Going beyond "your labs are normal" to identify dysfunction before it becomes disease.
You've been to your doctor. They ran labs. Everything came back "normal." But you still feel terrible.
This happens because standard medical labs are designed to identify pathology (disease), not dysfunction. The reference ranges are based on statistical averages of sick populations, not optimal health markers.
By the time your labs are "abnormal" by medical standards, you've often had dysfunction for years. Your thyroid has been struggling. Your adrenals have been compensating. Your gut has been inflamed. Your hormones have been declining.
Medical labs answer the question: "Do you have a disease that requires pharmaceutical intervention?"
Functional labs answer the question: "Where is your body losing function, and what does it need to restore optimal health?"
Different questions. Different ranges. Different interventions.
Pathological ranges identify disease. If your TSH is above 4.5, you have hypothyroidism. Prescribe thyroid medication.
Functional ranges identify dysfunction before disease develops. If your TSH is above 2.0, your thyroid is working harder than it should. Why? Is it iodine deficiency? Autoimmune patterns? Adrenal stress? Gut inflammation affecting conversion?
We address the dysfunction before it progresses to pathology.
Example: Thyroid function
Medical range for TSH: 0.5 to 4.5 (you're "normal" anywhere in this range)
Functional range for TSH: 1.0 to 2.0 (optimal function)
If your TSH is 3.5, your doctor says you're fine. Functionally, your thyroid is struggling. We identify why and address it before you develop full hypothyroidism requiring lifelong medication.
We don't start with labs. We start with Applied Kinesiology muscle testing to identify patterns. Labs are used strategically when:
Muscle testing reveals patterns that need quantification Your body is flagging thyroid dysfunction. Labs confirm it and show severity.
Standard treatment isn't producing expected results We've addressed structure and basic nutrition, but patterns persist. Labs reveal underlying metabolic, hormonal, or inflammatory issues maintaining dysfunction.
Complex cases with multiple system involvement Chronic fatigue, autoimmune patterns, hormonal imbalances, unexplained symptoms. Labs provide the data needed to create targeted interventions.
Monitoring progress Retest after 3-6 months to confirm improvements and adjust protocols.
Labs are a tool, not a starting point. We use them when they'll change our treatment approach or confirm patterns muscle testing has already identified.
We can order standard blood work through major labs and interpret results using functional ranges instead of pathological ranges.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Liver function, kidney function, electrolytes, blood sugar regulation
Complete Blood Count (CBC): Anemia patterns, immune function, inflammatory markers
Lipid Panel: Cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiovascular risk (interpreted beyond "good" vs "bad" cholesterol)
Thyroid Panel (comprehensive): TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (not just TSH like most doctors order)
Inflammatory Markers: CRP, homocysteine, ferritin
Nutrient Panels: Vitamin D, B12, folate, iron, magnesium, zinc
The same labs your doctor orders. Different interpretation. Different interventions.
Cyrex Array 2: Intestinal permeability (leaky gut) assessment
Cyrex Array 3: Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease markers (more comprehensive than standard celiac panels)
Cyrex Array 4: Cross-reactivity testing (foods your immune system mistakes for gluten)
Cyrex Array 5: Autoimmune reactivity screen (multiple tissue antibodies to identify autoimmune patterns before full disease develops)
Cyrex Array 10: Multiple food immune reactivity screen (identifies IgG and IgA reactions to 180+ foods)
Food sensitivities create chronic inflammation, gut dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Most people have no idea which foods are problematic until tested. Eliminating reactive foods often resolves symptoms that haven't responded to structural treatment.
DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones): The gold standard for hormone assessment. Measures sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), cortisol patterns throughout the day, melatonin, and hormone metabolites.
DUTCH reveals:
Blood tests for hormones give you one snapshot at one moment. DUTCH shows patterns over 24 hours and how your body is metabolizing hormones, not just circulating levels.
Saliva Hormone Testing: Four-point cortisol testing throughout the day to assess adrenal function. Useful for chronic stress, fatigue, sleep issues, and blood sugar dysregulation.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis: Identifies gut infections (parasites, bacteria, yeast), digestive enzyme function, inflammation markers, and microbiome balance.
Gut health affects everything: immune function (80% comes from the gut), neurotransmitter production, nutrient absorption, inflammation levels, autoimmune patterns.
If your gut isn't functioning, nothing else will either.
Organic Acids Test (OAT): Urine test measuring metabolic byproducts to assess:
OAT reveals metabolic dysfunction at the cellular level before it shows up on standard labs.
Micronutrient Testing: Intracellular nutrient levels (what's actually inside your cells, not just circulating in blood). Identifies deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Functional lab testing is expensive. Comprehensive panels can run into the thousands of dollars. Insurance rarely covers functional labs because they're not diagnosing disease.
We use labs strategically, not routinely.
Most patients don't need extensive lab work. Applied Kinesiology muscle testing identifies patterns, and we address them through diet, supplementation, and structural corrections without labs.
Labs are reserved for:
If muscle testing reveals you need thyroid support and you respond well to targeted supplementation and diet changes, we don't need a $500 thyroid panel. The proof is in your clinical response.
If you're not responding or your case is complex (chronic fatigue, multiple autoimmune markers, hormonal chaos), labs provide the data to create precise interventions.
1. Identify the primary dysfunction Labs confirm what muscle testing suggested and show severity.
2. Create targeted protocols Specific supplements, dietary modifications, lifestyle interventions based on your unique patterns.
3. Monitor progress Retest after 3-6 months to confirm improvements and adjust protocols.
4. Educate you on your body Understanding your lab results empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.
Labs aren't the answer. They're information that guides treatment.
Functional lab testing is one tool in comprehensive assessment. We're not replacing muscle testing with labs. We're using labs when they add value.
The sequence:
Structure, chemistry, and emotions. All three evaluated. All three addressed.
We're continuously expanding our functional lab partnerships to offer the most comprehensive testing available. Current capabilities include LabCorp, Quest, Cyrex, DUTCH, and saliva hormone testing.
If you have specific testing needs or know of lab companies that would benefit our patients, we're open to exploring partnerships.
Lab testing is discussed during your examination if muscle testing reveals patterns that would benefit from quantification. We'll explain which tests are indicated, what they cost, and what we expect to learn.
Call or text: (972) 989-4683
Email: [email protected]