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Root Cause Lab Testing

Lab Testing: Getting the Full Picture

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When it comes to mental health, symptoms are only part of the story. Many women I work with have been told “everything is normal” on paper—yet still feel exhausted, foggy, anxious, or off-balance. That’s where root-cause lab testing comes in. I use advanced blood work and functional testing to look beyond the surface, identifying the biological and nutritional imbalances that can contribute to mood, cognition, energy, and resilience.

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By combining integrative psychiatry with targeted testing, we gain real insight into what’s driving your symptoms—and how to treat them with precision and clarity.

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The Role of Root Cause Lab Testing in Integrative Psychiatry

Traditional psychiatry often focuses on symptom management, sometimes overlooking potential biological contributors to mental health issues. Integrative psychiatry, however, seeks to identify and address these underlying causes. Blood tests serve as a valuable tool in this process, offering insights into various physiological aspects that can influence mental well-being.

 

Key Areas Assessed Through Blood Testing

Include but are not limited to:

General Health and Metabolic Function

  • Complete Blood Count with Differential (CBC w/ Diff): Assesses immune function, oxygen-carrying capacity, and signs of infection or inflammation.

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Evaluates liver and kidney function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar regulation.

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Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

  • Fasting Lipid Panel: Measures cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk markers.

  • Hemoglobin A1c (HgA1c): Assesses long-term blood sugar control and metabolic risk.

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Nutritional and Micronutrient Status

  • Vitamin D, B12, Folate, B6, Iron Panels: Identifies deficiencies that may impact mood, energy, cognition, and nervous system health.

  • Amino Acids, Fatty Acids, Mineral Levels: Detects deeper nutritional imbalances affecting neurotransmitter production and brain function.

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Hormonal Health​

  • Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Antibodies): Assesses for thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune thyroid disease, both of which can mimic psychiatric symptoms.

  • Sex Hormone & Adrenal Testing: Evaluates estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol levels, which influence mood, sleep, and stress resilience.

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Gut Health & the Gut-Brain Axis

  • Comprehensive GI Testing: Looks at microbiome balance, digestion, inflammation, leaky gut markers, yeast, parasites, and more.​

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Detoxification & Environmental Load

  • Detox Pathway and Toxin Exposure Testing: Assesses your ability to process and eliminate toxins, heavy metals, and metabolic waste that may affect brain health.

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Oxidative Stress & Mitochondrial Function

  • Antioxidant Status & Free Radical Damage Markers: Evaluates oxidative stress levels and mitochondrial efficiency—key for energy, focus, and emotional regulation.

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Immune & Inflammatory Activity

  • Markers of Systemic and Gut-Based Inflammation: Identifies immune overactivity that can contribute to anxiety, depression, fatigue, or cognitive issues.

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Benefits of Integrating Root Cause Lab Testing into Psychiatric Care

  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Understanding your unique biological makeup allows for tailored interventions, enhancing treatment effectiveness.

  • Early Detection of Underlying Conditions: Laboratory tests can reveal medical issues that may manifest as psychiatric symptoms, facilitating timely and appropriate treatment.

  • Reduced Trial-and-Error Prescribing: With detailed insights, medication and therapy choices become more precise, minimizing unnecessary adjustments.

  • Enhanced Patient Engagement: Seeing concrete data that explains symptoms empowers patients, fostering active participation in their healing journey.

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Quest Diagnostics for Lab Work

  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Understanding your unique biological makeup allows for tailored interventions, enhancing treatment effectiveness.

  • Early Detection of Underlying Conditions: Laboratory tests can reveal medical issues that may manifest as psychiatric symptoms, facilitating timely and appropriate treatment.

  • Reduced Trial-and-Error Prescribing: With detailed insights, medication and therapy choices become more precise, minimizing unnecessary adjustments.

  • Enhanced Patient Engagement: Seeing concrete data that explains symptoms empowers patients, fostering active participation in their healing journey.

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Genova Diagnostics for Advanced Testing

For more specialized assessments, I partner with Genova Diagnostics, known for their advanced, in-depth testing in areas including:

  • Gut Health & Digestive Function

  • Nutritional & Micronutrient Assessment

  • Hormonal & Adrenal Function

  • Detoxification & Environmental Exposure

  • Oxidative Stress & Mitochondrial Function

  • Immune Response & Food Sensitivities

  • Genetic & Methylation Profiles

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Implementing Lab Testing at Mind Alchemy Mental Health

Identify Symptoms & Patterns

We begin by thoroughly understanding your symptoms, their onset, duration, and impact on daily life.

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Uncover Root Causes

Through detailed assessments, including lab tests, we identify underlying biological, psychological, and social factors.

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Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your data, I create a customized plan which may include therapy, supplements, nutrition, or medication.

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Ongoing Support & Adjustments

We continue to monitor and adjust your treatment to ensure long-term success.

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Case Example: The Impact of Root Cause Lab Testing

Consider a patient experiencing persistent fatigue, low mood, and cognitive fog. Traditional approaches might attribute these symptoms solely to depression and prescribe antidepressants. However, at Mind Alchemy Mental Health, I conducted comprehensive blood testing and discovered the patient had significant vitamin D and B12 deficiencies, along with mild hypothyroidism. By addressing these specific issues through supplementation and thyroid support, the patient’s symptoms improved markedly without the need for psychiatric medication.

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Conclusion

Advanced lab testing is a cornerstone of integrative psychiatric care. It allows us to uncover what’s truly driving your symptoms and develop a precise, personalized treatment plan. At Mind Alchemy Mental Health, I’m committed to this root-cause, whole-person approach—so you can feel better, faster, and more sustainably.

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Resources​

  • Genova Diagnostics

    • Link: Home | Genova Diagnostics​

      • Genova Diagnostics specializes in advanced functional and specialty lab testing to help uncover root causes of health concerns. Patients can explore a range of diagnostic tests, learn more about personalized testing options, and access resources to support their healthcare journey. Including this link empowers patients to take a deeper look at their health with precision and convenience.​

  • Quest Diagnostics

    • Link: Home | Quest Diagnostics​

      • This allows patients to schedule lab appointments, access their test results, and learn more about the blood tests they may need. Including this link will help patients take control of their lab work with convenience.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

  • Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clinical Practice, 7(4), 987-1001. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573403X13666180728025329

  • Cryan, J. F., O’Riordan, K. J., Sandhu, K. V., Peterson, V. L., & Dinan, T. G. (2019). The gut microbiome in neurological disorders. The Lancet Neurology, 18(2), 136-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(18)30313-5

  • Fernstrom, J. D., & Fernstrom, M. H. (2007). Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain. Journal of Nutrition, 137(6), 1539S-1547S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.6.1539S

  • Foster, J. A., Rinaman, L., & Cryan, J. F. (2017). Stress & the gut-brain axis: Regulation by the microbiome. Neurobiology of Stress, 7, 124-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2017.03.001

  • Genuis, S. J., & Kelln, K. L. (2015). Toxicant exposure and bioaccumulation: A common and potentially reversible cause of cognitive dysfunction and mental illness. Behavioral and Brain Functions, 11(1), 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12993-015-0071-z

  • Karakas, H. C., Stevens, L. M., Coussons-Read, M. E., & Gibb, R. K. (2020). Nutritional psychiatry: The role of diet and nutrition in mental health. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 14(2), 137-150. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619880754

  • Maes, M., Leonard, B. E., Myint, A. M., Kubera, M., & Verkerk, R. (2019). The new ‘5-HT’ hypothesis of depression: Cell-mediated immune activation, inflammation, and tryptophan catabolite pathway. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 92, 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.003

  • Mikkelsen, K., Stojanovska, L., Apostolopoulos, V., & Tierney, A. C. (2016). Cognitive decline: A vitamin perspective. Nutrition, 32(3), 537-545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2015.10.019

  • Mörkl, S., Butler, M. I., Holl, A., Cryan, J. F., & Dinan, T. (2018). Probiotics and the microbiota-gut-brain axis: Focus on psychiatry. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 43, 289-321. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2018_86

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Mental health information. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov

  • Salim, S. (2017). Oxidative stress and psychological disorders. Current Neuropharmacology, 12(2), 140-147. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X12666131120230329

  • Sharon, G., Cruz, N. J., Kang, D. W., Gandal, M. J., Wang, B., Kim, Y. M., ... & Geschwind, D. H. (2019). Human gut microbiota from autism spectrum disorder promote behavioral symptoms in mice. Cell, 177(6), 1600-1618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2019.05.004

  • Silva, Y. P., Bernardi, A., & Frozza, R. L. (2020). The role of short-chain fatty acids in microbiota–gut–brain communication. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 11, 25. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00025

  • ​Wallace, D. C. (2018). Mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. Genes & Development, 32(9-10), 601-638. https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.312991.118

  • World Health Organization. (2023). Mental health and wellness. Retrieved from https://www.who.int

  • ​Zalar, B., Haslberger, A., & Peterlin, B. (2018). The role of microbiota in depression—A brief review. Psychiatria Danubina, 30(2), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2018.136

 

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a comprehensive resource. Content may change and be updated regularly; therefore, some information may become outdated over time. This website does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for professional evaluation and care by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of a licensed prescribing clinician, such as a nurse practitioner, psychiatrist, or other qualified medical professional, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. In case of a medical or psychiatric emergency, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services immediately.​

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