Laboratory Testing
Our Naturopathic Doctors can run a number of functional tests that your regular GP doesn’t. See below for a list of some common ones….
Electrodermal Screening
Used to find food sensitivities, intolerances and weaknesses in organ systems.
Available in our Office with Dr. Jennifer Kaster N.D. Naturopath, Oakville.
Food Sensitivities and Candida Testing IgG
IgG sensitivities are difficult to diagnose because reactions do not occur until hours or days after ingestion of an allergen. This makes it extremely difficult to determine which foods are the causative agents. Blood spot testing for IgG provides a simple and practical means for practitioners to uncover potential causes of allergic reactions and allergy-related disease.
A panel of 120 general foods and Candida (yeast) are tested. A vegetarian food panel is also available.
Prior to testing, you should consume as wide a variety of foods as possible for 7 days before the test sample is collected. Avoid consuming foods that may have potentially resulted in previous adverse/allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.
Hair Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
Hair tissue element analysis is an analytical test which measures the mineral content (eg. Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Na, K, S, Mn, Fe, Se & P) of the hair. This test also evaluates levels of toxic heavy metals such as Pb, Hg, As, Al, and Cd. The sampled hair, obtained by cutting the first inch and one-half of growth closest to the scalp at the nape of the neck, is prepared in a licensed clinical laboratory through a series of chemical and high-temperature digestive procedures.
Why Hair? With respect to its contained elements, hair is essentially an excretory tissue rather than a functional tissue. Hair element analysis provides important information which, in conjunction with symptoms and other laboratory values, can assist the physician with an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with abnormalities in essential and toxic element metabolism.
Toxic elements may be 200-300 times more highly concentrated in hair than in blood or urine. Therefore, hair is the tissue of choice for detection of recent exposure to elements such as arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, antimony, and mercury. The CDC acknowledges the value of hair mercury levels as a maternal and infant marker for exposure to neurotoxic methyl-mercury from fish.
Pricing: Please note: Test fee is in addition to the visit fee.
Urinalysis
A routine urinalysis includes the following tests: color, transparency, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, nitrite, urobilinogen, and leukocyte esterase. Reasons this test is performed:
- general health screening to detect renal and metabolic diseases
- diagnosis of diseases or disorders of the kidneys or urinary tract
- monitoring of patients with diabetes
This test is completed and results are obtained in the office during a patient visit.
Pricing: Please note: Test fee is in addition to the visit fee.
Blood Work
Patients of our Naturopathic Doctors can obtain any standard blood test.
Common blood tests include:
- CBC
- Cholesterol Panel (LDL, HDL, TG’s, Total/HDL)
- Thyroid Panel (TSH, TPO, fT3, fT4)
- Liver Enzymes
Autism Spectrum Disorder Testing
Comprehensive laboratory testing can identify the physiological imbalances that contribute to autism and point to an individual treatment approach. Laboratory testing and environmental assessments can pinpoint causal factors and focus treatment problems. The comprehensive autism panels consist of tests that have been useful for patients with autism.
GI MAP
Overwhelmingly, research indicates that gut health impacts overall health. The gut microbiome, in particular, plays a critical role in mediating the effects of diet and other factors on health, including digestive, immune, metabolic and neuroendocrine functions. Assessing GI health with the proper tools can help practitioners get to the root cause of chronic illness.
The GI-MAP (Microbial Assay Plus) is unique in the field of comprehensive stool testing. It relies exclusively on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, fungi, and more, by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested.
Hormone Testing
The Dutch Test
The DUTCH Complete™ is the most advanced hormone test, offering an extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones and melatonin, along with their metabolites, to identify symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Easily collected in the comfort of your own home, samples are then sent to our lab to be processed. The DUTCH Complete™ is the most accurate test providing a complete assessment of hormonal health.
Saliva Hormone Testing
Saliva testing is a non-invasive collection method where patients collect their saliva in plastic tubes in order to measure hormones like cortisol, estrogens, progesterone, and androgens. This non-invasive saliva collection is ideal for patients because it allows them to collect their sample in the privacy of their home or office and provides valuable information on hormone levels to target treatment protocols more accurately.
Hormone Quiz
Testing hormone can often be done through symptoms alone. Check out our free quiz here.
Metabolic Typing Diet
The Metabolic Typing diet centres around the concept that your metabolism—how your body burns food for energy—is unique to you and largely determined by your genetics. The approach suggests that the rate of your metabolism is determined by two inherited factors including the most dominant autonomic nervous system and the rate of cellular oxidation. Taking these 2 factors into consideration has helped many clients eliminate cravings, lose weight, reduce anxiety and even to heal underlying imbalance. [reference]
Contact the office if you’d like more information at info@balancepointh.com.