In order to help diagnose and treat you effectively, the doctors at Nourish will want to order recent blood work on most of their patients. Traditional laboratory as well as alternative testing, if necessary, can be ordered. We will run standard lab testing through your insurance. Traditional lab testing will be covered by your insurance depending on what type of coverage you have for lab work, with the exception of government and state funded insurance.

Basic Labs

Standard lab testing may include

  • Infection antibodies (current and past) 

  • Inflammatory markers

  • Pregnancy tests

  • Throat culture (Strep tests)

  • Thyroid panels

  • Urinalysis (UTI test)

  • Vitamin deficiencies (such as vitamin D, B12, Folate)

  • Allergy Markers 

  • Autoimmune markers

  • Blood sugar panels 

  • Complete blood counts

  • Comprehensive metabolic panels

  • Cholesterol panels 

  • Cardiovascular risk factors

  • Hormones

Alternate Labs

Organic Acid Test

The OAT lab (Organic Acid Testing) provides a metabolic “snapshot” based on those products the body discarded during urination. These small organic acid molecules are byproducts of human cellular activity, the digestion of foods, and the life cycles of gastrointestinal flora.  The OAT reliably detects the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria species commonly missed by conventional culture methods. These organisms can produce or exacerbate symptoms in many conditions and often affect other metabolic processes assessed in the OAT.

Additional pathways of interest include products of carbohydrate digestion, mitochondrial function which produces energy at a cellular level, many vitamin levels, neurotransmitter metabolites as well as an assessment of potential environmental toxicities affecting antioxidant levels. This test may be recommended by your physician if you are suffering with extreme PMS, digestive issues, fatigue, poor memory or focus, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, mood disorders, autism and/or living with ADHD.

IgG Food Intolerance Testing

The IgG (Immunoglobulin G) lab testing is a useful guide for structuring elimination diets in many chronic conditions. Individuals with neurological, gastrointestinal, and movement disorders often suffer from IgG food intolerances. These people may continue to eat offending foods unaware of their potential effects. IgG antibodies provide long term resistance to infections and have a much longer half life than the traditional IgE allergy. Symptoms may occur hours or days after the offending food has been eaten. The IgG Food Intolerance Test can identify food intolerances, so that they can be eliminated from the patient’s diet. This elimination of IgG positive foods can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, constipation, autism, AD(H)D, cystic fibrosis, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and epilepsy.

MTHFR

Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase or MTHFR is an enzyme that is needed to metabolize both folic acid and homocysteine. A deficiency in this enzyme leads to a buildup of homocysteine which is potentially toxic. Increased levels of homocysteine can result in cardiovascular disease, fatigue, miscarriages, infertility, mood disorders, anxiety, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and neurological disorders to name a few. We can check to see if a contributing factor to your disease may be due to an issue with your genes by running this blood test. If you happen to test positive for this enzyme deficiency the treatment is simply to take a methylated and highly absorbable form of folate.  

Comprehensive Stool Analysis

The Comprehensive Stool Analysis detects the presence of pathogenic microorganisms such as yeast, parasites, and bacteria that contribute to chronic illness and neurological dysfunction. It provides helpful information about prescription and natural products effective against specific strains of microorganisms detected in the sample. The test also evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, intestinal immune function, overall intestinal health, and inflammation markers.

Many chronic disorders come from digestive problems and inadequate nutrient absorption. Proper gastrointestinal function is needed to eliminate toxic substances, pathogenic microbes, and undigested food particles from the body to prevent health problems. Nutrients require a specific internal environment to be properly digested and transported throughout the body.

Abnormal intestinal microorganisms in the GI tract are widely known to cause disease. Research shows a relationship between the GI tract and the neurological, hepatic, and immune systems. For example, excessive yeast produces toxic substances that can pass through the blood-brain barrier and alter neurological functioning causing “brain fog,” behavior problems, and learning difficulties.

DUTCH Testing

DUTCH stands for dried urine test for comprehensive hormones and utilizes urine to test a variety of hormones. By utilizing a collection of over 24-hours a more in-depth snapshot of hormones is able to be seen. DUTCH testing is often used to monitor those utilizing hormone replacement therapy. Other results that can be seen using DUTCH testing include Sex and Adrenal Hormones and their metabolites, cortisol patterns, organic acids, and melatonin. This test may be recommended for those with PCOS, endometriosis, PMS, fatigue, insomnia, menopause.

MycoTox Profile (Mold Exposure Testing)

Mycotoxins are toxins that are produced from mold. Mold exposure can occur from buildings, vehicles, and foods such as grains, rice, corn, wheat, rye, and barley. Mold can grow on almost any surface and especially in warm and wet environments. Mold can contribute to illness and symptoms of many different chronic diseases. This test may be recommended for those with known mold exposure, unexplainable symptoms—rashes, fatigue, brain dog, memory loss, vision loss, anxiety, or respiratory symptoms. This test checks a variety of different mycotoxins and mold species using a urine sample.