laboratory Testing
Tests Available at Spry Inside
Parasitology: 2-3 stool samples and a saliva sample are required for this test. This test looks for parasites as well as antibodies to parasites. Common signs and symptoms of parasitic infection vary from one individual to another. The more common signs and symptoms are:
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas
Bloating
Irritable bowel syndrome
Arthralgias
Myalgias
Anemia
Increased allergic reactions
Agitation
Anxiety
Difficulty with sleep
Decreased energy
Decreased immune function
As you can see from the above list, the sign and symptoms of parasitic infections are vague and resemble those of many other dis ease processes.
Research has linked the health and function of the gastrointestinal tract to the function of many other organs and systems within the body. The biochemical reactions that occur within the gut can impact hepatic, neurological, immunological, musculoskeletal and other vital body organ functions. Signs and symptoms of systemic inflammation may originate from dysfunction within the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment may need to start with correction of gut imbalances, deficiencies or dysfunctions to be successful. The comprehensive stool test is a non-invasive means of assessing gastrointestinal concerns.
Heavy Metals: lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, chromium… are examples of heavy metals. Testing can be completed via hair, blood or stool analysis.
Fecal Metals provides an assessment of exposure to, and excretion of, toxic metals and elements. It is a way to monitor the natural route of metal detoxification.
Elimination of many toxic metals, through the stool, is a normal and natural process. Metals are absorbed at different rates orally, so the stool testing of metals gives a good picture of dietary exposure. The fecal metals test requires one stool sample.
Red Blood Cell Elements
This is a measurement of toxic and functional intracellular elements.
An analysis of red blood cells provides the best diagnostic tool for assessing the status of elements that have important functions inside blood cells or on blood cell membranes. Blood cell element levels are useful for assessing cardiac influences, anti-inflammatory processes, anemia, immunological function, glucose tolerance and other disorders that are associated specifically with zinc deficiency.
Urine Toxic and Essential Elements
This is a urine sample that helps determine which toxic elements are being retained in the body as well as essential element wasting. It can also be used to monitor detoxification therapy. Toxic metals have no useful physiologic function, adversely affect virtually every organ system and disrupt the homeostasis of nutrient elements.
Urine Halides
This test is a comprehensive assessment of iodine sufficiency and antagonistic halides in one test. It measures iodine, bromine, and fluoride. It requires a first morning void and a 24 hour collection.
Iodine is an essential element required for normal function of the thyroid gland, immune system and the integrity of thyroid and breast tissue. A body with sub-optimal or insufficient iodine intake leaves room for excessive intake of other halides-bromine and fluoride, both of which are toxic to the system in excessive amounts. The urine halide test assesses the sufficiency of iodine and the retention of bromine and fluoride. It requires a loading dose of iodide/iodine and a 24 hour urine collection.
Hepatic Detox Profile
This test assesses the status of phase I and phase II detoxification. It looks at chemical exposure and impaired liver function. The body continually attempts to eliminate chemical toxins through exzymatic processes in the liver. Urinary D-glucaric acid, a byproduct of phase I detoxification, is a valuable indicator of chemical exposure or liver damage. Urinary mercapturic acids are direct end product metabolites of conjugated xenobiotics. Combined assessment of the urinary levels of the two analytes provides valuable information about exposure to xenobiotics and liver disease as well as the capacity of the liver to eliminate toxins.
Urine and Plasma Amino Acids
Measures the amino acids and diagnostic metabolites
24 hour or first morning void urine collection
Amino Acid analyses aid in the diagnosis of: dietary protein adequacy and balance, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, forms of protein intolerance, nutritional deficiencies (vitamins and minerals), renal and hepatic dysfunction, psychiatric abnormalities, susceptibility to inflammatory response and oxidative stress, reduced detoxification capacity, susceptibility to occlusive arterial disease and many inherent disorders in amino acid metabolism.
Glutathione; Erythrocytes
Requires a single non fasting blood sample
Highly sensitive and specific immune assay of the most important intracellular antioxidant
Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant ad important intracellular antioxidant. GSH in erythrocytes is a sensitive indicator of intracellular GSH status, the overall health of cells and of the ability o endure toxic challenges. Assessment ad support of appropriately high levels of erythrocyte GSH contributes significantly to safe and effective metal detoxification.
DNA Oxidative Damage Assay
Biomarker of SNA oxidative damage/stress
Noninvasive, first morning urine void specimen
Highly sensitive
Oxidative stress is involved in many pathophysiological processes, aging and cancer. Oxidation of SNA occurs readily at the guanosine bases and thus measurement of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in urine provides a quantitative assessment of ongoing oxidative damage/stress in the body. Assessment and amelioration of oxidative stress are invaluable components of preventive approaches to optimizing health and longevity.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology x1,2, or 3
Assessment of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, digestion, absorption, inflammation and infectious pathogens
True multiple specimen parasitology analysis
Expanded susceptibilities testing
Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are among the most common reasons that patients seek medical care. Symptoms associated with GI disorders include persistent diarrhea, constipation, bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption. The Comprehensive Stool Analysis with Parasitology x1, 2, or 3 may be used to assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic remediation of GI disorders.
Porphyrins; Urine
First morning void or 24 hour urine collection
Chromatography uniquely separates three precoproporphyrins and coproporphyrins I and III
Precoproporphyrins reported separately and total precoproporphyrins expressed per uroporphyrins
Urinary porphyrins are oxidized intermediate metabolites of heme biosysnthesis and have been associated with genetic disorders, metabolic disturbances/diseases, poor nutritional status, oxidative stress and high level exposure to mercury, arsenic, lead and some toxic chemicals. Precoproporphyrins are reported separately and as a ratio to uroporphyrins to increase sensitivity even when heme production is very low.