If you're a dietitian running your own practice, you’ve probably wondered whether adding lab testing could help you better support your clients. The short answer? It certainly can. 

Lab tests can give you a clearer picture of what’s really going on in your client’s body, such as nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, or hormone imbalances. With this kind of insight, you can tailor nutrition plans more effectively and track progress with confidence. In this article, we’ll walk through the basics of how to order labs in a nutrition private practice, break down common types of nutrition tests, and share some lab companies that make the process easier. 

What types of nutrition tests can you order for clients?

There are a lot of different nutrition tests available, and choosing the right ones depends on your client’s symptoms, goals, and health history. Many lab testing companies offer a range of options that can help you get a fuller picture of your client’s health and create a treatment plan accordingly. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of nutritional testing used in private practice:

Nutrition blood tests

Bloodwork can give you insight into a client’s cholesterol, blood sugar, and markers of inflammation. More importantly for dietitians, it can reveal specific nutritional deficiencies, like low levels of iron, vitamin D, B12, or magnesium.

Food sensitivity and allergy testing

These tests can help identify possible triggers that may be contributing to symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or skin issues. While results should be interpreted carefully, they can be a useful piece of the puzzle when crafting an individualized nutrition plan.

Lab tests for nutritional status

These often include comprehensive panels that assess multiple vitamin and mineral levels. They’re a great tool for getting baseline data or tracking how your nutrition protocols are working over time.

Hormone testing

Hormones play a major role in metabolism, appetite, mood, and energy. For clients experiencing unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or cycle irregularities, hormone testing (like cortisol, thyroid, or sex hormones) can provide critical context.

DNA nutrition testing

DNA nutrition tests can give you a snapshot of your client’s genetic tendencies—things like how they metabolize fats, carbohydrates, or caffeine. While not diagnostic, this info can help you personalize dietary recommendations even further.

As always, be mindful of your scope of practice. If test results show anything concerning, it's a good idea to refer the client to their primary care provider for further evaluation.

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How to choose the right nutrition tests for your clients

With so many nutrition testing options available, it can be tough to know where to start—especially if you’re incorporating lab testing into your nutrition private practice for the first time. The goal isn’t to test for everything, but rather to test with purpose. Below are a few factors to consider when deciding which lab tests for nutritional status will be most beneficial:

Start with symptoms and health history

Before ordering any tests, take a close look at your client’s intake forms, complaints, and overall goals. Are they dealing with fatigue, digestive issues, brain fog, or irregular cycles? This can help you prioritize which nutritional deficiency tests (like iron or B12) or hormone panels might be worth investigating.

Use baseline testing to establish a foundation

When working with new clients, especially those with complex health histories, consider running a baseline nutrition blood test. These usually include markers like vitamin D, magnesium, CRP, and ferritin—all of which give you clues about inflammation, immune function, and nutrient stores.

Consider functional panels for deeper insights

For clients with long-standing symptoms or minimal progress on standard protocols, it might be worth ordering more advanced or functional nutrition tests. These can include food sensitivity tests, stool panels, or micronutrient panels that look at how well nutrients are being absorbed and utilized.

When to use DNA nutrition tests

DNA nutrition testing can be a great tool for long-term planning. It’s not about diagnosing, but about tailoring lifestyle and nutrition strategies based on how someone’s body may respond to certain foods or nutrients. If a client is interested in prevention or optimizing health, these can add real value.

Keep budget and insurance in mind

Some clients may have to pay out of pocket for testing, so it’s important to offer options. Some testing platforms let you filter for cost, and many lab testing companies provide pricing transparency, making it easier to help clients decide what’s worth it for them. 

5 questions dietitians can ask before ordering labs

When you’re deciding which nutrition tests to order, asking the right questions can make all the difference. Here are five prompts nutrition professionals often use to help guide their lab decisions:

1. What symptoms is my client experiencing, and how long have they been present?
   --> Symptoms help point toward potential nutritional deficiencies or imbalances.
2. Do I need a baseline test to establish current health status?
   --> A basic nutrition blood test can help determine if deeper testing is even necessary.
3. Will this test help me change or refine the client’s care plan?
   --> If a test won’t alter your recommendations, it may not be needed right now.
4. Can my client afford this test, and do they understand the cost?
   --> Even the best insights from nutritional testing aren’t helpful if they cause financial stress.
5. Is this something that requires medical oversight or referral?
   --> If results could fall outside your scope, it’s best to partner with a physician or refer out.

Top lab testing companies for nutrition private practices 

As a private practice dietitian, if you would like to start offering labs to your clients, you’ll need to choose a lab to partner with. Whether you're ordering a nutrition blood test, a DNA nutrition test, or looking for a comprehensive nutritional deficiency test, the following lab testing vendors can help you access a wide range of data to guide client care.

Rupa Health

Rupa Health is a popular choice for functional and integrative providers. You can order everything from food sensitivity tests to lab tests for nutritional status through one easy-to-use platform. Rupa offers bundles, transparent pricing, and even client-friendly resources to help explain the value of nutritional testing.

Tripment Health

Tripment simplifies access to affordable lab testing with a network of partners offering everything from standard blood panels to more in-depth nutrition test options. Their pay-as-you-go model works well for clients without insurance or those looking for pricing clarity.

Change Healthcare

As one of the largest healthcare technology companies, Change offers broad access to nutrition-related lab tests. Dietitians benefit from their vast network of lab providers and digital tools to manage ordering, reporting, and follow-up—all within one ecosystem.

Quest Diagnostics

A trusted name in diagnostics, Quest offers extensive coverage and easy access to nutrition blood tests across the U.S. Their widespread testing locations make it convenient for clients, and results are typically returned quickly. 

Evexia Diagnostics

Evexia specializes in advanced wellness testing that includes panels for micronutrient status, hormonal balance, and functional nutrition markers. They’re known for their practitioner support and a dashboard that helps you interpret complex lab data with confidence.

Genova Diagnostics

Genova is a leader in specialty testing, offering in-depth profiles on nutrient absorption, gut health, and metabolic function. If you're looking for a DNA nutrition test or GI panel, Genova provides clinical depth that's especially helpful for complex cases.

Impilo

Impilo offers affordable, patient-pay nutrition testing with a sleek, tech-forward experience. They're an excellent option for practices looking to keep costs down while still delivering quality insights into client health.

Jona

Jona is built for modern wellness providers and includes testing that supports nutrition-focused care, including lab tests for nutritional status and personalized insights. They also provide clear pricing and client support, which can make conversations around testing easier.

Simplifying lab ordering with Healthie’s Harbor of integrations

One of the biggest hurdles in offering nutrition testing through your private practice is managing multiple platforms and workflows. That’s where Healthie steps in.

Through Healthie Harbor, Healthie’s digital marketplace of integrated tools, dietitians can seamlessly order labs from many of the top testing vendors mentioned above, without ever leaving the Healthie platform.

Here’s what this means for your practice:

• Streamlined workflows: Lab orders, results, and client communication happen in one place—no more switching between platforms.
• Secure recordkeeping: Lab results are automatically stored in your client’s profile, making it easy to reference and track over time.
• Time savings: With less time spent managing logistics, you can focus on delivering personalized, high-quality care.

Whether you're ordering a nutritional deficiency test, reviewing results from a nutrition blood test, or building recommendations based on a DNA nutrition test, Healthie helps you keep everything organized and secure.

If you're looking to expand your services with nutrition testing or bring more lab capabilities into your existing workflows, Healthie Harbor is a great place to start.