Medical & Diagnostic Services

in Ventura & Thousand Oaks

Find The Cause, Not Just a Quick Fix.

At XOXO Beauty Med Spa we offer focused problem visits, evidence-based food sensitivity evaluation, sensible heavy metal testing, and targeted labs and imaging to solve persistent or unclear symptoms. Everything is clinician-led and chosen to answer a specific clinical question.

Problem-Based Medical Visits

A short, focused medical visit for one specific complaint. These visits go beyond surface fixes, concentrating on history, exam, and the few tests most likely to answer the question. We avoid shotgun testing; we order what directly informs diagnosis or treatment.

When to choose a problem visit

New, unexplained symptoms such as persistent fatigue, recurrent GI upset, new rash, or isolated joint pain. Also useful when you already had testing but need a clinician to interpret results and recommend next steps.

How we handle it

You meet with Dana Duarte, NP, for a targeted history and exam. We decide on focused labs or imaging only when those tests will change management. If specialist care is needed, we coordinate referrals and provide clear next steps.

Food Sensitivity Evaluation

We start by ruling out true food allergy, and other medical causes. For suspected intolerance, we favor a clinically guided path: careful history, food logs, supervised elimination and reintroduction, and selective testing when indicated. At-home IgG food panels are not reliable for diagnosing intolerance and must be interpreted with caution.

When testing helps

Breath testing for SIBO or lactose intolerance, stool studies, or targeted serology are useful when the history supports them. We follow consensus guidance on breath testing preparation and interpretation to reduce false positives.

Practical plan example

  1. Review symptom pattern and food diary.

  2. Rule out allergy and urgent medical causes.

  3. If indicated, order breath test or targeted labs.

  4. Supervised elimination and stepwise reintroduction to confirm triggers.

Heavy Metal Testing

What we test and why

When exposure risk or clinical signs suggest metal toxicity, we order validated tests for lead, mercury, cadmium, and others. Blood tests are the standard for many metals, and results must be interpreted in clinical context. We avoid unvalidated hair or provoked urine tests that can mislead care.

Common scenarios for testing

  • Occupational or environmental exposure concerns

  • Unexplained neurologic, cognitive, or systemic symptoms with a plausible exposure history

  • Abnormal screening labs that need confirmation

Follow up and reporting

Lead testing follows public health thresholds and reporting rules. When a test is abnormal, we outline removal of exposure, medical follow up, and specialist referral when needed.

Labs & Imaging

Our principle

Order tests only when they will change management. We use standard lab panels, targeted specialty assays, and imaging selected by evidence based criteria. That keeps care precise, safer, and cost effective.

Typical diagnostic tools we use

  • Routine blood panels and targeted nutrient assays

  • Hormone testing and metabolic panels

  • Breath testing for selected GI issues

  • Imaging chosen by ACR appropriateness guidelines so you get the right study for the right reason.

How results are handled

We review all results with you, explain their meaning in plain language, and provide a clear plan: treat, observe, repeat testing, or refer.

What To Expect

what to expect

Step 1: Focused intake

You’ll describe the main problem, prior tests, medications, and exposures. We keep it tight and relevant.

Step 2: Targeted exam and tests

We perform a focused exam and order only the labs or imaging that answer the clinical question.

Step 3: Clear plan and follow up

You leave with a diagnosis plan, timeline for results, and next steps. We handle referrals and specialist coordination when needed.

Who Is A Good Candidate?

  • Someone with a single persistent or new symptom that needs a medical explanation

  • Anyone who wants clinician-led testing rather than ordering panels at random

  • People with suspected environmental exposure or abnormal screening labs

Who Is Not a Candidate

  • Acute emergencies, which should go to urgent care or the ED

  • Routine screening without symptoms; those services are better handled in primary care or preventive clinics

FAQs

  • No. Most allergy and immunology groups advise against using IgG panels to diagnose food intolerance; IgG often reflects exposure rather than intolerance. We rely on clinical history, elimination diets, and validated tests instead.

  • Test when a real exposure risk or compatible symptoms exist. Blood lead testing is the standard for screening and follow up. Provoked urine tests and hair analysis are usually not helpful for clinical decision making.

  • We will if imaging answers your clinical question. We use ACR appropriateness criteria to pick the right test and avoid unnecessary scans.

  • Routine labs often return in 24 to 72 hours. Specialized assays and some heavy metal tests may take longer. We review results with you and explain next steps.

Locations, Schedule, Audience

  • Ventura, Wednesdays and Fridays: 180 S Palm St, Suite A, Ventura, CA 93001

  • Thousand Oaks, Mondays: 325 Rolling Oaks Dr, Suite 105, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

For people who want a clinician to find the cause, not just treat symptoms. We focus on clear answers, practical steps, and safe follow up.

Tired of Unclear Symptoms? Get Answers That Stick.

Call or text 805-552-6447 to schedule your problem-based medical visit in Ventura or Thousand Oaks.

No fluff—just evidence-based answers, fast.