Our Approach to Treating Heartburn Is Different
Most heartburn treatments are designed to suppress acid. Our services are designed to find out why your acid is behaving abnormally in the first place — and correct it.
We offer a combination of advanced functional medicine testing and personalized treatment planning. Below is an overview of what we do and how each piece fits together.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis & Gut Microbiome Panel

A deep analysis of your gut microbiome, bacterial balance, H. pylori presence, and digestive markers. This is often the single most revealing test we run for heartburn patients.
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Detects H. pylori — a bacterial infection directly linked to chronic acid reflux and ulcers
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Maps your gut microbiome to identify bacterial imbalances driving inflammation
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Reveals digestive enzyme deficiencies that affect how your body processes food
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Screens for intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") that can amplify reflux symptoms
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Identifies parasites, pathogens, and opportunistic organisms often missed by standard labs
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Provides a clear starting point for targeted, natural gut-healing protocols
Alletess 184 Food Sensitivity Panel

A comprehensive immune-response test measuring your body's reaction to 184 foods. Unlike standard allergy tests, this identifies delayed sensitivity reactions that can silently drive chronic inflammation and reflux.
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Tests IgG antibody responses to 184 common foods — reactions that standard allergy tests completely miss
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Identifies "delayed" food triggers that can cause symptoms hours or even days after eating
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Pinpoints specific foods quietly fueling your inflammation, bloating, and acid overproduction
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Goes beyond gluten and dairy — covers grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more
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Results come with a personalized avoidance and rotation plan, not just a list
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Often reveals surprising culprits patients never suspected were connected to their heartburn
Adrenocortex / HU-Map — Your Stress & Gut Connection

For non-menopausal women, this test measures cortisol patterns, DHEA levels, and stress-hormone rhythms that directly impact gut function. A frequently missed piece of the heartburn puzzle.
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Maps your cortisol curve throughout the day — revealing how stress hormones are disrupting your digestive rhythm
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Measures DHEA levels, which play a key role in gut lining integrity and inflammation control
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Identifies adrenal fatigue patterns that can loosen the esophageal sphincter and worsen reflux
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Uncovers the stress-acid connection that no standard GI test will ever look for
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Helps explain why symptoms spike during stressful periods even when diet hasn't changed
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Results guide targeted adrenal support protocols alongside your gut-healing plan

Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Once we have your test results, we build a plan that's specific to you. This typically includes:
- Targeted dietary modifications based on your sensitivity results
- Gut healing protocols (supplements, probiotics, antimicrobials where indicated)
- Stress regulation strategies where adrenal function is a factor
- A clear timeline and step-down strategy for reducing or eliminating medications
- Follow-up testing to confirm results
Explore each service
Functional Medicine for Heartburn
A useful heartburn consultation starts with your story: when symptoms began, what has already been investigated, and what treatment has or has not helped. Wilmington Functional Medicine offers an individualized assessment alongside, not instead of, your regular medical care.
Stool Testing & Gut Microbiome Assessment
Comprehensive stool analysis is part of the practice's heartburn testing menu. It is considered in the context of your symptoms and prior workup, rather than as a stand-alone explanation for every episode of reflux.
Alletess 184 Food Sensitivity Testing
The Alletess 184 panel is an existing service described by the practice. If you are trying to understand food-related symptoms, discuss what this panel measures and its limitations before changing your diet.
Adrenal & Stress-Hormone Testing
The practice's testing description includes Adrenocortex / HU-Map assessment, with the stated context of non-menopausal women. The choice of panel depends on your history; this is not a blanket test for everyone with reflux.
PPI Review & Cessation Support
Wanting fewer medicines is a reason to review your care, not a reason to stop a PPI on your own. Wilmington Functional Medicine's original care description includes medication step-down planning, coordinated with the clinician who prescribes the medicine.
Compare the testing options, learn how collection works, and see what to expect from a consultation. Testing is selected around your history and goals.
Medical references
Further reading for the topics discussed on this page.