Lab Tests
At Western North Carolina NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, we use high quality, specialized lab testing as part of your or your child’s personal care. Lab testing can be used as a screening tool to detect disease, help discover the root cause of an illness, gather information about biochemical stressors, and monitor treatment results. The amount of testing required to get started on your program will be tailored according to your or your child’s needs. The more information Dr. Janet has regarding the health status of you or your child, the better she will be able to make recommendations. Tests that are most commonly ordered include:
General Wellness Panel:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Lipid Panel (Cholesterol, HDL, LDL)
- Ferritin (iron)
- Vitamin D
- Hemoglobin A1C (Diabetes test)
- Urinalysis
Food Allergy Testing:
- Food Panel
This test assesses IgG antibodies to 90 different foods. Even if an individual is on a gluten-free, casein-free diet, other unknown food sensitivities may be uncovered which is valuable information.
Hair Testing:
- Hair Analysis
Hair analysis is used as a screening tool for heavy metal exposure. It is a non-invasive and inexpensive way of assessing for heavy metal toxicity and mineral status for selenium, copper and lithium.
Nutrient Testing:
- Nutrition Profile
This test evaluates your overall nutritional status to determine your needs for anti-oxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, digestive support and other select nutrients.
- RBC Mineral Analysis
This test assesses mineral levels including zinc and magnesium. It is a necessary to determine the levels of these nutrients in you or your child’s body when performing chelation (heavy metal detoxification) therapy with DMSA or DMPS.
Stool Testing:
- GI-MAPS (Diagnostic Solutions)
Gut infections pose an ever-increasing role in overall health. Often times the absence of GI complaints and/or symptoms does not rule out the presence of infectious organisms. This panel evaluates for yeast, bacteria, parasites and markers of digestion, absorption, and inflammation.
- Fecal Metals
This stool analysis evaluates the level of heavy metals, ie. lead, arsenic, mercury in the stool.
Urine Testing:
- Organic Acid Test(OAT)
This test determines biochemical and metabolic function of cells and the presence of toxins released from certain infectious bacteria and candida. The overgrowth of these organisms can cause significant neurological problems in susceptible individuals. This test is the “gold standard” for individuals on the autism spectrum. - Urine Heavy Metal Analysis
Urine testing to determine if your child’s body has increased storage and tissue burden from heavy metals (ie. mercury, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, etc.). This test is generally part of our heavy metal detoxification program. However, it can be performed as a baseline test using a bolus dose of DMSA or Transdermal DMPS to evaluate the overall load of heavy metals (ie. mercury, lead, tin) in your or your child’s body.
MetabolismTesting:
- Thyroid Panel (TSH, freeT3, freeT4, TPO, Total T3, Total T4)
The metabolism of every cell in your body is directed by your thyroid gland. Traditional lab testing may indicate that “all is good,” but you may still feel bad. Your thyroid may need to be tested in detail to find out the root cause of your dysfunction.
- Adrenal Function (DHEA, Cortisol)
Our stressful lifestyles push our adrenal glands to work overtime. This saliva test gives very useful information to see if you are producing too much ortoo little adrenaline.
Genetics/Methylation:
- Methylation Profile Plasma
The methylation gene mutation is an often overlooked element that can be the root cause of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, mental health and autism spe spectrum issues. - 23nMe Genetic Panel + Interpretation
Genetic panels provide ancestry information, but your raw data is instrumental in learning about your risk for various diseases and putting in place preventive strategies for good health.