Comprehensive Blood Panel Functional Medicine San Diego CA

If you’ve been told “your labs are normal” but still feel anything but normal, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. At Dr. Brenda Marshall’s San Diego-based functional medicine practice, we use comprehensive blood panels not just to detect disease, but to prevent it, understand its root causes, and personalize your path to wellness.

Unlike standard primary care visits that focus on basic lab markers, functional medicine goes deeper. Dr. Marshall orders advanced blood testing designed to identify nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, early signs of inflammation, immune system dysfunction, and more. This approach empowers patients—especially women navigating perimenopause, chronic fatigue, thyroid issues, or stress-related symptoms—with data that explains why they feel the way they do.

What Is a Comprehensive Blood Panel in Functional Medicine?

Traditional blood work is designed to identify acute illness or end-stage disease. Functional blood testing, however, focuses on the optimal range—not just the normal range—looking for early dysfunction that may be contributing to fatigue, mood changes, weight gain, or hormone imbalances. These insights allow for personalized, root-cause treatments rather than one-size-fits-all prescriptions.

Types of Tests Typically Included

Dr. Marshall’s functional blood panel may include:

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): Assesses red and white blood cell levels, often overlooked in fatigue or immune issues.
• CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel): Evaluates kidney and liver function, blood sugar balance, and electrolyte levels.
• Lipid Panel: Goes beyond total cholesterol to examine LDL particle size and triglyceride patterns linked to heart risk.
• Inflammatory Markers:
  
  • hs-CRP: Detects low-grade inflammation that can underlie chronic illness.
  • Homocysteine: Elevated levels can indicate cardiovascular risk or B vitamin deficiencies.
• Hormone Levels:
  
  • Thyroid panel: Includes TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and antibodies for early thyroid dysfunction.
  • Cortisol & DHEA: Assess adrenal stress and fatigue.
  • Sex hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone balance in both women and men.
• Nutrient Deficiencies:
  
  • Vitamin D: Crucial for immune and mood regulation.
  • Vitamin B12 & Folate: Linked to energy, cognition, and nerve health.
  • Iron & Ferritin: Key for oxygen transport and metabolic energy.

How It Differs From Conventional Panels

Most conventional doctors order limited panels that are designed to catch severe illness—often too late. These tests may appear “normal” even when patients don’t feel well. In contrast, Dr. Marshall uses functional medicine testing to assess optimal wellness, detect patterns of imbalance, and create truly individualized care plans.

By investing in a comprehensive blood panel, you’re not just getting more data—you’re gaining the insight needed to finally feel better.

Why Functional Medicine Uses Blood Panels Differently

Root-Cause Approach to Health

In functional medicine, symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, or migraines are not treated as isolated problems—they’re seen as signals. These can point to a wide range of underlying dysfunctions, including:

• Low iron or B12 contributing to fatigue
• Hormonal shifts triggering migraines or mood changes
• Blood sugar fluctuations linked to brain fog or anxiety

Dr. Marshall reviews your labs not just for what's "in range," but for patterns and trends that could explain why you're not feeling your best. This root-cause lens helps uncover why a symptom is occurring—not just what to do about it.

Early Detection and Prevention

One of the greatest strengths of functional blood testing is early detection. Instead of waiting until blood sugar becomes full-blown diabetes or cholesterol leads to a heart attack, Dr. Marshall can identify warning signs and intervene proactively.

For example:

• Elevated fasting insulin and hemoglobin A1C may signal pre-diabetes, even if glucose is still “normal”
• Subtle increases in hs-CRP and homocysteine can indicate early cardiovascular risk
• Low vitamin D or ferritin might explain poor immunity or ongoing fatigue before illness sets in

This approach allows for targeted prevention—whether it’s adjusting your diet, adding key supplements, or running further specialized tests.

Personalized Treatment Plans

No two patients are the same—and your treatment plan shouldn't be either. Functional blood panels give Dr. Marshall the insight to:

• Adjust your macronutrient intake based on insulin or thyroid markers
• Recommend targeted supplements for nutrient deficiencies
• Tailor hormone support or adrenal protocols for stress-related symptoms
• Customize lifestyle and sleep strategies to support immune and metabolic resilience

This level of customization leads to more effective results—and empowers patients to understand and participate in their healing process.

Conditions That Benefit From Comprehensive Lab Analysis

Hormonal Imbalances: Menopause, Perimenopause, and Thyroid Dysfunction

Women experiencing hot flashes, weight gain, brain fog, or mood swings may be navigating perimenopause or menopause. Blood testing evaluates estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and antibodies). Identifying subtle imbalances allows Dr. Marshall to create personalized hormone support plans, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) if appropriate.

Chronic Fatigue and Stress

If you’re constantly tired—even after a full night's sleep—it may be more than lifestyle. Functional labs assess markers of adrenal fatigue, low iron or B12, thyroid dysfunction, and blood sugar instability. Cortisol and DHEA patterns help determine if chronic stress is affecting your hormones or immune health.

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmunity can simmer silently for years. Comprehensive testing detects early immune dysregulation, inflammatory markers, and nutrient deficiencies (like vitamin D or zinc) that affect immune balance. Functional lab work also explores food sensitivities, which can trigger autoimmune flares in conditions like Hashimoto’s or lupus.

Digestive Concerns: IBS, Leaky Gut, and Food Reactions

IBS, bloating, and abdominal discomfort may stem from intestinal inflammation or permeability ("leaky gut"). Blood markers can reveal zinc deficiency, elevated histamine, or immune responses to foods. Combined with stool testing or SIBO assessments, this guides nutrition plans and gut-healing protocols.

Mental Health: Anxiety and Depression

Mood disorders are often biochemically rooted. Blood testing can reveal:

• Low B12 or folate, which affect neurotransmitter function
• Blood sugar instability, contributing to anxiety
• Thyroid dysfunction, which is frequently misdiagnosed as depression

Dr. Marshall takes an integrated approach—treating mind and body as one system.

Skin Conditions: Acne, Eczema, and Rashes

Skin reflects internal inflammation. Blood work helps uncover:

• Food sensitivities or intolerances
• Nutrient deficiencies like zinc or omega-3s
• Hormonal triggers such as elevated androgens or insulin

By identifying root causes, Dr. Marshall can help patients resolve chronic skin issues from the inside out—without relying solely on topical treatments or steroids.

What to Expect From Dr. Brenda Marshall’s Functional Blood Work Review

Initial Consultation and Health History

Dr. Marshall starts with a thorough intake—far beyond the 10-minute average visit. She’ll take time to understand:

• Your current symptoms and how they impact daily life
• Your family and genetic history, identifying inherited risk factors
• Any previous labs, diagnoses, or treatments
• Diet, lifestyle, stressors, and medication/supplement use

You’ll also complete symptom-tracking tools and possibly functional health questionnaires to pinpoint priority areas for lab investigation.

Lab Testing Protocol

Depending on your needs, Dr. Marshall will order a comprehensive blood panel—often alongside specialty testing. Labs may be done:

• In-office, if you’re local to the San Diego area
• At a nearby Quest or Labcorp, with referrals provided
• Through functional medicine partners, offering expanded tests for hormones, micronutrients, or immune markers

Her focus is on accuracy, accessibility, and lab partners who offer optimal testing ranges—not just conventional disease thresholds.

Follow-Up and Plan Customization

Once your results are in, Dr. Marshall carefully reviews your full panel and walks you through each section. You’ll receive:

• A personalized treatment plan tailored to your test results
• Clear next steps for dietary changes, supplement protocols, or further testing
• Recommendations for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if indicated
• Lifestyle coaching strategies to support long-term wellness, including sleep, movement, and stress resilience

You’ll leave with an actionable roadmap, not generic advice—and continued support to track your progress and adjust as needed.

Take Control of Your Health Today

If you’re tired of being told “everything looks normal” while you still struggle with symptoms, it’s time for a new approach. A comprehensive blood panel interpreted through the lens of functional medicine may be the missing piece in your health journey.

Dr. Brenda Marshall goes beyond surface-level lab results to uncover the root causes behind fatigue, hormonal imbalances, gut issues, mood changes, and more. Through personalized diagnostics and whole-body treatment plans, she helps patients finally get the answers—and the results—they’ve been searching for.

Whether you’re in San Diego or anywhere in California, Dr. Marshall offers both in-person and telehealth consultations tailored to your unique health goals.

📍 Located in San Diego, CA — Serving all of California via Telehealth
📞 Call now: +1-858-663-7699
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📩 Email for consults: marshall3kids@gmail.com
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