Hormone Lab Testing: A Non-Algorithmic Approach | Ep 220

Functional lab testing has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. More and more folks are seeking answers to their health issues, and providers are responding by offering various options for hormone and other functional lab testing. But not all providers provide in the same way, and we’re increasingly seeing an algorithmic, “if this, then that” approach to labs in the functional medicine space. This doesn’t give folks the answers they need, it doesn’t get to the root of their issues, and it doesn’t help them feel better. Hormone testing is a great tool to help uncover and confirm imbalances in the body, but it doesn’t answer ALL the questions you might have. Namely, WHY and HOW the imbalance came to be in the first place. This is where a la carte lab testing falls short because it doesn’t consider your full, unique picture. On today’s episode Erin explains the approach she and the Funk’tional Nutritionist Team takes to health, healing, and hormone testing in our private practice and in Your Hormone Revival, our 3-month balancing program to revive adrenal, thyroid, and hormone health through root cause restoration. You’ll hear not just what kind of hormone testing we do, but also WHY we do it the way that we do, all while sprinkling in answers to a lot of your questions about hormone testing along the way. By the end you’ll understand the value of a provider who can not only look at lab markers, but also interpret what those lab markers mean in conjunction with one another, AND in conjunction with YOUR unique context. Whether you’re looking to test your thyroid hormones, you’re wondering about your estrogen or progesterone levels, or perhaps you suspect something is up with your adrenals or cortisol, you’ll want to tune in to this episode! This also provides valuable information to practitioners who want to understand the true meaning of taking a functional, root cause approach to labs and supporting their clients. In this episode: -Big news [1:09] -Questions about hormone testing & how to get it [3:27] -Two schools of thought when it comes to health [4:38] -A third school and why it exists [6:04] -The thing that separates clinicians who take a true, root cause approach… and those who don’t [8:08] -How we practice at The Funk’tional Nutritionist [14:15] -What a hormone lab test won’t be able to tell you [17:46] -The importance of knowing what to do with lab information [20:05] -Red flags when looking for a functional provider [27:10] -Signs you’re a good candidate for hormone testing [31:10] -What to do if your labs are normal (but you feel suboptimal) [34:13] -The different ways to test hormones [35:27] -How hormone testing can help someone with endometriosis [40:57] -New organic acid markers for the DUTCH test (& a word of caution for utilization) [43:41] -When is retesting recommended? [46:00] -What to do if your provider won’t run tests [48:53] FOR OUR FULL LIST OF LINKS + RESOURCES, HEAD TO: https://www.thefunktionalnutritionist.com/podcast/220-hormone-testing