Laboratory Services: Recommended Tests

Blood Tests
For those who want to best evaluate their health status, here is a list of the most important tests for both men and women.

**The CBC and Comprehensive Metabolic Profile analyzes over 40 basic blood parameters to help ascertain what steps can be taken to protect and improve one’s state of health. This includes:

  • Cardiovascular Risk Profile—total cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, triglycerides, cholesterol/ HDL ratio, estimated CHD risk, glucose and iron
  • Liver Function Panel
  • Kidney Function Panel
  • Blood Protein Levels
  • Blood Count/ Red and White Blood Cell Profile
  • Blood Mineral Panel

Important Tests for Men and Women:

Men
CBC
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
DHEA
PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
Homocysteine
C-reactive protein
Free Testosterone
Total Testosterone
Estradiol
Thyroid Panel
25-OH Vitamin D

Women
CBC
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
DHEA
Estradiol
Homocysteine
C-reactive protein
Progesterone
Free Testosterone
Total Testosterone
Thyroid Panel
25-OH Vitamin D

Comprehensive Testing may include additional tests:

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)—can provide an early warning sign for prostate disorders and possible cancer.
Homocysteine—can indicate if you are likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Even if you take folic acid, you still may have dangerously high levels of this artery clotting metabolic debris that can be lowered with high doses of TMG and vitamin B6.
DHEA-Sulfate—this test shows if you are taking the proper amount of DHEA.
C-Reactive Protein—measures inflammation factors in the arteries. Recent studies indicate that C-reactive protein may be the most accurate risk factor for predicting heart attack and stroke.
Estradiol (Estrogen)—for men and women to determine the proper amount in the body.
Progesterone—primarily for women to determine the proper amount in the body.
Total and Free Testosterone—determines whether testosterone replacement should be considered as a therapy for depression, abdominal obesity, low energy, poor mental performance, or loss of libido.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)—low thyroid can cause a myriad of age-related diseases. This test determines if you have too much or too little thyroid secretion.
Insulin Fasting—can predict those at risk for diabetes, obesity, heart and other diseases.
Fibrinogen—high levels of this blood-clotting factor increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Free-PSA (Includes total PSA)—it is recommended to determine if an elevated PSA is indicative of prostate cancer.
Deoxypyridinoline Cross Links Test—can be used as a tool to assess bone loss rate in men and postmenopausal women with
VAP Test—this cholesterol test provides a more comprehensive coronary heart disease (CHD) risk assessment than the conventional lipid profiles. Direct measurements, not estimations, are provided for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and cholesterol subclasses.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3—elevated levels in hypertensive (high blood pressure) individuals have been associated with a nine-fold increase of carotid arteriosclerosis.
Ferritin—used to evaluate the stores in the body and to determine iron deficiency anemia.
Osteocalcin—used to evaluate bone disease. Increased levels are found in bone disease characterized by increased bone turnover especially osteoporosis.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide—BNP is predominantly secreted by the ventricles of the heart in response to increased pressure. The use of this test may support a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Pregnenolone—used to determine ovarian failure, hirsutism, adrenal carcinoma, and Cushing’s syndrome.

Functional Medicine Metabolic and Nutritional Testing for Identifying Individual Traits and Risk Factors leading to Customized Treatment plans for the unique needs of each patient:

Red blood cell mineral analysis—measures levels of intracellular minerals including toxic metals. Since many minerals are not easily measured by serum levels, this test measures what is available inside the cell. Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can be detected. This test is best done fasting without having taken any supplements.
Adrenal Stress Profile—Stress is a major underlying cause of many chronic illnesses, from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to food and environmental allergy. A stressful lifestyle can lead to consistently high levels of cortisol and low levels of DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which can be damaging to the brain and other tissues. Cortisol elevation also impacts immune responses, such as secretory IgA (sIgA) and antigliadin antibody (AGA) production. The Adrenal Stress Plus Profile is a measure of an individual’s response to stress. It is also an important tool for pointing to adrenal imbalances that may be impacting a patient’s health.
Oxidative Stress Evaluation—Are you taking enough anti-oxidants or too many? Does you body have the ability to handle free radicals? This test measures levels of lipid peroxides—fats that have been oxidized or damaged from free radicals and reduced glutathione. Glutathione is the body’s own free radical scavenger and must be in bio-chemically reduced state to absorb free radicals. Both of these when in the abnormal range can be modified with diet and supplements.
Neurotransmitter analysis—although still considered a research tool, this easily done urine test measures levels of serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GABA and dopamine. If you are having problems with depression, anxiety or mood disorders, this test can be helpful in determining what supplements would be beneficial and which prescription might be best for your symptoms. It is the second morning urine and is sent in to the lab from you home.
SpectraCell—Functional Intracellular Analysis™ (FIA™) are patented tests for assessing the function of specific vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within an individual’s white blood cells (lymphocytes). This diagnostic blood test assess the intracellular function of essential micronutrients and is a clinically effective diagnostic tool for the prevention and management of chronic disease conditions.
Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids—evaluates the level of red cell membrane or plasma fatty acids, imbalances which significantly affect inflammatory and other disorders. By knowing the various fatty acid levels, one can reestablish a balance using nutritional intervention. A simple AA (arachidonic acid/EPA ratio) can determine if you have a healthy level of fatty acids in your blood.
Organic Acids—measure urinary acids that are metabolic intermediates produced in pathways of central energy production, detoxification, neurotransmitter breakdown, or intestinal microbial activity. This is a sample of first morning urine and indicates nutrient deficiencies, oxidative damage markers, bacterial and yeast overgrowth, and cellular energy production. This test is especially helpful for undiagnosed chronic fatigue, learning disabilities and autism.
Amino Acid Analysis—examines fasting blood or 24-hour urine samples for 40+ amino acids. Results can provide valuable biochemical information about many disorders, including chronic fatigue, learning disabilities, depression and immune problems.
Estrogen Metabolism Index—evaluates how estrogen is being processed in the body. The tests yield clinical insight into many estrogen-dependent conditions and provide important tools for monitoring dietary, lifestyle and hormone therapies.
Genomic testing—is currently available for numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, detoxification impairments, immunological defects and chronic inflammatory conditions. Genomic testing helps us to identifying causes as well as precise solutions for treatment and prevention. Using gene SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) helps identify those physiological risks unique to an individual that are causative in many disease processes and are modifiable using diet, nutritional intervention, lifestyle changes and specific pharmacological intervention, thus lowering risk.
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis—uses advanced GI biotechnology to evaluate digestion, absorption, pancreatic function, and inflammation, in addition to bacterial balance, yeast, and parasite infection. This profile features exclusive new markers for assessing irritable bowel syndrome, sub-mucosal inflammation, colorectal cancer risk, pancreatic insufficiency, and occult infection.
Food Allergy Antibody Testing—measure the presence of antibodies to foods. By identifying levels of IgG 1 and 4 as well as IgE, this test determines the allergic response when then delayed immune response occurs within 24 – 72 hours after heating a food as opposed to the skin test, which is the more immediate response.

Click on the links below for more detailed information:

Lab Instructions for Patients
Getting Blood Drawn
Shipping your Test Kit
Online Access to your Test results