Evaluations

GASTRO-INTESTINAL EVALUATION

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis 2.0 - this test evaluates digestion, absorption, gut flora, and the colonic environment, and is indicated for all chronic GI problems, for acute bowel pattern changes, and for many systemic diseases. Additionally, a parasitology component can be added.

Leaky Gut/Intestinal Permeability - the small intestine has the paradoxical dual function of being an absorptive organ as well as a barrier to the permeation of toxic compounds and macromolecules. Either one of these functions may be disrupted by various factors, resulting in local as well as systemic problems.

Candida Intensive Culture - evaluates the stool and blood for immune reactivity to Candida Albicans. Candida can be local (e.g. vaginal) or systemic (toxins getting into the bloodstream and affecting all the organs and glands). Candida makes over 100 different kinds of toxins that can cause a vast amount of symptoms like brain fog, extreme fatigue, IBS, allergies, sinusitis, gas and bloating, hormonal disturbances, chronic urinary tract infections, etc.

Comprehensive Parasitology Profile - tests for the presence of parasites and levels of beneficial flora, imbalance flora, pathogenic bacteria and yeast. If you have further questions about these comprehensive tests, please go to these websites:
www.genovadiagnostics.com and www.doctorsdata.com


FOOD AND CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY TESTS

A tremendous amount of health problems are linked to food intolerances, such as migraines, achy joints, gastro-intestinal disorders, MS, ALS, eczema, ADD, asthma, and even obesity.  Foods like gluten, yeast and dairy are common causes for these problems, but a person can also have bad reactions to carrots, apples or rice.

How would you know if these kinds of foods are causing pain and discomfort and illness in your body?
Some people have tried skin testing or the Elimination diet, which is a long and arduous procedure.  We use the technologically advanced testing procedures of ALCAT to determine if a patient has any food or chemical sensitivities. The ALCAT test differs from other food allergy or intolerance tests as it accurately and objectively measures leukocyte (a type of white blood cell) cellular reactivity in whole blood. Standard allergy tests, such as skin testing or RAST are not accurate for delayed reactions to foods and chemicals. They only measure the single mechanism of an IgE response of the immune system and delayed reactions are NOT IgE mediated.

The ALCAT test also differs from standard IgG tests in that they rely on one immune pathway. The ALCAT test measures the final common pathway of all pathogenic mechanisms; whether immune, non-immune, or toxic. It assesses the reaction in white blood cells when a person's blood is mixed with a trigger food or toxin called degranulization. The foods and toxins are then classified as severe, moderate or mild. In the severe class, trigger foods are avoided for 6 months, in the moderate class for 3-6 months, and in the mild class the foods can be consumed every 4 days. Once the body has detoxed from the food, it can slowly be reintroduced and once we see how a person feels, it is determined whether that food can be added back into the diet.
ALCAT can test up to 200 different foods as well as food additives and colorings, 20 kinds of molds, antibiotics, environmental chemicals (e.g.) formaldehyde and fluoride, and pharmacoactive agents (e.g.) histamine and aflatoxin.

For additional information, testimonials, and to see all of the panels offered please go to www.alcat.com.

NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION

Amino Acid Profile - this test quantifies levels of circulating amino acids and their metabolites, and evaluates essential and non-essential amino acid nutrient status in the blood. It also can indicate functional deficiencies of a number of mineral and vitamin co-factors. This is an ideal test for patients with suspected inadequate protein utilization, athletic performance and muscle building, brain chemistry disorders (ADD, depression, anxiety), and metabolic disorders (arthritis).

Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis - this test evaluates the level of red cell membrane fatty acids. EFA's have been covered in the media a lot lately and now you can go to your local grocery store and find many foods spouting the addition of them to their products. Even so, because of our diets we are still lacking proper levels of EFA's. What most people don't know is how crucial having proper ratios of our Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids is to our health and well being. When we have an improper imbalance we are prone to inflammation that leads to arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Our brains don't function as well leading us to anxiety, ADD, poor memory and learning ability, and depression. Our immune and hormonal systems need good fats to function.

Vitamin D - the benefits of Vitamin D have been widely studied and show how critical good Vitamin D levels are to our health and prevention of serious disease. Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with bone loss, muscle pain, cardiovascular disease, MS, and breast, colon and other cancers. If we live north of Georgia in the US, we won't be able to get enough D through the sunlight on our skin. This is one of those simple things we can do in life that will give us a preventative edge over disease.

Urine Essential Elements - tests the 20 different macro- and micro-minerals that are essential to our health (e.g. calcium, magnesium, chromium, zinc, boron, etc.). This test is often done with the Urine Toxic Metals test as these metals will displace and use up our minerals. Mineral help to run our enzyme systems and without an adequate supply we won't have healthy hearts, muscles, detoxification, or energy.

Anti-oxidants and CoQ10 - we need our anti-oxidants to survive and thrive in our toxic world. We need them to combat cancer, stop joint degeneration, prevent cataracts, detoxify our system, prevent senility, and basically decrease the breakdown of all of our tissues.

Urine Iodine - iodine/iodide is an essential element that is pivotal to normal function of the thyroid gland and the health and integrity of breast tissue and ovaries. Sub-clinical iodine/iodide deficiency has been associated with impaired mental function, low energy, hypothyroidism, low metabolism, and infertility, PCOS, and offers protection against fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer.

If you have further questions about these tests please refer to these websites: www.genovadiagnostics.com and www.doctorsdata.com

HORMONAL TESTING

Complete Female Panel - interactions between the five hormones of the female panel are fundamental to health. Hormone imbalances can cause weight gain, depression, difficulty coping, sleep disturbances, hot flashes, PMS, infertility, bone loss, breast cancer, thyroid issues, etc. This panel tests for estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol (stress hormone), and DHEA (anti-aging hormone).

Estrogen Metabolism Ratio - estrogens eventually get broken down by the liver into estrogen metabolites which are eliminated in the urine. Two of the major pathways are 2-OHE1 and 16-OHE1. Research show that a ratio of 2-OHE1 to 16-OHE1 in urine greater than 2.0 is associated with a lower risk of developing hormone-related conditions such as breast cancer, cervical dysplasia, and prostate cancer. This test can help to indicate your relative risk of developing these conditions.

Complete Male Panel - interactions between the four hormones of the male panel are fundamental to health. Hormone imbalances can cause bone loss, erectile dysfunction, memory loss, depression, apathy, breast enlargement, weight gain, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This panel tests for testosterone, estrogens, cortisol (stress hormone), and DHEA (anti-aging hormone).

Adrenal function - when we are under stress, our adrenal glands send out hormones to help our bodies cope. One of the major stress hormones is called cortisol. When there are continuous stressors that the body needs to cope with, we see an excess of cortisol and this leads to irritability, feeling "tired, but wired", weight gain(especially around the waist), sleep disturbances, low sex drive, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. If this situation continues for a long time we can see cortisol become deficient as the adrenal glands get "burnt out'. This can cause allergies, fatigue, aches and pains, morning sluggishness, inability to cope, impaired memory, and symptoms of poor thyroid function. At our clinic, we have many avenues to improve the stress management of the body and to support the adrenals which will help to reverse all the adverse symptoms of cortisol excess or deficiency.

Thyroid Testing - conventional testing focuses on the TSH test and this is usually only seen when thyroid function is very impaired. There are many people who have normal TSH tests that still suffer from a thyroid that is under functioning or whose thyroid hormones (T3 andT4) are deficient or not getting into the cells. This is even seen in patients taking thyroid hormones who continue to have normal TSH levels. This test will check for T3 (the most active thyroid hormone in the body), T4 (hormone that converts into T3 in our liver, kidney and other target tissues) and selenium (a mineral required for the conversion of T4 to T3).

Melatonin-Cortisol Index - melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland in the brain. It is primarily responsible for cycling the body through the normal day-night rhythm and helping us sleep. It is also a powerful anti-oxidant and an important factor in the functioning of the immune system. Cortisol is the major hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress.

If you have further questions please refer to this website www.rmalab.com

NEUROTRANSMITTER EVALUATION

There is interconnectedness between the different biological systems in the body, just as there is in our external environment. We know that the nervous system influences how we think, feel, and act, as well as how the rest of our body functions. We can assess the body's chemical messengers via urinary neurotransmitter and salivary hormone testing. We offer a wide variety of profile kits that will test your brain chemistry (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, nor epinephrine, GABA, glutamine, histamine, etc.) and your hormones to asses where the imbalances are that are causing your symptoms. Brain chemistry helps us to respond to stress appropriately and can be in limited supply due to stress, toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and/or genetics.  These tests can help determine the underlying cause of:

  • Sleep difficulties
  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • Appetite and weight control
  • Attention Issues
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Stress
  • Mood Swings
  • Mood disorders
  • Depression
  • Low libido

If you have further questions about these tests please refer to the website:
www.neurorelief.com

GENOMIC EVALUATION

Genomic Profile testing uncovers potential genetic susceptibility to various diseases like Gastrointestinal, Immunology, Nutritional, Endocrinology and Metabolic assessments. This highly accurate genetic diagnostic testing called GENOVATIONSô can track and pin-point health risks which previously would have been dismissed.  Genovationsô tests from Genova Diagnostics can measure individual genetic variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that, under the influence of environmental triggers, can make even a healthy person more prone to develop certain diseases or physiological imbalances. Knowledge of these SNPs will allow us to intervene with a customized prevention program earlier and with greater specificity than ever before.  It will also reduce a patient's disease risk years before symptoms ever appear. With Genovationsô, Genova Diagnostics can provide predictive genomic tests to you and your Naturopathic Doctor.
The tests currently offered include:

  • CardioGenomic™ Profile (to identify SNPs associated with cardiovascular disease)
  • OsteoGenomic™ Profile (to identify SNPs associated with osteoporosis)
  • DetoxiGenomic™ Profile (to identify SNPs associated with "detoxification defects" related to with increased risk for certain cancers, chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity, and alcoholism)
  • ImmunoGenomic™ Profile (to identify SNPs associated with immune system defects, asthma, atopy, osteopenia, heart disease, and infectious diseases)

If you have further questions regarding these tests please refer to the website:
www.gdx.net