Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing & Functional Medicine in Oakland, CA

Diagnostic Testing & Functional Medicine in Oakland, CA

At our clinic in Oakland, we believe accurate diagnostic testing is the foundation of effective healthcare. Lab testing gives us a window into the body’s internal processes—revealing what’s happening behind the scenes and guiding personalized treatment strategies.

We offer a wide range of in-office lab tests and can also help you navigate which tests to request from your primary care physician or OB/GYN. Grounded in the principles of functional medicine, we view the body as an interconnected system rather than isolated parts. This approach allows us to monitor your progress comprehensively using tools such as:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential and platelets
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panels (Chem Panels)
  (To assess liver and kidney function, among others)

Digestive Function Testing

We partner with trusted laboratories to offer advanced digestive function tests that identify both acute and chronic gastrointestinal issues. These tests help determine the role of digestion and absorption in your overall health and guide us in crafting effective treatment plans.

Common tests include:

• Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA):
  Evaluates digestion, nutrient absorption, microbial balance, inflammation, and immune response.
• Comprehensive Parasitology:
  Detects parasites like Giardia lamblia and intestinal worms—often linked to chronic digestive distress.
• Intestinal Permeability Testing (“Leaky Gut”):
  Identifies gut wall damage associated with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
• Microbiology Analysis:
  Assesses beneficial bacteria, pathogens, and yeast overgrowth.
• Helicobacter pylori Antigen Testing:
  Screens for H. pylori, a common cause of ulcers and gastritis.

Food Allergy & Hypersensitivity Testing

Food sensitivities now affect up to 20% of the population and are linked to a wide range of conditions—from asthma and eczema to IBS and migraines. Unidentified allergies can even impact mood, behavior, and cognitive function—especially in children.

We offer advanced allergy testing that goes beyond traditional skin-prick (IgE) tests by also evaluating IgG-mediated (delayed response) allergies. This dual approach helps identify:

• Immediate-onset (IgE) reactions – occur within minutes, often lifelong
• Delayed-onset (IgG) reactions – develop over hours or days, often reversible

Both types can be triggered by foods, herbs, spices, inhalants, and molds. Identifying these allergens can dramatically improve quality of life.

Adrenal Stress Testing

Chronic stress can exhaust your adrenal glands, disrupting cortisol production—leading to fatigue, insomnia, and dependency on caffeine or sugar. Our Adrenal Stress Test measures cortisol levels at four points during the day using a non-invasive saliva test.

This test helps determine if you’re in an early stress response phase or suffering from adrenal fatigue. It also provides insight into your circadian rhythm, immune function, and blood sugar regulation—guiding personalized treatments through diet, lifestyle, and targeted supplements.

Comprehensive Thyroid Panel

Thyroid health is essential for regulating metabolism, energy, and immune response. Many providers test only TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), but this may miss early thyroid dysfunction.

We provide a comprehensive thyroid assessment that includes multiple markers for a full picture of your thyroid health—helping us detect issues before they become more serious. This is especially helpful if you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue, weight changes, digestive issues, or low immunity.

Salivary Hormone Testing

Hormonal balance affects nearly every system in your body. When hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol are imbalanced, it can lead to fatigue, mood changes, infertility, and other health issues.

Saliva testing is a convenient, accurate, and affordable method for assessing bioavailable hormones—the active hormones your body actually uses. Unlike blood tests, which show total hormone levels, saliva tests focus on the fraction that is readily absorbed by tissues like the brain, skin, and reproductive organs.

Saliva samples remain stable for days, allowing flexible and reliable home collection.

Why Hormone Testing Matters

Hormones control your mood, metabolism, energy, and reproductive health. Yet hormone levels can vary by up to 1,500% between individuals. Without testing, treatment becomes guesswork.

Testing helps us:

• Identify imbalances causing symptoms like PMS, infertility, migraines, or irregular cycles
• Monitor treatment effectiveness
• Customize plans for menopause, andropause, or adrenal dysfunction
• Support mental, emotional, and metabolic health

What We Test

Our panels are customized for both men and women, and may include:

• Reproductive hormones: Estrogen (estradiol, estriol, estrone), progesterone, testosterone
• Adrenal hormones: Cortisol, DHEA
• Androgens: Dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione
• Regulatory hormones: FSH, LH (to evaluate brain-ovary communication)

These tests help us address:

• PMS and menstrual disorders
• Functional infertility and luteal phase defects
• Menopause, perimenopause, and andropause
• Cycle irregularities (including post-birth control issues)
• Migraines, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and early osteoporosis
• Hormone-related mood changes and sleep issues