Print Friendly, PDF & Email

🔬 Your Lab Roadmap: Navigating Functional‑Medicine Testing

Welcome to a clear‑cut, step‑by‑step guide that maps out exactly how Dr. Skip’s functional‑medicine lab panels work that will be discussed with you during your initial consult (quick booking link)—from the first comprehensive blood, chemistry, and nutrient screens to targeted hormone checks, follow‑up re‑tests, and occasional deeper dives.

📋 Overview

  • Dr. Skip’s functional‑medicine approach starts with comprehensive, whole‑body lab panels offered through a patient‑co‑op that brings the cost down to near‑wholesale levels.
  • The goal: uncover hidden biochemical drivers before prescribing any protocol.

đŸ§©â€ŻCore Lab Panels (What’s Included?)

  • Inflammation & Immune Markers
  • Complete Blood & Chemistry Panels
  • Iron & Nutrient Markers
  • Blood Sugar & Cardiovascular Health
  • Thyroid Function & Autoimmunity
  • Hormones & Adrenal Function
  • “Hidden” Issues – anemia, parasitic load, leaky‑gut indicators.

All of these are bundled in two laboratory packages that run about $600 for patients (retail ≈ $5,000).

Click Here for a Complete List of Lab Values and Why Small Panels are Misleading

😼‍💹 Saliva Hormone Testing (When Indicated)

  • Recommended for most adults (unless under‑age).
  • Non‑invasive at‑home collection captures cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA.
  • Helps pinpoint fatigue, mood swings, fertility concerns, adrenal dysregulation, and more.

While less accurate from a testing perspective, if you suffer from Dry Mouth (Xerostomia), we can add hormone testing to your serum lab request.

🔁 Follow‑Up Rechecks

  • Retest at 3 months (for more severe abnormalities) or 6 months after starting the natural prescription protocol.
  • Once labs stabilize, move to annual monitoring.
  • Automated testing reminders keep patients on track with biochemical goals.

đŸœïžâ€ŻFood Sensitivity Testing (Only After Leaky Gut Is Ruled Out)

  • Dr. Skip advises against routine food‑sensitivity panels until gut integrity is confirmed — they can be misleading and generate false positives.
  • Reference: Beware – Why Food Sensitivity Testing Can Be Misleading (link).

đŸ•”ïžâ€â™€ïžâ€ŻDeeper‑Dive Testing (Rare Cases)

  • If repeated re‑tests still don’t explain persistent symptoms, Dr. Skip may refer to Vibrant Wellness for a more detailed work‑up (e.g., expanded hormone panels, specialized metabolomics).
  • This step is rare because the comprehensive functional panel usually uncovers the needed clues.

📩 Additional Targeted Tests (When Clinically Indicated)

  • CologuardÂź – for patients with a family history or other colorectal‑cancer risk factors.
  • Fertility Work‑up – semen analysis or advanced reproductive labs if conception is a goal.
  • Imaging – X‑ray, MRI, ultrasound, or other modalities as dictated by clinical findings.
Don’t Overpay for Imaging – Check with Us First

✅ Takeaway

  1. Start big, stay focused – a full‑body panel gives the clearest map of hidden imbalances.
  2. Re‑test strategically – 3‑mo, 6‑mo, then annually to confirm that protocols are shifting the numbers in the right direction.
  3. Reserve extra testing for truly refractory cases; most patients get everything they need from the initial comprehensive panel.

NEXT STEPS:

🔬 Lab in‑process: Once your labs are marked in‑process by the lab, we’ll reach out to schedule your lab review.

⏳ 6–8 weeks in: About 6–8 weeks after you start your protocol, your body should be responding. Dr. Skip usually arranges a quick 30‑minute phone call 📞 to check in, see if any tweaks are needed, and follow up with you.

Ready to take the next step?: Easily book your appointment in just a few clicks—choose the time that works best for you below!
Disclaimer & Legal Notice:

All information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never self-prescribe. Call 911 for a medical emergency. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any supplement, medication, diet, or exercise routine, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication. The services, products, and information shared have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease outside the scope of Oriental Medicine. Patrick W. Hart Jr., “Dr. Skip,” O.M.D., is a licensed Oriental Medicine Physician (WV Board of Acupuncture) specializing in Holistic Functional Wellness. All content is copyright protected and may not be reproduced without permission.