The Power of Functional Testing: A Closer Look at Your Health

Dive into the world of holistic health and discover the transformative power of functional testing with your host, Jennifer Gamayo Self, on this enlightening episode of The Happy Hormones Coach™️ Podcast. As we sip our favorite teas, we'll uncover how these tests provide a comprehensive snapshot of our body's functions, revealing the root causes of symptoms from hormonal imbalances to gut health issues.

Jennifer breaks down the different types of functional tests, including saliva, blood spot, urine, and the pivotal HTMA, explaining how they each contribute to a personalized health roadmap. She emphasizes that while these tests are crucial, they're just one piece of the holistic health puzzle, which also includes nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

If you're experiencing persistent symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or mood swings, this episode will guide you towards interventions that are not only targeted but sustainable. It's a call to be proactive about your health, to listen to your body's signals, and to work with it holistically for lasting transformation.

Whether you're navigating midlife health changes or seeking to optimize your well-being, join us for a journey into functional testing and its role in crafting a vibrant, healthy life. And remember, you're not alone; there's a community ready to support you, with resources and experts just a message away.

Don't miss out on the insights and inspirations that Jennifer and her upcoming guests will bring to the table in future episodes. So tune in, take charge, and let's cultivate a garden of health together with The Happy Hormones Coach™️ Podcast.

For more resources, support, and to connect with Jennifer, visit thehappyhormonescoach.com and follow her on her social media channels. If you're looking to delve deeper into your health journey, consider reaching out for a personalized consultation and explore the array of tests and programs designed to empower you on your path to optimal health.

Next Episode Teaser: Gear up for an episode dedicated to the synergistic relationship between gut health and hormonal balance, and learn how nurturing your digestive system can be a game changer for your overall well-being.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Happy Hormones Coach podcast dives into holistic health and functional nutrition
• 1:06 Functional testing helps us understand how well our body functions and where we need support
• 7:07 Functional testing is about putting together a comprehensive picture of one's health
• 14:46 Functional testing can help you identify potential health problems early
• 23:38 So if you're ready to explore what functional testing can do for you
• 26:48 Happy hormones coach is here to help you achieve optimal health and happiness

Transcript

The Power of Functional Testing: A Closer Look at
Your Health
Happy Hormones Coach podcast dives into holistic health and
functional nutrition
Jennifer Gumiho Self: Hey, welcome to the Happy Hormones coach, the podcast. I'm,
your host, Jennifer Gumiho Self, where I dive into everything related to women's health
and lifestyle. And you know me holistically. So join me, your host, as we explore the
intricacies of female hormones, discuss tips and strategies for managing, managing
stress and anxiety, and discover ways to live a healthier and happier, more fulfilling life.
From nutrition to fitness, mindfulness to relationships, I cover it all. So please grab a
cup of tea, settle in, and let's dive into the world of women's health together. This is the
Happy Hormones coach.
Jennifer Gamile Self: Hey, welcome back to the Happy Hormones Coach podcast,
where we are diving into the world of holistic health and functional nutrition for midlife
women. I'm your host, Jennifer Gamayo Self. And today we will explore the power of
functional testing and how it gives us a closer look at our health. So grab your favorite
tea and let's start.
Functional testing helps us understand how well our body functions
and where we need support
So, understanding what's happening inside our bodies is crucial in our journey toward
better health. And that's where functional testing comes in. Unlike, traditional testing
that diagnose diseases, functional tests give us a snapshot of our body's processes,
and they help us understand how well our body functions and where we might need
support. So, unlike blood, that's more of like a snapshot of where we're at at the time.
some functional testing can give us like an overview of, where we're at, like, hair
testing, htma testing, it is like, gives us like, data for like three months. And so it's really
good because it, if we compare that, which is blood testing, of course, always is really
good, too. We compare it together and we can use it together. but some functional
testing, it gives us a picture of the whole, and not just one snapshot of an area, if that
makes sense. And I'm a fan of all of it. and I know I use that in my practice to blood, as
well as saliva, as well as, other testing. And of course, HtMa is a huge one that I like to
use because minerals play a crucial part in our overall health. So hormonal imbalances,
they can be tricky, obviously, because, most of the, all of the time, most of the time, it is
not hormonal. It's something underneath. And so, and they often manifest as a range of
symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, you know, that difficult belly bloat,
belly midsection, weight gain that we all seem to not lose when we get older. But it kind
of tends to stay there. Well, that can be hormones, or it could be something else. And
so functional testing allows us to look beyond these symptoms and determine the root
cause. And that's what we like to look at in functional medicine and functional coaching
is looking at the root cause and the person in front of us as a whole, and not just their
symptom, because people are people. They're whole people, real people, and not just
their symptoms. And that shouldn't define anybody. And so examining hormones can
tailor our approach to rebalance them as well as what is causing it, and leading to
overall better health. And that's what we want, ultimately, right. Longevity, better health,
feel good, have natural energy. We don't want the 03:00 slumps. We definitely don't
want our midsection weight. There's so many things that we do want. So in order to do
that m if we work holistically with our bodies, it is a process. It's not, you know, health
doesn't come in a bottle, and it doesn't come as a one size fits all approach, and it does
not come as a done for. You just tell me what to do, and then you do it. There's so much
more involved in that. And if you want the longevity, you want, ah, just a new lifestyle
with this. As we age, if you want to age better, if you want to age youthfully, if you want,
you know, all the natural energy, the no, slumps or anything like that, then we definitely
want to approach things holistically and not just, you know, throw supplements at you
and think that it's going to be okay just based off what your tests show, if that makes
sense, we want to look at the whole and change it with life, balance it with lifestyle so
that you can have that overall better health. And so there are several types of functional
tests, but today we'll focus on a few key ones. And so one is saliva testing. And this is
great for checking cortisol levels and the balance of sex hormones. Cortisol, levels are
super, important because there, again, shows our stress, and it shows, and it can show
with, like, our blood sugar and also, like, our midsection. It just shows a lot. So cortisol
is one that would be great to just kind of check in to see where we're at. And another
one is blood spot testing, and it offers insights into thyroid function, vitamin D levels,
and more. A lot of times, people supplement with vitamin D, and they really don't need
to. So we really wanna look at that and make sure those levels are optimal. urine
testing. So this helps in assessing neurotransmitter levels and detoxification capacity.
And it shows so much more. It shows, a lot. And so in my practice, I do use functional
testing to create personalized wellness plans for my clients and customers. for example,
if a client struggles with fatigue, a saliva test can help us to see the cortisol levels. and it
also can show up in a dried urine test, the, dried hormone urine test. It also shows that
in some thyroid. So there's a lot more to that. Not just the saliva test, for the cortisol
levels. You can do multiple ways to test for that. but based on the results, we can devise
a plan that might include dietary changes, supplements, and stress management
techniques, and so much more. Because, like I said, just because you get results back
doesn't mean you can take a supplement for every single thing, because it could throw
other things out of whack as well. We have to be careful with the fine balance there and
not just think you're going to be treated and healed out of a bottle, because that is most
definitely not the case. and a lot of people think that they can just throw supplements at
every single iota of whatever symptom they have or what may be showing wrong on
their testing, but that is not the case. So we really have to take caution when using that
approach.
Functional testing is about putting together a comprehensive picture
of one's health
And so let's explore how, I use functional testing in my practice, and it's not just about
running tests, and it's about putting together a comprehensive picture of one's health,
which I like to call a roadmap to health. And so it's really a customized, personalized
plan, based off our intake, based off, of course, their labs and detailed, health
questionnaires. And after talking with you, because there's a whole approach to this,
like I said, it's not just looking at the results and seeing you, it's actually more the whole
picture and your lifestyle right now. So there's a lot to that. And I know a lot of other
practitioners do this as well. And so one of the critical, critical tests that I use is, when I
talked about this earlier, is a dry urine hormone testing. And this is a fantastic tool for
getting a detailed look at your daily hormone levels. And hormones are like messages
are messengers in our body, and when they're out of balance, they can affect
everything, as you know, from our energy levels to our mood. And dried urine testing
helps us to see a snapshot and a full day story of your hormone activity. So it's really
awesome. I'm also a success coach with a fertility practice, and, this is what she uses a
lot with her clients. And I'm telling you, when I coach these women through fertility and
using, pairing it with this and some other testing that they do as well, it really does
make a difference. I've had so much praise, just from how well they feel after several
implementation. And like I said, it's not all supplements, it's lifestyle, it's diet. It's a lot of
things that we go through, in there together. There's a lot that we work on, but they just
absolutely love the feelings that they get from the different testing. and they've had
blood tests and other, western medicine, tests that are routine when you think of tests
like urine and blood, but these are more in depth and tailored to, specifically to, our
needs. And another cornerstone of my practice is, I talked about this, too. The hair
tissue mineral analysis, or HTMA, is what you'll hear it referred to. And this test provides
insights into the body's mineral balance and heavy metal levels. So this is a tricky one
too, because people can think once they see the results, right in front of them. And I did
too. I used to think this way, too when I seen, when I first started doing the test. I, had
my nutritionist, she did the test on me and I was like, whoa, all these heavy metals and
things, but, yeah, it's a tricky one. So you definitely, definitely need to work with a
practitioner on this if you're not familiar with it yourself. So, minerals are the spark plugs
of our body, spark plugs of life, as you've heard me say. And they're involved in almost
every biochemical process. They are our lifeline. And so HDMA helps us identify those
imbalances, from energy production to hormonal. and in between, it can really show us
a lot, you know, even, trauma, there's just so much that it can actually show us. And the
most affordable test that I found that has such a huge impact and gut health is another
critical puzzle piece. So I also use the gut and GI testing. And the health of our gut
impacts our overall well being in so many ways, from our immune function to our
hormones to our mood. And we can identify issues like any dysbiosis that is in the gut,
leaky gut infections, or infections that might contribute to your symptoms. By addressing
gut health, it's so important that we address gut health, whether you don't think you
have anything wrong with you, with your gut, anything like that. It's just, it's always good
to revisit it and do a check in, because, like, our health, our overall health, I believe,
stems from the gut. So it's just super important just to really kind of keep an eye on that
as well. And finally, while functional tests are precious, sometimes we also need to look
at traditional blood tests. Like I said, pairing the two is awesome. And these can provide
additional information on inflammation, liver function, nutrient statuses. And it's all about
getting the most complete picture possible. Like I was talking, these are all just puzzle
pieces and we really want to put it together, as you, building the picture of yourself,
because it is, these are all just puzzle pieces of you. And we want to make sure that
we're getting the complete picture. We're putting your health back together, we're
setting you up for success. And this is just one aspect of it. I'm not saying it's the only
aspect, it is one aspect of it when talking about, any kind of testing. And so I can create
a personalized plan that addresses your unique needs by combining these tests along.
Like, I talked about a host of other things, and it's not just me. There are a lot of
practitioners, nutritionists in the functional medicine space, and coaches alike. They use
this as well, and create that plan, specifically for you. And, like, I like to call it a roadmap
to your health. So it is like having a map, for your health journey, and not just everyone
else's who may be experiencing the same symptoms that you have, but it's specifically
for your health journey and it guides you towards the interventions that will be most
effective for you. And it's good because it's for you and not everybody else that is
experiencing those symptoms, because somebody can have the same symptoms as
you and it be completely different root cause. So we really need to keep that in mind
when, we want to jump to, like, Google or GPT or, you know, anything like that for our
health symptoms, if we're looking at our symptoms. But we have to understand that
there are a lot of symptoms for maybe one root cause or there are a lot of, different root
causes for maybe one symptom. And so there's a lot at play here and you have to be
very careful as to, when you look into anything like that. So that's why I like the testing
combined with talking to you and, a detailed health questionnaire, because it really is
for you specifically. And. And functional testing is effective because it's personalized.
Like I like to, talk about. Everything is personalized and customized to you. It's definitely
not a one size fits all approach. And it allows us to see the unique imbalances in each
person's body, and it addresses them specifically, leading to more targeted and
successful interventions. And that's exactly what we want. We want to more target, like,
what are your symptoms? What's your background? What's your history? What do you
like? How is your nutrition? All these different things and more come into play when
pairing it with testing. And, not just functional testing, but even traditional testing as well,
like I talked about. And so it just gives us the, you know, whole picture. We can do
successful targeted interventions specifically for what you are experiencing. And so
that's just another reason to love it even more.
Functional testing can help you identify potential health problems
early
And so let's explore why functional testing is such a game changer. besides everything
that I've already touched on, very briefly, imagine you're trying to solve a mystery, but
only have a few clues. And that's what it's like dealing with health issues without
functional testing. You might have some puzzle pieces, but you still need the whole
picture. And so, like I said, think of your, picture on a puzzle, on a completed puzzle. But
then you take those puzzle pieces out and you have to put it back together. It's kind of
like you had, health before, or you were at your goal before, or whatever it is that you
want, that you're working towards. And you didn't have symptoms, anything like
whatever you're experiencing. And so now you got to put these puzzle pieces back
together, but you want to do it because you want to complete the whole picture. And
that's kind of what it's like, if that makes sense. Sorry, I'm still under the weather. My
brain is so foggy. But I wanted to get this out. And so, functional testing gives us those
missing pieces, and it's like having a map that shows us exactly where to look. For
instance, if you're dealing with persistent headaches, a, functional test might reveal that
the real culprit is hormonal imbalance or some nutrition deficiency or mineral deficiency.
And it could just be a quick, you know, something simple, nothing extravagant. It could
just be something simple as tweaking your diet or adding more minerals or, you know,
whatever that is. And so, suddenly, you're not just treating the symptom, but you're
addressing the root cause. And here's the best part. Functional testing is proactive. It
helps us to catch potential issues before they turn into more significant problems. So
early intervention is the best intervention. Don't wait till your symptoms become
anything more severe, like diseases or anything else. And we really want to be
proactive with ourself. It's really going to save us time, energy, and money and our
health in the long run. And it's kind of like having a crystal ball for your health, allowing
you to make changes now to avoid problems down the road, and especially women in
midlife. We really want to do this now before hitting that, you know, big stage in our life
called menopause and going through that just head on. We really want to address all
these things beforehand. So that way we are prepared, we're armed, we're ready, we,
we are, we are good. And it'll be a, pleasant experience versus just suddenly thrown
into it. And so that's another reason to love this, especially in midlife. And it's
empowering to have that kind of insight into your body. It's a key reason why functional
testing is so effective. I mean, why wouldn't, if you want to work with your body so your
body can work with you or for you, then we really want to know what's going on with it,
right? We want to lead. We want to lead our body, not our body, lead us. And so this is
just a great reminder to do that. And it's also important to remember that functional
testing is just one piece of the puzzle. Like I talked about, it's a powerful tool, but it
works best with a holistic approach that includes nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle
changes and some more. It's all about finding balance and supporting our body's
healing ability. So while functional testing is fantastic, just like, you know, traditional,
testing, it's not a standalone option. It's a vital part of a bigger picture or puzzle. So
think of your health as a garden. Functional testing helps us identify which plants need
more water or nutrients, and which plants maybe need to back off the water and
nutrients. But we must still tend to the whole garden. We have to attend to it whole. And
so that's where the holistic approach comes in. It's about nurturing every aspect of your
health. For example, if functional testing reveals a hormonal imbalance, well, we might
want to address it with supplements. But we'll also look at your diet, your exercise,
stress levels, so on and so on. It's all connected. Everything is connected. Our body,
mind, spirit, soul, all connected. And here's something to ponder, something to think
about our bodies are incredibly wise. They often give us subtle signals when
something's off. And I love that book and I highly recommend it. I got it seven. Oh my
God, I think like seven years ago, the body keeps the score. And if you haven't read that
or you don't have that in your library, I suggest you get that and read it because our
body really does keep the store the score and it's just an incredible book. So I do highly
recommend that. And functional testing helps us listen to those signals and respond
with care. By integrating tests that testing into our holistic health plan, we're not just
putting out fires, but we're building a robust and resilient foundation for our holistic
health and well being. And I encourage you to consider testing, the functional testing
paired with even traditional testing, and a powerful, powerful ally in your health journey.
It's a tool that empowers you to take charge of your well being and definitely helps you,
you and your practitioner to make informed decisions and, just really vital to your health.
Cause. And when combined with a holistic health approach, it's a recipe for vibrant
health. And again, when you work on your body holistically, pairing it with traditional
medicine, it's not like you're just prescribed meds and then you think you feel fine or
anything like that holistically. Because we want to make this a lifestyle. We wanted to
make it a true life transformation. It's not a quick fix and it does take time. So anytime
you do work on your health, holistically, I want you to keep in mind, and I've said this
before, but keep in mind that it is a process and it could be a slow progress, but it is a
process. And, any step you make towards your health is going to, we want to make it
last. We don't want to throw medicine or supplements or, you know, exercise, you know,
go to the gym, anything like that, your way, because that's not going to help it help it.
We really want to make lasting change for you. And so going at it holistically, just
remember, be patient, give yourself grace, because it does take time and it'll be well
worth it. So I just want to throw that little caveat in there, because just because you do
things holistically, it, doesn't mean that it's going to be just an overnight fix. Sometimes
it can take a while. And that's okay, because you're working, you're progressing to
lasting transformation, lasting health. And I just really, I let my clients know this too.
Sometimes they may get frustrated that I'm doing all the things, you know, I see some
changes, but maybe I don't see the whole picture. My ultimate goal, but you just got to
give it time and be patient. Work with your body so it can work with you. And just
understand that, any progress you make is progress towards your overall long lasting
transformation.
So if you're ready to explore what functional testing can do for you
And so as we wrap up, I hope this deep dive into functional testing. Some, there's so
much more, but those are just a couple of them has shed some light on how these tools
can transform your health. And it's about moving beyond the one size fits all solutions
and embracing a personalized approach that really honors your unique needs. So if
you're ready to explore what functional testing can do for you, I'm definitely here to
guide you every step of the way. But also there are so many other practitioners in the
holistic and functional space that and, coaches that you can search for whatever your
particular needs are and they specialize in so many, you know, different areas. And so I
would encourage you to take the holistic, functional approach. Search for a coach or
practitioner in this space that really speaks to you and your needs. And, I can guarantee
you that there is someone for everyone out there. And especially because there's so
many specialties within this space that you will find someone. I have a lot of
practitioners and nutritionists in the space that I can refer to. If it's not something that,
after talking to someone that I know for sure, I can't help because it's not really my
specialty. I definitely have an arsenal of, ah, wonderful practitioners out there that I trust
and can lovingly refer you to them. So just reach out and let me know. And I hope this
episode was helpful. as always, you can message me and let me know anything else
you want to talk about or hear about. And I am going to be getting guests on, hopefully
after May. There's just, I'm really. I'm studying for the real estate test. I'm already
licensed in one state, but I moved and so I'm studying to take that in different state
because I do love doing this. I like doing this. And, also, you know, working with clients
holistically, but also I know, having a healthy home environment is super important and
just love real estate, so that's something that I like to do part time as well. And I'm, just
kind of busy preparing for that. And so that's in all transparency, what's going on and,
just adjusting to a moot, a new state, a new place, not really knowing anyone, but now
that the weather is getting better, just getting out more in the community. So I hope to
see you on the next episode. And again, I definitely accepting guests for hopefully
starting in the middle of May, getting some recordings done and getting it out to you,
just to better help my listeners and your audience to give you just more variety and just
education and inspiration as well as just whatever these awesome guest speakers will
have for you and their different approaches. So I'm excited about that.
Happy hormones coach is here to help you achieve optimal health
and happiness
Alright, until next time, thanks for tuning.
Jennifer Gumiho Self: In to the happy hormones coach today. I hope our discussion was
informative and helpful for your health and well being. If you have any questions or
comments about today's episode or have suggestions for future topics, please don't
hesitate to reach out. You can find me on social media.
Jennifer Gamile Self: Or visit my website.
Jennifer Gumiho Self: And if you enjoyed today's episode, please consider leaving a
review and sharing it with your friends and family. Remember, taking care of yourself is
essential and I'm here to support you on your journey toward optimal health and
happiness. So until next time, stay happy and stay healthy. This is the happy hormones
coach.