FOOD ALLERGY & INTOLERANCE TEST
Hippocrates first explored the adverse effects of “hostile humors” (now called IgE antibodies) that caused adverse reactions in some people to certain types of food. But it wasn’t until the 1970's that doctors like Charles May were able to successfully conquer society’s skepticism about food allergies. They discovered that, for some people, even a small amount of certain kinds of food could set off an immune system reaction that caused digestive problems and anaphylaxis.
FOOD ALLERGIES
There is a marked difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity. Allergies (IgE reactions) bear an immediate and immunological reaction. Hives, asthma, and/or anaphylaxis might result in a referral to an allergist who will assess food and environmental allergens.
Food Sensitivities
Conversely, food sensitivities result in delayed reactions, and any organ system can display symptoms. These reactions involve different parts of the immune system (IgG and IgM), and consequently they require different labs than standard allergy tests.
Food Intolerance
An intolerance is a simple inability to digest certain protein sequences. However, ongoing exposure to both intolerances and sensitivities can compromise the intestinal lining and ultimately contribute to numerous autoimmune reactions.
In the last 35 years, medical knowledge about food allergies has grown exponentially, which is timely: According to a National Health Interview Survey, experts believe we’re in the middle of an allergy epidemic. While no one is sure why food sensitivities have increased, we do know that at least 5% of the global population now suffers from food allergies.
Fortunately incredible advances have been made in identifying characteristics and symptoms of various food allergies and allergic reactions. Dr. Henry can test you for allergies using Electrodermal Screening (EAV), a non-invasive, needle-free biofeedback device that detects allergies in as little as 90 minutes. By targeting acupuncture points on the skin’s surface, EAV uses computer technology to identify your food sensitivities without pricks or pain.
MICRONUTRIENT TEST
Micronutrient testing measures how over 30 vitamins, minerals, amino/fatty acids, antioxidants, and metabolites affect cellular function in a person. This is done by measuring the body's ability to absorb the nutrients into the white blood cells. Analyzing white blood cells offers the most accurate analysis of the body's deficiencies, and this particular test provides the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available by measuring function at the cellular level.
Often, vitamin deficiencies are associated with disease processes and overall health conditions. Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress immune functions and contribute to chronic degenerative processes such as arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Micronutrient Test is the only test that takes a nutritional assessment and creates a plan to correct. The results of a micronutrient test can help reduce the risk of illness and diseases related to deficiency.
MICROBIOME TEST
The microbiome of the human gut is characterized by the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living inside of us that influence our health. Specifically, the presence of certain pathogenic microorganisms in your microbiome can be associated with illness, including everything from diarrhea to sore throat.
A microbiome test is a screening that can monitor your overall gut health. It detects microorganisms associated with several common gut symptoms, including abdominal pain/tenderness, constipation, Crohn's disease/Ulcerative Colitis, chronic bloating, diarrhea, gas, and other issues. The unique quality of this test is its ability to screen microorganisms that can only be detected by DNA sequencing, and it provides Information on how your lifestyle and diet affect the microorganisms in your microbiome, including probiotics in your gut and associations between your microbiome and weight.
HEAVY METAL TEST
Heavy metals testing is used to screen for or to diagnose heavy metal poisoning in those who may have been acutely or chronically exposed to one or more heavy metals and to monitor excessive metal concentrations in those who work with various heavy metals. Such occupations include construction work, mining, radiator repair shops, and firing ranges. Testing is also conducted to monitor the effectiveness of chelation therapy, a treatment to rid the body of high amounts of a heavy metal.
Heavy metal panels are set up in groups of tests that mirror potential metal exposures, and laboratories offer several different groupings specific for either blood or urine. A metals panel that corresponds to your occupation, hobby, diet, suspected exposure, and/or clinical symptoms will be ordered. Metals more commonly tested include: lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium.
YEAST & PARASITE TEST
Many people associated parasite, yeast, and/or toxic bacteria infection with Third World travel or other questionable exposures. But perhaps surprisingly, a significantly large percentage of the population is infected with these "bugs". In fact, they are commonly ingested in food, particularly if it has been imported or prepared by an infected cook.
Fortunately, screening is available with just a simple stool sample. When these pathogens are found, treatment usually involves some combination of herbs, medication and dietary changes. One laboratory commonly used performs a "Sensitivity Test" on the toxic organisms isolated from stool samples. This involves exposing the bug to varying concentrations of different herbs and medication, the purpose being to see which compounds are most effective in killing the organism. In this way, treatment becomes customized and more effective.
CARDIAC RISK ASSESSMENT
Lipids are a group of fats and fat-like substances that are important constituents of cells and sources of energy. Monitoring and maintaining healthy levels of these lipids is important in staying healthy. Cardiac Risk Testing, otherwise referred to as Detailed Lipid Analysis or The Lipid Profile, helps determine an individual's risk of heart disease. A lipid profile typically includes total cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C or "good cholesterol"), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C or "bad cholesterol"), and triglycerides.
We look at lipids in greater detail to more reliably assess cardiovascular risk. The results of this test, combined with other known risk factors, aid in making decisions about treatment in cases of borderline or high risk. A Cardiac Health panel looks well beyond the basics of cholesterol, HDL and LDL to provide a much more reliable assessment of this risk.
AUTOIMMUNE REACTIVITY TEST
There was a time when only those chronically affected with severe disorders and diseases knew what the "autoimmune" system was, but we are all increasingly aware as more common health disturbances--chief among them "gut" issues--become more prevalent.
Autoimmune Reactivity Testing is a screening panel that looks at auto-antibodies in multiple areas of the body. This test is especially relevant and important for anyone with a known gluten sensitivity and leaky gut syndrome. Gluten--and other food-- sensitivities can produce long-term inflammation. This inflammation damages various areas of the body, notably the gut, and leads to leakage into the blood stream. This not only damages the immune system but it causes it to become hyperactive and promotes an attack on healthy tissues.
Most individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions have one or often times more autoimmune processes happening. In functional medicine, it is conservative to treat every patient as an autoimmune case; generally, most people will discover elevated anti-bodies somewhere in the body.
ADRENAL STRESS TEST
The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) was first introduced in 1989 to evaluate stress, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Since that time, several tests have been added to glean a more comprehensive understanding of adrenal hormone balance, glycemic control, immune status, and gluten sensitivity. This comprehensive panel is an ideal evaluation for patients under chronic stress and/or with known or suspected endocrine abnormalities.
This index is a non-invasive method of evaluating the effects of stress on the body. Its various tests screen different hormones and immune markers affected by stress and related conditions. It can help identify causes of issues such as excessive fatigue, a range of sleep issues, food cravings, loss of muscle mass or muscle weakness, anxiety or depression, abdominal obesity, problem skin, and chronic infections such as sinusitis and/or respiratory infections.
