Several laboratory values can provide insights into potential underlying issues that may affect mood and cognition. These values can help identify nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory markers, and other metabolic or biochemical factors associated with mental health.

Metabolic psychiatry is a relatively new field that explores the relationship between metabolism and mental health. It examines how metabolic dysfunction—such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial issues—may contribute to psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

The core idea is that metabolic health, which includes factors like blood sugar regulation, gut health, and nutrient status, plays a significant role in brain function and emotional well-being. Researchers in this field focus on interventions such as dietary changes, exercise, and sometimes even metabolic therapies like ketogenic diets or supplements, in addition to or in place of traditional psychiatric medications.

By addressing both the mental and physical aspects of health, metabolic psychiatry aims to offer more holistic treatment approaches.

Most labs are covered by your insurance. We also offer specialized testing, such as Viome gut testing with specific nutritional recommendations, at a discounted rate for our patients.