In root cause medicine, doctors often use blood work as a window into a patient’s health. Functional Medicine is a personalized approach to a patient’s chief complaint. An initial blood screen can help practitioners prioritize where they need to dig deeper, often in places overlooked by conventional medicine.

CBC w/ Diff

‍Often used in conventional Medicine to indicate organ failure, a CBC with a functional perspective not only focuses on blood cell count but also analysis of the size of cells. 

Ferritin, TIBC, Serum Iron

Ferritin

Ferritin is a blood protein that contains iron. A ferritin test helps your doctor understand how much iron your body stores. If a ferritin test reveals that your blood ferritin level is lower than normal, it indicates your body’s iron stores are low and you have iron deficiency.

TIBC

Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) is a blood test to see if you have too much or too little iron in your blood. Iron moves through the blood attached to a protein called transferrin. This test helps your health care provider know how well that protein can carry iron in your blood.

C-Reactive Protein (Hs-CRP)

‍CRP, measured in conjunction with an extensive lipid panel, provides a full picture of both inflammation and cardiovascular health, making CRP a key screening tool for most chronic diseases.

‍Lipid Panel

Total cholesterol

Calculated LDL

Triglycerides

Oxidized LDL

While most people are familiar with the above Markers, one marker you’re probably not familiar with are Oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL is LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) that has been modified by oxidation. Oxidized LDL triggers inflammation leading to the formation of plaque in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis.

What is the difference between oxidized LDL and LDL that my normal doctor runs on routine bloodwork?

LDLs Change Through Oxidation, when that happens, the LDLs — now called oxidized LDLs — are damaged, which triggers inflammation and attracts white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages engulf oxidized LDLs, forming new fat-filled cells, which aggregate, stick to blood vessel walls and become plaque.

‍Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin, Hemoglobin A1C

‍Practitioners often only measure fasting glucose, but adding fasting insulin is a practical and effective way to detect insulin resistance and get a better overview of the development of diabetes. As part of this workup Dr Hagmeyer also evaluates Hemoglobin A1C- which is a 90 day window of your bodies glucose levels. 

Thyroid Panel 

Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most under-addressed conditions in medicine today. When the thyroid is low, patients feel fatigued and depressed; they lack motivation, have difficulty losing weight, can’t concentrate, and tend to have more trouble with digestion. If the thyroid is off, the entire system may feel run down. Better thyroid function improves immune function, heart health, metabolism, energy levels, as well as sexual and reproductive health. This Thyroid Panel includes

TSH,

Free T4

Free T3

Reverse T3 (rT3)

R‍enal Function Test

Kidney function tests are urine or blood tests that evaluate how well your kidneys are working. Most of these tests measure glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR assesses how efficiently your kidneys clear waste from your system.  

Electrolytes

Sodium

Chloride

Potassium

Carbon Dioxide

Creatinine

BUN

Calcium

Glucose(Renal)

Phosphate, Inorganic

Albumin

Hepatic Function Tests

What Is a Hepatic (Liver) Function Panel? A hepatic function panel is a blood test that helps doctors check for liver injury, infection, or disease. It also can check for side effects in the liver from some medicines.

AST

Alkaline Phosphatase

Bili, Total

Bili, Direct

Protein, Total

 

Vitamin D, 25-OH

‍Something conventional MDs often don’t measure or monitor. Vitamin D levels should be tested, supplemented, and reassessed until stable.

Homocysteine 

High levels of homocysteine can damage the inside of your arteries and increase your risk of forming blood clots. This may increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, and other heart diseases and blood vessel disorders

B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency happens when your body is either not getting enough or not absorbing enough vitamin B12 from the food that you eat that it needs to function properly. Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body make red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells.

ESR

An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that that can show if you have inflammation in your body. Inflammation is your immune system’s response to injury, infection, and many types of conditions, including immune system disorders, certain cancers, and blood disorders.

 

Fatty Acids: Omega-3 & 6

Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential fatty acids that are most important to one’s health, but the body needs these in the right proportion  Omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are generally found in vegetable oils, seeds, and nuts.  When consumed moderately, these acids can be heart healthy. 

Too much omega-6 can result in increased blood pressure, blood clots that can cause a heart attack and/or stroke and can make your body retain water.  

Omega-3 can decrease the risk of heart disease, inflammation, and cancer. Flaxseed, walnuts, leafy vegetables, and fish all contain omega-3.

Hormone Panel- 

Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Hormones are essential for life and your health.

Hormones and most of the tissues (mainly glands) that create and release them make up your endocrine system. Hormones control many different bodily processes, including:

• Metabolism.
• Homeostasis (constant internal balance).
• Growth and development.
• Sexual function.
• Reproduction.
• Sleep-wake cycle.
• Mood.

Symptoms of hormonal imbalances that affect your metabolism include:

• • Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.
  • Fatigue.
  • Constipation.
  • Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements.
  • Numbness and tingling in your hands.
  • Higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels.
  • Depression or anxiety.
  • Being unable to tolerate cold temperatures or warm temperatures.
  • Dry, coarse skin and hair.
  • Thin, warm and moist skin.
  • Irregular body fat distribution.
  • Darkened skin in your armpit or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans).
  • Skin tags (small skin growths).
  • Extreme thirst and frequent urination.

Dr Hagmeyer initial New Patient Blood work includes the following Hormones

Estradiol

DHEA-S

Cortisol

Progesterone

Testosterone Total

Free Testosterone

SHBG

Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the two adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney. The pituitary gland in the brain regulates cortisol production. Cortisol plays an important role in the stress response. Maintaining an adequate balance of cortisol is essential for health. 

DHEA-S

• Unexplained weight loss,
• Fatigue,
• Brain Fog, 
• Nausea and vomiting,
• Dizziness
• Hormone Imbalances 
• Feeling weak
• Changes of libido