Functional Medicine Testing

By Tracy Tranchitella, N.D.

Most of us will get standard blood testing done at least once a year to monitor common markers of our health status. These standard labs typically evaluate kidney and liver function, electrolytes, blood protein levels, cholesterol, glucose, and various markers assessing the health of our white and red blood cells. If everything falls within the normal reference range, we’re told that all is well. But where do those reference ranges come from? Lab reference ranges are usually established by collecting results from a large population of “healthy” people and determining an average range that includes one standard deviation above and below that average. The problem with deriving reference ranges from the average population is that the health of each of the individuals used to establish those reference ranges may not be optimal.

In my 25 years of practice, I have used optimal reference ranges to evaluate the results of standard blood tests. Optimal reference ranges are typically narrower than standard ranges and provide an opportunity to detect early patterns of dysfunction. The early emergence of these patterns allows for prompt intervention and prevention of disease processes that might not have been detected for several years.

The Functional Health Report utilizes software to evaluate standard blood tests by using optimal reference ranges and cross-referencing various markers to look for specific disease trends. What I used to do by hand on tracking sheets is now conveniently and comprehensively analyzed and presented in a thorough health report. Follow-up testing can be added to the report to compare previous values and track progress.

The Functional Health Report allows patients to monitor key markers of health and implement dietary and supplement recommendations specific to their needs. It is an excellent tool to identify disease trends early which makes them much easier to address.

Markers Included on the Functional Health Report:

CBC (WBC, RBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (Kidney Function, Liver Function, Electrolytes, Proteins)
Lipid Panel (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL ratio)
Homocysteine
B12 and Folate
GGT
Blood Sugar Management – Fasting Glucose, HgA1c, Fasting Insulin
Magnesium
Anemia Panel – Iron, Ferritin, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Thyroid Panel – TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies
Vitamin D
C-Reactive Protein
Total cost for the lab test, Functional Health Report, and individualized support program is $325.

To review a sample report, click here.