Looking For Functional Lab Testing in Indianapolis?
You went to your doctor, had bloodwork done, and heard that everything looks fine. The tiredness, brain fog, bloating, or stubborn weight is still there. Functional lab testing in Indianapolis gives you another way to see what your body is doing.
Dr. Melanie MacLaren, ND, orders functional labs including micronutrient testing, inflammation and blood sugar markers, complete thyroid and hormone panels and comprehensive stool panels at Dragonfly 360 Wellness. Samples are collected at home or at an outside lab, and Dr. Melanie reviews your results with you in detail. You can visit us at Keystone Crossing on Indianapolis's north side or meet by telehealth.
What Is Functional Lab Testing?
Routine bloodwork usually checks whether your numbers fall inside a standard reference range. A result can sit in range and still leave you with questions about how you feel.
Functional lab panels look at the same body in more detail. They measure nutrient status, hormones, thyroid function, food reactions, and gut health. Dr. Melanie also compares your results with the narrower ranges she uses in her own practice, which differ from standard lab ranges. She looks for patterns across several markers, because one number rarely explains how you feel.
Who Can Benefit From Functional Lab Testing?
Functional lab testing may suit you if you have been told your results are normal but you do not feel like yourself. Many people who see Dr. Melanie are women in their thirties through sixties dealing with fatigue, poor sleep, bloating, weight changes, or shifts in hormones.
It can also help if you have tried various supplements or diet changes and are still stuck. Testing may show what your body actually needs. If you take prescription medication, bring your current medication list so Dr. Melanie can plan around it.
Dr. Melanie works in conjunction with your primary care physician and does not replace acute or urgent care.
Signs You May Benefit From Lab Testing
You may notice one or more of these:
- Fatigue that sleep and coffee do not fix.
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating.
- Bloating or constipation that keeps coming back.
- Weight that will not move, or weight gain you cannot explain.
- Poor sleep, night sweats, or hot flashes.
- PMS or heavy periods.
- A sense that your labs are normal but you do not feel normal.
These symptoms are common, and can have several underlying causes. Lab testing at Dragonfly 360 Wellness in Indianapolis can provide valuable clues to help us better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and guide a personalized plan. While lab results are an important piece of the puzzle, they are only one part of the overall picture.
How Functional Lab Testing Helps
Functional lab testing can help get to the bottom of symptoms that may otherwise be difficult to explain. It gives Dr. Melanie a closer look at things like nutrient levels, hormone balance, and potential food sensitivities so she can build a plan based on what your body actually needs. When you understand what the results mean and why certain changes are recommended, it can also be easier to stick with your plan.
Here are two examples from her practice, with identifying details removed.
One 31-year-old woman came to Dr. Melanie feeling frustrated by weight gain and low energy, despite eating well. Micronutrient testing revealed low levels of certain amino acids and antioxidants involved in the body's natural detoxification processes. Her plan focused on supporting her detox systems and she began to lose weight and energy increased.
Another woman was dealing with brain fog, fatigue, and PMS, even though her thyroid test results appeared normal. Dr. Melanie took a closer look at her free T3 and reverse T3 levels, along with her hormones. The results suggested a higher estrogen-to-progesterone ratio, which may affect how thyroid hormone is used by the body. After making dietary changes and incorporating detox support, she reported an improvement in her symptoms.
Everyone's experience is different, and these examples are not a guarantee of results. Functional lab testing is one tool that can help guide a more personalized approach to care.
Functional Lab Testing Options We Offer
Micronutrient Testing
Functional Lab Panels
Insurance-Based Lab Panels
Comprehensive Stool Testing
What to Expect When You Start Testing
Your first visit lasts 60 minutes. Dr. Melanie reviews your health history back to childhood, along with your stress and lifestyle. You rank your top three concerns, and she recommends which functional labs make sense and where to begin.
We do not draw blood or collect samples in our office. You complete testing at an outside lab, and the results go to Dr. Melanie.
Once results arrive, you go over them in detail with her, in person or by telehealth. At each follow-up you re-rate your top three concerns, so you can both see what is changing, and she adjusts your plan. The number of visits you need varies from person to person.
Our Approach to Functional Lab Testing
For functional lab testing, Dr. Melanie starts with your history and your concerns before she orders anything. The tests answer your questions instead of working through a standard menu. She rarely looks at hormones in isolation, because thyroid, hormones, gut health, and weight tend to affect one another.
Changes arrive in realistic steps, with no strict diets on day one. Many people begin with real food and more water, plus one simple supplement such as magnesium for sleep. They build from there as results point to the next move.
Meet Dr. Melanie MacLaren, ND
Dr. Melanie MacLaren, ND, founded Dragonfly 360 Wellness and has practiced as a naturopathic doctor since 2011. Her path into naturopathic medicine began with her own health in 2005. She earned a degree in civil engineering at Purdue University first, and she brings that problem-solving habit to every set of results.
She is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor (ANMCB) who orders and reviews functional labs. She has worked with hundreds of people on hormone, thyroid, and gut concerns. For prescriptions and insurance-based labs, she works with a supervising physician. You can read more on our Our Team page.
Functional Lab Testing Fees and Booking
Here is what to know before you book:
- Visits are in person at 8435 Keystone Crossing, Suite 155, Indianapolis, or by telehealth.
- Your first visit is 60 minutes.
- A free 15-minute discovery call is available if you want to ask questions first.
- Insurance-based panels may run through your health insurance via Dr. Melanie's supervising physician, depending on your plan.
- Functional panels are typically paid out of pocket, and pricing depends on which panels fit you.
- Visits are cash pay, HSA cards are accepted, and we do not bill insurance for visits.
Why Choose Us for Functional Lab Testing?
Dragonfly 360 Wellness is a women-owned practice on Indianapolis's north side, built around people who were told their labs are normal. You can start with one conversation and let your history decide which tests make sense, instead of choosing from a long list on your own.
People who work with Dr. Melanie most often mention more energy, better sleep, clearer thinking, and feeling like themselves again. Individual experiences differ.
Related Services and Resources
If lab results are one piece of a bigger plan, these pages may help:
- Weight Loss Program shows how lab findings can shape a natural or medical plan.
- Functional Medicine explains the wider approach behind your results.
- Gut health support covers bloating, constipation, and other digestive concerns.
- Chronic fatigue support is a useful next read if low energy brought you here.
- Dr. Melanie's guide to micronutrient test results explains how she reads blood and cell values.
Functional Lab Testing FAQs
Yes, we recommend a first visit, as your symptoms along with your health history determines the best labs and course of action for you. However we also offer lab panels though our Fullscript Store. These can be ordered without an appointment and Dr. Melanie will send you a summary of your results. No appointment required. Review lab panels here.
Dr. Melanie's micronutrient test looks at 55 markers including vitamins, antioxidants, and fats and provides cellular levels to assess long term nutritional status.
Within range lab results still provide information especially if your results are on the high or low end of the range. Dr. Melanie looks at patterns across several markers along with your symptoms.
Visits and follow-ups are available by telehealth as well as in person. Testing happens at an outside lab or at home.
Book Functional Lab Testing in Indianapolis
If your labs say you are fine and your body says otherwise, a closer look may help. Book functional lab testing in Indianapolis with Dr. Melanie, in person or by telehealth, and start with the panels that fit your history. Prefer to ask questions first? Book a 15-minute discovery call, and we will take it from there.
This page is general information and not medical advice. Results vary from person to person, and no outcome can be promised.
Dragonfly 360 Wellness
8435 Keystone Crossing, Suite 155Indianapolis, IN
46240 View Staff & Treatments
