Tests I offer: |
How to Order a Test: |
For a more comprehensive breakdown of each test including sample reports and learning tools, read on below...
Micronutrient Testing & Analysis
|
Who is this test for?
Micronutrient deficiencies can create dysfunction and contribute to the overall condition of one’s health and diseases such as:
The Gut-Brain Connection
B12 is commonly low in many mood disorders. B12 can become low with any changes to the acidity in the stomach. When the acidity isn’t high enough- intrinsic factor cannot bind properly to facilitate B12 absorption. Folate is considered a “building block” of many neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Low folate levels can cause poor response to anti-depressant meds. synthetic folic acid is commonly put in foods and supplements, however it is poorly absorbed and can play a role in actually blocking zinc and folate from absorbing. |
How to know if this test is for you
Do any of these sound like you? If so let’s talk...
“I eat a healthy diet and am on a multivitamin so why would I be low?”
This is one I’ve heard before. A better question is… how do you feel? Are you dealing with anything chronic? What if you could feel better? What if you upgraded your multivitamin? This can be a huge game changer for so many. I’ve had countless friends, family, colleagues and a few patients have incredible health changes by just adding a multivitamin in that actually works.
“Multivitamins don’t work anyways so why test?”
This is one you’ve probably seen a variation of on countless blogs when you googled late at night- why am I feeling so tired?! And, for the most part I agree! MOST multivitamins don’t work. I’ve looked closely at many of your standard over the counter multivitamins- and many of them although they are cheap have 500-1000% mark ups. I know this because they use low cost nutrients that don’t absorb well. That being said, your multivitamin probably doesn’t work- so let’s find one that does work. Testing can be an incredible tool for getting beyond guessing and into a more strategic plan for repleting what’s low so that we can cater your multivitamin to fit what YOU need.
Do any of these sound like you? If so let’s talk...
“I eat a healthy diet and am on a multivitamin so why would I be low?”
This is one I’ve heard before. A better question is… how do you feel? Are you dealing with anything chronic? What if you could feel better? What if you upgraded your multivitamin? This can be a huge game changer for so many. I’ve had countless friends, family, colleagues and a few patients have incredible health changes by just adding a multivitamin in that actually works.
“Multivitamins don’t work anyways so why test?”
This is one you’ve probably seen a variation of on countless blogs when you googled late at night- why am I feeling so tired?! And, for the most part I agree! MOST multivitamins don’t work. I’ve looked closely at many of your standard over the counter multivitamins- and many of them although they are cheap have 500-1000% mark ups. I know this because they use low cost nutrients that don’t absorb well. That being said, your multivitamin probably doesn’t work- so let’s find one that does work. Testing can be an incredible tool for getting beyond guessing and into a more strategic plan for repleting what’s low so that we can cater your multivitamin to fit what YOU need.
Comprehensive Digestive & Stool Analysis
|
What does this test look at?
This test looks at normal helpful bacteria and harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites to get an overall snapshot of your microbiome. The test also looks at other markers to measure GI inflammation, immune function, gluten response, enzyme secretion and more. |
|
|
Why is digestive function important?
The digestive tract is home to 70% of the immune system and the site of our nutrient absorption which makes it the starting place for working with getting to the “root” cause of dysfunction. The digestive tract is also home to trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses known as the microbiome. Your microbiome changes in response to its internal and external environment and its composition can influence health outcomes significantly. Imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Food sensitivities, IBS, Acid Reflux and many other chronic disease states. Beyond just gastrointestinal diseases, dysfunction in the digestive tract can also lead to autoimmunity and mood disorders like depression, anxiety, etc. |
What are some symptoms of digestive imbalance?
|
Gut Fast Facts:
|
Gut-Brain Connection
Did you know that your gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters like serotonin? Serotonin in the gut acts to stimulate the movement (or peristalsis) of the digestive tract. Serotonin in the brain promotes as sense of well-being. The gut and the brain communicate through a nerve that runs from the gut to the brain called the vagus nerve. Gut serotonin may also influence brain serotonin through something called the kynurenine pathway. |
Mediator Release Test (MRT)
|
Why food sensitivities matter
It’s clear that food sensitivities and food additives can be involved in a variety of symptoms and chronic health issues. But figuring out which foods you are reactive to can be very tricky. Figuring out which foods you are reactive to can be incredibly helpful in allowing you to get clarity on how to proceed. The MRT test is a blood panel that looks at which foods you are having an immune response too. Once these foods are identified, you begin an elimination type diet which involves pulling out inflammatory foods temporarily to focus on gut healing strategies. Why use MRT Food allergies have a more immediate on-set reaction, while food sensitivities can create reactions that hit in as little as 6 hours or as much as 72 hours. The most common blood test to identify food sensitivities is an ELISA IgG which can detect a type 3 immune response. However this type of testing has a high amount of false positives and uncovering type 3 reactions only covers 20% of food reactions. The Mediator release test accounts for both type 3 and type 4 pathways of immune response and looks at 170 different foods and food chemicals. How do food sensitivities work? Symptoms related to food sensitivities can affect people in a variety of ways. Some examples are digestive dysfunction, fibromyalgia chronic headaches, nasal congestion, fatigue and low mood. Symptoms can begin when our immune system starts to perceive food in the same way it perceives and intruder (normally bacteria, viruses etc). This leads to the production of mediators from or gut immune cells such as cytokines, histamines and prostaglandins. Inflammatory mediators can give rise to a wide variety of symptoms. |
Copy of Handout: MRT Info Sheet
Who can benefit from food sensitivity testing?
Patients dealing with IBS, migraines, low mood or depression, fibromyalgia and those dealing with an autoimmune disease often have higher levels of inflammatory mediators circulating. Who is this test not for? I’m cautious using this test with experiencing unintentional weight loss or with a history of an eating disorder. |
Hormone & Thyroid Tests
Like nutrients, hormones influence all aspects of health and disease - mood, sleep, metabolism, immunity, heart health and appearance. An imbalance of one hormone can initiate cascade of events that alters other hormones, so a comprehensive look at hormone status is key. Hormones are chemical messengers that are secreted directly into the blood, which carries them to organs and tissues of the body to exert their functions. There are many types of hormones that act on different aspects of bodily functions and processes.
Clinical Applications of Hormone Imbalance:
- Fatigue & energy levels
- Cardiovascular health (blood pressure, clotting, lipids)
- Neurology (migraines, sleep, pain)
- Mental health (depression, anxiety, cognitive function)
- Immunity (infections, autoimmune disease)
- Metabolism (blood sugar regulation, tissue repair)
- Bone density (osteoporosis)
- Physical appearance (skin, muscles, hair)
Cardio-metabolic Panels
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Standard cholesterol tests can miss that YOU are at risk. Poor blood sugar regulation and unhealthy triglyceride and lipoprotein levels often present long before the diagnosis of type 2 Diabetes. The CardioMetabolic and Pre-Diabetes panels offer definitive diagnostic and clinically relevant evaluation to help define risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and progression toward type 2 diabetes. These check points along with an overall pre-diabetes risk score, help patients understand that not just one factor, but rather a constellation of risk factors, contribute to the genesis and progression toward poor blood sugar control and/or ASCVD. Results of testing allow health professionals to know when guidance, educational referral, or treatment is necessary.
Who should take the CardioMetabolic Test or Pre-Diabetes Risk Panel?All patients, and especially those who:
I've already had my cholesterol checked, why should I have the CardioMetabolic test done? Standard cholesterol testing only gives you part of the picture leaving many people with "normal" cholesterol numbers unaware that they are still at risk for a heart attack. The National Cholesterol Education Program introduced new risk factors that are responsible for many individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.
According to the NCEP guidelines, 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is carried throughout the body in little balls called lipoproteins. It is the lipoproteins, not the cholesterol in them, that leads to clogging of the arteries.
PRE-DIABETES RISK - The Pre-Diabetes Biomarkers identify metabolic abnormalities that may progress into diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition where the body cannot efficiently metabolize foods, especially carbohydrates, resulting in impaired glycemic (blood sugar) control which may progress to diabetes when not properly treated or addressed through lifestyle changes.
Who should take the CardioMetabolic Test or Pre-Diabetes Risk Panel?All patients, and especially those who:
- Have a family history of heart disease or diabetes
- Have been diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes
- Are already taking cholesterol-lowering medications
- Have been diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome (high blood pressure)
- Are overweight
- Have high LDL - the bad cholesesterol
- Have low HDL - the good cholesterol
- Have high triglycerides
I've already had my cholesterol checked, why should I have the CardioMetabolic test done? Standard cholesterol testing only gives you part of the picture leaving many people with "normal" cholesterol numbers unaware that they are still at risk for a heart attack. The National Cholesterol Education Program introduced new risk factors that are responsible for many individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.
According to the NCEP guidelines, 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is carried throughout the body in little balls called lipoproteins. It is the lipoproteins, not the cholesterol in them, that leads to clogging of the arteries.
PRE-DIABETES RISK - The Pre-Diabetes Biomarkers identify metabolic abnormalities that may progress into diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition where the body cannot efficiently metabolize foods, especially carbohydrates, resulting in impaired glycemic (blood sugar) control which may progress to diabetes when not properly treated or addressed through lifestyle changes.