The Nutrition Clinic for Digestive Health

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How to complete your lab work

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Use the links below to prepare for completing your lab work

But also, congratulations on taking control of your health! Testing versus guessing can make a huge difference in your progress on your health journey.

Remember, all tests come with the following perks. Be sure to take advantage of each one!

  • We’re happy to provide support if you’ve got questions at any point during the testing process. Call our office at 678-424-6520 or email us at clientcare@digestiontherapy.com if you need anything.
  • A 60-minute report of findings appointment. We review your test results with you and make recommendations for diet, supplements, and additional testing if needed (even if you’re not a client!).
  • Complimentary enrollment in our Food As Medicine Program! We believe prevention is the best medicine and are happy to provide you with free information to maintain optimal health.

How to complete the testing process

  1. Once you’ve paid for testing, kits will be sent to your home.
  2. You must review ALL instructions and complete the recommended preparations before testing.
  3. Schedule your blood draw (if needed) with one of our recommended blood draw sites listed below.
    • Please check for any possible delays with shipping (holidays, bad weather, etc.) when planning your appointment.
    • Verify that the blood draw site you’re using will package and ship your completed kit via FedEx. Otherwise, you’ll need to arrange to bring your lab work to a FedEx location after your blood draw.
  4. Let your dietitian know your testing has been completed so your next appointment can be scheduled.
    • It can take 2-3 weeks to get test results from the lab. Make sure you have an appointment with us to review your test results once they are available.

Tips for a great testing experience

  • Bring your kit to your blood draw appointment, including the paperwork and any specimen(s) collected at home.
    • If you fail to bring everything you need to the blood draw, you must reschedule.
  • Prepaid shipping labels are included in all of our testing kits.
  • If your tests don’t require bloodwork, take your samples to your local FedEx store for shipping or schedule a FedEx pick-up at your home.

Recommended blood draw sites

You can schedule your blood draw with any of the labs listed below or with your physician to complete your testing.

Vine Medical Associates

  • This is our recommended option if you’re in the Atlanta area.
  • Call 404-446-3600 and schedule with Kahlan (pronounced Kay-Lynn). Choose the scheduling option and let them know you’re working with one of our dietitians.
  • There is a $50.00 blood draw fee (cash only!) that’s not included in our pricing.

Any Lab Test Now

  • Find the location closest to you on their website using your zip code.
  • Expect to be charged $25-$35 for your blood draw.
  • Any Lab Test Now has an agreement to draw for the testing companies we use, so their technicians should be familiar with our testing kits.

TravaLab

  • This is a mobile phlebotomy service that offers blood draws across the country.
  • To schedule an appointment, fill out the form on their website, and a technician will contact you.
  • Fees range from $55-$75, depending on your location.

Testing menu and instructions

Click on the test(s) you ordered below, and you’ll be taken to the instructions for completing each test.

Micronutrient Testing

Food Sensitivity Testing

Environmental Health

Hormone Testing

Celiac + Gluten Sensitivity Testing

This test assesses the risk of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Because celiac and gluten sensitivity affect nutrient status, we also include a complete iron profile, folate, B12, and vitamin D check with this test.

How to prepare for this test: an eight-hour fast is recommended before completing this blood draw.

Genova SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

This breath test assesses bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. Too much bacteria in the small intestine can cause diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating.

How to prepare for this test: we recommend watching this video and reviewing this PDF to learn how to prepare. Note: we always order the three-hour test for our clients; please complete all sample collections in your testing kit!

Genova GI Effects

This is another option for a comprehensive functional stool test to analyze bacterial balance, digestive enzyme production, parasites, candida, pathogenic bacteria, viral infections, probiotic and prebiotic status, and your ability to detox.

How to prepare for this test: we recommend watching this video and reviewing this PDF to learn how to prepare.

  • Collect during the full moon to increase your chances of collecting potential parasites. Here’s the full moon schedule for 2024: January 25th, February 24th, March 25th, April 23rd, May 23rd, June 21st, July 21st, August 19th, September 17th, October 17th, November 15th, December 15th.
  • You can schedule a FedEx pickup or drop your samples at a FedEx location near you. We do NOT recommend leaving samples in FedEx drop boxes.

Vibrant Wellness IBSSure

This test is recommended if you have digestive problems that have lingered since a food poisoning occurrence.

How to prepare for this test:

  • Fasting isn’t required, and no diet or supplement restrictions are required before testing.
  • You may test 30 days after taking the following medications: steroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, or other immune-modulating medications.
  • You can schedule a FedEx pickup in your Vibrant portal or drop your test off at a FedEx location near you. We do NOT recommend leaving samples in FedEx drop boxes.

Micronutrient Testing

Genova Nutreval

This test analyzes nutrients, inflammation, toxin exposure, detoxification potential, neurotransmitters, heavy metals, gut health, and antioxidant status. It also looks at common genetic markers that can impact nutritional status. We recommend this test yearly to maintain overall health and adjust supplements based on your individual needs, which change with age and season of life.

How to prepare for this test: we recommend watching these videos and reviewing the instructions provided in your kit to learn how to prepare for this test.

Genova Metabolomix+

This is similar to the Nutreval test above; however, you complete this test at home using finger pricks versus going to a lab for a blood draw. Also, vitamin D, genetics, and glutathione levels are not included in this test as they are in the Nutreval.

How to prepare for this test: we recommend watching these videos and reviewing the instructions provided in your kit to learn how to prepare for this test.

Food Sensitivity Testing

LEAP MRT Food Sensitivity Test

This is a test for food and chemical sensitivities; 176 foods and chemicals are tested to see if they are causing inflammation in your body. These test results are used to create an individualized anti-inflammatory diet, which allows the body to heal and rebalance naturally.

How to prepare for this test: 

  • Fasting is not required; you don’t need to discontinue dietary supplements or change your diet before testing.
  • If you’re taking steroids, immunosuppressive medications, or other immune-modulating medications, we recommend testing seven days after discontinuing these medications.
  • Blood draws should be scheduled for Monday – Friday only.

Environmental Health

Vibrant Wellness Mycotoxins

A test for exposure to environmental mold. Mold exposure can negatively impact immune function, neurological health, and nutritional status.

How to prepare for this test: This test requires a 12-hour fast. No blood work is required. Mold exposure is determined through urine analysis.

Hormone Testing

Genova Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

This panel includes a full thyroid workup, measuring TSH, free T3, free T4, Reverse T3, Anti-TG, and Anti-TPO.

How to prepare for this test: an eight-hour fast is required before this blood draw. Please review this handout to learn how to prepare for this test.

DUTCH Plus Hormone Testing

This is the gold standard in testing for assessing imbalances in sex and stress hormones.

How to prepare for this test: please review this handout to learn how to prepare.

DUTCH Cycle Mapping Plus

Sex hormone testing for women who are experiencing:

  • Infertility
  • Cycling hormones with no menses
  • Irregular cycles
  • Abnormally long or short cycles
  • Severe PMS, mid-cycle spotting, or hormone-induced migraines

How to prepare for this test: please review this handout to learn how to prepare.

DUTCH CAR (adrenal hormone testing)

This is an assessment of hormones that mitigate your stress response. When too high or too low, these hormones can contribute to additional hormonal imbalances, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, leaky gut, and nutrient deficiencies.

How to prepare for this test: We recommend reviewing this handout to learn how to prepare for this test.