Fertility Testing: The Types of Testing I Recommend in My Fertility Nutrition Practice

Jan 23

Lab testing is a peek into your health.

It helps you understand why you may have certain symptoms and provides powerful insights into where to focus your attention.

That is why I utilize functional and conventional labs in my practice along with some other tools to help me understand the root cause of my clients’ fertility & hormonal challenges.

If you are wondering which labs could be beneficial for you on your fertility & hormone health journey, I’ve compiled the full list of labs I integrate and the information they each provide here!

The problem, though, is this:

People are often not offered the lab testing they need.
People are often told everything is normal because labs were not analyzed through an optimal lens.
Functional testing is not offered by conventional medicine.
Labs can only get you so far—the real value is in what you do with that information and how you integrate the necessary changes.

Although I have one overarching program, Nourishing Fertility, with one proven methodology, Nourished & Fertile, I work with all of my clients on a personalized level. This means that no one is offered cookie-cutter recommendations, dietary protocols, or supplement protocols. Recommendations are based on testing, the client’s history, goals, and current health challenges.

They are also tailored to what the client is capable of in their current moment because we are not here for intensive protocols or restrictive diets—we are here for long-term transformational health.

Why Do I Use Testing in My Practice?

We can learn a lot through qualitative assessments like looking at symptoms, history, and menstrual cycles. However, for a full, comprehensive picture, testing is critical in my opinion. I truly stand by the saying, “Test, don’t guess.”

That said, I don’t believe in running every single test on every single person. It’s often unnecessary and can get expensive. My approach is to focus on the most impactful testing that aligns with each client’s unique situation.

Conventional vs. Optimal Ranges

One of the key differences in how I approach lab testing compared to conventional medicine is the lens through which results are analyzed. Conventional lab ranges are designed to identify disease states, meaning you have to be outside of a broad “normal” range to flag a concern.

In functional nutrition, we analyze results through optimal ranges, which are narrower and designed to identify imbalances or dysfunctions before they escalate. This proactive approach can uncover underlying issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What Tests Do I Recommend and Utilize in My Practice?

First, it’s important to note that I am a clinical nutritionist with a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition. My additional training is in functional nutrition and women’s health. This means that the tests I recommend and order in my practice are functional in nature.

While I do not order conventional labs for my clients, I provide them with a list of recommended labs they can request through their primary care doctor to potentially get them covered by insurance. I then assess these results through an optimal lens. Given that my practice focuses on fertility and hormone health, the majority of the tests I recommend reflect these areas of concern.

My Top Recommended Tests for Fertility and Hormone Health

DUTCH Test: Comprehensive Hormone Testing

A DUTCH test evaluates:

Sex hormones & their metabolites (e.g. estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
Patterns of cortisol production throughout the day.
Markers of detoxification and neurotransmitter activity.

This test is invaluable for identifying hormonal imbalances and understanding how your body processes hormones.

GI-MAP Stool Analysis: Gut Health Testing

If you have chronic gut issues such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, belching, gas, or pain, and/or known hormonal imbalances or infertility, a deep dive into your gut health can be incredibly helpful.

The gut is the largest endocrine organ and plays a crucial role in hormone regulation. For example:

Dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria) can disrupt estrogen metabolism and clearance.
Research suggests that infections like H. pylori or imbalances in the microbiome are associated with fertility challenges and hormonal dysregulation.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

This test provides insights into mineral levels and heavy metals in the body. Key benefits include:

Identifying patterns that indicate sluggish metabolism or thyroid dysfunction.
Understanding mineral imbalances that impact hormone production
Identifying presence of heavy metals

Conventional Lab Testing for Fertility

These are labs I typically recommend clients request through their primary care providers:

CBC with differential
Metabolic Panel
Lipid Panel
Fasting Insulin
Full Thyroid Panel (including TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Anti-TPO, and Anti-Thyroglobulin antibodies)
Ferritin
HbA1c
Folate, B12, Vitamin D, and Prolactin
Hormone testing:
- Day 3 Estradiol
- Day 3 FSH & LH
- 7-Day Post-Ovulation Progesterone
- Free Testosterone

Sperm Analysis for Male Fertility

If you have been trying to conceive for more than six months unsuccessfully, a semen analysis can often be covered by insurance. Alternatively, proactive options like Legacy or Fellow offer private testing. Optimal ranges should be used to interpret results.

Also its important to note that your partner can and should run conventional labs like the ones mentioned above as well.

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): Blood Sugar and Fertility

While not a functional or conventional lab test, a CGM is worth mentioning. It provides real-time insights into blood sugar patterns, which can directly affect hormone balance and fertility outcomes. Elevated insulin levels, often seen in conditions like insulin resistance or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are strongly linked to ovulation disorders.

Research shows that:

High insulin levels can interfere with ovarian function by disrupting normal hormonal signaling and promoting excessive androgen production.
Managing blood sugar through diet, lifestyle, and monitoring with a CGM can help restore ovulatory function and improve fertility outcomes.

Mira Fertility Tracker: Hormone Monitoring Tool

This is my new favorite tool to recommend and use with clients. Mira (use code 2OLIVIA15 for 15% off) tracks hormone levels in real-time, offering detailed insights into ovulation and fertility windows.

If you have irregular cycles, you suspect low hormones, you are not sure when and if you are ovulating, or you have PCOS, this can be an invaluable tool on your fertility journey.

I have personally used Mira and found it to be an empowering resource.

Take the Next Step in Your Fertility Journey

Are you interested in running labs to better understand your hormone and fertility health? Book your free fertility insights call here so we can create a game plan tailored to your needs.