Tests That Changed My Healing Journey
Dig Deeper
Heal Smarter
In this Newsletter:
➡️ What Functional Testing Is (And Why It Matters)
➡️ Root Causes Conventional Labs Miss
➡️ The 5 Functional Tests I’m Doing
➡️ How These Tests Can Help You, Too
I thought blood tests told you everything. Then I discovered functional testing — and it changed everything.
Over two years ago, I started learning about these deeper lab tests that go far beyond the usual bloodwork. It was eye-opening to realize just how much more you can uncover — nutrient gaps, hidden toxins, gut imbalances — things regular labs often miss.
When I ran my first round of functional tests, I was shocked to find elevated levels of environmental toxins in my body. That pushed me to make big changes: cleaning up my skincare, switching to non-toxic household products, eating more organic, and ditching plastics as much as possible.
Now, I’m retesting to see if all those lifestyle changes have made a measurable difference.
But that’s not the only reason.
For the past few months, I’ve also been dealing with persistent bloating and acne — despite eating well and living clean. So I’m diving deeper again, hoping to uncover the root cause behind these symptoms.
Let’s break down what functional testing actually is — and why it might be the missing link in your own health journey.
What Is Functional Testing?
Functional lab testing goes beyond “Is this disease present?”
It asks, “What’s the root cause of why you feel unwell?”
Unlike conventional tests that look for pathology (like checking if your TSH is out of range or if you have anemia), functional tests analyze how your systems are functioning — gut, hormones, detox pathways, nutrients, metabolism, and more.
Think of it like this:
🚑 Traditional testing = emergency lights.
🧠 Functional testing = dashboard diagnostics.
This deeper data helps identify imbalances before they become chronic disease — or help you get answers when conventional medicine says, “You’re fine.”
Why It Matters
Most chronic issues (autoimmunity, hormone imbalance, acne, bloating, fatigue, brain fog) aren’t caused by a single broken system — they’re rooted in inflammation, dysfunction, and overload.
Root causes can include:
Gut dysbiosis or infections
Nutrient deficiencies
Environmental toxins (mold, heavy metals, plastics)
Blood sugar imbalances
Hormonal dysregulation
Stress and cortisol issues
Functional tests help map this internal chaos — and create a strategy to restore balance.
Let’s walk through the ones I’m doing now, and why.
👉 Important note: It’s always best to consult a functional medicine practitioner to figure out which test will work best for your situation.
5 Functional Tests I’m Doing Right Now
GI-MAP: Gut Health Testing
📦 Sample: Stool
🔍 Looks at: Pathogens, microbiome balance, leaky gut, digestion, immune markers
The gut is often ground zero for chronic inflammation.
This test checks for:
H. pylori, parasites, and Candida
Dysbiosis (bad bacteria overpowering good)
Secretory IgA (a key immune defense marker)
Zonulin (a marker of intestinal permeability)
Why I’m testing: Hashimoto’s is often tied to gut issues. And gut health influences skin, energy, hormones, and immunity.
👉 Note: Other insightful gut tests worth looking into include GI Effects and Gut Zoomer.
NutrEval: Nutrient & Metabolic Testing
📦 Sample: Blood and urine
🔍 Looks at: Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, mitochondrial function
I call this test the “nutritional blueprint” of your body. It reveals:
Which nutrients you're truly absorbing (or not)
How your mitochondria are producing energy
Levels of oxidative stress and detox capacity
Why I’m testing: Despite a healthy diet, I want to know what’s really getting in — and if my energy production and antioxidant systems are working properly.
Total Tox: Environmental Toxins, Mold & Heavy Metals
📦 Sample: Urine
🔍 Looks at:
31 environmental toxins (pesticides, plastics, VOCs)
31 mold mycotoxins
20 heavy metals
Our bodies are exposed to toxins daily — from plastics, pollution, food, cosmetics, moldy buildings, and more.
Even at low levels, chronic exposure can:
Worsen hormone issues
Disrupt the immune system
Trigger skin and gut symptoms
Contribute to autoimmunity
Why I’m testing: I had high BPA levels in the past. Now I want to see what’s changed — and if hidden exposures are behind my recent symptoms.
DUTCH Complete: Hormones & Cortisol
📦 Sample: Dried urine
🔍 Looks at:
Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA
Cortisol and cortisol rhythm
Estrogen metabolism pathways
The DUTCH test gives a full picture of hormone balance, stress response, and detox pathways.
Why I’m testing: I want to see if stress is disrupting my cortisol rhythm, and how my body is breaking down estrogen — especially since acne can signal androgen or estrogen imbalance.
SIBO Trio Smart Test
📦 Sample: Breath
🔍 Looks at: Methane, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide gases from bacterial fermentation in the small intestine
SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is common in people with Hashimoto’s and gut symptoms.
Signs of SIBO:
Bloating (especially after meals)
Constipation or diarrhea
Food intolerances
Brain fog and fatigue
Why I’m testing: I’ve had suspected SIBO in the past and want to confirm whether it’s actually there — it could be a big reason for my bloating.
So... Do You Need These Tests?
Not everyone needs all five. But if you have:
Chronic symptoms despite "normal labs"
Autoimmune conditions
Ongoing fatigue, gut issues, acne, or PMS
A desire to know your body’s inner workings...
One or a combinations of these tests could provide the clarity you’ve been missing.
And remember: tests don’t heal you — but they guide the process. Healing happens when we address what the data shows with smart lifestyle, nutrition, and targeted support.
Takeaway Tips
🌿 Functional testing is not just for when you're “sick” — it's for prevention, performance, and deeper answers.
🌿 You can request these through a functional medicine practitioner. Some are available direct-to-consumer (In the US - DirectLabs).
🌿 Always review results with a knowledgeable provider — interpreting patterns (not just isolated numbers) is key.
Your health deserves more than band-aids and guesswork.
You deserve answers — and a path forward.
If you’re curious about functional testing, reply to this email. I’m happy to share my experiences and knowledge with you.
Warmly,
Viktorija 💛