Do You Really Need Those Expensive Gut and Hormone Tests?
I hear more people asking about specialty tests like the GI Map (for gut health), the DUTCH Test (for hormones), or food sensitivity tests. These tests seem to be popping up a lot on social media, and I understand why people are curious.
I can order and interpret these tests, but most of the time, they aren’t needed to get started on a solid health plan.
When I first started my practice, I used these tests more often. Patients would spend a lot of money, deal with collecting samples, and wait weeks for results. But over time, I realized the results didn’t change much about how I helped people.
The simple truth?
I focus on understanding you—not just lab results.
Why I Don’t (Always) Start With Extra Testing
When we work together, my first step is to listen. I want to understand what you’re experiencing, how your symptoms show up in daily life, and what your overall health story looks like. That conversation gives us a clearer path forward than a test result on its own ever could.
Early in my practice, I used more of these tests. Over time, I saw a pattern. People were spending a lot of money, going through the hassle of collecting samples, and waiting weeks for results. But the outcome didn’t change much. We still ended up working on the basics: nutrition, stress, sleep, movement, and a few key supplements. That’s what created the real shifts.
What About Blood Work?
Blood work is a valuable tool I almost always use. It’s affordable, accessible, and provides helpful insights about things like nutrient levels, immune markers, and how your metabolism is functioning.
It also gives us something concrete to track over time. If we want to see how your body is responding to changes, blood tests make that possible. And unlike many of the more involved tests, they’re easy to repeat.
Want to learn more? Read about the value of blood work here.
When Deeper Testing Makes Sense
There are times when more detailed testing is helpful. If you’ve made consistent changes to your food, habits, and supplements but still aren’t feeling a difference, we may need to look deeper to find out why.
Also, if you're really curious about a particular test, I’ll support that. This is your body and your process. You deserve to feel confident about the steps we take together.
Sometimes seeing something on paper helps connect the dots or gives you that extra motivation to make a shift. That’s completely valid.
A More Grounded Starting Point
Your body is intelligent. Every symptom is a signal. You don’t have to start with expensive tests to begin feeling better. For most people, the biggest wins come from simple, thoughtful changes that support the body in meaningful ways.
We’ll begin by building a strong foundation, using what we already know from your experiences and your story. From there, we can layer in the tools that truly make a difference, without overcomplicating the process.
Want more clear, empowering wellness insights like this one?
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