What I Learned After Spending ~$3,000 on Naturopathic Tests (And If They’re Worth It)
For most of my 20s, I dealt with chronic bloating and gut issues that prevented me from enjoying my life - from wearing outfits that were cute because I felt ugly, fat, and bloated.
I tried everything you can think of to get rid of it. I took every debloating powder that promised relief and saw multiple doctors, only to be told I was “young” and that antacid pills would help.
After many failed attempts, I moved away from Western medical approaches. They never took my symptoms seriously and seemed more focused on suppressing them than finding the root cause. That’s when I decided to try a holistic approach and booked an appointment at Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness in Los Gatos, California.
💡If you haven’t read my full story yet, start with My Journey From Bloat to Clarity. It gives context on how I got here.
The First Step: Comprehensive Testing
At my first visit, I told the doctor I was committed to my gut health. As part of their new patient intake, everyone gets a customized set of tests (this can vary depending on age, history, and health goals).
Because I was relatively young and healthy, here’s what they ordered for me:
🫀 Heart & Circulation
A full cholesterol panel and inflammation markers (like hs-CRP and fibrinogen) to check if my body was fighting “silent fires” that could affect heart and gut health.
⚡ Metabolism & Blood Sugar
Glucose, insulin, and A1C levels to see how my body processes sugar which is crucial for understanding fatigue and stubborn bloating.
🔥 Thyroid Function
TSH, T3, and T4 tests to assess how well my “metabolism thermostat” was working.
💫 Hormones
Cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels to explore stress, mood, and cycle symptoms.
💉 Nutrients & Iron
Iron and Vitamin D levels, since deficiencies can mimic fatigue, brain fog, and gut issues.
🧬 Genetics
Panels like MTHFR and ApoE to understand how my body processes nutrients and fats.
🦠 Gut & Food Intolerances
A GI-MAP stool test and food sensitivity test to check microbiome balance, inflammation, and hidden bacterial overgrowth that could be causing bloating.
It was the first time I’d ever had a doctor look at my body as a whole system, not just one symptom.
The Results That Changed Everything
Four weeks later, my results came in and they explained everything.
Here’s what I found out:
I was deficient in multiple vitamins and acids, including Vitamin D, folic acid, Vitamin C, and B vitamins.
I had a genetic marker (ApoE) that makes me more prone to high cholesterol.
I was eating “healthy” foods — like kale, eggs, black beans, and yogurt that were actually triggering inflammation, itchiness, and congestion.
To recap, my biggest complaints before this were dry, itchy skin, mucus in my throat, constant bloating, and exhaustion that made me nap every day. Finally, I had answers!
🧠 Curious what my food sensitivity results actually looked like? Read: What My Food Sensitivity Test Revealed About My Gut Health (coming soon)
The Healing Protocol
My naturopath created an 8-week gut reset that included:
Targeted supplements for nutrient deficiencies
IV therapy once a week for 4 weeks
A custom anti-inflammatory nutrition plan based on my food sensitivity results
I followed it as best I could. Eight weeks later, I had lost 6 pounds of inflammation, my energy was back, and all my symptoms were gone. I could finally go through my day without needing a nap - something I hadn’t done in years.
I cried tears of relief. For the first time, I felt like myself again.
Was It Worth It?
So… was it worth spending thousands of dollars on comprehensive naturopathic testing?
Absolutely.
The investment gave me answers that years of traditional doctor visits never could. It helped me understand my body’s unique needs, not just patch the symptoms.
This experience was the start of my anti-inflammatory lifestyle and the foundation for everything I share on this blog.
👉 Thinking about seeing a naturopathic doctor yourself? Comment below if you like to me share tips on how to prepare and search for doctors in your area.
