Functional Medicine & Specialty Testing in Studio City

Functional medicine at TONIIK looks for the root cause of how you feel: hormones, thyroid, metabolism, heart health and nutrients, backed by comprehensive specialty testing that goes well beyond standard labs. We use the results to build a clear, customized plan for your health.

What is functional medicine?

The Institute for Functional Medicine describes functional medicine as a systems biology approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. In plain terms, it means looking at the whole picture instead of treating each symptom on its own.

In practice, that means longer visits, a detailed health history, targeted lab work and a plan built around nutrition, sleep, movement and stress, with medication or hormone therapy when it’s needed. Functional medicine works alongside your primary care doctor, not instead of them.

TONIIK is a nurse practitioner led practice at 12210 Ventura Blvd in Studio City, and we see patients from Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Encino, Burbank and across Los Angeles.

Does functional medicine work?

The research is still growing, and we think it’s worth being honest about what it shows. The first study of its kind came from Cleveland Clinic and was published in JAMA Network Open in 2019. It looked back at the records of 1,595 patients seen at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine and compared them with 5,657 patients seen in primary care.

At six months, 31% of the functional medicine patients had a meaningful improvement in their physical health scores, compared with 22% in primary care. At 12 months the improvements held up, but the difference between the two groups was no longer statistically significant. The researchers called for more studies, and we agree. For us, the value is in the model: more time, more detail and a plan you can actually follow.

What we look at

Hormones

Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and DHEA all affect energy, sleep, mood, weight and libido. We use blood work and DUTCH hormone testing when it adds useful detail. For women in their 40s and 50s, and for men and women with low hormone levels, see our hormone replacement therapy and menopause care.

Thyroid and Hashimoto’s

About 5 in 100 Americans have an underactive thyroid, and Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause. It’s 4 to 10 times more common in women than in men. A full thyroid workup looks at TSH, T4, T3 and TPO antibodies, not just TSH alone.

Metabolism and weight

Blood sugar, insulin and body composition all play into energy and weight. When weight is part of the picture, we can build in a medical weight loss program.

Heart health

Advanced lipid markers like ApoB and Lp(a) can add detail to a standard cholesterol panel when assessing cardiovascular risk, and a Cleerly heart scan can show plaque directly.

Nutrients, gut and more

Depending on your symptoms, we may look at micronutrients, gut health or other markers using the specialty and biomarker tests covered on this page.

How a functional medicine visit works

  1. Consultation. We go through your symptoms, health history, medications, sleep, diet, stress and goals. This visit takes time on purpose.
  2. Testing. We order the labs that make sense for you. Not every test for everyone.
  3. Your plan. Once results are in, we sit down together and build a plan that can include nutrition, supplements, hormone therapy, peptides or prescription medication.
  4. Follow-up. We recheck labs and symptoms and adjust the plan as you go.

Who functional medicine is for

  • Ongoing fatigue or brain fog without a clear answer
  • Hormone changes, including perimenopause, menopause and low testosterone
  • Thyroid problems or Hashimoto’s
  • Weight gain that doesn’t respond to the usual approach
  • Poor sleep, low libido or mood changes
  • People who feel fine and want to stay that way, with a focus on prevention and longevity

Related: Hormone Therapy & Menopause Care · DUTCH Test · Peptide Therapy · Medical Weight Loss

What Is Comprehensive Testing?

Comprehensive testing goes further than standard lab work. It examines areas like your gut microbiome, immune reactions to foods, micronutrient absorption, hormone levels, and exposure to toxins. These tests reveal patterns and issues that routine checkups often miss.

For those dealing with persistent fatigue, bloating, skin issues, or mood swings, this type of testing can be a turning point. Instead of guessing, we use data to make decisions. It gives you and your provider clear direction based on your body’s actual needs.

At TONIIK, we use these results to build focused wellness plans that reflect your unique health picture. The goal is clarity, not trial and error.

Related testing: Cleerly Heart Scan · Galleri Cancer Test · DUTCH Test

FAQ

Functional medicine is an approach that looks for the root cause of symptoms by looking at how your body’s systems work together, including hormones, thyroid, metabolism, nutrition, sleep and stress, rather than treating each symptom on its own.

The main differences are time and depth. Visits are longer, the health history is more detailed, testing is often broader, and lifestyle is a core part of the treatment plan. It works best alongside your primary care doctor, not as a replacement.

Patients commonly come to us for fatigue, hormone changes, perimenopause and menopause, thyroid problems including Hashimoto’s, weight gain, poor sleep and low libido. Many also come for prevention and longevity.

The research is still developing. A 2019 Cleveland Clinic study in JAMA Network Open found that functional medicine patients had larger improvements in physical health scores than primary care patients at six months, though the difference was not significant at 12 months. Individual treatments we use, like hormone therapy and thyroid treatment, follow established clinical guidelines.

No. Functional medicine works alongside your primary care doctor. We’re happy to share results and coordinate care.

Comprehensive specialty testing goes beyond standard lab work to uncover the root causes of chronic symptoms and imbalances. These tests assess gut health, food sensitivities, micronutrient deficiencies, toxin exposure, hormone levels, immune activity, and more, helping create targeted, personalized wellness plans.

It depends on your symptoms. Common ones include a full thyroid panel (TSH, T4, T3 and TPO antibodies), sex hormones, DUTCH hormone testing, blood sugar and insulin markers, advanced lipids like ApoB and Lp(a), and nutrient levels.

At TONIIK, we believe in getting to the root of your health concerns, not just managing symptoms. These advanced tests provide deeper insights into your body’s systems, guiding customized protocols for true healing and long-term vitality.

  • Bloating, gas, constipation, or IBS
  • Fatigue and brain fog
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Skin issues like eczema or acne
  • Migraines or headaches
  • Food sensitivities
  • Anxiety or mood swings
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Chronic inflammation or pain
  • Detox issues or toxin exposure

Gut Microbiome Analysis
A full-spectrum gut health test that detects over 300 species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. It evaluates digestion, inflammation, microbiome balance, and leaky gut markers.

Food Sensitivity Testing
Identifies IgG and IgA immune reactions to a wide panel of foods (96 to 288 items). It helps uncover hidden food triggers contributing to inflammation, skin conditions, digestive issues, or fatigue.

Micronutrient Testing
Assesses over 40 essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants at the cellular level, revealing true deficiencies and absorption issues.

Mold & Mycotoxin Testing
Screens for mold toxin exposure, a common but overlooked cause of fatigue, brain fog, sinus issues, and inflammation. Useful for those with water damage history or persistent unexplained symptoms.

Tickborne Disease Testing
Detects Lyme disease and related co-infections that may not show up on conventional tests. Helpful for patients with chronic fatigue, joint pain, or neurological symptoms.

Neurological Autoimmunity Panel
Identifies early autoimmune reactions in the brain and nervous system. Screens for antibodies linked to brain fog, memory issues, mood disorders, and neuroinflammation.

Autoimmune Screening Panels
Looks for immune dysregulation in specific body systems like thyroid, gut, nervous system, and connective tissue. Useful for early detection before a full autoimmune disease develops.

Wheat and Gluten Reactivity Panel
Tests for gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, and autoimmune markers like celiac disease, along with leaky gut indicators. Ideal for those with bloating, brain fog, or skin conditions.

Hormone Panel
A complete analysis of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, and more. Helps identify imbalances contributing to fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, or low libido.

Environmental Toxin and Heavy Metal Testing
Measures stored levels of toxins such as pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals like mercury and lead. Essential for patients with detox issues or unexplained chronic symptoms.

Advanced Cardiovascular Risk Panel
Includes markers like oxidized LDL, Lp(a), ApoB, hsCRP, and homocysteine to assess early cardiovascular risk beyond a standard lipid panel.

These tests use microarray and advanced sequencing technology that allows for greater sensitivity and accuracy. They can detect patterns and markers that typical bloodwork can’t, and often require only small sample sizes.

Depending on the test, you may provide a blood, stool, urine, or saliva sample. Some tests can be completed at home, while others are collected in-office at TONIIK. We guide you through each step and handle the processing for you.

Most specialty tests are not covered by insurance, but we provide transparent pricing and flexible options. The insight gained often saves clients time, money, and years of trial-and-error guessing.

Results typically return in 7 to 21 business days, depending on the test. Once your results are in, we’ll schedule a consultation to walk you through the findings and design your personalized care plan.

Yes. These advanced labs are designed to be interpreted by trained functional medicine providers. At TONIIK, we analyze your results in the context of your lifestyle, symptoms, and goals to build a strategic, holistic plan for optimal wellness.

Tap Apply Now on this page to schedule online, or call 818-436-6386. Our office is at 12210 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA. We’ll help you select the right tests based on your symptoms and goals, and create a customized roadmap just for you.

TONIIK provider preparing a treatment vial in the Studio City office

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