List below are common laboratory tests used in functional medicine to assess current health.

(1) Antioxidant Checkup (Oxidative Stress Test)
(2) Bone Checkup (Bone Resorption Test)
(3)Detoxification Checkup (Liver Detoxification Profile)
(4) Digestive Checkup (Intestinal Permeability Test) & (CDSA Test)
(5) Female Checkup (Female Hormone Profile)
(6) Male Checkup (Male Hormone Profile)
(7) Mineral Checkup (Elemental Analysis Hair)
(8) Sleep Checkup (Melatonin Profile)
(9) Stress Checkup (Adrenocortex Stress Profile)

Antioxidant Checkup (Oxidative Stress Test)

An adequate reserve antioxidants is necessary to defend against free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable chemical molecules that affect the cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory and immune systems. Free radicals produce lipid peroxides that can be measured to indicate the status of antioxidant levels. In addition, depleted glutathione and superoxide dismutase reserves can be ascertained.
 

Bone Checkup (Bone Resorption Test)

This can be an especially useful test for post-menopausal women who are at high risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures. A simple urine specimen can reveal bone breakdown before conventional methods. A chemical called deoxypyridinium is the marker measured to determine bone loss.
 

Detoxification Checkup (Liver Detoxification Profile)

This test shows how well the liver eliminates toxins from the body by testing the function of phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification pathways. Inefficiency of the liver's ability to remove toxins can lead to allergies, inflammatory joint disease, neurological diseases and fibromyalgia. This is a combination test. Specimens of saliva and urine are collected after the patient consumes caffeine, aspirin and acetaminophen which challenges the multiple detoxification pathways of the liver.
 

Digestive Checkup (Intestinal Permeability Test) & (CDSA Test)

Intestinal Permeability Test: A high degree of intestinal permeability has been linked to many chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity and failure to thrive. A patient's urine is tested after consuming two simple sugars. Based on the absolute and relative amounts of sugar in the urine, the test indicates either malabsorption problems or leaky gut syndrome.

The CDSA (Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis) utilizes a stool sample to determine digestive function, the presence of normal levels of helpful bacteria and the presence of pathogenic bacteria and parasites. It also tests for specific markers that have been linked to high risk cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer.
 

Female Checkup (Female Hormone Profile)

Maintaining balanced hormone levels is essential for optimal menstrual cycles and maintenance of bone and cardiovascular health. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.
 

Male Checkup (Male Hormone Profile)

Proper levels of male hormones helps strengthen bone and muscle tissue, improves thinking ability, heightens energy levels and increases sex drive. Using saliva samples, the test assesses levels of testosterone and DHEA.
 

Mineral Checkup (Elemental Analysis Hair)

Essential minerals are factors in cellular function and are necessary for the body’s structural and metabolic processes, in particular, enzyme reactions. Toxic minerals can affect many areas. They can damage brain function and activity, cause kidney damage and cause symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, insulin resistance and digestive problems. This test monitors fifteen essential minerals and twelve toxic minerals. The essential minerals include calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, boron, iodine, lithium, rubidium, selenium, sulfur, and vanadium. The toxic minerals include aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, thallium, tin, and uranium.
 

Sleep Checkup (Melatonin Profile)

A saliva sample measures melatonin levels. Low levels of melatonin may cause low body temperature, prevent ovulation, poor cardiovascular health and immune disorders.
 

Stress Checkup (Adrenocortex Stress Profile)

Four saliva samples taken during the course of the day measure DHEA and cortisol levels. These two hormones are directly involved in the body’s resistance to stress, as well as cardiovascular function, modulating thyroid function and immune system response.