Functional Medicine Nutrition Addresses Root Causes

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE NUTRITION SERVICES & PROGRAMS

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FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE TESTING

I offer comprehensive functional medicine testing through my private practice to help us identify the nutritional roots of health issues. However, these tests are often unneeded. Frequently the metabolic roots of health issues are very apparent. Most patients have already had basic blood work performed by their primary care physician. I am expert in reviewing your laboratory test results with you and can provide guidance in regard to additional needed testing. I am always working to help patients minimize their out-of-pocket costs. Some testing may be covered by insurance if your primary care physician orders it. In this case I will refer you to him or her for certain tests. However, most physicians do not have contracts with the highly reputable laboratories that perform state-of-the art functional medicine testing. Also, certain diagnoses may be  necessary for insurance coverage even if the test is very helpful in identifying another condition. For all these reasons I offer functional medicine testing through my private practice. 

Some of the more common tests from which my patients benefit are: saliva testing for hormone levels, adrenal stress profile (DHEA, cortisol), neurotransmitter levels (urine), comprehensive digestive stool analysis, organic acids test (OAT) (urine), glyphosate levels, heavy metals, intracellular nutrient analysis and various bio-markers for anxiety, depression and mood disorders. I have an account with DHA Laboratories which is able to offer lab work at a reduced rate due to its contracts with LabCorp. For most tests my patients pay the lab directly. Most all tests available through LabCorp are available through my private practice. This is in addition to the functional medicine testing that I offer through specialty labs. I most often utilize DHA Labs to quantify the bio-markers associated with anxiety, depression and mood disorders. These levels are so helpful in helping our patients improve their mental health and, sadly, they are rarely checked by MD’s, even psychiatrists. In addition, these biomarkers must interpreted based upon the most up to date research, not based upon the ranges allowed by most labs without being flagged. Feel free to call with any questions (205.915.0474). We love questions and are anxious to answer yours!

TESTING FOR FOOD ALLERGY & SENSITIVITY

In the Birmingham/Hoover area of Alabama I enjoy referring patients to Dr. Robert J. Sciacca of Alabama ENT Associates (ENT - Otolaryngic Allergy).  I worked with Dr. Sciacca from 1999 to 2004 as coordinator for his wellness program and say many of his allergy patients. He offers highly accurate allergy testing and is a very skilled physician/surgeon who provides exceptional patient care. 

One of the labs in which I have great confidence is Allermetrix Labs, In fact, I often help patients from other areas find a physician near them who also uses their lab for testing IgE and IgG4 for foods.  Allermetrix offer highly accurate testing while some labs will miss all Class I and a portion of Class II allergic reactions because the technology employed is not truly state-of-the-art.  Testing IgE and IgG4 reactions to foods is the best first step in identifying food allergies and sensitivities. If, however, we suspect that other type reactions are playing a significant role in a patient’s health I may recommend the MRT (Mediator Release Test). For this test blood is drawn and sent Airborne to the lab where the blood is exposed to foods, dyes and other commonly ingested chemicals. The blood samples are viewed with a microscope and red blood cells are measured. If cells shrink or swell significantly this indicates a food sensitivity that is separate from the immune system. Traditional allergy testing does not identify red blood cell reactions. A copy of the test is sent to both the practitioner who orders the test and the patient. I design a diet for patients in which we remove these reactive foods for a few weeks then attempt to re-introduce some of them. Many patients tolerate certain somewhat reactive foods -- to some extent -- in their diet. 

The MRT is very helpful in identifying food sensitivities that my be involved in headaches, digestive challenges, fibromyalgia and AD(H)D. From 1999 to 2004 I was the Coordinator For The SMART Wellness Program within Dr. Robert Sciacca’s practice and we often utilized the MRT. It was instrumental in helping us identify and bring relief to many patients who were experiencing food reactions other than those that involved classical food allergies. 

BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS

Some patients may be unable to afford the cost of allergy or food sensitivity testing.  In this case we can move forward with an Elimination Diet in which we identify foods that are likely the culprits, create a tasty but simple diet of these foods, systematically add back foods and watch for a reaction. Often patients tolerate even somewhat sensitizing foods if they are rotated and limited in the diet (a Rotation Diet).

I am always anxious to help my patients in any way possible to afford the functional medicine tests and allergy tests that they need. When budgeting for testing that is not covered by insurance (as many patients may need to do) helping them set priorities for testing with good insight into the likely culprits of their reactions is very important. Here at Beautiful & Healthy Transformations this is something that we do very well!

Feel free to call us for more information (205.915.0474).  We love questions and are anxious to answer yours!