Functional Medicine Testing

Listed below are the tests commonly performed in Dr. Watkins' laboratory blood panel:

ABO w/Rh - this is a test that tells us what your blood type is.
Albumin - Produced in the liver and transports fatty acids. It maintains an optimum water balance within the blood vessels and tissue spaces.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio - This calculation is useful in determining potential disorders.
Alkaline Phosphatase - This enzyme exists in all body tissues. The greatest amounts exist in bone, liver and intestines.
ALT - Another enzyme, found primarily in the liver and in lesser amounts in heart, muscle and kidney. 
AST - This enzyme is found primarily in heart, liver and muscles. An elevated finding is indicative of a destructive process.
Basophils - These white blood cells are elevated with toxic allergic reactions.
Bilirubin Direct - looks at gall bladder and liver function.
Bilirubin Total - A naturally occurring pigment that occurs from the breakdown of old red blood cells in the spleen.
Blood Urea Nitrogen - Is an indicator of kidney function. This value reflects the balance between protein metabolism and protein excretion.
BUN/Creatinine - Is an indication of physiologic anabolism (build-up) to catabolism (break-down) in the body.
Calcium - The most abundant mineral in nature and the body. It is vital for a healthy nervous system, muscles, enzymes and blood clotting.
Carbon Dioxide - An end-product of cellular metabolism. Is useful in evaluating alkalosis or acidity of the extracellular fluids.
Chloride - An electrolyte that influences fluid balances between cells and tissues. Aids in pH balance.
Cholesterol - Cholesterol is produced in stored primarily in the liver. It is used to make hormones, enzymes and antibodies.
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - With a normal homocysteine this number provides an accurate assessment of arteriosclerotic disease risk.
Creatinine - Considered an excellent glomerular filtration indicator. It is a by-product of muscle metabolism.
CRP- high sensitivity - Also known as C-Reactive Protein. It is an indication of cardiovascular inflammation in the body and possible infection.
Eosinophils - These white blood cells are elevated in IgE mediated allergies, the presence of parasites, and food sensitivities.
Ferritin - Generally regarded as the most reliable indicator of iron storage.
GGT - Another enzyme primarily in the liver. An elevated finding is indicative of liver disease.
Globulin - This vitally important protein is composed of over 60 separate proteins and is important in healthy immune system function.
Glucose - It is the primary source of energy for the body and reflects carbohydrate metabolism.
HDL cholesterol - The “good” cholesterol and its structure acts as a scavenger offering protection from heart disease. 80% protein and 20% fat.
Hematocrit - Indicates the maturity and size of the red blood cells.
Hemoglobin - Indicates the amount of intracellular (inside) iron.
Hemoglobin A1c - Reflects the average blood sugar level over the past 60 to 90 days.
Homocysteine - an indication of B vitamin metabolism and cardiovascular risk.  Women on birth control need this test.
Iron - The most prevalent heavy metal in the body. It is vital for hemoglobin synthesis and red blood cell production.
LDH - An enzyme found in muscle, kidney, heart, liver, RBC’s, brain and lungs. It is indicative of cell destruction.
LDL cholesterol - Often times called “bad” cholesterol in conventional medicine. It is 40% fat, 40% sugar and 10% protein. Necessary for hormones.
Leptin - a protein made by fat cells that act in the brain to curb appetite.  Also a marker for inflammation.
Lymphocytes - The second most abundant white blood cell. They are aggressively antiviral. They manufacture globulins which react with antigens.
Magnesium - Important in calcium absorption and metabolism. It is required for carbohydrate metabolism, muscle contraction and clotting.
MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin – indicates the average weight of hemoglobin within the red blood cells.
MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration – indicates the amount of intracellular  iron contained in the red blood cells.
MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume – displays the maturity and size of the red blood cells.
Monocytes - Derived from stem cells in the bone marrow. They are primarily phagocytic working outside the blood vessels.
Neutrophils - Makes up the majority of the white blood cells. It is the body’s first line of defense.
Phosphorus - Found primarily in the bone it is important in calcium metabolism and therefore influences both nerve and muscle physiology.
Platelets - Also known as thrombocytes. This is an indication of the blood’s clotting potential.
Potassium - An electrolyte that functions primarily within the cells. Like sodium it is important in maintaining proper fluid balance.
Protein - Generally equal to albumin + globulin, it is influenced by the blood calcium level.
RBC - Indicates the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
RDW - Red Blood Cell Distribution Width – identifies the variation in red blood cell size. The greater the number the greater the variation.
Sedimentation Rate - This test is particularly important in chronic inflammatory disease. It measures how quickly red blood cells settle or coagulate.
Sodium - An electrolyte indicative of kidney function and influences fluid balance affecting primarily the heart, kidneys and adrenals.
T3 Uptake - Indicates the quantity of thyroid binding hormone.
T7 - Also known as Free Thyroxine Index, it reveals the metabolic impact of the two thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).
Thyroxine (T4) Total - Indicates the quantity of circulating thyroid hormone. Thyroxine is made from iodine and an amino acid tyrosine.
Triglycerides - Dietary blood lipid that is 50% fat and 50% sugar. Makes up 95% of the fatty acids in the body and are stored mainly in the liver.
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is secreted by the pituitary and tells the thyroid to make the thyroid hormones.
Uric Acid - Is an indicator of kidney function. Uric acid reveals the extent of ash from protein (purine) metabolism.
Urinalysis - Looks at a variety of functions of the kidneys.
Vitamin D - According to the current medical literature, is important for anything from depression, hormone status, inflammation, and bone health. 
WBC - The total number of white blood cells in the blood stream. It indicates the body’s ability to rise to an immune challenge.

Adrenal Hormone Testing (cortisol, DHEA) - This test is the beginning of hormone testing. Physiological and mental stress are more and more prevalent in our society today. When this builds up over time, it leads to a lowered immune system, hormone problems, weight gain, mood disorders, sleep disorders, hormone dysfunction, and blood sugar problems.  This is also a good place to start when looking at menopause symptoms.

Comprehensive Stool Analysis - One of the most valuable tests in preventative medicine, this test looks at numerous items concerning your digestive health. Overall digestive capabilities, absorption, pancreas and gall bladder function, and the presence of bad bacterial/parasites/yeast. Using this information, we can target problem areas located in your intestinal tract that has been missed for years.  Digestive health is a top priority when it comes to health and correcting disease.

Food Sensitivity Testing - One of the main sources of stress in the body is the exposure to certain foods that cause inflammatory conditions from GI disorders, auto-immune condtions, ADD and ADHD, chronic inflammatory arthritis, chronic infections and illness, headaches, rashes, and more. There is a difference between a true allergy and sensitivity. True allergy testing is performed by allergists as skin wheel or prick tests. We utilize sensitive blood tests analyzing your blood's reaction to specific food proteins. This testing involves observing the IgA and IgG antibodies for common foods. Using this and a specific prescribed diet, you can avoid the foods that are causing impaired healing.

Bio-Impedance Analysis - BIA is a method of assessing your “body composition” (the measurement of body fat in relation to lean body mass, fluid inside and outside a cell, etc).  The BIA also measures cell health and longevity, hydration levels inside and outside a cell and much more. This gives us an accurate, inexpensive way to monitor your progress with certain lifestyle changes.

Cancer Screening - Cancer is the 2nd cause of death in the USA today. This test provides accurate cancer detection by screening the immune system for specific antibodies. The AMAS test is probably the most sensitive cancer screen we have available today. This test is well referenced in over 25 Peer Review Journals with accuracy detection over 95% on the initial assessment. If a confirmatory test is needed there is over 99% accuracy. The AMAS provides a unique tool for monitoring people whose cancer is in remission along with those that suspect there may be a potential proliferative disorder going on allowing the potential for identification before other forms of analysis can identify a problem. This allows for a more pro-active approach to the health challenge vs. being forced to be extremely reactive. This test should not be used as a screen in the late stages of cancer, however it is one of the best markers before a tumor, cell or tissue is discovered.