Understanding Functional Lab Testing: The Missing Piece in Your Gut Healing Journey
If you’ve been struggling with ongoing bloating, fatigue, or digestive discomfort, you’re not alone. I often work with clients who’ve tried everything: changing their diet, taking supplements, cutting out gluten or dairy, and still not feeling better.
The truth is, healing your gut takes more than guesswork. You need real data that tells you what’s happening inside your body. That’s where functional lab testing comes in.
In my practice here in Eugene, Oregon, I use a variety of tests that go beyond what you’ll find in a typical doctor’s office. These tests help uncover the why behind your symptoms so we can create a plan that’s specific to your body, not just your symptoms.
Let’s take a look at the most common types of lab testing I use and how each one supports gut repair and overall wellness.
1. Stool Testing: A Window Into Your Gut Microbiome
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and when those microbes are out of balance, your entire digestive system can feel the effects. Comprehensive stool testing provides a deep look into your gut microbiome and digestive chemistry.
This test shows how well you’re digesting and absorbing nutrients, the presence of inflammation or infection, and the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria.
If you’ve ever wondered why your digestion feels off or why you’re dealing with bloating and irregularity, stool testing often provides the missing answers. Once we have your results, we can create a plan that restores balance, supports nutrient absorption, and strengthens your gut lining.
2. SIBO Testing: Getting to the Root of Bloating and Discomfort
If you experience gas, bloating, or stomach pain soon after eating, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) could be part of the picture.
This test uses a simple breath sample to measure gases produced by bacteria living where they shouldn’t, in your small intestine. Depending on the type of gas detected, we can tailor your treatment to gently rebalance your gut and reduce those uncomfortable symptoms.
Identifying SIBO can be life changing for many people who have spent years guessing what foods to avoid without ever knowing the root cause.
3. H. Pylori Testing: Addressing Stomach Inflammation at Its Source
H. pylori is a bacterium that can take hold in your stomach lining and cause heartburn, nausea, and even ulcers. It’s also surprisingly common.
Testing for H. pylori, usually through stool or breath, helps determine whether this infection is contributing to your discomfort. Once identified, we can address it naturally, supporting healthy digestion, reducing inflammation, and improving your body’s ability to absorb key nutrients like iron and B12.
4. Organic Acids Testing: A Big Picture Look at Your Metabolism
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) provides a detailed snapshot of how your body is functioning on a cellular level. It looks at more than 70 markers related to metabolism, detoxification, and gut balance.
This test can help identify yeast or bacterial overgrowth, nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial or energy production issues, and detoxification challenges.
For clients who feel chronically tired, foggy, or stuck, the OAT can highlight underlying patterns that other tests might miss.
5. Mycotoxin (Mold) Testing: Detecting Hidden Environmental Stressors
Mold exposure can silently impact your digestion, hormones, and immune system. Many people don’t realize their body has been exposed to mold toxins until symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or brain fog appear.
Through mycotoxin urine testing, we can see whether your body is holding onto mold toxins and how your detox pathways are functioning. From there, we build a gentle plan to support elimination and repair.
6. Food Sensitivity Testing: Finding Your Hidden Triggers
Food sensitivities can cause inflammation throughout the body, even if you don’t experience immediate reactions. Using food sensitivity testing, we can identify which foods your immune system is reacting to and remove those triggers temporarily while your gut heals.
This often leads to noticeable improvements in digestion, energy, skin health, and mood. Later, we carefully reintroduce foods to see what your body can tolerate once it’s healed.
7. Leaky Gut Testing: Checking Gut Barrier Integrity
Your gut lining is designed to be selectively permeable, letting nutrients in while keeping toxins out. When that barrier becomes too permeable, often called leaky gut, undigested food particles and toxins can pass into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation.
Through lab testing, we can measure specific markers that tell us how well your gut lining is functioning. If it’s compromised, we focus on repairing and sealing that barrier through personalized nutrition, targeted supplements, and lifestyle adjustments.
What Makes This Approach Different
Functional lab testing is more than a diagnostic tool; it’s a way to finally understand why your body is reacting the way it is.
By combining your symptoms with real data, I can create a plan that’s unique to you, one that supports your digestion, balances your microbiome, and promotes lasting wellness.
Many of my clients in Eugene tell me that seeing their lab results was the first time their health finally made sense. It’s incredibly empowering to know what’s actually going on inside your body and to have a plan that’s built just for you.
Bottom Line
Lab testing removes the guesswork from gut healing. It gives us answers, direction, and confidence in every step of your health journey.
If you’re ready to get to the root cause of your symptoms instead of managing them day by day, I’d love to help.
Book your free discovery call today HERE, and let’s talk about which lab tests might be right for you. Together, we’ll uncover what your body has been trying to tell you and create a clear path toward feeling better.