Have you ever had blood tests with your GP to be told that “everything is normal”, only to feel that it is everything but that?
Well thats where functional medicine could help you.
Requesting and reviewing blood tests is part of my everyday work which I love to do as it can reveal so much. The key to getting the most out of your blood tests though is to analyze your results based on “Functional” ranges and not the “Clinical ranges” provided by the lab. The lab Clinical ranges used today are very broad and typically are determined by averaging only sick people’s scores and levels. Clinical range (also known as Reference Range) is used to diagnose disease. Functional range is used to assess risk for disease before disease develops. The main difference between the Functional and Clinical range is the degree deviation allowed within their normal ranges.
For example, the Clinical reference range for a TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone, is between 0.5-5. If you are above 5 on your TSH your doctor will usually run further tests and question how well your thyroid is working. If your range is between 0.5-5 your doctor will not generally question your thyroid function. However the functional range for optimal thyroid function is 0.5-1.5, which is a much tighter range. Levels which come in above the Functional range, but within the Clinical range, are already indicating a sluggish thyroid function and a future risk for developing full thyroid disease. Along with that you may be experiencing symptoms of the slow thyroid, which your doctor may just put down to lack of sleep or stress, because you are sitting within normal clinical range. But actually your thyroid gland is already underfunctioning.
Conventional medical training is concerned with the diagnosis of disease and rarely preventative medicine. Healthcare providers such as myself that practice preventive medicine are those most inclined to incorporate consulting patients when their levels register outside of the Functional range. In this sense we are called Functional Medicine practitioners. The normal healthcare model in Australia does not usually embrace the concept of a functional range. Practitioners who embrace the importance of functional ranges therefore are usually are also concerned about diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes. As its known that supporting these factors can prevent disease and disease progression.
So do you want to be compared to Australia’s sick population and then be told you’re “well” just because your results say “normal”?
I am trained in Functional Medicine will analyze your blood work based on Functional ranges and will look at patterns within your results. This helps me to understand more about your state of health and what changes you need to make now to prevent more serious conditions in the future.
Examples of imbalances that can be revealed by a Functional Analysis of your blood work include: Blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance, Cardiovascular conditions, Metabolic syndrome, Digestive disturbances, Nutrient malabsorption through gut dysfunction, Adrenal health, Thyroid conditions, Bone loss, Nutrient deficiencies, Dehydration, and more. In an appointment with me I will analyze your blood work and provide you with full recommendations based on your results. If you don’t have blood test results to bring to your appointment, not to worry, I will make recommendations to my partnering integrative GP and we can arrange for a referral and pathology request form that you can fill at your nearest path centre, this will be bulk billed too.
I urge you not to settle for normal health, but to strive for optimal health.
I also utilise advanced Functional medicine testing in my practice which is on the cutting edge of health as it is not necessarily testing for a disease state as such but for the health of the individual organs of the body, with the aim to prevent disease states developing from the chronic symptoms that are already occurring. For advanced functional tests, such as DNA GI mapping testing on gut health, I provide test kits to you to complete urine, saliva, hair or stool tests at home to send to my chosen lab, Nutripath in Melbourne.
These test results are used to further analyse your nutritional status, digestive function, hormones, food sensitivities, detoxification capabilities and more and they help me to get a really clear picture of your unique physiology and guides my treatment plan.
The advanced functional tests that I most commonly recommend are
Bio-Compatibility Hair Analysis Testing for reactions to over 600+ common LOCAL food groups, bathroom, laundry and kitchen products (my GOLD standard test)
Complete Digestive Stool Analysis and the revolutionary DNA GI Mapping stool test
Intestinal Permeability Test (for ‘leaky gut’)
Intestinal Dysbiosis Markers Panel (for SIBO)
Adrenal Stress Profile
Pyrroles test
Full Thyroid Panel Testing
Salivary Hormone Testing (female/male panel)
IGG/IGA Food Sensitivity Profile
Neurotransmitter Profile (for depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD)
Hair Mineral Testing (tests for heavy metal toxicity which can cause fatigue, depression, stress, anxiety, adrenal and thyroid issues, ADHD, plus mineral imbalances)
Advanced functional testing is not mandatory but a chosen extension to my investigations and treatment plan, so don’t let worries about budget stop you booking in with me, as I can work within any budget restrictions.
Any questions?
Email me victoria@victoriamartinnaturopathics.com or to book your appointment with me now please click here
Contact me!