Lab results are meant to provide clarity. But for many people, they raise more questions than answers. That’s why at Kairos, we use functional testing to get to the root of what your body is really trying to say.
These tests go deeper than basic panels and give us a more complete picture of how your systems are functioning, not just whether you fit into a general normal range.
Let’s walk through some of the most common functional tests we use, and what the results can tell you about your health.
Understanding Functional Lab Testing
Unlike standard lab tests, which often screen for disease or flag dangerously high levels, functional labs focus on optimal function. They can catch early imbalances long before they become bigger health problems.
The goal isn’t to treat numbers, it’s to understand why symptoms are showing up and how we can support your body’s ability to heal. Rather than asking Do you have a disease? We ask Is your body working the way it’s designed to?
What Functional Testing Can Reveal
Let’s take a look at some of the most common functional tests we use and what they can tell us.
1. Thyroid Full Panel Test:
You might have had your thyroid checked before, usually with a single TSH marker. But that one number doesn’t tell how well your thyroid hormones are being produced, converted, or used by your body. That’s why we go deeper.
We assess your full thyroid panel, including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies, to understand how your metabolism is functioning.
2. Adrenal & Cortisol Rhythm Testing
Adrenal testing can show how your stress hormones, like cortisol, are rising or falling throughout the day, and whether they’re contributing to fatigue, belly weight gain, or mood changes.
We often use salivary or dried urine cortisol testing to track your adrenal function across the day. This shows us how your body handles stress, blood sugar, and energy regulation.
We test:
- Cortisol at 4–5 points across the day
- DHEA if needed
If your cortisol is too high or too low, you may feel tired, wired, or both. This can also affect belly fat, mood, and sleep quality.
3. Glucose and Insulin
Most people are only tested for blood sugar, but not for insulin, which controls how your body stores fat and energy. Even if your glucose looks fine, high insulin can signal early resistance. This is one of the most common causes of belly weight gain, energy crashes, and increased inflammation.
Tests may include:
- Fasting insulin
- HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index)
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Glucose and post-meal sugar response, if needed
By looking at fasting insulin and glucose together, along with patterns over time. We can often catch metabolic issues years before they show up on standard diabetes screens.
4. Functional Liver Testing
Your liver processes hormones, cholesterol, toxins, and nutrients. It helps your body eliminate hormones, cholesterol, toxins, and waste. When it’s under pressure, you might feel more sluggish, inflamed, or notice skin issues and poor digestion.
To look at the full picture, we test:
- ALT, AST enzymes
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
- Early stress marker GGT
- Bilirubin and albumin
Functional testing of liver enzymes and detox pathways tells whether your body is overloaded or simply needs better support. In women, sluggish liver function can also delay estrogen clearance, leading to PMS, bloating, or mood changes.
5. Micronutrient Testing
You can eat a clean diet and still be missing key nutrients if you’re under stress, have digestive issues, or are taking certain medications.
We look at vitamins like B12, D, folate, magnesium, omega-3s, and more.
Common Test Includes:
- Magnesium, Zinc, B12, Folate
- Vitamin D
- Omega-3 Index
- Choline and CoQ10 as needed
Testing can help customize supplements and dietary choices for what your body truly needs.
6. Hormone Panels Test For Men and Women
Hormonal shifts don’t only happen at menopause or with aging. Stress, inflammation, or under-eating can all affect your hormone levels and how you feel.
We assess estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA, along with how they interact. For perimenopausal women, low libido in men, or unexplained weight gain, these tests reveal a clearer picture.
This is especially helpful for patients with low libido, mood swings, heavy periods, or stubborn weight.
What to Expect at Kairos Integrative Care
At Kairos Integrative Care, we don’t just run labs, we help you understand them. When your results come in, we sit down with you and explain what each part means.
If you’re feeling tired, gaining weight, or not feeling like yourself, these tests help us figure out why.
Depending on what you’re going through, we might look at things like:
- How is your body handling blood sugar
- Whether your thyroid or hormones are off
- Signs of stress, inflammation, or poor sleep
- If you’re missing key nutrients
- How well your gut and liver are working
Then, we build a plan that fits your life. Maybe it’s a few food changes, maybe it’s a supplement to help your energy.
Let’s Get to the Root of What’s Going On
If you’ve felt like no one’s connecting the dots, or you’ve been chasing symptoms without clarity, functional lab testing could be the missing piece.
At Kairos Integrative Care, Lola, one of our Board-Certified Nurse Practitioners, takes time to listen, test deeper, and guide you with a clear, personalized plan.
We proudly serve patients in Houston, Sugar Land, and nearby areas (77046 & 77478) and accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, and more.
