Functional Diagnostic Nutrition

What is FDN?

Functional Diagnostic Nutrition looks at how your body's systems function together, using lab testing to build a clear picture of what's driving your symptoms, instead of treating each symptom on its own.

Why It's Different

Function, Not Just Ranges.

Standard bloodwork checks whether a marker falls within a wide "normal" range. FDN uses functional ranges: a narrower band that reflects optimal function, not just the absence of disease. Patterns can be caught earlier, before they show up as a diagnosable condition.

The Method

Data First, Protocol Second.

Rather than guessing at supplements or diets, we start with functional lab testing to see what's actually happening in your hormones, gut, and mineral status. Your coaching protocol is then built directly from that data, and adjusted as your body responds.

The Lab Work

Tests We Use, and Why They Matter.

Want the full biomarker breakdown? See Lab Biomarkers.

Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones

DUTCH Plus

Maps sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) and their metabolites, plus a full daily cortisol rhythm, not just a single-point snapshot.

Why it matters: helps explain symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, irregular cycles, or stubborn weight by showing how your body produces and clears hormones, not just how much is present.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

HTMA

Uses a small hair sample to assess mineral levels and heavy metal exposure, reflecting a 2–3 month window rather than a single snapshot.

Why it matters: mineral balance affects energy production, thyroid function, and stress resilience. HTMA can flag patterns like a sluggish metabolism that standard bloodwork often misses.

Gastrointestinal Microbial Assay Plus

GI-MAP

A stool-based DNA test that screens for pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and yeast, alongside markers of digestion, inflammation, and gut immune function.

Why it matters: gut health influences digestion, immunity, hormones, and mood. GI-MAP helps identify what's actually driving persistent gut symptoms.

Comprehensive Blood Chemistry

Blood Panels

Standard or specialty bloodwork ordered based on your specific symptoms and goals. Which markers are included depends on what your case calls for.

Why it matters: blood markers add another data point alongside functional testing, useful for tracking things like thyroid function, blood sugar, or nutrient levels when relevant to your symptoms.

A Note on Scope of Practice

FDN practitioners do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. These tests and the resulting protocols are educational tools used for health coaching purposes, meant to complement, not replace, care from your medical doctor.

Curious What Your Own Data Would Show?

Book a consultation to talk through which test is the right starting point for you.