The ‘normal’ lab trap — and how to escape it

Ever been told your labs are “normal”… but you still feel anything but normal?

Fatigue, mood swings, skin issues, bloat, anxiety, stubborn weight and it’s brushed off as “just aging” or “in your head.”

Here’s what no one tells you: Most lab ranges are based on averages from the general public (not optimal health). And thanks to insurance limitations, many doctors can’t - or won’t - order the deeper tests that actually reveal what’s going on.

That’s where functional testing comes in. I use a range of advanced labs to uncover what’s really driving your symptoms so we can support your body with targeted solutions that actually work.

Here are some of my favorite root-cause labs to work with:

🧫 Parasite Testing (Parasitology Center) – $284.65

This is one of the most comprehensive parasite stool analyses available. It identifies over 50 types of parasites, including protozoa, roundworms, flukes, and tapeworms - many of which go undetected on standard tests. Symptoms like bloating, skin issues, mood swings, and even fatigue or autoimmune flares often trace back to parasitic infections that traditional labs miss. This test uses multiple-day stool collection to catch what others don’t.

🧠 Organic Acids Test (OAT) (Mosaic Diagnostics) – $370

This is a powerhouse test. It screens for candida, mold metabolites, neurotransmitter imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and mitochondrial function all in one.

🦠 MycoTOX Mold Test  (Mosaic Diagnostics) – $350

Tests for 11 mold toxins in urine. Mold is sneaky, and blood testing often misses it. If you’ve had water damage, lived in humid climates, or have mysterious symptoms, this one’s worth it.

🧪 TOXDetect Environmental Toxin Test (Mosaic Diagnostics) – $214

Screens for 27 environmental toxins including glyphosate, BPA, VOCs, pesticides, parabens, and more. This is especially important if you use conventional body care or live in a city.

🧬 Tickborne BBB Plus  (Mosaic Diagnostics) – $1,020

Lyme and coinfections like Bartonella and Babesia are often missed in traditional testing. If you’ve ever had a weird rash, mysterious joint pain, or neurologic symptoms - this is key.

💇‍♀️ Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) (Analytical Research Labs) - $200

Reveals patterns in metabolism, adrenal health, mineral deficiencies, and heavy metal toxicity. Comes with a 30+ page report breaking down your results.

🧠 DNA Testing (The DNA Company) - $499

This 275+ page report gives deep insight into your genetics, from hormones to mood, detox pathways, cardiovascular health, and more. Optimize your best genes and quiet the ones holding you back.

🦋 Thyroid & General Bloodwork (YourLabWork) – $99+

I recommend the Thyroid Nation “Let’s Get the Party Started” panel — it includes a full thyroid panel (not just TSH), and you can build on it with hormone, nutrient, or cardiac labs as needed.

Why do I use these labs?

Because bloodwork alone doesn’t always tell the full story.

→ Parasites, mold, and toxins rarely show up on standard blood labs.

→ Blood changes by the hour — stool, hair, urine, and DNA show deeper, more long-term patterns.

→ Most doctors aren’t trained in functional or root-cause testing. That’s where I come in.

Get Your Custom Lab Breakdown + Protocol

Every lab I order comes with a personalized summary + protocol recommendations from me (via email) — no more trying to Google your results in a panic.

Insurance & Reimbursement Info

Insurance typically doesn’t cover these labs, but many can provide superbills you can submit for potential reimbursement.

If you’ve been searching for answers and hitting a wall — let’s look deeper. These tests have helped so many of my clients finally understand what their bodies are telling them.

📩 Ready to get started? Shoot me a DM or book a call today!

P.S. If you’ve never done any functional testing before, I usually recommend starting with the OAT, HTMA, or Parasite Testing. They each give you a different but powerful lens into your health — and can explain things your regular labs never could.