Functional Diagnostic Testing

Functional diagnostic testing takes an individual-centric approach to medicine. This sets it apart from the medical model, which takes a disease-centred focus.

What does this mean? It means that rather than focusing on treatments for a disease and its symptoms, it focuses on your individual condition and looks for the underlying causes.

When doing a functional diagnostic test, Dr. Sheila will consider your entire health history. She’ll ask about any surgeries, injuries, traumas, or diseases you’ve dealt with, what your environment is like, and your lifestyle.

From there, she’ll also examine genetic and epigenetic factors influencing your health.

Dr. Sheila has received training in functional diagnostic testing.

Functional medicine assessments are used to explore optimal health, not just the absence of deficiency states.  The goal is to diagnose illness as well as uncover the root cause of any symptoms you may be experiencing.

During a functional medicine assessment, Dr. Sheila will ask you about your entire health history. Beyond that, she may also perform a physical exam, refer for imaging via MRI, ultrasound, or CT scans, or order an analysis of your blood, saliva, hair, feces, or urine.

In particular, here are some of the angles from which functional medicine approaches your health.

Functional Medicine Laboratory Testing

Functional medicine relies heavily on scientific evidence and research. When you work with Dr. Sheila, you’ll have access to a variety of different tests to explore your health. This can uncover a number of potential health issues.

IgG Food Sensitivity Testing

The IgG food sensitivity test is a blood test that can reveal your food sensitivities. The results help Dr. Sheila provide a treatment plan to heal your gut and resolve digestive complaints. It also helps you to know what foods to avoid in your general life.

4-Point Salivary Cortisol Testing

If you’re dealing with adrenal fatigue, a 4-point salivary cortisol test can help diagnose it. Cortisol is the main hormone associated with stress. It helps your body regulate the stress you face. If your cortisol levels are low, it may be a sign you’re facing adrenal fatigue. With this test, you give four saliva samples throughout the day, so Dr. Sheila can get a clear picture of how your cortisol levels fluctuate.

DUTCH Test

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormone analysis. It can reveal your hormone levels and how they’re being metabolized. That may not sound terribly exciting, but it helps Dr. Sheila provide targeted treatment to get right at the root of your symptoms, with the goal of creating lasting improvement.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis

Your colon can be the area of your body where a number of signs of illness manifest. This test helps Dr. Sheila see what’s happening in there. This information can help Dr. Sheila diagnose certain types of infections.

SIBO Breath Test

SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. It’s one of the main causes of IBS symptoms. If you’re suffering from IBS, this test can help determine the cause.

Physical Exam

You may recognize many of the elements of a functional medicine physical exam. It’s similar to the one your medical doctor may have performed on you.

During a physical exam, Dr. Sheila may, among others:

• Monitor your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, etc) to check for high blood pressure or signs of distress
• Examine your abdominal area to assess digestive health
• Examine your heart and lungs
• Examine your skin, nails, and hair for signs nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or certain autoimmune conditions
• Check your ears, nose, throat, sinuses, eyes, and thyroid for signs of illness
• Test the response from your nerves, reflexes, balance, and mental alertness

Medical History

Dr. Sheila will want to know if you’ve been diagnosed with any health conditions. However, past diseases are also important, as they may have still justify some effects behind.

Likewise, your history of injuries is important as well. Your body is good at compensating for injuries, but living with these compensations is far from optimal.

Food And Nutritional Habits

Are you getting the nutrients you need to function at your highest level?

A high quality diet rich in the nutrients your body needs can help you to:

• Enjoy a better quality of sleep
• Focus better and for longer periods of time
• Think more clearly
• Improve your immune system
• Fend off certain illnesses
• Decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more

Conversely, a poor diet can lead to increased risk for the following health conditions:

• Anemia
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Decreased ability to cope with stress
• Weak & brittle bones
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• “Brain fog”

Each person has slightly different nutritional requirements depending on your lifestyle, health background, genetic history, and general goals. By understanding your current nutrition status, Dr. Sheila can uncover the roadblocks standing in the way of your greater health.

Family History

Your genetic and ethnic history has an influence on your health. Certain ethnic groups, for example, are at greater risk of developing certain illnesses. As well, certain illnesses will run in families, regardless of your ethnicity.

There isn’t much to be done about your genetic risk factors. However, by knowing what your risk factors are, you can take measures to mitigate those risks in other areas of your life.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle has many different implications. It includes diet, yes, but also a number of other factors.

Your work environment, for example. If you work in a high-stress environment, like as an emergency healthcare worker or first responder, you’ll have unique demands on your body. Others may be exposed to certain toxins or hazardous substances. Still others may spend their days sitting behind a desk. Each of these jobs has its own challenges and health risks to consider.

Bad habits are another factor. This may include the use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, or other controlled substances. If you plan on indulging in these substances, Dr. Sheila will consider those factors when putting together a treatment plan for you.

Other factors may include:

• Your social life (loneliness, isolation, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships)
• Exercise (amount, quality)
• Stressors