Functional Medicine laboratory testing

 

Functional Medicine laboratory testing is different from testing done through primary care practitioner offices. Primary practitioners will run only bare-bones lab tests that don't always uncover the root of your health problems. Unfortunately, this leads to false negatives and long-term illnesses that could be treated if only they were properly identified through comprehensive lab tests.

 

Dr. Cheryl Winter, DCN, FNP-BC, APRN, RDN, strives to make sure each one of her patients is feeling their best. Lab work is an important step in that process. The tests she runs are specialized tests that take the skilled eye of functionally-trained practitioners. Moreover, Dr. Winter partners with reputable laboratories that provide high-quality results in a timely manner.

Remember, the goal of functional medicine is to get to the root cause of your health concerns, and this requires medical detective work through functional testing and functional interpretation.

Because everyone is unique, your health needs will determine which functional lab tests you may need. However, Dr. Cheryl does offer a CORE Foundational Functional Medicine Lab Package, which is exactly what it describes. It measures key health metrics and tells you where you can improve in overall health. If you would like to see functional lab testing type sampling, please go HERE to learn more about the different labs offered.

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Our Lab Testing Services

Dr. Cheryl Winter’s vital health solutions are not the traditional lab tests you may be accustomed to. Instead, we offer functional medicine lab testing that helps assess how well your body is functioning. These tests measure your overall health instead of targeting a specific diagnosis. You may have no diagnosable ailments but still, feeling unwell. Our tests can tell you whether you have a vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, gut issue, or other difficult-to-diagnose illness.

When diagnosing and evaluating your overall health or ailment, you need a practitioner with full expertise who understands blood testing. The key to getting the most accurate results and diagnosis is working with a highly trained Functional Medicine Practitioner like Dr. Winter. She can not only order functional medicine lab tests but also interpret them. These tests include hormone, stool, and metabolic testing, among others. At our local clinic in Boerne, TX, we are able to order an entire array of lab tests so that you remain in the driver's seat when it comes to your health.

The Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

Our Boerne, TX, functional medicine practice has the expertise to perform a complete blood count test. In this test, we measure the quantity and types of cells in your blood. This includes the white and red blood cells and platelets.

This test aims to determine the overall status of your health, nutritional health, and any specific diagnoses. Some of the symptoms that we evaluate using this test include fatigue, bruising, and weakness. Dr. Winter can diagnose conditions like anemia, and other conditions from the results.

The Basic Metabolic Panel

Our lab uses this test to evaluate the levels of potassium, chloride, calcium, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, and carbon dioxide in your body. This helps to assess your fluid balance, blood sugar levels, kidney function, and electrolyte levels in your system. Using this data, Dr. Winter can diagnose certain medical conditions, monitor the effects of the medications you are taking, and be part of your continual health screening.

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

This test combines the Basic Metabolic Panel test with other tests to culminate in more comprehensive lab results. Metabolism is the process of how your body uses energy and food. Dr. Winter's clinic in Boerne, TX, evaluate 14 various substances in your blood, providing vital information about your body’s metabolism and chemical balance. Some of the tests in a comprehensive metabolic panel include:

• Calcium test – Calcium is an essential mineral that ensures your heart, nerves, and muscles function properly.

• Alkaline Phosphate (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Transaminase ((ALT). This test looks at various enzymes produced by the liver.

• Testing your urine sample for Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine waste products which are naturally removed by your kidneys. This also includes a Bilirubin test, which is another waste product produced by the liver.

These are just a few of the blood and drug tests performed in a comprehensive metabolic panel. The main aim is to check your blood sugar and protein levels, acid, and alkaline balance, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney and liver health, and general metabolism health.

Hemoglobin A1C Test

At our Boerne, TX clinic, Dr. Winter tests your average blood sugar levels using the hemoglobin test, also known as the HbA1c or glycohemoglobin test. This is a test specially designed for people with diabetes and is usually done over a period of months because a single test will not give you conclusive blood test results.

Lipid Panel Lab Test

A lipid test evaluates your cholesterol and fat levels in the blood. Dr. Winter can help ascertain your risk of developing fatty deposits in your arteries using this test. Such deposits can block or narrow your arteries (atherosclerosis) all over your body. In this test, Dr. Winter evaluates four different types of cholesterols.

Low-density lipoprotein is also commonly known as bad cholesterol. When there is too much concentration in your blood (plaque), it reduces your blood flow. This buildup can result in heart disease, stroke, or a heart attack in more severe instances.

 

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Dr. Cheryl Winter Lab Testing in Boerne, TX

If you are looking for lab testing services in Boerne, TX, look no further. Dr. Winter offers excellent functional medicine services with minimal wait times. To get the right treatment plan, you need the proper diagnosis from a trusted practitioner.

To get accurate and beneficial functional medicine lab test services in Boerne, TX, visit Dr. Cheryl Winter at 303 Longmire Rd., Suite #1001, Boerne, TX 77304 832-327-9332.