Taking Your Health Into Your Hands

By Koby Taylor, PharmD

Every day, more people are taking charge of their own health, inspired by social media and podcasts that highlight health awareness and alternative methods and treatments. This trend is driving a growing interest in self-guided lab testing kits, which give individuals like you the power to monitor your health on
your own terms.

Thanks to today’s digital age, we all now have access to a wide range of self-guided labs that can pinpoint health markers that may not be included in standard blood tests. And what’s more, access to these tests is as easy as ordering them through my pharmacy. Let me give you more insight.

What is self-guided lab work?

Simply answered, self-guided blood, saliva, or urine lab work means you can choose the tests for yourself without the need for a prescription. These tests can provide valuable insights into various aspects of health, including nutrient levels, hormone balance, brain health, inflammation markers, methylation processes within your body, and more. By analyzing these markers, you can gain a deeper understanding of your overall health status and identify potential areas for improvement.

Why should you consider this option? Self-guided lab work allows you to take a proactive approach to your health by monitoring changes in your health markers over time. By getting a baseline and tracking these markers regularly, you can identify trends and make informed decisions about your lifestyle, diet, and supplementation to optimize your health.

Another benefit of self-guided health labs is that these tests are easy and convenient. Once you have the kit, you simply take the test in the comfort of your home and send it through the mail. The specimen for the test is either a small drop of blood from your finger, a cheek swab, a small vial of urine, or a strand of your hair.

How do you choose the right test for you?

With so many options, it can be confusing. When you order our self-guided health labs, we start by discussing your concerns and any health conditions you might already have. We also inquire about what tests you’ve done before and figure out which new tests will complement those.

We offer the following self-guided health test types:

• Menopause: not only looks at your hormone levels but also tests your vitamin D and thyroid function

• Brain health, neurotransmitters, and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein that supports the growth, survival, and function of brain cells, playing a key role in sleep, learning, and memory

• Food sensitivity

• Parasites

• Hormones: tests male and female sex hormones

• Liver health as it relates to diabetes and/or obesity

• Heavy metals

• GI balance and function assay

• Organic Acid Test: evaluates over seventy urinary metabolites that can be useful for discovering underlying causes of chronic illness

• Mycotoxins: lets you know if you have been in contact with certain mold species from your home, work, vehicles, and/or food.

• Dutch Test: a complete sex hormone level panel that also includes cortisol, adrenal, and melatonin (as well as their metabolites) and the Organic Acid Test.

• Wellness Genetic Test: looks at your genes, including MTHFR, MTRR, COMT, MAO, PEMT, and FUT2.

• Comprehensive panel through Labcorp.

Are these tests reliable?

The tests I carry at my pharmacy are reliable and are used commonly throughout the United States by many types of healthcare providers. I only carry well-vetted brands with national recognition. In short, I’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you. We carry tests from ZRT, 5Strands, MosiacDX, DNARX, Doctor’s Data, and Diagnostic Solutions. All are nationally recognized.

How much do these tests cost?

Depending on the test, they range from $149 to $350. If purchased through my pharmacy, all tests include an analysis of your results and a consultation to formulate a plan to get you feeling like your old self once again. If you are someone who has limitations because you either don’t have insurance or your insurance has restrictions on the type of tests they will cover, these self-guided lab work tests could be the answer you’re looking for.

How do you get your test results, and what do you do with them?

When you order from my pharmacy, your results will come back to us, and you’ll be sent a link to make an appointment to discuss them. You’ll also receive a copy of your results, which you can share with your provider and keep for your own records.

If you or someone you love has a health condition, I highly recommend exploring this option. With self-guided health labs, you are able to examine the effects of your current health condition and get a snapshot of any overlooked underlying conditions, allowing you to take a proactive approach on your journey to wellness and healing.

To view the test types further, please call us at (435) 703-9680 with your questions.