Laboratory Testing

5Electrodermal Screening

Used to find food sensitivities and 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

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 methylmercury 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.