You’ve been spending your whole life trying to solve the wrong problem.

Real results come from more clarity, not more effort.

Whether your goal is losing weight, feeling better, or finally creating a plan for the symptoms your doctor can’t explain — we’ll help you get there by uncovering what’s really going on in your body.

Functional Lab Guide

Welcome to the next level of your health journey with Alta Coaching.

These advanced assessments reveal how your gut, hormones, metabolism, and immune system are truly functioning to help us identify hidden imbalances causing dysfunction that contribute to symptoms and can lead to health struggles as you age.

Real results come from more clarity, not more effort.

We help you uncover what’s really driving your symptoms, so you can lose fat and improve your long-term health for life.

Stress & Hormone Panel (SHP)

What it is & how it works:

The SHP is a saliva-based test done at four time points across the day: morning, noon, afternoon, and bedtime.

This gives a complete picture of how your stress hormone cortisol rises and falls over 24 hours. This test captures your diurnal cortisol rhythm, giving a window into HPA-axis function to see your stress burden and adrenal output.

Why saliva testing is more accurate than blood testing for hormones:

The SHP is a saliva-based test done at four time points across the day: morning, noon, afternoon, and bedtime.

This gives a complete picture of how your stress hormone cortisol rises and falls over 24 hours. This test captures your diurnal cortisol rhythm, giving a window into HPA-axis function to see your stress burden and adrenal output.

What it measures:

  • Cortisol 4x sampled over the day

  • DHEA-S: An anabolic hormone that balances

  • Cortisol/DHEA ratio: Indicator of stress resilience or burnout

  • Secretory IgA: Key immune marker showing how stress is impacting gut/immune defenses

  • Melatonin: Your sleep hormone, showing nighttime regulation

  • Sex hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone

Symptoms it can help clarify:

  • Low energy, poor recovery, or "tired but wired" feeling

  • Weight gain around the belly despite diet and exercise

  • Sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking refreshed)

  • PMS, menopausal hot flashes, or low libido

  • Anxiety, irritability, or mood swings

  • Frequent illness or low immunity

  • Feeling sluggish in the morning or more alert at nighttime

Price: $482

GI-Map

What it is & how it works:

The GI-MAP is a DNA-based stool test (qPCR technology) that identifies and quantifies the DNA of microorganisms in your gut. A small stool sample is collected at home and shipped to the lab. Unlike older stool tests that relied on culturing bacteria (which often missed key species), this test uses advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect even low levels of microbes with high accuracy.

What it measures:

  • Bacterial pathogens (ex: C. difficile, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli)

  • Parasitic pathogens (protozoa, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba)

  • Viral pathogens (Norovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus)

  • H. pylori (including virulence factor genes)

  • Normal bacterial flora (balance of beneficial bacteria)

  • Phyla microbiota distribution (relative abundance across major phyla)

  • Opportunistic bacteria (overgrowths that disrupt balance)

  • Autoimmune triggers (anti-gliadin IgA for gluten sensitivity)

  • Fungi/yeast (Candida)

  • Viruses

  • Worms

  • Calprotectin (inflammation)

  • Secretory IgA (immune function in gut mucosa)

  • Elastase-1 (pancreatic enzyme sufficiency)

  • Occult blood (bleeding)

  • Beta-glucuronidase (detox/estrogen recycling marker)

  • Antibiotic resistance genes (insight into resilience against therapies)

Symptoms it can help clarify:

  • Low energy, poor recovery, or "tired but wired" feeling

  • Weight gain around the belly despite diet and exercise

  • Sleep problems (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking refreshed)

  • PMS, menopausal hot flashes, or low libido

  • Anxiety, irritability, or mood swings

  • Frequent illness or low immunity

  • Feeling sluggish in the morning or more alert at nighttime

For all states except NY, NJ, RI

Price: $550

For NY, NJ, RI

Price: $617

Mucosal Barrier Assessment (MBA)

What it is & how it works:

The MBA is a blood spot test that evaluates markers directly related to gut barrier integrity and histamine regulation. This panel looks at proteins and enzymes that regulate intestinal tight junctions and histamine breakdown. A simple finger-prick blood collection provides insights into whether the gut lining is “leaky” and if histamine is being properly cleared.

What it measures:

  • Zonulin: A protein that modulates the opening of tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Elevated levels indicate compromised barrier function and increased intestinal permeability.

  • Diamine Oxidase (DAO): The main enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary histamine in the gut. Low levels suggest impaired histamine clearance and potential histamine intolerance.

  • DAO: Histamine Ratio: Assesses the balance between histamine production and clearance. A low ratio indicates histamine overload relative to breakdown capacity.

Symptoms it can help clarify:

  • Food reactions, especially to histamine-rich foods (wine, cheese, leftovers, fermented foods)

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Flushing, itching, or hives after meals

  • Bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea not explained by standard food sensitivities

  • Skin issues (eczema, psoriasis, rashes)

  • Autoimmune flares or chronic inflammation

  • Fatigue, insomnia, or mood swings tied to histamine imbalance

Price: $390

Metabolic Wellness Profile (MWP)

What it is & how it works:

The MWP is a dried urine test that evaluates key markers of digestion, detoxification, and oxidative stress. Urine metabolites reveal how well the body is processing protein, bile, and handling free radical damage. An effective screening tool for assessment of protein digestion, dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial

overgrowth (SIBO), intestinal mucosal permeability and malabsorption states.

What it measures:

  • Indican: Marker of protein digestion and bacterial putrefaction in the gut. Elevated levels suggest poor protein breakdown or dysbiosis.

  • Total Bile Acids: Indicates liver and gallbladder function, bile flow, and fat digestion. Elevated levels may reflect sluggish bile excretion or liver stress.

  • 8-OHdG: A sensitive marker of oxidative stress and DNA damage. High levels suggest excessive free radical activity and increased cellular aging risk.

Symptoms it can help clarify:

  • Bloating, gas, or foul-smelling stools (protein maldigestion, dysbiosis)

  • Fatty stools or discomfort after high-fat meals (poor bile flow)

  • Fatigue or sluggish detox capacity

  • Premature aging signs (hair thinning, dull skin, wrinkles, poor recovery

  • Chronic stress or toxin exposure

  • Headaches, joint pain, or low recovery after exertion

  • Skin issues (acne, eczema, rashes)

  • Brain fog, poor memory, or difficulty concentrating

Price: $390

Mediator Release Test (MRT)

What it is & how it works:

The MRT is a blood test that measures how white blood cells react when exposed to foods and food chemicals. Instead of looking for antibodies (like IgG/IgE), the MRT directly measures the release of chemical mediators such as histamine, prostaglandins, and cytokines which are the compounds that drive inflammation and physical symptoms. This makes it one of the most reliable tests for uncovering hidden food sensitivities that contribute to chronic inflammation.

What it measures:

Inflammatory reactivity to 176 foods and chemicals across these categories. Each item is scored as low, moderate, or high reactivity, helping identify which foods may be fueling inflammation.

  • Fruits, vegetables

  • Grains

  • Beans, nuts & legumes

  • Seafood, meats & poultry

  • Dairy

  • Food chemicals (preservatives, colorings)

  • Flavor enhancers

  • Miscellaneous items

Symptoms it can help clarify:

  • Chronic bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or IBS-like symptoms

  • Migraines or headaches

  • Fatigue or low energy

  • Joint pain or arthritis-like symptoms

  • Skin problems (eczema, hives, rashes, psoriasis)

  • Brain fog, irritability, or mood swings

  • Flare-ups of autoimmune or inflammatory conditions

Price: $555

Note: test not available in New York state

Comprehensive Blood Draw

(Inside Tracker)

What it is & how it works:

Comprehensive blood test of 48 different biomarkers, most of which are not typically covered by insurance. Most of these are essential for short-term goal planning, long-term health, and feeling your best. Categories include inflammation, metabolic health, hormone panel, heart health, gut health, and more.

Individual biomarker analysis also included. You'll see what's in the ideal range for your gender/age/activity level and where you can improve.

Why we partner with Inside Tracker:

  • InsideTracker is trusted by 100,000+ customers

  • You own this data for the rest of your life. You get your own login so you can bring it to doctors appointments, order more in the future, and measure your own progress long after working with us.

  • Standard of care and traditional insurance models in the U.S. Healthcare system most often don’t allow for measurement of inflammation, hormone, apoB, and other important markers that we feel are vital for your health.

How it works/next steps:

  • Order at the link below. One of your Alta coaches will reach out with next steps to set up your account

  • Schedule your blood draw at any local lab partner, such as Quest Diagnostics. Or you can have a mobile blood draw (available in some states for an extra fee)

  • Kat will receive a notification when your labs are back, so she can reach out with any next steps.

Price: $425

Whether you’ve tried everything or you’re just starting to take your health seriously — we can help.

Wondering if you're a fit? Our coaching is designed for people who want more than quick fixes. Whether your goal is fat loss, healthy aging, managing an autoimmune condition, improving your gut health, balancing hormones, or building long-term health, we’ll help you uncover the root causes that have been holding you back and create a plan that actually works for your life. Want to learn more and chat with us personally? Fill out the application below.

Not sure which lab is best or have a question?

The information provided by Alta Coaching, Andrew Hayes, and Kat Best is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© 2025  Alta Coaching ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.