simply kill the cancer and not explore the in depth hormonal or environmental contributing factors.
There are other individuals that have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia that may actually have signs and symptoms of chronic Lyme disease. While Western Medicine uses traditional tests to test for Lyme, the comprehensive panels we use are more thorough to look for Lyme related symptoms or exacerbating factors. Some individuals have an MTHFR mutation and have difficulty removing toxins from the body. Our in-depth bioanalysis of specimens is more broad than traditional blood tests. While our team is trained in analyzing blood tests, we look for optimal ranges of certain levels not normal ranges that are based off of the average person in a certain area.
The average American is not optimally healthy and is on 4-6 or more prescription medications that often mask a symptom or are designed to keep someone alive, versus thriving. The number of autoimmune issues in our country is outstanding and on the rise. The gut is housed with both good and bad flora that can determine energy levels, feelings of wellness, and one’s immune system. When the body attacks itself, as in most autoimmune conditions, the gut-immune connection is disrupted and must be addressed as the root cause of most disease and dysfunction. Tests for SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or food sensitivities are also commonly performed. Intestinal hyperpermeability, or leaky gut, as well as nutritional deficiencies, are common tests that can help our practice members find the underlying issues to their symptoms. Other individuals have been exposed to mold and these mycotoxins can cause a wide variety of health issues. These are just a few of the thousands of tests and measures we employ to comprehensively analyze an individual to achieve wellness, not managed sickness.
Make an appointment today to see what’s causing or contributing to your health issues to get answers and a different approach to your health. Book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Session with our team or call 732.813.1133 to learn more.
