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Patient Resources

Everything you need,
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Lab prep guides, trusted provider referrals, patient education, and practice information — organized and always up to date.

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Lab Preparation
Instructions for common labs ordered at Encompass Care

Before any lab: If you're unsure whether to fast or have questions about your specific order, message Natalie through the patient portal before your appointment. When in doubt, fast.

Blood Draw · Quest Diagnostics
Standard Blood Panel — Fasting Instructions
Fast for 10–12 hours before your draw. Water is fine. Take your regular medications unless instructed otherwise. Morning appointments recommended. Bring your lab requisition form or confirm your order is on file at Quest.
Functional Testing · Precision Analytical
DUTCH Complete — Collection Guide
Dried urine test collected at home over one day. Kit mailed directly to you. Avoid biotin supplements for 48 hours before collection. Avoid vigorous exercise the day of collection. Full instructions included in your kit — read them before you begin.
Collection guide
Functional Testing · Diagnostic Solutions
GI-MAP — Stool Collection Guide
Single stool sample collected at home. Kit mailed directly to you. Avoid probiotics, antifungals, and antibiotics for 2 weeks before collection if possible — discuss with Natalie first. Avoid fish oil and aspirin for 3 days. Full instructions included in your kit.
Collection guide
Functional Testing · Genova Diagnostics
GI Effects — Stool Collection Guide
Three-day stool collection kit. Mailed directly to you. Similar prep to GI-MAP — avoid antibiotics and antifungals for 2 weeks before. Red meat, nuts, and fish oil should be avoided 48 hours before collection. Full instructions in your kit.
Functional Testing · Organic Acids
Organic Acids Test (OAT) — Urine Collection
First morning urine collected at home. Avoid apples, grapes, pears, cranberries, and their juices for 48 hours before collection. Avoid antibiotics for 1 month prior if possible. Do not eat or drink anything except water for 8–10 hours before collection.
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Functional Testing Explained
What each test measures and why it matters
Hormone Testing
What the DUTCH Test Measures
The DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) evaluates estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and melatonin — plus how your body is metabolizing and clearing those hormones. A standard blood panel shows hormone levels at one point in time. The DUTCH shows the full picture of how hormones are being made, used, and processed throughout the day. Particularly useful for fatigue, PMS, perimenopause, mood changes, and sleep disruption.
Gut Health Testing
What the GI-MAP Measures
The GI-MAP uses DNA analysis (PCR technology) to identify bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal organisms in the gut with far greater sensitivity than conventional stool culture. It also measures gut immune function, inflammation markers, and digestive markers like elastase and fat staining. Used for bloating, IBS-type symptoms, food sensitivities, autoimmune patterns, chronic fatigue, and skin issues with a gut connection.
Metabolic & Nutritional Testing
What Organic Acids Testing Measures
Organic acids are metabolic byproducts that reflect how well your body is running its core processes — energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism, detoxification, vitamin and mineral sufficiency, and gut microbial activity. Useful for fatigue, brain fog, mood dysregulation, and patients who have had standard labs come back normal but still feel unwell.
Comprehensive Gut Testing
GI Effects vs. GI-MAP — What's the Difference?
Both are advanced stool tests that assess gut microbiome, pathogens, and digestive function. The GI-MAP (Diagnostic Solutions) is PCR-based and excellent for pathogen detection. The GI Effects (Genova) uses a combination of PCR and culture and provides additional metabolic and microbiome diversity data. Natalie will recommend the right test based on your clinical picture.
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Patient Education
Guides and explainers to support your care
GLP-1 Therapy
Your GLP-1 Program — What to Expect
How GLP-1 medications work, what the titration schedule looks like, common side effects and how to manage them, protein and muscle preservation guidance, and what to do if you have questions between visits.
Read guide
Stress & Nervous System
Quick-Start Stress Guide
Practical, evidence-based strategies for managing stress physiology — what stress does to the body, how to recognize dysregulation, and foundational tools for rebuilding regulation. No wellness fluff.
Read guide
Gut Health
Understanding Your GI-MAP Results
How to read the key markers on your GI-MAP report, what elevated or low values suggest, and how Natalie uses this data to build your gut health protocol.
Read guide
Supplements
How to Evaluate Supplement Quality
What third-party testing means, which certifications to look for, why supplement quality varies enormously, and how to access your Fullscript dispensary for practitioner-grade supplements at a discount.
Read guide
Peptide Therapy
Peptide Therapy — Patient Overview
What peptides are, how they work, which peptides Encompass Care offers, what the research supports, and what to expect from a peptide protocol.
Read guide
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Practice Information
How to navigate your care at Encompass Care
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For clinical questions — use your patient portal

Lab results, care plan questions, medication questions, and clinical follow-ups should always go through your Tebra patient portal — not email. This keeps your health information secure and ensures Natalie has full context when she responds. Resources on this page are general educational materials for all patients, not clinical advice for your specific situation.

Getting Started
New Patient — What to Expect
What happens before your first visit, how to complete your intake forms, what to bring, and what the first appointment typically covers. Functional medicine intakes are longer and more thorough than conventional visits by design.
Booking
How to Book an Appointment
New patients start with a free 15-minute intro call. Existing patients book directly through Acuity. Insurance visits are booked through Tebra. Same-day sick visits are available — call or text (303) 531-0023 if you need to be seen urgently.
Book now
Programs
Functional Medicine Programs — Overview
A summary of the Root Cause Review, RESET, and REBUILD programs — what each includes, who each is for, and how the programs connect. If you're considering a functional medicine program and aren't sure which fits, start with a free intro call.
View programs
Billing
Billing, Insurance & Self-Pay
Insurance is accepted for primary care visits (Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Medicare and Medicaid in CO). Functional medicine programs, GLP-1, and hormone therapy are self-pay. Questions about billing should go to billing@encompass.care.
Insurance info

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