Specialty Tests at Fishtown Medicine
At Fishtown Medicine, we understand that standard labs don’t always explain why you feel off. That’s why we offer a curated set of specialty tests — when they can provide real, actionable insight into your health.
We’ll never push expensive testing just to gather more data. But when a deeper root-cause approach is needed, these tests can help uncover what’s been missed.
Specialty tests we may recommend:
Stool testing — to assess microbiome health, inflammation, digestion, or infection
Hormone panels — blood, saliva or urine testing to explore adrenal function, cortisol rhythm, or estrogen/progesterone balance
Micronutrient testing — to identify deficiencies affecting energy, cognition, metabolism, or immunity
Food sensitivity testing — typically IgG-based, useful when elimination diets haven’t resolved chronic symptoms
When we suggest these tests
We consider specialty testing when:
Your symptoms persist despite normal standard labs
Generic care plans haven’t moved the needle
There’s a chronic issue (bloating, fatigue, hormone shifts) that needs deeper insight
You’re seeking personalized prevention or treatment based on your biology
We’ll always walk you through what a test can and can’t tell us — and whether it’s worth the cost based on your specific case.
What to expect
If a test makes sense for your care plan, we’ll explain:
How it works (e.g., at-home collection or test center)
What prep is needed
Approximate costs and coverage
How long results take
Once results are in, we go over them together — not just with a printout, but in context of your labs, symptoms, goals, and lifestyle.
You’ll leave with a plan, not just a spreadsheet.
If you’re curious whether a specialty test might help explain what you’re feeling, just let us know. We’ll talk it through — no pressure, no guesswork.