Blood Testing

Medication Compliance Testing

This simple fingerstick blood test can definitively determine up to 213 medications and their metabolites. The blood test enables an efficient and conclusive way to determine medications that the patient is taking and match them to their medication list. Drug interactions are also determined from this test and provided in an easy to read report.

Cancer Testing

Hereditary Cancer genetic testing looks for specific inherited changes to a person’s genetic makeup. These changes, referred to as mutations, can result in increasing a person’s risk of cancer. These mutations can also be inherited.

Gene sequencing advancements enable detection of a number of common genetic mutations that can be responsible for cancers. As an example, 12% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. Recent estimates indicate that 55-65% of women with the BRCA1 gene mutation will develop breast cancer before the age of 70. Significant increases in ovarian cancer also occur with this mutation. Other cancers include colorectal, pancreatic, kidney and uterine.

Pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogentics provides assessment of a patient’s response to certain active drug forms. As much as 37% of adverse events are attributed to medication. Accurate patient assessment for drug metabolism will help determine the right drug for the patient in the right dose, the first time. Pharmacogenetic testing assesses the Cytochrome P450 system which is an integral pathway for the metabolism of many drugs.

Usage of medications is increasing with the aging population and as new treatments are developed. Mental health is one area where drug drug and drug gene interactions can occur. Many drugs used to treat these conditions can take 4 to 12 weeks to indicate efficacy. Pharmacogenetics allows physicians the ability to determine the most effective medication from the outset, improving clinical outcomes.

Allergy

Allergy testing has typically been done at an allergist office with a scratch test. The scratch test method involves irritating the patient skin with a wide range of allergens to determine which the patient has a sensitivity to. The fingerstick allergy test enables the physician to simply do a fingerstick blood test without the need for skin irritation or allergen exposure.

The allergy test is a 2 vial blood draw and is quick and simple to perform. The test provides a definitive report of the specific allergens the patient reacts to. The patient can then be treated in office with immunotherapy or referred to an allergy specialist. Many offices have performed skin testing but find the time and skills involved cumbersome.

Wellness Panels

Comprehensive Metabolic Panels (CMP) provide a comprehensive analysis of a patient’s kidney and liver function beyond what is shown in a traditional Complete Blood Count (CBC). The panel will assess a range of proteins, minerals, electrolytes and enzymes to determine metabolic function. A full wellness panel is a good opportunity to screen new patients as they come to the practice and on an annual basis as a ongoing check.

Amino Acids

Testing for amino acids provides a useful indicator for the bodies pain and inflammation response. The neurotransmitters that support the inflammatory response are all manufactured from amino acids. These amino acids are vital to the building of soft tissue, muscle and bone in the body’s repair and maintenance.

Pain modulators include serotonin, endorphin and gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). Without the specific amino acids needed to build these neurotransmitters, the pain relief response of the body is incomplete.

The specific amino acids tested for include glycine, glutamine, l-arginine, l-methionine, dl phenylalanine, histidine and taurine.

Urine Testing

Toxicology

Drug testing helps physicians with objective information about drug misuse prior to prescribing scheduled medications. Testing also helps with confirmation of adherence to current drug treatment. Toxicology is typically a urine sample but oral sampling is also available. Saliva samples are able to determine ‘under the influence’ testing. Urine samples can be slower to be detected and can be adulterated.

Toxicology is typically performed on new patients and is recommended when there is a change in medication type or dosage or a decline in patient function. Pain patients may be tested several times a year or more dependent on history of abuse or their behavior.

Testing can be performed as a screen or a confirmation. Screens will determine presence of certain drugs above a minimum concentration. This testing is less sensitive and specific but can be performed onsite. Confirmation uses spectrometry to identify specific drugs providing a quantitative and accurate assessment. Confirmation results provide legally defendable results and are recommended for pain patients. If specificity is needed, confirmation is the best option.

Advanced Urine Screen

Bladder cancer has a much higher rate of survival if detected early. As early stage bladder cancer can be largely asymptomatic – screening is valuable. Residual urine from toxicology testing allows physicians to screen for potential cancers at this early stage. Pain patients are risk due to masking of symptoms and side effects of the medications. Patients that suffer with urinary retention or recurrent urinary tract infections are also at risk.

Heavy Metals

Pollution and chemical usage is creating an increasing risk to health and development. Deposits of metals in the body can occur in the tissue and brain resulting in neurological problems, chronic pain and various other symptoms. Many conditions can be severe. Symptoms may mimic other unrelated health conditions and be difficult to diagnose. Often symptoms occur insidiously over a number of months.

Heavy metals are not metabolized by the body and can accumulate in the soft tissues. Sources can be food, air, water and skin absorption. Testing for 23 different metals include arsenic, lead, mercury, iron and aluminum. The test is done with a urine sample.

Pathogen and Pathology

PCR Testing – Gastrointestinal, Genito-urinary, Respiratory, Wound Car

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing enables quick and accurate diagnosis of a wide range of infectious diseases without the wait time associated with cultures. PCR identifies specific genetic material from RNA or DNA sequences pertinent to pathogens. The genetic sequencing from a specimen is amplified and then compared to a known source.

Samples can be taken from blood, discharge, skin scrapings and more. PCR testing enables diagnosis of genetic or biological disease. Physicians are able to use this type of testing for diagnosis of respiratory, genito-urinary disease, gastrointestinal, skin infections and more. Sample collection is typically safe and non invasive.

Toe Nail Fungus

Approximately 15% of the population suffers from toe nail conditions with around 80% of them suffering from onychomycosis. Patients are often embarrassed by this condition and most of them are left undiagnosed and untreated. Insurances are increasingly requesting definitive diagnosis before reimbursing for the often expensive treatments prescribed.

Pathology

Pathology services aid physicians in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Molecular testing has further enabled labs to provide physicians with the definitive answers they seek in patient treatment. Traditional anatomical pathology still plays a vital role in patient diagnosis. Our labs provide a consultant pathologist, giving you access the ability to have questions answered.