Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Consultation/Follow Ups

Dr. Lawenda prefers you send him a brief paragraph or summarization of your medical history, what your health goals are and what you are hoping he can help you with. Feel free to include any additional information you feel is pertinent to share.

You have the option of completing your visit with Dr. Lawenda in the office, by video (Zoom) or by phone call.

The cost is based on a 30-minute or 60-minute follow up or consult with Dr. Lawenda. You can find pricing information by visiting our Plans & Pricing page.

Dr. Lawenda is happy to answer brief questions that you may have. If it is a complex question or concern that requires further back and forth communication, Dr. Lawenda will recommend scheduling a 30-minute consult by video or phone.

Labs

Dr. Lawenda puts top priority on the accuracy and quality of the lab tests he uses. Quality is not equal across all lab companies. Many times, you will see “normal” test results from regular lab companies while our tests find many “functional” problems. The lab companies Dr. Lawenda uses have the highest testing standards and the most consistent lab results year after year.
  • Your nutrient status (NutrEval Micronutrient Test)
  • Your insulin sensitivity/resistance (included in Basic Functional Lab Tests)
  • Your inflammation status (included in Basic Functional Lab Tests)
  • Your microbiome health (GI-MAP Stool Test)
  • Your stress hormones, estrogen metabolites, methylation function and melatonin (DUTCH Assays)

You can find more information by visiting our Lab Tests page.

Unfortunately, we are not set up for insurance billing at this time. If this ever changes in the future our website will be updated accordingly.
After you complete your purchase you will be contacted within 24 hours to confirm the correct shipping address. You should receive all of your kits within a week of when you placed your order on the IOE website. If you order multiple labs, these will be shipped separately and you may not receive them all on the same day.
All of the test kits are shipped with a tracking number so this is highly unlikely. If you do not receive your test kit for any reason contact us immediately so we can have a replacement kit sent free of charge.
Each test kit includes round-trip free shipping. Each kit includes a prepaid UPS or FedEx bag and label to send in your sample after collection.
While most tests do NOT require fasting, you should read the test collection instructions thoroughly prior to collecting your sample. Make sure you drink plenty of water so that you are well hydrated for optimal results.
If your lab test requires a blood draw, you are responsible for locating a lab that will draw that sample for you. The lab collecting the sample may charge a small fee for the blood draw. Make sure you explain to the lab that your test kit will include all test tubes, packing supplies, and prepaid shipping labels.
Please review the lab test descriptions for expected turnaround time for each test (this can vary from 1-3 weeks). If there are any unexpected delays for processing of results, you will be notified immediately.
Unfortunately, no. Each lab has a specific time frame for results and cannot be rushed.
As each test is resulted, you will receive a copy of these results sent to your email.
Yes, we respect your privacy and maintain confidentiality. You are the only one who will receive results unless you specify with a signed HIPAA release. Please contact us directly for more information.
All test results include the normal reference ranges, with abnormalities indicated, but most people are unsure how to interpret them on their own. Dr. Lawenda is available to help with this! If you have already purchased a lab follow up visit or additional consults with him, your results can be discussed at that time. Otherwise, it is recommended you review these results with another trusted member of your healthcare team who has experience or knowledge in functional medicine.
While retesting isn’t required, it is recommended that you retest at the 6-month mark to measure improvement and adjust protocols. Once you have achieved your desired health results, it is recommended to retest annually to ensure your body systems continue to function at their best. Dr. Lawenda can assist in determining if this is necessary and when is best for you to retest.

Yes. While Cyrex is unable to provide an exhaustive answer to this question due to the interactive complexities and varieties of medications and circumstances, the following has been noted:

  1. Immunosuppressant and corticosteroid drugs can reduce antibody production and cause false negative results.
  2. A gluten-free diet can cause false negative results.
  3. Avoid eating a high fat meal prior to your blood draw to prevent your specimen being lipemic. Lipemic specimens are rejected by Cyrex Labs and recollection will be required.

Yes, see below. If you are a resident of one of these states and are interested in testing, please reach out to us by emailing admin@ioeprogram.com to discuss your options.

  • GENOVA MICRONUTRIENT TEST: New York
  • GI-MAP STOOL TEST: New York
  • DUTCH TESTS: New York, Rhode Island, Maryland

Yes. We request you email us at admin@ioeprogram.com to confirm availability in your area before placing your order. We will respond to your email within 24 hours with additional details.

About
Dr. Brian Lawenda

In addition to being a radiation oncologist, integrative oncologist, functional medicine practitioner and medical acupuncturist, Dr. Brian Lawenda is also the founder of Integrative Oncology Essentials, the medical director at GenesisCare (Kennewick, WA); and a clinical associate professor at Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University. After graduating from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, he completed his internship in general surgery with the Naval Medical Center San Diego, and later served his residency in radiation oncology at the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital. There, he was appointed chief resident of the Harvard Combined Radiation Oncology Program.

Benefits to Enrollment in the IOE Online Education Program

Many people also enroll in the self-paced online course to learn more about overall health, additional information about various tests, and discounts on any private consultation.