What Are Functional Labs And Why Are They Important?

Most routine blood work is a general look at what is going on. Though helpful, it lacks specificity in pinpointing exactly where your system is off. Functional labs are more in-depth and are fantastic for identifying specific areas that may be a problem. Every patient has their own unique biochemistry, genetics, and health condition. Specialty labs serve to narrow down where therapy must be applied to bring back balance to your systems. This way of practicing allows practitioners to reverse or stop disease progression altogether and takes all of the guesswork out of designing a treatment program for you.

There are different types of functional labs that may be recommended depending on your symptoms, primary goals and budget. Labs can be ordered to gain insight on your current gut microbiome; hormones; metabolic health among many other areas. The most helpful labs do range around $300. Insurance typically does not cover the cost of these labs, but it is possible to use your HSA.