Naturopathic Special Testing
Cortisol & Adrenal Function
Since cortisol is the major stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, measurement of cortisol levels may be a useful means of assessing ability to cope with stress. Elevated levels of cortisol result in symptoms like feeling tired but wired, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Excess cortisol also interferes with the action of other hormones (progesterone, testosterone and thyroid), creating more hormone imbalance and more symptoms free up stored energy to fuel the body's "fight or flight" response. With continued stress, the adrenal glands may become depleted from producing too much cortisol. Symptoms of low cortisol may include morning fatigue, increased susceptibility to infection, decreased recovery from exercise, allergies, low blood sugar, burned out feeling, depression and low sex drive.
Reproductive Hormones
Saliva hormone testing is simple, accurate, and easily obtained. Five hormones make up the reproductive panel, depending on gender: cortisol, DHEAs, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Interactions between these hormones are fundamental to health - which is why imbalances can have a significant impact on well-being.
Infertility, premenstrual syndrome, mood swings, anxiety, painful periods and other symptoms can be experienced by mentrustruating people as a result of hormone imbalance. Peri-menopause and menopause can bring on debilitating sleep disturbances, night sweats, hot flashes, accelerated bone loss and many other symptoms related to hormone changes. Low testosterone is a common cause of irritability and grumpiness in men. If too much testosterone is converted to estradiol, decreased sex drive and increased breast size can result. Bone loss, memory loss and erectile dysfunction can also be signs of hormone imbalance.
Thyroid Function
Thyroid hormones can also increase energy, help food move through the gastrointestinal tract and increase perspiration. Because its effects are so far-reaching, a lack of thyroid hormone can result in a number of health conditions including depression, fatigue, cold body temperature, arthritis and muscle cramps, headaches, weight gain, and poor reflexes.
Iodine Plus
Food Sensitivity (IgG) Testing
IgG food sensitivities have been implicated in migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome (alternating diarrhea and constipation). Bloating and indigestion are also common food sensitivity reactions, as is fatigue. Continued consumption of reactive foods may contribute to weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight. Eczema is also commonly associated with food reactions. Because IgG food reactions take hours or days to develop, this makes it difficult to determine which food is responsible for the reaction without doing testing.
Nutrigenomix
The Nutrigenomix® 45 Gene test provides you with the latest that science has to offer in personalized nutritional counselling. Learn how your genes are affected by the foods you eat and how your unique genetic makeup influences how you respond to different foods and nutrients.
The genes that are tested for influence weight management, nutrient metabolism, cardiovascular health, diabetes risk, eating habits , food intolerances (gluten & lactose), and even physical performance and injury risk.
Essential Fatty Acids
Most of us get plenty of omega-6 fatty acids from grains and grain fed animals, but our diets often lack omega-3 fatty acids. A few of the more important omega-3 fatty acids are: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosohexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA). The right balance of omega-3 fatty acids has been proven to reduce the risk of heart attack, and having the right balance of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation.
Vitamin D Testing
Vitamin D is vital to our bone health, hormone production, and immunity. Canadians are at risk for deficiency, especially during the fall and winter months when the sun is low. Testing twice a year is recommended -- at the end of winter (March) for the lowest levels, and again at the end of August to see levels at their highest. If you supplement with vitamin D, any time of year is a good time to test, but if you have recently changed your dose of vitamin D, wait at least 4 weeks before testing.
Candida & Parasites
Elevated IgG antibodies to Candida are often found when someone has a fungal infection of some sort. For example, vaginal yeast infection, ‘jock itch’, and ringworm. Consuming too many sugar-rich foods can contribute to overgrowth of Candida. Symptoms associated with Candida overgrowth include clouded thinking, depression, diarrhea, fatigue, menstrual pain, yeast infections and headaches.
