Why Do I Feel Like Crap? 4 Functional Labs That Will Give You Answers
Updated: Apr 27, 2024
Faith M. Davis is an Integrative Healing Practitioner, Reiki Master, and number 1 bestselling author of Why You’re Not Healing: 10 Radical Shifts for a Lasting Whole Body Transformation. After healing herself of fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, candida overgrowth, neurotransmitter imbalances
Feeling off but can't pinpoint why? It's a common dilemma. Sometimes, no matter how healthy we think we are, our bodies tell a different story. That's where functional labs, such as OATS, DUTCH, a full blood panel, and genetics testing, come into play.
Functional labs dive deep into the complexity of the body to uncover the root causes of why you aren’t feeling as healthy or vital as you want. In this article, we'll explore four key functional labs that can provide clarity and guide you to the right health interventions.
What are functional labs?
Functional labs aren't your run-of-the-mill medical tests. They include tests like OATS, DUTCH, full-blood panels, and genetics testing. With these tests, you will not have to guess anymore. Instead, you’ll be able to see what your body is lacking and what supplements and natural protocols will work for you as an individual.
Using functional labs will help you take action based on what your body is actually telling you. It can provide answers to things like how your body handles stress, how efficient your detox pathways [please add a link to my latest Detox Pathways article] are, and why you might feel tired all the time.
Genetics: More than just ancestry
Genetics testing can help us find our ancestral roots, but more than that, it's a comprehensive look at how our genes might affect our health.
Simple saliva tests done at home can reveal gene mutations that impact everything from how you detoxify to your neurotransmitter function. Armed with this knowledge, you can personalize your health plan to switch off certain gene mutations and optimize your health.
OATS: A simple test with complex insights
An OATS (Organic Acids Test) test uses a urine sample to reveal the state of your metabolism. It can uncover issues from nutrient deficiencies to neurotransmitter imbalances.
This test lets us peek into how our bodies are running on a day-to-day basis and we can adjust our supplements to match our metabolic needs.
DUTCH: Comprehensive hormone insights
The DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) test offers a detailed view of our hormone levels, how we handle stress, and more. It’s essential for anyone struggling with hormonal issues to have a clear, comprehensive understanding of their hormonal and adrenal health.
This knowledge is crucial for correcting imbalances that affect everything from our mood and energy levels to our metabolism and sleep/wake cycles.
Blood work: The foundation of functional testing
Comprehensive blood work can tell us so much about our health, from vitamin deficiencies to how well our organs are functioning.
It's the baseline that helps us fine-tune a diet and supplement plan, ensuring that the body is getting exactly what it needs to thrive.
Final thoughts
With these 4 functional labs, an Integrative Healing Practitioner can tailor a health plan that’s as unique as you are, based on hard data from your body.
Through my Holistic Health Breakthrough program, you can access these functional labs and work with me to develop a personalized supplement plan. Together, we'll transform how you feel and help your body heal itself naturally. Let's unlock the secrets your body is waiting to tell you!
Faith M. Davis, Integrative Healing Practitioner
Faith M. Davis is an Integrative Healing Practitioner, Reiki Master, and number 1 bestselling author of Why You’re Not Healing: 10 Radical Shifts for a Lasting Whole Body Transformation. After healing herself of fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, candida overgrowth, neurotransmitter imbalances, and more, she is on a mission to help others reach their health goals and live a vibrant life.
I help women with chronic symptoms to heal themselves naturally using simple, personalized solutions so they can live pain-free and feel like themselves again. Unlike other health programs, I use functional labs and bioenergetic scans to pinpoint the root causes. Then, I work with your unique genetics and energy field to give your body access to all the tools it needs to heal itself, without restrictive diets, guesswork, or ineffective one-size-fits-all approaches.
