Thyroid function tests (TFTs)
(TFTs) may be required if a patient is thought to have a hypothyroid (underactive thyroid), or hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) or to monitor the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy. Common markers run are TSH, Serum T4/T3, Free T4/T3, Reverse T3, TBG and Thyroid Antibodies.
Complete Metabolic Panel
Blood chemistry testing is done to evaluate physiological and biochemical states, such as disease, mineral levels, and organ function. At Integrative Health Connection, Dr. Newman recommends all patients be screened with a thorough blood chemistry test annually.
Lipid Profile
This is a collective term used to assess cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density cholesterol, and triglycerides. This profile will be included among other markers to assess overall cardiovascular function. While Dr. Newman realizes these markers hold significant weight in the medical arena, other sensitive markers have emerged as more reliable in assessing cardiovascular function and chronic disease states. These include the following:
- C Reactive Protein
- Creatine Kinase (isoenzymes)
- Fibrinogen
- Homosysteine
- Vitamin D
Complete Blood Count
A CBC gives important information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood especially red blood cells, white blood cells and also platelets. A CBC may support symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, or bruising you may have. A CBC also helps Dr. Newman diagnose conditions such as anemia, infection, and many other disorders.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivity is described as a physiological response associated with a particular food, or compound found in a range of foods that produces symptoms in one or more organ systems but not necessarily classified as a true food allergy. However, a true food allergy requires the presence of IgE antibodies against food which may also be tested.
Adrenal Stress Index (ASI)
The adrenal glands are oddly shaped endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys. They are chiefly responsible for releasing hormones in response to stress through the production of corticosteroids such as cortisol and epinephrine. This test is often run as a quick baseline to understand stress physiology and how your body responds.
Immune System Testing
Many patients I see have trouble regulating there immune system. Either there immune tolerance is to low and is unable to fight off foreign invaders or it’s exceedingly high (very common) and it’s attacking bodily tissue. Examples are the following:
- Celiac Disease
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Hashimotos’s thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unfortunately, these conditions are most often treated with steroids in the conventional medicine model while nothing is done to balance or modulate their immune system.
Helicobacter Pylori (H Pylori) testing
This bacterium can inhabit various areas in the stomach causing chronic low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and is strongly connected to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers. For any chronic stomach pain or discomfort, Dr. Newman will recommend and even require some patients to have this test immediately done through Metabolic Solutions laboratory.
Leaky Gut/Intestinal Permeability testing
Tight Junctions (TJs) represent the major barrier within the pathway between intestinal cells that compose the digestive tract. Disruption of these TJs will lead to intestinal hyper permeability (leaky gut) which has been proposed by many researchers to involve a relationship with many diseases such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Allergies, Asthma, and Autism.
Male/Female Hormones
Only small amounts of hormone changes are required to alter cell function and metabolism. Since hormones make up the foundation of the endocrine system, it becomes critical that we test for imbalances immediately. Many disease states occur because of a simple change in hormone state. This may be due to a defective gland releasing inadequate or excess amounts of hormones, changes in hormone binding with proteins, defective hormone conversion to the active state i.e. (Thyroid Hormones) or an inability to receive proper amounts of hormones at the receptor end.
Furthermore, hormones are important because they have the following effects on the body:
- stimulation or inhibition of growth
- mood swings
- cell survival vs. death
- activation or suppression of the immune system
- regulation of metabolism
- control of the reproductive cycle
- hunger cravings
- sleep/wake cycles
