NTP NTP Functional Nutrition & Lab Testing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which lab marker is commonly used to assess long-term blood sugar regulation over approximately 3 months?
- Fasting glucose
- Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Correct answer)
- C-reactive protein
- Serum insulin
Correct answer: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Hemoglobin A1c reflects average blood glucose levels over the past 2–3 months by measuring glycated hemoglobin.
Question 2: A functional nutrition assessment showing elevated homocysteine levels most directly suggests a deficiency in which nutrients?
- Calcium and vitamin D
- B6, B12, and folate (Correct answer)
- Iron and zinc
- Magnesium and potassium
Correct answer: B6, B12, and folate
Homocysteine is metabolized via pathways dependent on B6, B12, and folate, so elevated levels suggest deficiency in these B vitamins.
Question 3: Which test is most useful for identifying intestinal permeability ('leaky gut') in a functional nutrition context?
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Lactulose/mannitol urine test (Correct answer)
- Stool antigen test
- Serum albumin level
Correct answer: Lactulose/mannitol urine test
The lactulose/mannitol test measures the ratio of large to small molecule absorption through the gut lining to assess intestinal permeability.
Question 4: In functional lab testing, a low morning cortisol level combined with fatigue and salt cravings most suggests dysfunction of which system?
- Thyroid axis
- HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis (Correct answer)
- Reproductive hormone axis
- Pancreatic function
Correct answer: HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis
Low cortisol alongside fatigue and salt cravings is consistent with HPA axis dysregulation, sometimes called adrenal fatigue in functional medicine.
Question 5: Which organic acid marker, detectable in urine, is used in functional nutrition to assess mitochondrial energy production?
- Oxalate
- Citric acid
- Succinic acid (Correct answer)
- Uric acid
Correct answer: Succinic acid
Elevated succinic acid in urine organic acid testing can indicate impaired mitochondrial function within the citric acid (Krebs) cycle.
Question 6: A functional stool analysis showing low secretory IgA (sIgA) most likely indicates what?
- Bacterial overgrowth
- Compromised mucosal immune defense (Correct answer)
- Elevated digestive enzyme activity
- High short-chain fatty acid production
Correct answer: Compromised mucosal immune defense
Secretory IgA is the primary antibody protecting mucosal surfaces, and low levels indicate weakened gut immune defense.
NTP NTP Functional Nutrition & Lab Testing 1
Which lab marker is commonly used to assess long-term blood sugar regulation over approximately 3 months?