When you look at the difference between mainstream lab tests and the way Naturopathy and a functional viewpoint approaches bloodwork, it’s like comparing two ways of looking at the same puzzle. Both are important, but they focus on different things.

In a mainstream medical setting, lab tests are usually looking for something specific—like a disease or a condition. It’s like they’re asking, “Is this person sick enough to diagnose something?” If your results fall within the “normal range,” they might say everything’s fine, even if you’re not feeling great. The focus is often on identifying and treating acute or serious problems, which is crucial, but it can miss the subtle signs that something is off.

When we look at your lab results, my goal is to go beyond just asking, ‘Is there a disease we can diagnose?’ I want to see the deeper story your body is trying to tell.

You might have experienced this before—your doctor says your test results are ‘normal,’ but you still feel exhausted, your weight is changing, or something just doesn’t feel right. That’s where naturopathic and functional testing come in. I don’t just look at whether your numbers fall within a standard range. Instead, I consider what’s optimal for you, taking into account your unique health history and how you’re feeling.
For example, if you have thyroid concerns in the normal range but on the lower side, and you’re struggling with energy or mood, that’s a signal we need to explore further. Functional testing allows us to catch those early imbalances before they become something more serious, like a diagnosable disease by an MD.
This approach also gives us objective data—clear, evidence-based information that helps guide our decisions together. It’s not just about the symptoms; it’s about understanding why you’re experiencing them. By identifying imbalances early, we can create a personalized plan to help your body find its balance again.
What’s also important to me is using these tests as an opportunity to empower you. I want you to understand what’s happening in your body and feel motivated to take control of your health.
Research even shows that if you take an active role in their care they often feel better and achieve better outcomes. We’re building a complete picture of your health, finding opportunities to optimize how you feel, and helping you prevent future issues. This is about you, your goals, and supporting you in feeling your best—not just surviving, but truly thriving. Call Dr. Lang at (775) 881-8558.
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This is where holistic Naturopathy plays a critical role, helping people focus on wellness and optimal functioning. The primary concern is finding health issues before they become serious concerns. Noninvasive assessment recognizes each person has specific biochemical needs that are determined by lifestyle, genetic structure, and environment. It focuses on restoration of health and health status rather than a disease situation. It looks at how to improve quality of life and increase optimal health and healthy living.

Many years before most illnesses occur, there is a steady, cumulative, measurable decline in body function. By the time you need a cardiogram, you may already have heart or circulation symptoms, by the time you have a GI issue, you may already be experiencing some type of digestive issues.

Even so-called preventative testing such as mammograms (see thermography instead) and cholesterol screenings are really tests for early disease rather than true prevention.

Naturopaths use many noninvasive, functional tools to look at the function of systems rather than disease and use natural, biological approaches that are designed to assist the unique body’s ability to experience optimal health and wellness.