The Top Functional Medicine Lab Tests That Chiropractors Order

As a chiropractor, you understand the importance of pinpointing the exact causes of musculoskeletal issues that bring patients to your office.You've likely encountered cases where the diagnosis was unclear or standard treatments fell short. Incorporating lab tests into your treatment plans can make a significant difference.

Let this be your guide if you're considering whether lab tests could be the right addition to your toolkit. We'll show you how these tests can complement your hands-on techniques and improve your ability to diagnose and treat patients more effectively. 

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Can Chiropractors Order Lab Tests?

As a chiropractor, understanding the scope of your practice, including the ability to order lab tests, is crucial for providing comprehensive care. This varies significantly depending on where you practice, as regulatory environments differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Regulatory Variations

In the United States, the scope of practice for chiropractors is governed on a state-by-state basis. Some states (New York, for example) allow chiropractors to order a wide range of laboratory tests, which can help diagnose and manage patient care effectively. You can check your state ordering rights in your Rupa Health portal.

Tests you might consider include blood panels, urine analyses, and other diagnostic assessments typically associated with broader medical evaluations. However, different states restrict this practice, limiting chiropractors to ordering only specific tests or none at all, depending on the perceived relevance to chiropractic treatment.

Internationally, these regulations are even more varied. In a country like Canada, it is rare that a chiropractor is able to order lab tests. Considerations are underway in certain provinces to allow chiropractors to request labs if they meet additional certification criteria. On the other hand, in some European countries, chiropractors are more restricted and must collaborate closely with medical doctors to order lab tests.

Regardless of local regulations, collaboration remains a key part of healthcare. In states where chiropractors cannot order lab tests independently, they may coordinate with medical doctors who can order the necessary tests. This helps identify underlying conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as nutritional deficiencies, inflammation markers, or hormonal imbalances.

In some settings, chiropractors are part of integrated health teams working alongside general practitioners, specialists, and other health practitioners. This arrangement allows for routine sharing of patient lab results and collective decision-making on treatment plans, enhancing the efficacy and safety of patient care.

Best Lab Tests For Chiropractors

As a chiropractor, integrating lab tests into your practice can significantly enhance your ability to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. This section will guide you through some of the most valuable lab tests for chiropractors.

Nutritional and Metabolic Panels

Nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disorders can lead to a range of physical symptoms that might bring a patient to a chiropractor's office. Here are specific tests that can help uncover these issues and inform a more targeted treatment approach:

Vitamin D levels

Essential for bone health and calcium absorption, low vitamin D can lead to bone weakening and increased fracture risk. Specific tests to examine vitamin D levels include:

• Vitamin D (25OH D2 & D3) - Doctor's Data
• Vitamin D - US Biotek
• Total Vitamin D 25-OH (D2, D3) - ZRT Laboratory

Calcium

Critical for bone and muscle function, abnormal calcium levels can indicate metabolic bone disease or parathyroid issues. These tests measure serum calcium to ensure optimal levels for musculoskeletal health. Here are specific tests for calcium:

• Calcium, Ionized - Access Med Labs
• Calcium - BostonHeart Diagnostics

Magnesium

Magnesium is central to over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle and nerve function. The following tests can evaluate magnesium levels to diagnose deficiencies that may cause muscle spasms and heightened muscular tension.

• Magnesium (Mg2+) - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Magnesium, Random Urine - Access Med Labs
• RBC Magnesium - BostonHeart Diagnostics

Glucose levels

As a primary energy source, abnormal glucose levels can affect overall energy and contribute to systemic inflammation, thereby impacting musculoskeletal conditions. Both fasting glucose tests and HbA1c tests provide insights into a patient’s glucose management and metabolic health.

• Glucose - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Glucose, Fasting, Plasma - Access Med Labs
• Hemoglobin A1c - Access Med Labs
• HbA1c - Ayumetrix

Comprehensive Metabolic Panels

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel provides a broad overview of the body's chemical balance and metabolism, including liver and kidney health, which can influence musculoskeletal well-being. It includes tests for blood glucose, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver enzyme levels, offering a clear picture of factors that could indirectly impact musculoskeletal health. They include:

• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - Access Med Labs

Inflammatory Markers

Chronic inflammation can lead to significant discomfort and various health issues, complicating musculoskeletal conditions. You can tailor your treatment strategies more effectively by identifying the presence and extent of inflammation. Here are some key inflammatory markers that are particularly useful in this context:

C-reactive protein (CRP)

CRP is a protein made by the liver and released into the bloodstream in response to inflammation. High levels of CRP are associated with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, making it a reliable indicator of inflammation throughout the body. Here are some CRP tests offered through Rupa Health:

• C-Reactive Protein, Inflammation (CRP) - Access Med Labs
• High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Inflammation Panel - Ayumetrix

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

ESR measures the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube in one hour. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body, commonly associated with conditions like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and infections. Here’s a great option offered through Rupa Health:

• Sedimentation Rate (ESR) - Access Med Labs

Rheumatoid Factor (RF)

RF is an antibody in the blood that attacks healthy body tissues, mistaking them for foreign invaders. While it is most commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, elevated RF levels can also be seen in other autoimmune disorders and some infections. Here are some options:

• Rheumatoid Factor - Access Med Labs
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel (ANA, RF, CCP) - Access Med Labs

Hormone Panels

Hormonal imbalances can significantly affect musculoskeletal health. Hormones like thyroid and adrenal hormones, as well as sex hormones, play crucial roles in regulating metabolism, bone health, and muscle strength. Here are the key hormone panels and specific tests that are particularly useful in evaluating musculoskeletal health:

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

TSH is a critical hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates the function of the thyroid gland. It plays a significant role in managing metabolism, energy levels, and overall musculoskeletal health. Abnormal levels can lead to symptoms like fatigue and joint and muscle pain, as well as affecting muscle strength and bone health. Here are specific tests to assess TSH levels:

• Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - ZRT Laboratory
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - DHA Laboratory

Cortisol Levels

Cortisol, known as the "stress hormone," is produced by the adrenal glands. It helps the body respond to stress, but high levels over prolonged periods can lead to numerous health issues, including the weakening of muscle tissue and bone and increased abdominal fat, which can add strain to the musculoskeletal structure. Cortisol levels can be measured through blood, saliva, or urine tests. The following are some examples:

• Cortisol (C) - ZRT Laboratory
• Cortisol - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Cortisol - Access Med Labs

Sex Hormones

Testosterone and estrogen are crucial for bone density and muscle strength. Low levels of testosterone in men and estrogen in women (especially post-menopausal women) can lead to osteoporosis and a decrease in muscle mass, which increases the risk of fractures and affects overall musculoskeletal stability. Below are some examples of tests to measure levels of these hormones:

• Sex Hormones Profile - Doctor's Data
• Female Hormone Panel - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Women's Health Complete - Ayumetrix
• Male Hormonal Health™ - Genova Diagnostics
• Male Hormone Panel - BostonHeart Diagnostics

Musculoskeletal Health Markers

Assessing bone health is vital for a chiropractor, as it significantly impacts the musculoskeletal system and the overall efficacy of chiropractic treatments. Understanding a patient's bone density and turnover provides insights into their bone strength and fracture risk and can influence treatment strategies, particularly in preventive care for osteoporosis or other bone-related conditions.

Bone Density Scans (DEXA)

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans are the most accurate method available for diagnosing osteoporosis and measuring bone mineral density (BMD). These scans are critical for assessing the risk of fractures, which is especially important in developing proactive treatment plans in chiropractic care.

DEXA scans involve a minimal dose of ionizing radiation to create images of the bones, typically focusing on the spine and hips—areas most susceptible to fracture. The results help determine the density of the bones compared to a young healthy adult's bone density, providing a "T-score." Here’s how to interpret the T-score results:

• -1.0 or above is considered normal
• -1.0 and -2.5 indicates low bone mass (osteopenia)
• -2.5 or lower suggests osteoporosis

Markers of Bone Turnover

Markers of bone turnover reflect the dynamics of bone metabolism, including both bone formation and resorption. These markers help in understanding how rapidly bone tissue is being lost and can aid in the early detection of diseases like osteoporosis before significant bone loss has occurred. These are two examples of these markers:

• Alkaline Phosphatase - BostonHeart Diagnostics
• Cross-Linked N-Telopeptide - Access Med Labs

Infectious Disease Markers

Infections can sometimes manifest symptoms that closely resemble those of musculoskeletal disorders, making them a crucial consideration in the chiropractic diagnostic processes. Recognizing and testing for these conditions can prevent misdiagnosis and ensure patients receive appropriate treatment. Here are examples of these tests:

Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through tick bites. It often presents with symptoms like joint pain and swelling, which can easily be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory joint diseases. Specific tests for Lyme disease are:

• Lyme Immunoblot Panel 2 (IB2) - IGeneX
• Lyme Immunoblot Panel 3 (IB3) - IGeneX
• Lyme Disease Antibody w/ Reflex to Blot (IgG, IgM) - Access Medical Laboratories

Other Infectious Disease Tests

• Viral Screen - Immunosciences Lab, Inc.
• Blood cultures

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Key Takeaways

• Chiropractic care extends beyond treating musculoskeletal disorders, emphasizing a holistic approach that considers all aspects of a patient's lifestyle and well-being.
• Incorporating laboratory tests into chiropractic practice enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment, allowing chiropractors to address both symptoms and underlying causes.
• Specific valuable lab tests for chiropractors include nutritional and metabolic panels, inflammatory markers, hormone panels, and musculoskeletal health markers.
• Collaborative care models involving other healthcare professionals are crucial to ensure comprehensive patient care, especially when chiropractors have restricted access to lab tests.