Lab / Testing

ROOT CAUSE TESTING
Root cause testing focuses on the underlying toxins, pathogens, and bacteria of a person's internal environment (your body) and external environment (your home) that may be contributing to chronic or unexplained illness. Root cause testing categories can be found below.
   
Amalgams & Cavitations -cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan
 
See a biological dentist to conduct this test to determine if you have hidden bacteria in your gums/jaw bone from root canals and pulled wisdom teeth, and to assess for proper removal of mercury fillings. Mercury fillings slowly leech mercury into your body and, along with amalgams and cavitations, can be a driving force behind chronic illness, mystery symptoms, and may prevent a person from healing.

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Biomarker Labs 
From Functionhealth.com (160+ Tests to help predict + prevent risk of chronic illness/disease)

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Lyme disease/tick-born illnesses
Lyme Disease + co-infections & other tick-born illnesses can be the driving force or     
play a critical role in chronic illness and autoimmune disease. A proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan can be the missing link in symptom relief and ultimate recovery. Igenex is recommended because many other companies can have false negatives.

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Metals & Minerals Imbalances
Metals and Minerals Test from Equi Life
    
 

 

 

 
 

HTMA (Hair, Tissue, and Mineral Analysis) from Glow Natural Wellness 
for metal toxicity & mineral deficiency
 

    
 

Mold/Toxins - Test Your Body
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Test your environment (home, work school)
 
There are several tests you can order from EnviroBiomics.com for your home and body to determine the toxic mold load. To check for a mold problem in your home the ERMI, HERTSMI-2, and Endotoxin tests would be the most important. 

 

             
Parasites/Candida/SIBO (Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth)
An insurance covered complete stool test will not test for fungi and other pathogens in your intestines such as SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth), candida, and parasites. If you want to have a complete picture of what is going on in your intestines the only tests that show this are complete stool tests. You can order these from Doctor’s Data
 
https://www.doctorsdata.com/Gastrointestinal-Health 
   
   
 

Gene Testing
Genetic testing examines a person's DNA or chromosomes for changes that can increase a person's chances of developing certain diseases and health concerns. When a person learns their genes, they are better able to support their body to prevent and treat various health conditions.
 

MTHFR/ COMT Methylation/ Cortisol
 

MTHFR gene is a very common gene mutation that reduces the body’s ability to convert folate into its active form (5-MTHF). 
 

What this means is that your body does not have an adequate filtration/detoxifying system. Most people with chronic illness have this mutation. 
 

COMT gene produces an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Mutations of this gene change the speed of this enzyme, affecting stress resilience, cognition, pain perception, and dopamine levels, potentially leading to anxiety.

You can order these tests at the link below or through a practitioner. 

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HLA 
The HLA gene test shows your body’s susceptibility to toxins, ability to detox, and CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) diagnosis

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If you have these gene mutations you are much more likely to develop a chronic illness from toxin overload, since your body does not detox toxins from the body as efficiently as someone without these gene mutations.

If you test yourself for this mutation before developing a chronic illness, you can better support your body through health challenges, support your detox pathways, and reduce your toxin load to prevent chronic illness.

Other Labs Where You Can Order Your Own Testing
 

MyMedLab
Equilife
Lab Test Plus
Direct Labs
My Labs for Life 

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Notes: if you develop an autoimmune disorder after spending time in a water-damaged/moldy building then you most likely have CIRS. CIRS can be confirmed through the HLA gene testing. Dr. Shoemaker’s Protocol is the only research-supported program that treats CIRS.

Notes: There are many Lyme disease tests. Igenex.com is recommended as many other brands have false negatives. If a patient receives a false negative from a lab, they are left with unexplained symptoms, which keeps a person sick. Igenex.com is the most comprehensive test for tick-born illnesses to date.

Notes: Heavy metals in the body are linked to cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and many other chronic illnesses, and neurological diseases. Heavy metals in the body deplete a person of minerals. So if your minerals test is low in several areas, there is a strong chance you need to detox from heavy metals. Please work with a practitioner when detoxing from heavy metals. 

Notes: For gut health, if you are interested in basic insurance covered testing; ask your gastroenterologist to run a complete stool test on you through your insurance. This will test for H.Pylori (a common intestinal infection passed through saliva, that is a precursor to autoimmune disorders and chronic illness). If your stool is positive for H.Pylori, your gastroenterologist will most likely prescribe 3 types of antibiotics to eradicate the infection, and this is the only way traditional doctors know how to treat H.Pylori. However, functional practitioners understand that antibiotics are not necessary to eradicate an H.Pylori infection. To eradicate H.Pylori holistically you can take manuka honey 925 (the closer to 1,000 the better quality it is) for 30 days and retest. Or you can take oil of oregano, mastic gum, and pepto Bismol chewable tablets for 2 weeks, then retest. A protocol section will be added later to the website to explain the dosing. 

Antibiotics cause your intestinal lining to be more permeable, leading to leaky gut. Once you have leaky gut, the inflammation from your digestive system will leak into your lymphatic system causing widespread inflammation causing autoimmune disease and chronic illness. Please only take antibiotics when doctors can show you a positive infection and there are no other options.

Eradicating H.Pylori and having good intestinal health is one of the easiest ways to prevent chronic illness.