METABOLIC TESTING

What is Metabolic Testing

Metabolic testing is a variety of comprehensive blood and saliva diagnostic tests to evaluate the heath of your blood chemistry.

Who can benefit from Metabolic Testing?

Everyone can benefit from Metabolic testing.  Metabolic testing ranges from a simple blood panel you would get when you have a physical to much more extensive laboratory testing.  In our practice, the panels that are requested are extensive and extremely comprehensive to your specific need.

How does Metabolic Testing work? 

FASTING METABOLIC PANEL (CMP): The CMP allows us to check your blood glucose levels since glucose and oxygen are needed by the brain to function properly. HbA1c is a blood-sugar-spike damage marker that should be added to your metabolic panel.

EXTENDED THYROID PANEL: Every cell in your body contains a thyroid receptor making proper thyroid function critical to recovery, and testing a must, in any chronic condition.  Along with your standard TSH, you must have the remaining thyroid markers tested including: FT4, FT3, TT4, TT3, T3 Uptake, TPO-antibody, TGB-antibody.

INFLAMMATORY MARKERS:  You will need to test for inflammation in your system by checking homocysteine levels and C-Reactive Protein (C-RP).  Just about every patient suffering from chronic health conditions suffer from inflammatory processes.  

 EXTENDED ANEMIA PANEL: Along with the standard RBC count, additional markers such as Serum Iron, TIBC, Ferritin, Transferrin should be attained should we suspect a possible anemia. Anemia’s will prevent recovery from almost any condition. 

CYREX LAB PANELS: This is a blood test to check for Immune system reactions to food sensitivities:  Milk, Eggs, Yeast, Soy, and many others.  If you are sensitive to ANY of these food groups, it IS making your condition worse!

INTESTINAL PERMEABILITY:  If the level of overall reactivity is too high, the patient suffers from Leaky Gut Syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome describes a condition of altered or damaged bowel lining, caused by antibiotics, toxins, poor diet, parasites or infection that can lead to increased permeability of the gut wall to toxins, microbes, undigested food, or waste.

GLUTEN SENSITIVITY: This is a very sensitive stool test to determine if you have sensitivity to gluten (wheat, rye, oats, and barley).  Gluten has a genetic reactivity association and an autoimmune association!  If you react to gluten, there is a strong possibility it is stimulating autoimmunity to your own body tissue.…. Extremely important information.

METIMETRIX STOOL ANALYSIS: Your condition could be made worse or activated by parasites, mold, fungi, yeast, bacteria or a virus.

DIAGNOS-TECHS ADRENAL STRESS INDEX/HORMONE PANEL:  [Saliva] your adrenal glands are your “stress” organs meaning that they react to stress.  If your body has been under stress, this test is a must! The effect your adrenal glands have on your bodies function, especially blood sugar and thyroid, is incredible. Not to mention, if you have any sleep issues at all, this test is a must.

DIAGNOS-TECHS ADRENAL STRESS INDEX/HORMONE PANEL: [Saliva] In addition, we can check hormones to determine if the patient suffers from low testosterone in males or low estrogen/progesterone levels in females. Symptoms related to decreased hormone levels may include depression, fatigue, mental fogginess, mood swings, hot flashes, sweating attacks, weight gain, and decreased physical stamina.   

IMMUNE PANELS: [Blood] Natural Killer Cell activity and Lymphocyte subpopulations which lets us know what the status of the immune system is whether there is an active immune response or immune dysregulation. In English….. it gives us insight on what is going on with your immune system.  This test is most useful as a marker of how active the immune process is.

IMMUNE CHALLENGES: [Oral intake / Systemic response] Your condition could be caused by, or made worse by, an autoimmune disorder.  As you know, an autoimmune disorder is where your immune system attacks a particular area of the body (nervous system, joints, connective tissue, thyroid, etc.)  There are two main parts to your immune system, TH1 & TH2, we have to find out which is dominate in your body.  Very valuable knowledge indeed!

NEUROTRANSMITTER CHALLENGES: [Oral intake / Systemic response] These chemicals communicate information throughout our brain and body.   The brain uses them to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest.  They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they are out of balance. Neurotransmitter levels can be depleted many ways.  As a matter of fact, it is estimated that 86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels.  Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA & Acetylcholine are the primary NT’s we are concerned with.

Why all this testing?                                                                                                                           

Great question. Your body parts do not function independently of each other.  Therefore, if one area starts breaking down another area will eventually begin to breakdown as well. The real question should be… why have you NOT had all this testing done? Obtaining all the information about how your body is functioning is absolutely essential in getting you well quickly and completely.  The brain needs fuel, which is oxygen and glucose, and the comprehensive metabolic work shows if the brain is receiving efficient fuel (glucose) for optimal performance.  Therefore, after a thorough consultation and neurological examination, you will know what tests will be needed to help you maximize your healing process.