Functional Testing
Discover What Your Symptoms Have Not Been Able to Tell You
Functional Testing gives us a deeper view of the biological patterns influencing how you feel, function, and respond to treatment.
Through advanced testing of the gut microbiome, hormones, minerals, food-related immune activity, and pathogen-associated immune reactivity, we can uncover patterns that are often missed when symptoms are viewed individually.
At Blue Root, results are not handed to you as a list of numbers. We interpret them alongside your symptoms, health history, medications, supplements, and treatment goals—then translate that information into a clear, personalized strategy.
A Deeper View of Your Health
When Symptoms Persist, Better Information Can Change the Direction
Many patients come to Blue Root after being told that their laboratory results are "normal," even though they continue to experience fatigue, digestive problems, hormonal symptoms, brain fog, poor sleep, food-related reactions, inflammation, or unexplained changes in how they feel.
Functional Testing allows us to examine patterns that are not always included in standard laboratory panels. Depending on the test, we can explore the bacterial and fungal environment of the gut, hormone production and metabolism, daily cortisol patterns, mineral relationships, food-related immune activity, and immune responses associated with previous microbial exposures.
These findings help us move beyond symptom management and build a strategy around the patterns influencing the whole person.
Beyond the Standard Panel
A More Complete Picture Creates a More Precise Plan
Standard laboratory testing provides important information, but it does not examine every aspect of how the body is functioning.
Functional Testing gives us additional ways to investigate persistent or interconnected symptoms. Different tests can reveal patterns involving digestion, the microbiome, hormone metabolism, stress physiology, mineral balance, immune activity, and previous environmental or microbial exposures.
At Blue Root, we connect these findings with the patient's complete health story. This allows us to create a treatment plan that is more focused, individualized, and responsive to what the body is showing us.
Testing Options
Functional Tests Available at Blue Root
Each test provides a different window into the body. At Blue Root, we select testing based on your symptoms, health history, and the patterns we are working to understand. The goal is to uncover useful information that helps us create a clearer, more personalized path forward.
The BIOHM Microbiome Analysis provides a detailed view of the bacterial and fungal communities within the gastrointestinal tract. It identifies and measures important microorganisms and compares the findings with established microbiome patterns.
The gut microbiome influences digestion, immune activity, nutrient metabolism, intestinal comfort, and many aspects of whole-body health. When its microbial environment becomes imbalanced, patients can experience bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, food-related symptoms, fatigue, skin concerns, brain fog, or changes in immune resilience.
The BIOHM Microbiome Analysis provides insight into:
At Blue Root, the report is interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms, diet, medications, supplements, and health history. These findings help us develop a more targeted gut-health strategy that can include nutritional changes, Chinese herbal medicine, probiotics, prebiotics, supplements, and other individualized support.
Collection: A stool sample is collected at home using the kit provided. The completed kit is registered and returned to the laboratory according to the enclosed instructions.
Discuss Microbiome Testing
DUTCH Testing provides a detailed view of sex hormones, hormone metabolites, cortisol, cortisone, and adrenal patterns through dried urine samples collected at home.
Rather than showing only a single hormone level at one moment, DUTCH helps us examine how hormones are being produced, metabolized, and cleared—and how cortisol and cortisone patterns change throughout the day.
DUTCH Complete provides insight into patterns associated with:
DUTCH Cycle Mapping follows estrogen and progesterone patterns across the menstrual cycle. It is especially helpful when investigating irregular cycles, ovulatory patterns, fertility concerns, PMS, or symptoms that change significantly throughout the month.
At Blue Root, the findings are interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms, cycle history, medications, supplements, and other relevant laboratory results. This allows us to create a more precise hormone, nutrition, stress-response, and whole-body strategy.
Collection: Dried urine samples are collected at home according to the timing instructions for the selected DUTCH test.
Discuss Hormone Testing
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis uses a small sample of hair collected close to the scalp to measure essential minerals and selected toxic elements.
Minerals influence energy production, thyroid function, blood-sugar regulation, nervous-system activity, stress resilience, muscle function, and the body’s ability to adapt and recover. HTMA helps us examine individual mineral levels as well as the relationships between minerals that work together throughout the body.
HTMA provides valuable insight into:
At Blue Root, HTMA findings are translated into an individualized nutrition, mineral, and supplementation strategy. When appropriate, repeat testing allows us to measure change and refine the plan as the body responds.
Collection: A small sample of hair is collected close to the scalp in the office. Hair should not be collected until at least six weeks after coloring. Patients should arrive with clean, dry hair and avoid applying oils or styling products before collection.
Discuss Hair Mineral Analysis
The IgG Food Map measures IgG antibody reactivity to 190 foods, herbs, and spices, along with Candida and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast markers.
This test provides another layer of information for patients experiencing persistent digestive discomfort, food-related symptoms, skin concerns, fatigue, headaches, joint discomfort, or other patterns that appear to change in response to diet.
The panel helps us:
At Blue Root, the report is not used as a generic list of foods to avoid forever. We compare the findings with the patient’s symptoms, diet, digestive health, and complete clinical picture to create a structured nutrition plan.
The goal is to identify meaningful patterns, reduce unnecessary restriction, and determine which dietary changes genuinely help the patient feel and function better.
Collection: A small blood sample is collected by finger prick. Patients should arrive well hydrated before collection.
Discuss Food Reactivity Testing
Cyrex Array 12 measures IgG immune reactivity associated with 29 bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, mold-related, and other microbial antigens.
It is used selectively when a patient’s health history suggests that previous microbial exposures could be contributing to persistent immune activation or complex inflammatory patterns.
Array 12 can provide useful information for patients experiencing:
The panel examines immune reactivity associated with organisms and microbial antigens such as H. pylori, Candida, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, several molds, Epstein-Barr virus-related markers, cytomegalovirus, HHV-6, Borrelia, and selected tick-associated organisms.
At Blue Root, Array 12 results are interpreted within the patient’s complete clinical picture. The findings help us understand immune-load patterns, prioritize areas for further investigation, and build a more focused strategy for immune, digestive, neurological, and whole-body support.
Collection: A blood specimen is collected according to Cyrex laboratory requirements.
Discuss Immune Reactivity TestingYour Testing Appointment
From Your Symptoms to a Clearer Strategy
Consultation and Health History
We begin by discussing your symptoms, health history, medications, supplements, previous testing, daily patterns, and treatment goals. This helps us determine which areas deserve deeper investigation.
Test Selection
We select the test that best matches the clinical questions we are working to answer. You will understand what the test evaluates, why it is being recommended, and how the information can guide your care.
Simple Collection
Depending on the test, the sample can involve stool, dried urine, hair, or blood. Some samples are collected at home using a provided kit, while others are collected in the office or through an appropriate laboratory service.
Comprehensive Results Review
When the results return, we review them with you in detail. We explain the meaningful patterns, connect them with your symptoms and history, and identify the areas that deserve attention.
Personalized Treatment Strategy
Your results are translated into a practical plan. Depending on the findings, this can include nutrition, supplements, mineral support, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, lifestyle changes, digestive support, hormone support, or other Blue Root therapies.
From Information to Action
Your Results Become a Personalized Plan
Functional Testing becomes valuable when the information is connected to meaningful action.
At Blue Root, we look at how laboratory patterns relate to your symptoms, health history, daily habits, medications, supplements, and previous treatment responses. We then use that complete picture to determine where the body needs the most support.
Your plan can evolve as your symptoms change, your body responds, and new information becomes available. When repeat testing is useful, it gives us a way to measure progress and refine the strategy with greater precision.
The goal is not simply to collect more information. It is to help you understand your body and move forward with greater clarity.
Functional Testing Within Your Broader Care
Functional Testing can be used independently or integrated with other Blue Root services to create a more complete treatment strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Functional Testing
Blue Root offers BIOHM Microbiome Analysis, DUTCH Complete and DUTCH Cycle Mapping, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, the IgG Food Map with Candida + Yeast, and Cyrex Array 12. The test selected depends on your symptoms, health history, and the patterns we are investigating.
There is no single starting test for every patient. We begin with your symptoms, health history, previous laboratory results, medications, supplements, and treatment goals. From there, we select the test most likely to provide useful direction.
BIOHM Microbiome Analysis examines bacterial and fungal communities within the gut. The findings help us understand microbial diversity, beneficial organisms, potentially disruptive patterns, and Candida levels so we can create a more targeted digestive and whole-body strategy.
DUTCH Complete evaluates sex hormones, hormone metabolites, cortisol, cortisone, and selected adrenal and nutritional markers. DUTCH Cycle Mapping follows estrogen and progesterone patterns throughout the menstrual cycle and is particularly useful for cycle-related symptoms, ovulation patterns, and fertility concerns.
HTMA examines essential minerals, selected toxic elements, and important mineral relationships. These patterns help us better understand energy production, stress physiology, metabolic tendencies, and individualized nutritional needs.
No. We interpret the report alongside your symptoms, digestive health, and current diet. When dietary changes are appropriate, we create a focused and manageable plan rather than automatically removing every identified food indefinitely.
Array 12 measures immune reactivity associated with 29 microbial antigens. It is used selectively when previous bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, mold, or tick-related exposures could be contributing to persistent immune or inflammatory patterns.
Collection depends on the test. BIOHM uses a stool sample, DUTCH uses dried urine, HTMA uses a small hair sample, and IgG Food Map and Array 12 use blood specimens. We provide complete preparation and collection instructions for the selected test.
Turnaround time varies by laboratory and test. We explain the current expected timeline when your test is ordered and schedule a results-review appointment when the report becomes available.
Coverage varies by insurance plan and laboratory. Many specialized Functional Tests are self-pay. We explain the cost before ordering so patients can make an informed decision.
We review the findings with you, connect them with your symptoms and health history, and translate the information into a personalized treatment strategy. Your plan can include nutrition, supplements, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, lifestyle changes, or other Blue Root therapies.
Begin With a Deeper Understanding
Find the Missing Pieces. Build a More Precise Path Forward.
When symptoms persist, the right information can reveal patterns that have been overlooked and create new possibilities for care. At Blue Root, Functional Testing is interpreted through the lens of the whole person—helping us transform complex results into a clear, individualized plan for better health.