Labs & Genetic Testing At Therapeutic Health Associates
Personalized lab and genetic testing to guide integrative mental health care.
Understanding Your Biology to Guide Your Treatment
For many people, understanding what’s happening beneath the surface is the first step toward feeling better. Lab and genetic testing can help uncover biological patterns that influence mood, anxiety, sleep, and medication response. At Therapeutic Health Associates, we use these tools thoughtfully as part of a larger, integrative plan to bring clarity and direction to your mental health care.
We know that emotional symptoms are often connected to physical factors like hormones, nutrition, and metabolism. Lab testing helps us identify where those imbalances may exist so we can create a treatment plan that fits your individual biology.
When Testing Helps
Testing can be especially helpful if you’ve tried multiple medications with mixed results, experienced difficult side effects, or feel that your symptoms don’t match what you’ve been told. It can also provide peace of mind for those who want data to guide decision-making.
You might benefit from lab or genetic testing if you:
- Have had inconsistent or limited response to medication
- Experience unwanted medication side effects
- Want to understand how your body metabolizes certain medications
- Have persistent fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes without a clear cause
- Suspect hormonal or nutritional factors may be affecting your mental health
Our goal is not to overtest but to choose the most relevant assessments. We want test results that help inform your care and move us closer to helping you feel well. We will carefully select tests with your consent and cooperation.
How We Work Together
We start by learning about your history, symptoms, and prior treatment experiences. Then, if testing makes sense, we explain the options, what each test measures, and how results might guide your care. You’re always in control of whether to proceed.
For standard laboratory testing, we may check thyroid, vitamin D, B12 and folate, iron studies, or other metabolic markers that affect mood and energy. For patients exploring genetic testing, we review how your body processes certain medications and how those results may support prescribing decisions.
Once results are in, we review them together in plain language. We’ll discuss what your results mean, what’s actionable, and how we can incorporate the findings into your broader plan. Testing is one piece of the puzzle, and it’s always interpreted in the context of your unique life and experiences.
What We Look For
We use lab assessments to understand biological factors that may influence mood, energy, and overall mental health. These standard tests help us rule out medical causes of symptoms and guide more precise treatment.
Thyroid function
Both underactive and overactive thyroid activity can contribute to anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Vitamin D, B12 & folate, iron levels & magnesium and zinc levels
These nutrients play a central role in cognition, mood regulation, and physical energy.
Hormonal balance
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence mood regulation and stress resilience. These Markers may be included with blood work.
Metabolic markers
Blood sugar, lipids, and inflammation markers (such as CRP and homocysteine) influence energy, mood, and long-term health.
When A Deeper Look Is Helpful
Some patients benefit from a more detailed assessment when symptoms persist without a clear explanation or when treatment response has been inconsistent. These tests are optional and used when they may meaningfully inform care.
Pharmacogenetic testing (genetic testing)
A non‑invasive cheek swab used to better understand:
- Pharmacodynamic genes — how your body responds to certain medications and potential side effects.
- Pharmacokinetic genes — how quickly or slowly you metabolize medications.
- MTHFR and related variants that influence folic acid metabolism, mood, and pregnancy.
This type of testing may also offer insight into how your body responds to certain supplements or types of exercise.
Additional integrative testing may include
- Salivary cortisol testing to understand daily stress patterns and adrenal function.
- Food sensitivity testing when inflammation, digestive symptoms, or unexplained fatigue may be contributing to mood changes.
- Comprehensive GI stool analysis to evaluate microbiome health, digestion, chronic inflammation, and gut dysbiosis.
These tests are never required. We explore them together only if they may meaningfully clarify symptoms or guide next steps in treatment.
Integrative Care, Informed By Data
Testing is not a replacement for good clinical judgment but it is a tool to make that judgment more precise. We combine lab insights with your personal history, symptoms, and goals to build a plan that’s both evidence-based and uniquely yours.
Sometimes results confirm what we already suspected, other times they reveal something new. Either way, the information empowers you to make decisions with confidence and clarity.
Ready to Begin
If you’ve been searching for answers or wondering why past treatments haven’t worked as expected, lab and genetic testing can offer insight and direction. We’ll help you understand what’s worth testing, interpret the results together, and use that information to build a plan that fits your biology and your life.
Schedule your consultation today. In-person and virtual visits available in Maryland.
Labs & Genetic Testing At Therapeutic Health Associates FAQs:
Do I have to do lab or genetic testing to work with you?
No. Testing is always your choice. That said, basic bloodwork is often highly encouraged because medical conditions such as thyroid issues, nutritional deficiencies, or inflammation can significantly affect mood and energy.
Genetic testing and deeper integrative tests are entirely optional.
What kinds of labs do you typically order?
We often check thyroid function, vitamin D, B12 and folate, iron, and other key labs that influence mood, focus, and energy.
What is genetic testing used for?
Genetic testing helps identify two key aspects of how your body interacts with medication:
- Pharmacodynamic responses — how your body may react to a medication, including sensitivity and risk of side effects.
- Pharmacokinetic responses — how quickly or slowly you metabolize certain medications, which can affect dosing and tolerability.
It may also provide insight into factors like folic acid metabolism (including MTHFR variants) and how your body responds to some supplements or exercise. Genetic testing does not determine a single “right” medication, but it gives us a clearer foundation for personalized prescribing.
Will you explain my results?
Absolutely. We review every result in clear, understandable language and discuss how each finding relates to your symptoms and treatment plan.
Do you bill insurance for labs?
Some labs may be billed directly to your insurance by the laboratory. We can help clarify what’s covered and what isn’t before proceeding.
Can I share labs from another provider?
Yes. We welcome outside lab results and will review them with you to avoid unnecessary repeat testing.
Do you use this information to sell supplements or products?
No. We don’t sell any products. Our role is to interpret results objectively and use them to guide your care.
What if I’m uncomfortable with genetic testing?
That’s perfectly fine. Many patients choose to begin with standard lab work or skip testing altogether. It’s your choice, and your care remains the same either way.
How long does it take to get results?
Standard labs are usually available within a few days. Genetic testing may take a couple of weeks, depending on the lab’s turnaround time.
What happens after we review the results?
We use the information to fine-tune your treatment plan, adjusting medications, supplements, or other recommendations as needed.