In the day and age of DIY doctoring, there are actually many options to order a lab test without a doctor. And you can order from the comfort of home. This model is expected to grow exponentially in coming years.

The thing is, the average person ordering labs doesn't know what to order. Even medically-trained practitioners sometimes don't know what to order! I know – I’ve worked with clinicians for over 10 years at a functional medicine laboratory. Many are overwhelmed by all the available options.

Let's rewind for a minute – back to that DIY doctoring piece.😬 I'm a doctor, and I know a lot of people are turning to the internet for solutions to their health problems. My colleagues and I joke about (and curse) "Dr. Google". There really is no replacement for a qualified healthcare professional. 

BUT, there are a lot of patients out there that believe they need to search for answers to their health problems. Perhaps they were not satisfied with the answers they received from their provider. Or maybe they don’t want to see a healthcare provider because of cost or convenience. Whatever the reason, at-home lab testing is an appealing option.

If you’re looking for more answers, or root causes, a practitioner trained in naturopathic medicine or functional medicine can help. (If you are not familiar with the term ‘functional medicine’, check out this article.) But not everyone can afford this type of healthcare, nor is it readily available in their region. So, instead they turn to the internet to find their own way.

I want to give you some direction with at-home testing. But I HIGHLY encourage you to find a practitioner that you trust. Someone that will work with you to find the root cause and offer solutions that you can both agree on. I’ve seen patients go down rabbit holes trying to go it alone. It can end up costing more time and money than if they had proper guidance from someone who is highly trained to help them.

Types of Lab Testing

There are essentially 2 types of lab testing: conventional labs and specialty labs. 

Conventional Lab Testing

Traditional or conventional lab work includes labs that are mainstream or standard-of-care labs. These are the same labs you would expect your conventionally-trained provider to order. These labs are also relied on by functional medicine practitioners. Common laboratories include LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. These labs are essential for understanding health problems. They help to diagnose conditions and have plenty of research to support their use. Insurance covers conventional labs with the right codes provided by the practitioner. 

There are many well-established conventional tests that are considered advanced. For example an advanced lipid panel goes beyond the standard lipid panel. A standard lipid panel includes LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. An advanced lipid panel includes the same measurements as well as several other markers such as Apo B, Lp(a), and others. These markers are well-researched and can help better understand your risk for heart disease. Most clinicians only order the standard lipid panel due to cost and perceived necessity. If a patient wants to see the test anyways, they might have to pay out-of-pocket. And sometimes, patients are willing to do this to gather more information.

Specialty Lab Testing

Specialty or functional medicine lab testing includes testing for wellness and lifestyle improvement. Most tests do not actually diagnose a specific condition like conventional lab work does. Testing can give information about possible root causes. Together, functional medicine labs and conventional labs give the most complete picture. Insurance covers some labs with the right codes provided by a practitioner. Many people are willing to pay out-of-pocket because they are searching for answers.

For example, many people struggle with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or digestive issues. A conventional doctor might suggest fiber, an antidepressant, or PPI (proton pump inhibitor) to treat symptoms. Patients may want more information about WHY they are feeling these symptoms and may request lab testing. Conventional GI testing might include: stool testing for select pathogens, celiac blood testing, medical imaging to look for gallbladder or other issues, and invasive testing such as endoscopy looking for serious pathologies. Most people don’t have the issues that these tests are looking for. Beyond that, options are limited from a conventional standpoint. And IBS remains a long-term diagnosis without a root cause in this model.

A comprehensive stool test from a functional medicine laboratory includes an entire panel of markers. They assess digestion and absorption, inflammation and immune function, and the microbiome. The microbiome includes all the bugs – good and bad – like bacteria, yeast, and parasites. One laboratory showed that more than 80% of comprehensive stool tests had at least one abnormality. This means, the majority of the time, there are treatable, root cause explanations for GI symptoms. Why this type of testing is not mainstream is absurd! 

Functional medicine lab testing includes testing for gut health, nutrition, hormones, food allergies/sensitivities, genetics, toxins, and infections. Many of these tests are not offered by conventional laboratories. Not all testing is created equal – many of these labs had to invent the testing which may not have a standard to compare with for accuracy. The average untrained consumer would not necessarily know how to navigate and identify those labs. 

How Can I Order My Own Lab Tests?

In the past, the only way to get lab tests was to go through your healthcare provider. In the Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) model, a physician still has to sign off on the lab order. However, you are not required to see that physician. Essentially, they approve your order without even knowing you. That physician only contacts you about critical values, or results that have serious implications. Otherwise, you will likely never hear from this physician.

DTC labs are not billed to insurance because the lab order is not coming from a provider that saw you and can provide the right codes. Because the insurance middleman is removed from the equation, the labs are much more affordable out-of-pocket. Some people are able to use their HSA or FSA medical spending accounts to cover costs. Labs may vary in cost depending on processing or handling fees, or the level of review involved. 

Regulations vary from state to state and not all consumers are able to access DTC labs.

Where Can I Order Lab Tests?

Here are 3 options for purchasing your own labs and the types of labs they offer. There are several out there, and these are the ones I recommend:

1. Life Extension: Life Extension is a supplement company that also provides lab testing. They have an extensive list of both conventional and functional medicine labs. They partner with LabCorp for blood draws. Results are sent to you and anyone else you choose (like your doctor). They have support staff that can help you understand your test results. They have a lab sale once a year in the spring with great discounts. https://www.lifeextension.com/lab-testing 
2. Genova Connect: Genova Diagnostics* is a leading functional medicine laboratory that has been around for over 35 years. They offer gut health testing, nutritional testing, and hormonal health testing. The comprehensive panels give a ton of information. Genova’s website offers support guides and videos. You have to pay extra for physician test interpretation through a company called Cynergy. They call the program “connect” to connect you with a physician who understands functional medicine testing. All labs are at-home collections and include sample types like saliva, urine, and fingerstick bloodspot. https://connect.gdx.net/shop 
3. Function: Dr. Mark Hyman is an influential functional medicine doctor and co-founder of Function. He says, “we are building Function to democratize so much of what I do and give you the keys to your own health”. This is a membership-based model for $499 per year to see 100+ markers that would normally cost $15,000! These are conventional lab tests with advanced testing as well. They may include Specialty testing in the future. They offer test interpretation on the reports. https://www.functionhealth.com/whats-included 

There are many other options out there – these are a few that I recommend based on what I know about the labs or the companies. Not all laboratory testing is created equal! There are some inferior labs out there. I like to steer people clear of them so you don’t waste your money and time on results that may be inaccurate.

How Do I Understand My Lab Test Results?

Once you have these test results, you may be wondering about next steps. Basically you have 3 options, each with pros and cons:

1. Try to interpret them yourself 
2. Bring them to your current provider
3. Find a new provider 

DIY Lab Interpretation

Some test results include detailed descriptions of the markers. The company might offer interpretation videos or support guides that help. These are usually geared towards medical professionals and may be difficult to follow. 

Some patients have a tendency to take their results out of context which can end up getting them off track. Understanding the significance of lab results requires medical judgment. I encourage you to work with someone who spends time putting all the pieces together. This is the best way to have the most tailored plan. 

Bringing Labs To Your Current Provider

If you order specialty testing and your current provider is a functional medicine practitioner – great! They will be able to interpret and apply the labs to your specific situation. Many people only have a conventionally-trained practitioner. The problem is that many healthcare providers may not understand specialty testing, and will not be able to help you with your results. 

If you do bring results to your provider, they can sign up for an account with the functional medicine lab. Most labs offer 1:1 physician phone meetings to explain test results and general treatment options. Some practitioners may not be willing to go this route because they are assuming a new level of liability in an area where they have no expertise. 

Finding A New Provider To Help with Lab Interpretation

Some companies have staff that can help you with interpretation. However, many places will still tell you to visit with your healthcare provider to discuss treatment options. Because ultimately, a lab or company selling labs is not acquainted with you as your doctor. If you want to find a practitioner who can interpret all types of testing, here are some options:

1. Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM): IFM trains practitioners to become certified in functional medicine. At the top of the page, there is a “Find A Practitioner” button to find someone in your area. https://www.ifm.org/ 
2. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP): Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained in both natural and conventional medicine. The website has a “Find a Doctor” button to find a qualified ND in your area. https://naturopathic.org/ 
3. American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine (A4M): A4M is another educational program, similar to IFM. Click “Find a Provider” under the “Resources” tab on their homepage to find a practitioner in your area. https://www.a4m.com/ 

A practitioner trained in functional or naturopathic medicine will help you find the root cause of your condition(s).

Takeaway

Ordering your own labs can feel very empowering, like you’re taking the reins of your health. Labs can be a useful tool. Unless you are medically-trained to interpret your own labs, I’d recommend finding help. There are many providers that can give you the comprehensive care that you are seeking! 

P.S. I am excited to share that I’m creating courses for the layperson with built-in lab modules! This way, you can learn from a qualified healthcare professional who has extensive laboratory training. Stay tuned for those to release soon! If you give me your email address, I’ll send course launch updates in the newsletter.

*Disclosure: I am employed by Genova Diagnostics Laboratory. 

**Important Disclaimer: This content is meant for educational purposes only and not meant to be misconstrued as medical diagnosis or treatment advice.