Tests

Tests

There are many well established laboratory tests that can be used to identify underlying causes of symptoms and conditions.  Some of these include measuring nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances, others can look at digestive and absorption markers to identify whether you are able to process nutrients from food effectively.

These tests can help to more quickly identify underlying causes of unpleasant symptoms and to determine most appropriate treatment.  In most cases these are non-invasive tests.

Nutrient deficiencies are common in today’s busy world.  Not only are many diets deficient in key food groups as we spend less time preparing foods, increased stress levels have the added effect of reducing digestive efficiency.  Some common symptoms can be dirctly linked to lack of specific minerals and vitamins, including fatigue, heartburn, headaches, mood swings and anxiety.

All the tests below are carried out by accredited scientific laboratories.

* Hair mineral analysis
Identifies what minerals and toxic metal levels are in your body
* Omega 3 deficiency/Omega 3:6 ratio
These essential fats need to be in balance to address inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease
* Vitamin D deficiency
Identifies levels of vitamin D which is involved in calcium absorption, inflammatory responses and hormone modulation
* Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis and Parasitology (CDSA)
A combination of 25 tests on a stool sample which includes determination of levels of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria, yeasts   (such as candida) and parasites, inflammatory, digestive and absorption markers
* Osteoporosis bone turnover tests
Very useful in between DEXA scans to assess the rate at which bone is being lost
* Food Allergy/Intolerance test
Identifies foods that you may have a delayed allergy or intolerance to. Can determine elimination or rotation diets to  alleviate symptoms
* Gluten intolerance
Identifies whether you are reacting to gluten found in wheat, oats, barley, rye
* Candida test
Identifies presence of any type of yeast overgrowth, not only candida, which may be as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics, contraceptives or high sugar diets
* Female hormone test
A saliva test over 28 days which establishes the fluctuating levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
* Adrenal stress profile
This saliva test can detect imbalances in the daily circadian secretions of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA.
* Thyroid profile
Measures all thyroid hormones and auto antibodies
* Metabolic syndrome/Insulin resistance
Measures a number of factors associated with maintaining normal blood sugar levels including insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive Protein
* Secretory IgA
An important indicator of digestive immune function, indicative of presence of chronic intestinal infections (due to bacterial, yeast or parasites), food sensitivities and stress