• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter Nutrition
  • About
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Free Consult
  • Blog
  • Quiz
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Free Consult
  • Blog
  • Quiz
  • Contact
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Contact
  • Praise
  • Services
    • Free Consult
  • Blog
  • Quiz
  • Contact
×
Home » Testing

The Tests Your Doctor Will Never Order (But Might Save Your Health)

Modified: Sep 3, 2025 · Published: Jan 25, 2024 by Catherine Crow, NTP · Medical Disclaimer · This Post Contains Affiliate Links Leave a Comment

lab tech holding hair sampleYou've worked hard to feel your best but you're still bloated, tired, and frustrated with "normal" labs.

If you're doing everything "right" but your body isn't responding… it's time to stop guessing.

You've tried finding support for your lingering symptoms through Western medicine only to find a push for more medication.

Your supplement graveyard tells the truth: you've spent thousands chasing symptoms with products that never moved the needle.

The problem? You're building a protocol on marketing, not data.

The Data Your Doctor Isn't Testing (But Should Be)

Having either one of these data sets when I work with a client is extremely valuable. When a client has both of them together, it's a gift so that I can give them the very best insight into their health and they can get the best results out of our work together.

Nutrient Blood Labs:

Nutrient blood labs are conducted through a traditional blood draw at your doctor's office or at your local Labcorp office (this is where I send my remote clients to get blood labs that are in the US).

Must-have nutrient blood tests (most people have never had these tested with the exception of iron + ferritin):

  • Plasma Zinc → think liver detox, fertility, skin health, hormones
  • Serum Copper → think mental health, poor detoxification, hormone imbalances
  • Iron Panel → think energy, fertility, liver health
  • Ferritin → think energy, fertility, liver health
  • Vitamin A/Retinol → think mystery health issues, weight gain, poor detox, chronic skin issues, fatigue, gut issues
  • Whole Blood Histamine → think methylation status, mental health factors

    *it must be THESE specific labs. Don't let someone order you something similar (i.e. there are a few different labs for zinc, histamine, etc. make sure you are getting exactly what you ask for)!
Warning: If your blood work is interpreted using "standard ranges," you'll miss critical imbalances like:
  • Copper overload
  • Vitamin A toxicity
  • Zinc deficiency
  • Iron dysregulation
  • Methylation issues
Most providers aren't trained to spot these. This is why symptoms get dismissed-even when you have the labs.

Because of this, it's common for my clients to request these labs from their doctor so they can get insurance to pay (as long as the doctor visit and co-pays doesn't exceed the price of ordering the test through me) and then bring these results to a new client consultation. That way you can get the best of both worlds.

How to order: if you are located within the US and not don't reside in New York, Rhode Island or New Jersey, you can order these through me as an add-on to any consultation service for under $180. However, insurance doesn't cover nutritional therapy, so this will be an out of pocket expense.

You are also free to take this list to your *open minded doctor* and request that they run these labs for you. That way, your doctor can bill your insurance. However, most doctors won't be too keen on running labs they don't understand or know how to interpret, so don't be surprised if you run into some resistance. Also take note, that your doctor won't be able to interpret these labs for your correctly unless they are trained in nutritional therapy and the training on the specialty areas I discuss on the blog regularly.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (35 different mineral levels):

Hair tissue mineral analysis is a hair sample that you collect at home and drop in the mail with the help of a simple test kit I send you in the mail. It uses a very small amount of fresh hair growth (first inch) from the root of the head typically in the half ponytail area (this is needed to get 'fresh' data) . Hair from other parts of the body can be used in the absence or unavailability of scalp hair, but contact me for those specific details and instructions. Those who color their hair are typically instructed to collect the sample right before their next coloring to ensure the maximum amount of virgin hair growth in the sample.

Most important minerals we pay attention to on hair analysis:

  • calcium
  • magnesium
  • sodium
  • potassium
  • zinc
  • copper
  • selenium
  • molybdenum
  • heavy metals
  • and more!

Interpretation notes: it's very important that whom you choose to interpret your HTMA knows how to do so. There are many different 'schools of thought' in the hair analysis world and your advice will wildly vary depending on who you choose. Choose someone who you trust, is trained, and aligns with your own approach to health. It's not uncommon for me to speak to people who have gotten bad advice from from the cheapest person they could find on the internet to get hair analysis from, and their health has paid the price.

How to order: hair analysis is available for purchase from my office to clients around the world with the exception of those who live in New York state. You can find package options here.

Traditional doctors will not run hair analysis labs and they will likely look at you sideways if you ask them about it (don't say I didn't warn you!). Some functional medicine doctors and naturopathic doctors may offer these services if they are trained in hair analysis and see the value of mineral data in their practice.

If you already have these results (should be recent within the last 3-4 months) and don't need a new test, you can always bring them to a new client consultation and we can review them together.

Ready to stop guessing and finally see results?

  • Get the exact labs I run on every high-performing client
  • Learn what your body needs (and what it doesn't)
  • Use your results to build a real strategy-not a supplement pile

Tap here to request your labs + consultation or book a free 15-minute discovery call to find out where to start.

More Articles You May Enjoy

  • 8 Symptoms Stool Testing Explains | Butter Nutrition
    9 Ways a Stool Test Can Explain Your 'Symptoms'
  • How to Flip the Switch on Inflammation | Butter Nutrition
    How to Flip the Switch on Inflammation

About Catherine Crow, NTP

Hi there! I’m Catherine Crow. Seattle-based Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Educator, Diet Investigator, and Coconut Milk Ice Cream Enthusiast. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements. Because when you know better, you can feel better! Read more...

Want the FREE Recipe eBook?

The Nutritionally Wealthy Recipes eBook is finally yours for FREE! It includes over 40 nutrient-dense and gluten-free recipes, as well as a few recipes for your skin. As a gift to my wonderful readers, you can download it for FREE today and tomorrow only! So grab it now below :)
Free Download: The Nutritionally Wealthy eBook | Butter Nutrition

Affiliate Link Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please note: using an affiliate link does not change the price of the product, instead the seller pays Butter Nutrition a small commission. My thoughts on these products are my own.

Paid Endorsement Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

Reader Interactions

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Catherine! As a nutritional therapist, my passion is education. My goal is to help guide you to improve your nutrition through strategic eating (not dieting) and without expensive supplements! Because when you know better, you can feel better! More about me →

Follow on

Take the Quiz!

Quiz: Is nutrient excess ruining your health?

Get your free customized results!

Take the Quiz

Popular Posts

  • VItamin D Lab Testing
    Are You Really Vitamin D Deficient? 4 Things to Consider
  • human body image highlighting the liver
    Is Your Chronic Gut Issue Really a Liver/Gallbladder Issue?
  • Cartoon liver health concept
    What To Do Instead of a Liver Detox
  • 6 scenarios that prove western medicine is cray-cray | Butter Nutrition
    8 Scenarios That Prove Western Medicine Is A Little CRAZY

 

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Catherine
  • Client Praise
  • Media/Interviews/Guest Posts
  • Newsletter Sign Up

Fine Print

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

Copyright © 2025 Butter Nutrition LLC