Diagnostic Tests and Allergy Testing
Within my clinic I offer a service of over 70 different functional tests. These tests use blood, urine, saliva and stools to provide me with conclusive results about a clients’ bio-chemistry.
I work with GENOVA DIAGNOSTICS EUROPE. info@iwdl.com
Genova Diagnostics offers healthcare practitioners the most comprehensive nutritional laboratory service available in Europe. It is committed to helping healthcare practitioners like myself identify nutritional influences on health and disease and is recognised nationally for its laboratory procedures in nutritional and biochemistry testing. The comprehensive range of tests extends from allergy profiles, antibody profiles, hormone profiles, element and vitamin profiles, metabolic profiles and digestive stool profiles.
I can check:
1. Vitamin levels
2. Mineral levels
3. Toxic levels
4. Cholesterol levels
5. Liver detoxification
6. Thyroid activity
7. Homoscysteine levels
8. Female hormone profiles
9. Osteoporosis risk
10. Fertility factors
11. Stress management
12. Breast cancer risk
HOW TO ORDER A TEST
1. Selection: During your initial consultation my interpretation of your health problems will help me match you with the most appropriate test. (If needed). I will then order the relevant test for you and have it delivered to you home address.
2. Assessment: If the test requires you to have a blood test, then you can usually have this done at your local surgery. Alternatively, some NHS walk in centres offer phlebotomy service upon referrals from your GP. All urine, saliva and stool test kits can be completed at home. Full instructions on how to complete the samples are included in the kit. All samples must be returned to the laboratory by guaranteed next day delivery via Royal Mail.
3. Obtaining results: I receive your tests results and I will explain and discuss these with you at a follow up appointment usually lasting 1 hour. I will determine the impact these results have on your current and long term health. I will provide you with a protocol detailing a personalised nutrition, lifestyle and supplement programme for you to follow to move you forward to better health.
Please note that all diagnostic tests are extra to the cost of the consultation and are payable on the day of your consultation.
FOOD ALLERY/INTOLERANCE TESTING
FACT FOOD ALLERGY TESTING
This test is a cellular assay (blood test) that measures the release of chemical mediators from white blood cells once they have been stimulated by certain foods. This test detects a much wider range of food intolerances than is possible by conventional means.
Allergy or intolerance testing is a range of tests which are used to determine or identify substances to which a person is allergic. There is much confusion about allergy tests and food intolerance tests. NUTRITION4LIFE uses the latest, accurate blood tests for proof of an allergy or intolerance.
Allergic reactions happen when your body comes into contact with a normally harmless substance. This is known as an allergen. The body however, believes the allergen is invading it. These allergens (which can be dust, pollen, animal fur, grass, milk, wheat and many other foods) access the blood stream.
Food allergy is probably best defined as an abnormal immunological reaction to food. This means that if you are exposed to a food you may be allergic to, an immune response occurs which can be measured in the blood via the FACT Test. An allergic response is one that is swift and very clearly defined. Symptoms manifest within the hour or earlier.
The antibodies released when a food allergy occurs are IgE antibodies. These antibodies can be found in the gut wall and release histamine. This has a profound effect on the gut wall, altering the permeability, creating tiny microscopic holes. This is known as “leaky gut”. These holes can be caused by infection, parasites, (including the fungal form of candida), by over use of aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and by antibiotics. As a consequence of food particles entering the blood stream, the immune system releases an antibody (IgE) to defend the body which in turn releases other chemicals that combine to cause symptoms of irritation and inflammation.
Typical allergy suffers complain of sneezing, itching, dry sore eyes, bloating, digestive disorders, hormonal disturbances, learning and behavioural problems and many more.
Food intolerances are usually hard to determine without the use of a blood test as the symptoms normally are delayed and take several days to manifest. Intolerances are also an adverse reaction to a specific food or food ingredient which is not normally psychologically based. Normally they are not correlated with clearly defined immune reactions in the same way as an allergy. They may involve a number of different reactions. However, they usually show a more pronounced set of symptoms due to a lowered immunity. IgG antibodies are involved in food intolerances.
Research has indicated that food intolerances or sensitivities are influenced by our environment and our personal dietary and medical habits. Each reaction involves a series on complex immune reactions, and these can be detected using the FACT food allergy test.
FACT TEST PROFILES
ALL01 FACT TEST: This is a comprehensive FACT TEST that measures all types of immunological reactions to approximately 170 foods. It includes common flavourings, seasonings, additives and beverages from a single blood sample.
ALL02 FACT TEST – FACT DAIRY AND GRAINS PROFILE: This tests measures sensitivities against all cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s and soya products together with grains and yeast. This test will ascertain a marker in the blood known as tissue transglutaminase (tTGA). This compound is very exact at identifying untreated Celiac disease.
ALL03 FACT ADDITIVES PROFILE: Measures reactions to common food additives.
ALL04 FACT ANTIBIOTICS & ANALGESICS PROFILE: Measures reactions to common antibiotics and analgesics.
ALL08 COMPREHENSIVE FOOD ALLERGY PROFILE: This comprehensive profile includes the full FACT TEST, IgE food allergy reactions and a marker in the blood called tissue transglutaminase (tTGA). This marker is very exact at identifying untreated celiac disease.
FACT TEST RRP PRICE
FACT TEST (ALL01) £245.00
FACT DAIRY & GRAINS (All02) £105.00
FACT ADDITIVES PROFILE (ALL03) £ 95.00
FACT ANTIBIOTICS & ANALGESICS PROFILE (ALL04)
£ 95.00
IgE ACUTE FOOD ALLERGY PROFILE (ALL05)
£140.00
IgE INHALANT PROFILE (ALL06)
£140.00
FACT TEST & IgE INHALANT (ALL07)
£280.00
COMPREHENSIVE FACT TEST 08 £300.00
INDIVIDUAL ALLERGENS (09) £ 30.00
CHILDREN AND ALLERGIES
This is an ever increasing problem for children as they are subjected to an array of toxins, chemicals and preservatives from an early age. These are present for all of us, however due to the small size of a child’s body and as their digestive systems are continually growing and evolving, the effects are more dramatic.
Also any parental allergies can be transferred and this is known as “atopic allergy”. Research has indicated that it may be due to the metabolism of essential fatty acids (omega 3 fatty acids) being impaired in children with a history of allergies. A consequence of this is inflammatory compounds may be produced with may encourage conditions such as eczema and asthma.
Testing on children under two years old is not normally accurate as they may be influenced by maternal immune compounds which are transferred in the mothers’ breast milk. Any elimination diet must be carried out with extreme caution and under supervision by myself to ensure that major food groups, vitamins and minerals are not exclude.
