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Laboratory Tests under Naturopathic Medicine
NDs are also able to perform a variety of laboratory tests, including:
Blood Tests:
These range from a standard CBC (complete blood count) to a variety of tests such as
glucose levels, lipid panel, thyroid panel, liver function tests, various vitamin and
mineral levels, and cancer markers. The blood draw can be taken during your
Naturopathic appointment to save you the time and the hassle of waiting at a local
blood lab! However, if you prefer to go to your local laboratory, your Naturopathic
Doctor can give you a requisition form to bring with you to obtain your tests.
Urinary Tests:
These range from a standard urinalysis to a variety of tests such as an hCG pregnancy
test, 24 hr cortisol, etc. Again, these can be performed during your Naturopathic
appointment or at your local laboratory with a requisition form.
Food Sensitivity Testing:
Having a food sensitivity or intolerance induces a chronic activation of the innate
immune system and gives rise to inflammatory processes. This includes the excess
production of reactive oxygen species and the release of pre-formed and newly
synthesized mediators of inflammation. This inflammation has been lined to many
chronic conditions, including:
• chronic fatigue • weight gain & obesity • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • eczema, acne & other skin conditions • migraine headaches • asthma & other respiratory problems • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) & other digestive disorders • arthritis & aching joints • fibromyalgia Rocky Mountain Analytical and ALCAT both provide several types of food sensitivity
tests − depending on your needs. A simple blood draw is taken in the office and sent
out to the laboratory for testing. The test results take two to four weeks to return −
depending on the test that you select. Once the results are obtained, Dr. Moira will
create a rotational diet based on your food sensitivity results to help minimize the
symptoms that you experience and achieve optimal health.
Hair Mineral Analysis:
Hair is an excretory tissue, thus performing a hair mineral analysis in conjunction with
the symptoms and possibly other laboratory testing provides important information for
an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with increases or decreases in
essential and toxic element metabolism. Doctor’s Data provides a hair mineral analysis
kit that in which the hair can be easily collected in the office and sent off to the lab to be
analyzed. The results usually take about two weeks to return, after which Dr. Moira can
create an individualized treatment protocol based on your results.
Salivary Hormone Testing:
There are several different salivary hormone panels that are available through your
Naturopathic Doctor. These include the following:
Adrenal Panel
Under stress, the adrenal glands produce cortisol 24 hours a day. Normally, cortisol
production is highest in the morning (within the first hour of waking up) and gradually
decreases throughout the day, reaching its lowest levels during sleep. There are three
stages to our reaction and adaptation to stress:
1. Alarm Stage: Stress triggers the adrenal glands to release adrenaline,
noradrenaline, cortisol and DHEA. An increase in these hormone levels indicates to
the body that respond to the stressor − ie. the “fight or flight” response.
2. Resistance Stage: Increased levels of cortisol stimulates an increased energy
production from proteins, fats and carbohydrates in order to help the body adapt to
the stressor. However, this stage should only be temporary. Unfortunately, this stage
is often not temporary due to the many stressors that occur at home, at work, etc.
Symptoms related to elevated cortisol include: anxiety, feeling tired but wired, and
have difficulty sleeping. Excess cortisol may interfere with the action of progesterone
and testosterone, leading to symptoms of hormone imbalance.
3. Exhaustion Stage: The adrenal glands are no longer able to increase the
production of cortisol. At this point, the adrenal glands decrease the production of
cortisol, DHEA and aldosterone. Symptoms related to low DHEA are not well
defined. Symptoms related to low aldosterone result in dehydration, low potassium
levels, and low sodium levels.
Symptoms related to low cortisol result in fatigue (especially in the morning), feeling
“burnt out”, depression, low sex drive, allergies, an increased susceptibility to
infection, decreased ability to recovery from exercise, and low glucose levels.
The adrenal panel allows your Naturopathic Doctor to: • determine if you are in the early stages of resistance • confirm a suspected adrenal dysfunction Female Panel
The female salivary hormone panel tests the levels of five hormones, looking for
increased or decreased levels and imbalances between the hormones that have a negative impact on health. These five hormones are: 1. Estradiol (E2): is required for the proper function of progesterone receptors, thus
maintaining a balance between estrogen and progesterone is crucial for healthy
hormone levels. Increased E2 levels results in decreased function of T3. Decreased
E2 levels after menopause may be attributed to adrenal dysfunction.
2. Progesterone: may increase the sensitivity of estrogen receptors, thus
decreased progesterone levels can contribute to or exacerbate estrogen deficiency symptoms, despite having normal E2 levels. 3. Testosterone: Increased testosterone levels may indicate PCOS (polycystic
ovarian syndrome), insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome. Decreased testosterone levels after menopause may be attributed to adrenal dysfunction. 4. Cortisol: Increased cortisol levels interfere with the action of progesterone and
testosterone, increase E2 levels, lead to bone loss, and are associated with depression. Chronically increased levels of cortisol may progress to adrenal exhaustion and eventual low cortisol levels. 5. DHEA-S: Decreased DHEA-S levels are associated with high cortisol levels.
Low DHEA-S levels may also be associated with hypothyroidism and chronic
illnesses such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
References
Rocky Mountain Analytical @ www.rmalab.com  

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