Have you ever been told, “Your lab work looks normal,” but you still feel tired, bloated, stressed, or just off?

Here’s the truth: “Normal” lab panels often aren’t enough. They’re great for catching big red flags, but they don’t dig deep enough to explain what’s really going on.

That’s why functional nutrition and extensive lab work testing can be a game-changer!

But before we dive into what types of lab work you need, let’s talk about how it all works!

Lab Work Basics

Lab work, or laboratory tests, refers to the various medical examinations that analyze bodily samples such as blood, urine, or tissue. Doctors use these tests to assess various health parameters and diagnose or monitor medical conditions. 

Purpose of Lab Work: 

• Identify and diagnose diseases
• Monitor the effectiveness of treatments
• Track health conditions over time
• Assess organ function
• Detect infections
• Check for nutrient deficiencies
• Screen for potential health risks 

Three Most Common Functional Lab Tests.

1. Blood Chemistry Panels
2. DUTCH Test
3. GI-MAP Test 

Each of these tests provides a unique look at different aspects of health, helping practitioners identify underlying imbalances and create personalized protocols for their clients.

Blood Chemistry Panel – A comprehensive blood test is one of the most accessible ways to assess overall health. It looks at key markers like blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function, cholesterol, inflammation, and nutrient status. Functional practitioners analyze blood chemistry through a more optimal health lens (rather than just flagging disease) to detect subtle imbalances before they become major issues.

DUTCH Test – The Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH) is a gold standard for evaluating hormone metabolism. Unlike standard hormone blood tests, the DUTCH test provides a complete picture of adrenal and sex hormone patterns, including cortisol rhythms, estrogen detoxification, and progesterone balance. It’s especially helpful for clients dealing with hormonal imbalances, fatigue, PMS, perimenopause, or chronic stress.

GI-MAP (GI Microbial Assay Plus) – Gut health plays a crucial role in overall wellness, and the GI-MAP stool test helps assess digestive function, gut infections, microbiome balance, and inflammation levels. It detects pathogens, parasites, bacteria, yeast overgrowth, and leaky gut markers, making it invaluable for those experiencing digestive distress, bloating, IBS, autoimmune conditions, or skin issues.

These tests go beyond surface-level symptoms, offering deeper insights into root causes of health issues. By using functional lab testing, coaches and practitioners can provide targeted, data-driven recommendations to support their clients' unique needs.

Getting Lab Work Results Interpreted

You can 100% get lab work done at a physician, and usually your General Physician can provide feedback on your results. Will they be accurate? Yes. However, if you’re being told ‘everything is normal’ but your day-to-day experiences are anything but normal, you may need to check in with a Functional Nutritionist.

Here’s why…

1. “Normal” Ranges Are Too Broad.
Lab panels compare your results to the average population—not what’s optimal. You can technically fall into a “normal” range but still feel far from your best.
2. They Miss Patterns.
Hormones like cortisol fluctuate throughout the day, and a one-time blood draw can’t show if your levels are spiking or crashing. Functional tests like the DUTCH Test track your hormones over 24 hours for a complete picture.
3. They Skip the Root Cause.
Feeling stressed, tired, or inflamed? Functional testing digs into the why—adrenal health, hormone detox, and even gut inflammation—so we can address the root causes, not just the symptoms.

The Bottom Line: If you’re feeling “off” but being told everything is fine, you deserve more than guessing & googling. Functional testing can give you the answers you need.

When to get labs done (and which labs to get)

After 35, getting regularly scheduled lab work is a must. Especially if you’re experiencing symptoms such as:

• Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Heavy or painful periods
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Weight gain or loss
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness or pain
• Joint pain
• Thinning hair or hair loss
• Skin problems (e.g., acne, dry skin, eczema) 
• Mood swings (e.g., irritability, depression, anxiety)
• Increased or decreased libido
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, nightmares) 
• Increased thirst or urination
• Digestive problems (e.g., constipation, bloating)
• Increased sensitivity to cold or heat
• Bone loss or osteoporosis
• Breast tenderness or discharge

All of these can be signs of hormonal imbalance. Knowing which hormones need balancing is essential to feeling your best.

In this instance, knowledge is power! The more you know, the better you’ll feel. Now and in years to come!

So, what labs should you ask for? Here’s a comprehensive list of annual lab tests…

• Complete cell blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) including: Albumin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio (calculated), Alkaline Phosphatase, ALT, AST, BUN/Creatinine Ratio (calculated), Calcium, Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, Creatinine with GFR Estimated, Globulin (calculated), Glucose, Potassium, Sodium, Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Urea Nitrogen
• A1C
• Lipid panel- cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.
• Vitamin D
• Ferritin
• Serum Iron
• TIBC
• Transferrin saturation
• MG-rbc
• Zinc
• B12
• Folate
• Insulin
• HSCRP
• Homocysteine
• Cortisol
• DHEA
• TSH
• Free T3
• Free T4
• Total T3
• Total T4
• Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)
• Total Testosterone
• Free Testosterone 
• Progesterone
• Estradiol

So, Now What?

Well, you’ve got a couple of options!

You could bring this list to your next doctor’s appointment and request these tests. Or you could hire a Functional Nutrition Specialist and use a non-invasive at-home test (we love the DUTCH Test) that will automatically assess for many of these levels.

Need more? Grab my FREE Bloodwork Blueprint Guide and get an easy-to-use list of must-have labs your doctor should order every year (and why they matter) now! 

Or reach out to our certified coaches for one-on-one help and support!