Advanced Functional Medicine

There are hundreds of tests available to help us understand our patients' unique biology. For example, there are tests for mold exposure testing (linked to chronic fatigue and a weakened immune), heavy metal testing (linked to neurological symptoms and cardiovascular disease), hormone pathway testing (checking not just levels of hormones but what they actually do within the body), advanced cardiometabolic testing (that looks deeper into processes that affect cardiovascular risk), just to name a few. At Innovative Health, we understand that simply being "in the normal reference range" on lab testing does not produce optimal health.

Genetic Testing

Innovative Health provides genetic testing, interpretation, and support for nutrition, methylation, and exercise genetics. This testing is essential to unwinding patients with weight issues.

MTHFR is a well-known genetic test. Today, our understanding of methylation genetics extends well beyond basic MTHFR variations. MTHFR refers to the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene variations 677 and 1298. Polymorphisms in these genotypes are associated with reduced production of L-methylfolate, the active form of folate. Reduced L-methylfolate leads to problems in natural detoxification, decreased neurotransmitter production (which can affect mood), and reduced conversion of homocysteine to methionine. There are other effects as well. Variations in this genotype may increase an individual’s risk for cardiovascular disease. They can also predispose someone to certain psychiatric disorders, memory, or attention disorders. Up to 60 percent of the population has some portion of these gene variations. These variations have been linked to depression, ADHD, cancer, and more.

• Genetic assessments of hormone and enzyme pathways provide information about a person's risk of developing cancer, how an individual may respond to medications, hormonal changes, and mental health factors such as mood. Hormones are natural substances produced by the body that regulate important functions.
• Genetics is often the missing link to weight loss.
• Genetics influence Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT), enzymes that help break down neurotransmitters—chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine that impact mood and the stress response. MAO and COMT testing can give information about how the body processes these neurotransmitters. Genetics can also assess conversion issues (problems turning substances into active forms), receptor function (how well cells respond to neurotransmitters), and micronutrient variations (differences in how the body uses vitamins and minerals) that impact neurotransmitters and mood.
• Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a protein that helps transport cholesterol in the blood and plays a role in brain function. Testing for APOE variations helps identify risk for neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, and enables a program focused on maintaining brain health and cognitive function.

Advanced Functional Medicine Testing

There are hundreds of tests available to help us understand our patients' unique biology. For example, there are tests for mold exposure testing (linked to chronic fatigue and a weakened immune), heavy metal testing (linked to neurological symptoms and cardiovascular disease), hormone pathway testing (checking not just levels of hormones but what they actually do within the body) and advanced cardiometabolic testing (that looks deeply into cardiovascular risk) just to name a few. At Innovative Health, we understand that simply being "in the normal reference range" on lab testing does not produce optimal health.

Additional Testing Available

• Chemical Exposure Testing (identifies harmful chemicals in the body)
• Food Sensitivity Testing (checks for non-allergic reactions to foods)
• Food Allergy Testing (detects immune responses to foods)
• Gut Stool Testing (analyzes bacteria and other organisms in the digestive tract)
• Heavy Metal Testing (measures metals like lead and mercury)
• Hormone Level Testing (measures levels of hormones)
• Metabolic Testing (examines chemical processes in the body)
• Methylation Testing (evaluates how the body adds methyl groups to DNA and proteins)
• Micronutrient Testing (checks for vitamin and mineral levels)
• Mold Toxicity (tests for harmful effects of mold exposure)
• Neurotransmitter Testing (measures brain chemical messengers)
• Telomere Testing (assesses the protective caps on chromosomes related to aging)