Lab Testing Services in South Carolina

Advanced Diabetes Testing

These profiles measure various stages of pre-diabetes and progression towards type-2 diabetes mellitus or Cardio-Metabolic Syndrome using metabolic, inflammatory and lipid biomarkers. These profiles focuses on the importance of early assessment and correction of risk factors.

Analytes in Diabetes Testing Includes:

Advanced Cholesterol Testing

This profile analyzes blood and utilizes NMR fractionation technology for state-of-the-art lipid markers and independent risk factors that illuminate the clinical complexity of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Together, these markers provide a thorough assessment of cardiovascular health status, revealing the biochemical environment associated with inflammation, lipid deposits, endothelial dysfunction, and clotting factors underlying cardiovascular disease.

Analytes in Advanced Cholesterol Testing Includes:

Amino Acid Testing

Urine and Plasma amino acid tests provide different views into body function. Amino acids are the breakdown product or building block of protein. Amino acid levels help assess inborn errors of metabolism, vitamin and mineral functional deficiencies, protein intolerance, or lack of weight gain or weight loss. Urine amino acids have been discarded by the body as excess, or are being “wasted” because of kidney malfunction or nutritional imbalance. Plasma amino acid testing shows the circulation amino acids available for building structural proteins, for building immunoglobulins, and transport and storage of proteins. Amino acid testing may also reveal underlying causes of vomiting, stones, lethargy, fatigue, muscle weakness, or seizures. Besides levels of essential and nonessential amino acids, the amino acid test contains gastrointestinal, neurological and detoxification markers, and combinations of amino acid levels indicate magnesium status, B vitamin, and urea cycle status.

Benefits of Amino Testing:

• More information when weighing treatment options
• Clarification of diagnoses suggested by other testing
• Indications for modifying diet

Treatment options (Depending on test results, suggestions can include):

• Modify diet: increase or decrease total protein, or increase specific amino acid groups
• Increase or modify vitamins and antioxidant intake
• Supplement with beneficial bacteria and nutrients that support GI flora
• Reduce exposure to toxic chemicals

Analytes and Amino Acid Testing Includes:

ANS Bio-Scan Testing

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) testing, including parasympathetic function and sympathetic adrenergic function.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a physiological function whereby the time interval between heart beats varies. These variations in heart rate reflect the quality of cardiovascular autonomic function. Autonomic function or function of the autonomic/visceral nervous system regulates involuntary action (eg. respiration, digestion) of the intestines, heart, smooth muscle, and glands. This function is divided into two physiologically and anatomically distinct, mutually antagonistic subsystems: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

How This Helps Our Patients:

• Evaluation of current health situation – symptoms, medications and therapy reactions;
• Assessment of possible adequacy of the recovery process e.g from a major illness or surgery
• Initiation of Physician’s focus to treat the onset of chronic situations or severity of the diseases;
• Improve evaluation of the prognosis and treatment outcomes;
• Identification of abnormalities in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular system and overall health assessment;
• Blood circulatory status – age of blood vessels based on arterial elasticity, peripheral circulatory status, organic/functional abnormality of the blood vessels;
• Prediction and progression of arteriosclerosis in cases such as Obesity, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes etc

• Predicting burn-out syndrome, anxiety, depression, psychological conditions;
• New nervous system data on Asthma, COPD, Palpitations, Pain management, Sleep apnea

What to expect during the ANS bio-scan

The scan takes less than 30 minutes and involves:

• Blood pressure and pulse oximetry measurements with various positional movements and timed breathing maneuvers
• Skin Sudomotor function assessment like a galvanic skin response stress test using  Bioelectrical Conductances thru skin
• Immediate reports qualitative, quantitative and graphic analysis and results of ANS balance, heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular, stress, fitness and overall health assessment.

Brain and Memory Testing

One of the part of this testing utilizes written and verbal screening tests to diagnose people with very early Alzheimer’s symptoms, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MNCD). These occur as people progress from normal aging to early Alzheimer’s. These new ‘biomarker’ tests will be most helpful for identifying likely early cases and for helping to develop preventive strategies and treatments.

Another part of this testing looks at Brain Neurotransmitters that are involved in mood (i.e. Depression, Anxiety, etc) and memory.

Urine Analytes for Brain/Memory Testing Includes:

Digestive Stool Analysis

This digestive profile is unlike any other stool analysis profile, going beyond the standard parameters for identifying gastrointestinal disorders. This profile uses DNA analysis to identify microbiota including anaerobes, a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment. DNA assessment is specific and accurate, avoids the pitfalls of sample transport, reports results as specific numbers, and is more sensitive than classic laboratory methods. This profile will specify colony numbers of pathogenic bacteria, beneficial bacteria (“probiotics”), Yeast/Fungi, and Parasites.

Digestive Bacteria

Bacteria play major roles in health. They provide colonization resistance against potentially pathogenic organisms, aid in digestion and absorption, produce vitamins and Small Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA’s), and stimulate the GI immune system. DNA probes allow detection of multiple species within a genus, so the genera that are reported cover many species. Other more “Opportunistic Bacteria” may cause symptoms and be associated with disease. They can affect digestion and absorption, nutrient production, pH and immune state. Antibiotic sensitivity tests will be performed on all opportunistic bacteria found, although clinical history is usually considered to determine treatment since the organisms are not generally considered to be pathogens.

Bacterial Infections

Yeast overgrowth has been linked to many chronic conditions, in part because of antigenic responses in some patients to even low rates of yeast growth. Potential symptoms include diarrhea, headache, bloating, atopic dermatitis and fatigue.

Parasite infections are a major cause of non-viral diarrhea. Symptoms may include constipation, gas, bloating, increased allergy response, colitis, nausea and distention.

Digestive Testing Evaluation

This digestive testing evaluates Digestion and Absorption status of the “gut”. Pancreatic elastase 1 levels below 100 are strongly correlated with severe pancreatic insufficiency; levels of 100-200 identify moderate pancreatic insufficiency. High triglycerides signify fat maldigestion. Putrefactive SCFA are a result of bacterial fermentation of undigested protein. High numbers of vegetable fibers indicate maldigestion. High Long Chain Fatty Acids (LCFA) indicate fat malabsorption due to pancreatic or biliary insufficiency, or acute bacterial infection that produces intestinal cell destruction. High total fat usually signals malabsorption, as does elevated fecal cholesterol. This test will analyze beneficial Short chain fatty acids (SCFA). They are produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary polysaccharides and fiber. The product, N-butyrate, is taken up and used to sustain the normal activity of colonic epithelial cells. Butyrate has been shown to lower the risk of colitis and colorectal cancer. A healthy balance of GI microbes depends on production of SCFA by one species to allow the normal growth of another one in a complex cross-feeding network.

This analysis also includes an Adiposity Index that is derived by using DNA probes that detect multiple genera of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Abnormalities of these phyla may be associated with increased caloric extraction from food and thus obesity.

This testing also looks for signs of inflammation in the intestines. Calprotectin is a protein released by a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, is released in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) but not in non-inflammatory Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). High levels are found in Crohn’s, UC or infection. WBC’s are elevated in general inflammation/infection. Mucus is often visualized in acute GI inflammation.

This analysis looks at the immune status of the intestines. High fecal sIgA indicates immune system reactions to the presence of antigens from bacteria, yeast or other microbes. Low sIgA can result from stress or malnutrition. Anti-gliadin sIgA is a screening marker for gluten sensitivity.

DNA Testing

How DNA Telomere works?

Telomeres are sections of genetic material at the end of each chromosome whose primary function is to prevent chromosomal “fraying” when a cell replicates. As a cell ages, its telomeres become shorter. Eventually, the telomeres become too short to allow cell replication, the cell stops dividing and will ultimately die – a normal biological process. This test can determine the length of a patient’s telomeres in relation to the patient’s age. Then a regimen can be customized to slow the shortening of the DNA telomere as needed.

What is DetoxiGenomic Profile?

This test evaluates SNPs associated with increased risk of impaired detoxification capacity especially when exposed to environmental toxins. It also identifies individuals potentially susceptible to adverse drug reactions.

Analytes Include:

What is EstroGenomic Profile?

This test evaluates genetic variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in genes that modulate estrogen metabolism, coagulation, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.

Analytes Include:

What is ImmunoGenomic Profile?

This test evaluates genetic variations in genes that modulate immune and inflammatory activity. These variations can affect balance between cell (Th-1) and humoral (Th-2) immunity, trigger potential defects in immune system defense, and stimulate mechanisms underlying chronic, overactive inflammatory responses.

Analytes Include:

What is Neurogenomic Profile?

This test evaluates single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes that modulate methylation, glutathione conjugation, oxidative protection and the potential to evaluate vascular oxidation.

Analytes Include:

What is OsteoGenomic Profile?

This test evaluates genetic variations in genes that modulate bone formation (collagen synthesis), bone breakdown (resorption), and inflammation, including key regulatory mechanisms affecting calcium and Vitamin D3 metabolism.

Analytes include:

Fatty Acid Testing

This test evaluates the level of red cell membrane fatty acids, imbalances of which significantly affect inflammatory and other disorders. By knowing the various fatty acid levels, one can establish a balance using nutritional intervention.

Analytes in Fatty Acid Testing Includes:

Food and Inhalant Allergy Testing

IgG/IgE Food, Inhalant, and Spice testing:

This ELISA test analyzes semi-quantify serum levels of total IgE and IgG antibodies for 90+ combined foods, inhalants and spices. It also includes testing for gluten sensitivity and a celiac profile. It includes customized food rotation diet plan. This is an ideal test for patients with suspected food, inhalant, and spice allergies or sensitivities.

Analytes for Food and Inhalant Allergy Testing Includes:

Vegetarian Foods and Spices Analytes Include:

IgE Food Antibody Testing

The IgE antibody causes “classic” or “atopic” allergic reactions related to hay fever and anaphylaxis and is well-known for causing immediate allergic reactions. IgE food allergy testing reveals reactions that occur immediately after ingesting offending foods such as peanuts or shellfish. According to the FDA, more than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions in people with food allergies. The eight most common foods accounting for 90 percent of food allergic reactions are required by law to be listed in the ingredients, and are the food sources from which many other ingredients are derived.

Eight Foods that cause common Reactions Include:

IgE Inhalant Antibody Testing:

The IgE antibody is the cause of “classic” or atopic allergic reactions related to hay fever and anaphylaxis, and is well known for causing immediate allergic reactions. The IgE Inhalant Antibodies Profile measures the IgE levels in serum that react to 28 different regional inhalant antigens. This profile is especially useful during high allergy seasons, such as springtime pollen or when an allergy from the environment is suspected.

Analytes in IgE Inhalant Antibody Testing Includes:

Heavy Metal/Toxin Testing

Hair Analysis:

Heavy metals may often have combined effects so that exposure to multiple heavy metals at low levels might be just as toxic as exposure to one metal at a high level. The toxicity of mercury and other heavy metals has been well established.

Heavy Metal Hair Analysis

• Is the easiest sample to collect and is considered the best for screening of heavy metals.
• Is ideal for measuring toxic metals accumulated in the body tissues over a period of time.

Analytes in Heavy Metal Toxin Testing Includes:

Red Blood Cell Membrane Heavy Metal Testing

Analytes Include:

What Is Porphyrins Profile?

The Porphyrins Profile can help identify the severity of heavy metal toxicity or organic chemical exposure in patients. Chemical exposure and a heavy toxic burden can have physiological effects resulting in impaired metabolism and cellular function.

Porphyrin testing also helps you monitor therapy in your patients.

Porphyrin testing helps identify:

• Levels of biochemical damage caused by toxicant exposure
• Physiologic burden of a person’s level of toxins
• Levels of porphyrin elevation correlated with levels of toxic interference
• Toxicity of patients before and during chelation therapy
• Toxicity of therapeutic drugs

What are Phthalates and Parabens Profile?

The Phthalates & Parabens Profile can help identify everyday exposures to toxins from the use of items such as personal care products and plastic food containers. Environmental toxins should be evaluated as a “first step” to help patients get back on the road to wellness.Why assess phthalate and paraben levels? Exposure to phthalates and parabens is more common than you may realize. Phthalates and parabens are often classified as xenoestrogens, foreign compounds in the body functioning as endocrine disruptors by binding specifically to estrogen receptors.

What is Chlorinated Pesticides Profile?

The Chlorinated Pesticides Profile can help identify when a patient has been exposed to certain pesticides and insecticides, and how high a body burden of chlorinated pesticides the patient is carrying. This panel looks at the most commonly found chlorinated pesticides, which have national reference ranges, that have been documented to cause adverse health problems. Levels are given both in parts per million (PPM) and as lipid-adjusted amounts so the clinician can best estimate the total body burden of these compounds.

What is PCBs Profile?

The Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Profile can help identify which of the most toxic PCBs a patient has been exposed to and the body burden of the patient. We look at the most commonly found PCBs, which have national reference ranges, that have been documented to cause adverse health problems. Levels are given both in parts per million (PPM) and as lipid-adjusted amounts so the clinician can best estimate the total body burden of these compounds.

What is Volatile Solvents Profile?

The Volatile Solvents Profile can help identify a patient’s prolonged exposure to the most commonly found volatile solvents that have been shown to cause serious health problems. Why run a Volatile Solvent Test?

Overexposure or chronic exposure to volatile solvents damages the central nervous system and causes chemical-driven liver and kidney damage. Benzene, in particular, has a severe toxic effect on the hematological system and is a recognized human carcinogen. Other solvents contribute to atrophy of skeletal muscles, loss of coordination, vision problems, and depression of the central nervous system.

What Is Organophosphates Profile?

Are Organophosphate Pesticides Lurking in Your Home and Food? The Organophosphates Profile can help identify a patient’s prolonged exposure to organophosphate pesticides that have been shown to cause serious health problems. Why Use the Organophosphates Profile? Organophosphates can be hazardous to the neurological development of children and babies in the womb, producing lower IQs.(1) Other health effects include chronic fatigue, asthma, wheeze, immune system disorders, impaired memory, disorientation, depression, irritability, flu-like symptoms, and may increase risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Most exposure to organophosphates occurs from ingestion through the food supply. Direct dermal exposure can also occur for people that work directly with these chemicals.

What is Bisphenol A(BPA) Profile?

The Bisphenol A Profile can help identify exposure to the common endocrine disruptors BPA, triclosan, and 4-nonylphenol.Why Test for Endocrine Disruptors? Endocrine disruptors weakly bind to estrogen receptors which can affect the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems as well as block thyroid hormone action. Exposure to chemicals that are xenoestrogens disrupt the proper function of the body’s endocrine system. Children and babies in the womb are most susceptible to hormonal and neurological development issues from exposure.

What is Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile?

The Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile is a toxic exposure test which measures urinary excretion of 15 nutrient elements and 20 toxic metals. These include classic toxins such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, as well as newer technology toxins such as niobium. This is an ideal toxic exposure test for patients suspected of toxic metal exposure as well as potential nutrient mineral wasting.

Hormone Panel Testing

Blood, Urine, and Saliva testing available in different situations/cases.
Best option: Peak/trough timed hormone blood panel testing combined with urine hormone metabolite testing. The urine metabolites will confirm adequate tissue levels, but are not needed in all cases.

Examples of some of the hormones tested:

• Testosterone
• Estrogens (Estradiol, Estriol)
• Progesterone
• Thyroid
• Pregnenolone
• Melatonin
• DHEA (DeHydroEpiAndrosterone)
• Cortisol
• Vitamin D (Sunshine Hormone)
• Insulin
• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
• LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
• DHT (DiHydroTestosterone)
• Prolactin
• IGF-1 (Growth Hormone)

Saliva Hormone analysis is limited in its utility

• DHEA/Cortisol ratios
• Melatonin
• Female Hormone analysis for a 28 day menstrual cycle in a pre-menopausal woman
• Initial baseline hormone analysis
  
  

Understanding Saliva Hormone limitations:

Medical studies confirm that if people stop taking their bio-identical hormones, a saliva test will still incorrectly show that they are still taking the hormone even though the person stopped taking it 3 months prior. This error in saliva testing is why saliva testing should not be used by a doctor to make most treatment decisions with regard to bio-identical hormone replacement. This limitation occurs in saliva testing only because the hormone is stored in the lymphatic ducts of a person especially when the hormone is absorbed transdermally (under the tongue or through the skin). The lymphatic system feeds the saliva glands with stored/excess hormones that do NOT reflect what hormones that are in a person’s tissues and thus, this process makes the saliva test result often unreliable.

Urinary hormone metabolite testing: this evaluation was designed to assist in the prevention and treatment of hormone-related symptoms and conditions. In Women, this provides clues about menstrual irregularities, infertility, menopause, fatigue, breast cancer, and osteoporosis. In Men, this test analyzes key urinary markers, providing insights into a wide range of disorders, from reduced libido and muscle mass to cardiovascular disease.

Analytes in Saliva Hormone Limitation Includes:

Immune System Testing

What is ImmunoGenomic Profile?

This test evaluates genetic variations in genes that modulate immune and inflammatory activity. These variations can affect balance between cell (Th-1) and humoral (Th-2) immunity, trigger potential defects in immune system defense, and stimulate mechanisms underlying chronic, overactive inflammatory responses.

Analytes in ImmunoGenomic Profile Includes:

Metabolism and Organic Acid Testing

This Metabolic Analysis Profile assesses urine metabolites in order to evaluate four critical areas of metabolism: gastrointestinal function, cellular energy production, abnormal yeast or bacterial growth, neurotransmitter processing, and amino acid/organic acid balance as influenced by vitamin/mineral cofactors. Results can be used to address many conditions ranging from fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and mood disorders to headaches, muscular/joint pain, weight gain, and digestive problems.

Benefits of Metabolism and Organic Acid Testing

• Over 95 important compounds as indicators of overall health
• Detects yeast and bacterial byproducts that have been implicated in many disorders
• Requires a first morning urine sample only

Analytes in Metabolism and Organic Acid Testing Includes:

Prenatal Screening and Fertility Testing

The main concept of Prenatal Screening and Fertility testing is to screen the woman who is considering getting pregnant before she begins to TRY to get pregnant.

Female Fertility Testing

28 day menstrual analysis via saliva hormone testing (over 1 menstrual cycle). This tests helps ensure that a woman has a normal hormone release over her menstrual cycle and confirms good balanced ratios of Estrogen/Progesterone.

Otherwise, women who plan to childbear should ensure that their bodies are free of toxicants that can harm the unborn fetus in development. This prenatal panel includes toxins that are harmful to the fetus such as: organophosphates, Chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, volatile solvents, BisPhenol A (BPA in plastic bottles), phthalates, and parabens. Also, the expecting mother should have a good nutrient status (i.e. Vitamins, minerals), proper detoxification mechanisms, and antioxidant reserves.

See Heavy Metal/Toxin Testing; Vitamin and Micronutrient Testing; Metabolism and Organic Acid Testing for more information of testing utilized in prenatal screening.

Vitamin and Micronutrient Testing

This micronutrient test measures the vitamins and minerals that are actually inside the cells of your blood. These tests allow nutritional assessment of a broad variety of clinical conditions including arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular risk, diabetes, various immunological disorders, metabolic disorders and micronutrient deficiencies. This test checks to see if you are digesting your food’s nutrients, vitamin pills, and whether supplements are working to reduce the oxidation (“silent inflammation”) of your blood. This test also gives you an overall immunity score and antioxidant score.

Analytes in Vitamin and Micronutrient Testing Includes

Yeast/Candida and Parasite Testing

Multiple Yeast and Parasite Testing

Stool DNA analysis to identify microbiota including anaerobes, a previously immeasurable area of the gut environment. DNA assessment is specific and accurate, avoids the pitfalls of sample transport, reports results as specific numbers, and is more sensitive than classic laboratory methods.

Urine Analytes for yeast and gut dysbiosis Include: