Labs Offered
Caring Laboratory Services offers an abundance of laboratory tests to our current patients. The most well-known laboratory test we offer is Hauser Diet Typing, a proprietary testing technique that Ross and Marion Hauser developed to scientifically determine which foods are best for each individual to eat. Read more about some of our lab tests below. If you are a patient who is interested in having any natural medicine testing to optimize your health and healing, please email us to schedule an appointment.
Some of the Labs offered at Caring Laboratory Services
Adrenal Stress Profile- Do
you suffer from low energy, low sex drive and difficulty getting
a good night sleep? If you answered yes to all of those questions,
then adrenal testing is right for you. The Adrenal Stress Profile
is a saliva test that measures the adrenal hormones DHEA and Cortisol
along with sex hormones, Testosterone, Progesterone and Estradiol.
The adrenal glands located on top of your kidneys produce the complimentary
hormones DHEA and Cortisol. Cortisol affects the heart, vasculature,
blood pressure, water retention and electrolyte balance. Cortisol
also affects mood, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive function
and the production of other hormones. During stressful situations,
the body attempts to raise cortisol levels to deal with the situation
normally. If cortisol levels remain elevated for an extended period
of time, it becomes more difficult for the body to maintain proper
blood sugar, slow down to rest, recover and repair and get a good
night sleep. The adrenal stress profile will test cortisol function
at four different time intervals in a single day.
Cortisol is normally
the highest in the a.m. to allow a person the energy to get out of
bed. Cortisol normally decreases as the day progresses and is at
its lowest point at night. DHEA is the major precursor of testosterone
and the estrogens. DHEA promotes muscle growth and repair of protein
tissue and acts as a counter-regulatory agent for cortisol. When
cortisol levels are increased for a prolonged period of time, DHEA
levels decline. Depressed DHEA levels serve as an early warning of
potential adrenal exhaustion. Testosterone, Progesterone, Estradiol
and melatonin levels are analyzed as part of this profile. As we
all age, it is normal for the sex hormones levels to fall. The reduction
in these hormones can lead to low sex drive, decreased muscle mass
and irregular menstrual cycles. Melatonin levels are assessed to
evaluate sleep and mood disorders, seasonal depression and immune
dysregulation. Come in and consult with a Natural medicine clinician
today to see if adrenal testing is right for you. Top
 Alcat Test - This blood test measures the blood cells’ reaction
to foods, molds, food colorings, chemicals and certain medications.
It is estimated that 80-90% of the population has some form of adverse
reaction to a food, food additive, mold, or chemical that can manifest
into a wide range of disorders such as weight gain, arthritis, fatigue,
depression, ADD, migraine headache, skin disorders and many others.
Traditional skin allergy tests are not accurate for testing delayed
allergy because they only look for IgE molecules associated with
acute symptoms. Delayed symptoms may not become noticeable until
8-72 hours after ingesting or becoming exposed to an allergen. By
avoiding test foods, food colorings, mold or chemicals, the patient’s
symptoms greatly improve, usually in a few days. The Alcat test will
help your doctor tailor a specific food plan designed to meet your
needs. Top
Arthritis Profile - The arthritis profile is a group of lab tests that along with a physical exam and patient history can help to diagnose arthritis. It consists of the following tests:
- ANA, antinuclear antibody, which detects auto antibodies directed against a variety of antigens in the nucleus of cells. It is useful as a screen for many autoimmune disorders.
- ASO, antistreptolysin-O, which detects an antibody produced in response to infection by Group A streptococci. This infection can cause rheumatic fever, which can also cause swollen and painful joints, but does not cause arthritis.
- CRP, C-reactive protein, which is an acute phase reactant used as a nonspecific test for inflammatory diseases, infections and neoplastic diseases. In patients with arthritis, the level of this protein in the blood is much higher than in a healthy person.
- RF, rheumatoid factor, which detects antibodies directed against a fragment of IgG. It is present in the serum of a majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Sedimentation rate, which is a nonspecific test for inflammation. Patients
experiencing inflammation have higher sedimentation rates due to the increase
of a protein called fibrinogen in the blood. Top
B 12 & Folic Acid- Vitamin B 12 is essential for normal
nervous system function and blood cell production. Vitamin B 12 & folic
acid testing is normally ordered by your doctor to help in the diagnosis of
macrocytic anemia (a drop in red cells caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin
B12 & folic acid can be used to evaluate the general health and nutritional
status of a patient with signs of malnutrition or malabsorption such as in
Alcoholism, Celiac disease, Crohns disease and cystic fibrosis. B12 levels
may also be used to help diagnose the cause of metal or behavioral changes,
especially in the elderly. Top
Bio
Chemical Profile1 - A basic blood and urine test that looks
at 70 variables of health including cholesterol levels, blood
sugar, kidney and liver functions, thyroid hormone levels, red
and white blood cell counts, platelets, and checks for infection
in the urine. This is a good test for an overall wellness check. Top
Bleeding Time- Bleeding time test is a simple
test used to measure the speed in which the small blood vessels close
off to stop bleeding and used to evaluate platelet function. Bleeding
time is also useful in detecting bleeding tendencies. Normal bleeding
time is between 1-7.5 minutes. Natural medicine physicians ideally
want a patient’s result to fall into the upper end of the normal
range. If the patients bleeding time is higher than normal it means
that the patient’s blood is thin which decreases the patient’s
risk for heart attack, blood clots and stroke. If the results are
below normal, this typically means the patient’s blood is thick
and at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and blood clots.
Lifestyle, dietary, nutritional supplementation and or medication
therapy can be started to decrease the person’s risk. Top
Blood Hormone Panel-
Hormone levels are used to determine a person’s sex and adrenal gland hormone status and/or to monitor the progress in those patients receiving hormone replacement therapy. Hormones play a vital role in overall health. They are key to a person feeling energetic and being happy. Low hormones can contribute to lack of energy, fatigue, decreased libido, depression, bad memory, low muscle mass, poor healing, increased heart disease risk, and bone loss. Top
Cancer Markers - The following tests are used to diagnose and assess different types of cancer:
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) - Tumor marker normal range: 0-6.1ng/ml - The measurement of AFP in serum is an established regimen for monitoring patients with certain forms of testicular cancer. Top
- CA 19-9 - Reference range: 0-37.0 units/ml - Helpful in post-therapeutic monitoring to determine the success of therapy or of recurrence of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal malignancies. Top
- CA 27.29 - Reference range: 0-38.6 units/ml - Used to monitor both the course of disease and response to therapy in metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Top
- CA 15-3 - Reference range: 0-31.3 units/ml - Used to monitor both the course of disease and response to therapy in breast cancer, but also present in cancers of the pancreas, lung, ovary, and liver. Top
- CA 125 - Reference range: 0-35 units/ml - Used for monitoring disease progression in neoplasms of the ovary, but also present in cancers of the pancreas, liver, colon, breast, and lung. Top
- CEA - Reference range: Non smoker: 0-2.5 ng/ml, Smoker: 0-5.0ng/ml - Used to monitor patients with various types of malignancies, to evaluate response to therapy and as a possible indicator of recurrence and prognosis. Top
- ß-HCG - Reference range: Males and nonpregnant females <10 mIU/ml - Used to evaluate and monitor male patients with testicular cancer. Top
- PSA - Reference range: 0-4.0 ng/ml - Used to predict survival and tumor recurrence after treatment; also used as a screening method for prostate cancer. Top
- Prostatic Acid Phospatase - Reference range: 0-2.7 ng/ml - Used in conjunction
with PSA to assess prostate cancer. Top
Candida
Profile - Have you been on a lot of antibiotics over the
years? Does your immune system seem to be less resistant to the
flu and other illnesses? You may have candida or more commonly
called a fungal infection. Candida or fungus may appear on nails
or as a vaginal infection, then again, you may have no symptoms
other than fatigue. Top
CBC- A blood test that measures the body’s
amount of white blood cells, red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit,
and platelets. The test is useful in helping the doctor evaluate
anemia, leukemia, reaction to inflammation and infections, state
of hydration and dehydration, platelet evaluation and the management
of chemotherapy decisions. Top
CDSA (Comprehensive
Digestive Stool Analysis) - A stool is collected at your
home and shipped to the lab to check for fungus, bacteria (good
and bad), and undigested food. May also be ordered to check for
parasites. A diagnostic test used to examine the stool for the presence of human and animal-borne parasitic organism. Parasitic infections can cause a multitude of symptoms including, Diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia, leaky gut syndrome, joint pain and allergies. Top
Cortisol- A blood test that
measures the amount of cortisol in the blood stream at the time of
the blood draw. The test is useful in the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency,
Addison’s
disease and Cushing syndrome. Top
C-Reactive Protein- a blood marker used to asses
active inflammation in the body. CRP is useful in monitoring patients
with autoimmune diseases, arthritis, infection and post surgical
procedure to evaluate wound healing. An elevated CRP result is indicative
of infection or inflammation in the body. Top
Cardiovascular Risk Panel- A group of blood
test including a 1 ½ Glucose Insulin Tolerance test that will
asses a persons risk of coronary artery disease. Top
Dihydrotestosterone- Dihydrotestosterone or DHT
is a hormone converted from testosterone that is thought to increase
prostate growth in men and male pattern baldness. In Fetuses, DHT
is responsible for the development of the prostate gland and the
descent of the scrotum. As men age, the levels of testosterone decline,
while DHT is thought to increase causing the prostate gland to grow
larger in size slowly over the years. Natural medicine physicians
use DHT to monitor the progression of prostate cancer. Top
Elements, RBC packed cells- Assessment
of toxic and essential elements inside of the red blood cell. The
test is an excellent diagnostic tool for assessing anti inflammatory
processes, immune function, glucose tolerance and mineral deficiency
associated with poor wound healing and sexual impotence. Top
Epstein Barr Virus panel- Epstein Barr virus (EBV)
is a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common
viruses. It is estimated that as many as 95% of adults in the U.S.
between the ages 35-40 have been infected. EBV is responsible for
causing infectious mononucleosis and implicated in some nose and
throat cancers. The panel is useful in determining acute or chronic
EBV infection. Top
Food Allergy Testing- Food Allergy Testing (also known as Food Sensitivity Testing) is recommended as part of Hauser Diet Typing in about 90% of cases to help further individualize a person's diet plan. A food allergy test is also important when determining the foods that will give you the maximum amount of energy. What we actually test are antibody levels, or which foods your body is making antibodies against. In other words, which foods does your immune system see as an invader, thus, mounting an immune attack against them. Eating these foods will not give you the optimum energy you desire, but will take energy away from you. If you have a sensitivity or allergy to a particular food, it could be causing symptoms like low energy, headaches, inability to heal properly, mental fog, and weight gain, among others. It is sometimes hard to know you have a food allergy, but once you eliminate the allergy, you will notice the difference. Our food allergy test will test for 190 of the most popular foods. This way we can appropriately determine what foods you need to eliminate from your diet that could be causing other health problems. Top
Fungal Panel 1- A blood test used to aid in
the diagnosis of acute or chronic fungal infection. Fungal infections
can cause a number of illnesses including, central nervous system
problems, menstrual irregularities, respiratory allergies, nail,
hair and skin disease, gastrointestinal disorders and vaginal infection. Top
Glucose Insulin Tolerance Test- A 1 ½ or
3 hr test that involves consuming a 50-100 gram glucose load and
then graphing blood sugar levels in response to the glucose load.
Insulin levels are also collected at 30 minutes and 1hr to be interpreted
along with the glucose levels. The results of the test can help your
physician determine what diet is best for you, diagnose diabetes,
hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Top
Gluten/Casein -
A blood test to screen for gluten (grain) and casein (dairy) allergies.
Grains and dairy are the most common of all food allergies, but
are consumed in some form at most every meal. Symptoms of sensitivity
to these items can range from dermatitis or hives, to congestion
or fatigue. Top
H-pylori
Rapid Test - is used to detect the bacteria Helicobacter
pylori that researchers believe is responsible for a majority
of peptic ulcers. Top
Hauser Diet®
Typing - Diet Typing is a testing procedure that we have
developed at Caring Medical that gives you a better approach
to achieving maximum health. Diet Typing will help determine
what substrate (or food) your body most efficiently burns. What
type of gasoline should you put in your engine? In other words,
what is your Diet Type? What foods give your body the most
energy? If you consume fat is your body able to oxidize it into
energy? If you are unable to convert the fat into energy for
your cells guess what your body will do with it? You got it!
Store it as fat! In other words, the individual whose fat oxidation
rate is low will get fatter and more lethargic by eating fat.
This test will help determine what breakdown of carbohydrates,
protein, and fats you should be eating based on your individual
body type.
READ
MORE ABOUT Hauser Diet® TYPING Top
Hepatitis A,B,C profile- A blood test used to determine
acute or chronic infection with the hepatitis virus. The blood test
may also be used to screen donated blood to rule out hepatitis infection
prior to transfusion. Hepatitis A,B,C are the most common forms of
the virus that is spread by sharing needles with someone infected
with hepatitis, sexual contact with an infected person and direct
contact with infected blood products. Top
Homocysteine- the test is used to screen patients
at risk for heart disease and stroke. Homocysteine can be considered
an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease.
Patients with cardiovascular disease including heart disease, stroke
and peripheral vascular disease generally have higher homocysteine
levels. Top
Hormone panel blood- used to determine the sex
hormone status of a patient and monitor patients receiving hormone
replacement therapy. Sex hormones play a vital role in the overall
health of a person. Low sex hormone levels can cause a lack of energy,
decreased libido, poor memory, low muscle mass in men and bone loss. Top
Insulin Levels-
Fasting insulin levels help diagnose or evaluate any abnormalities in the blood sugar levels, along with helping to determine a person’s Hauser Diet® Type. Insulin levels measured while fasting can give information about the body’s sensitivity to insulin. High insulin, even with normal blood sugar levels, may indicate that the pancreas is working harder than normal to get the blood sugar level down. Keeping blood sugar levels stable is key to having sustained energy throughout the day.Top
Ionized Calcium - Serum calcium is usually measured to screen for
or monitor diseases of the bone or calcium regulation disorders(thatis,diseases
of the parathyroid gland or kidneys). Calcium is especially important
in the structure of bones and teeth. Calcium is vital for muscle
contration, heart function, transmission of nerve impulses and blood
clotting. The ionized or free form of calcium is metabolically active
form of calcium. This free form of calcium is measured when protein
bound form of calcium is difficult to interpret due to binding protein
increases or decreases in the body.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor(IGF-1)- IGF-1 is a hormone
produced by the liver and other tissues that affects growth promoting
activity and glucose metabolism. IGF-1 is used to diagnose the cause
of growth abnormalities and to evaluate pituitary function. Natural
medicine physicians monitor IGF-1 levels to determine growth hormone
production in the body that is vital to the repair of the body. Top
Lyme Western Blot IgG, IgM with confirmation - Lyme
Western Blot is used to diagnose Lyme disease. This test involves
drawing one tube of blood from the patient and sending it to lab
that performs the actual testing. Western blotting is a technique
designed to detect specific protein. In this case, antibodies in
the patient blood against Borrelia Burgdorferi, the virus that causes
Lyme disease, are detected. Known viral proteins are separated according
to size on a gel using electrical current. The proteins in the gel
are then transferred (blotted) onto a nitrocellulose membrane. Patient
serum is applied to the membrane and incubated. Any antibody to the
virus in the patient’s serum will bind to the specific protein
it is directed against. A solution is then added that “tags” the
bound antibody thus allowing it to be seen. A specific amount of
binding indicates a positive result. We like this test because it
shows whether the actual bands are positive or negative. We have
seen undiagnosed cases of Lyme disease cause a myriad of medical
problems for patients including chronic pain, fatigue, all-over body
pain, fibromyalgia, and many more. Top
Metabolic
Profile-In addition to the basic metabolic panel, our
caring Medical panel also includes a thyroid panel,complete blood
count, lipid panel, ferritin, and urinalysis. Abnormal results,
and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a
problem that needs to be addressed. Top
Mycoplasma - This test is used to detect
four of the most common forms of mycoplasmas which is known to cause
various infections in humans such as rheumatoid arthritis, atypical
pneumonia, Gulf War syndrome and a possible cofactor to AIDS. Top
Serum pH and electrolyte panel - A
simple blood test used to determine electrolyte, mineral and venous
pH levels. The results of the test are useful is helping the doctor
determine if mineral deficiencies are present, abnormalities in electrolyte
function that could affect heart functioning and hydration status.
The venous pH along with other test result can guide the physician
is prescribing an appropriate diet for the patient. Top
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