Functional Medicine Tests

 

Achieving optimal health and wellness naturally often requires correcting physiological imbalances. We employ the following methods in our Pensacola office to diagnose and support your health and vitality:

 

Endocrinology Tests

 

Endocrinology Tests

Women’s Hormonal Health Assessment

Using saliva samples to evaluate dynamics of sex steroid metabolism, this test provides a focused overview of hormonal balance in both pre- and post-menopausal women.

Estrogen Metabolism Assessments

Saliva or serum is used to evaluate how estrogen is being processed in the body. The tests yield clinical insight into many estrogen-dependent conditions and provide important tools for monitoring dietary, lifestyle, and hormone therapies.

Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment

This serum test allows the practitioner to pinpoint commonly occurring imbalances that underlie a broad spectrum of chronic illness and offers a comprehensive analysis of thyroid hormone secretion and metabolism, including central thyroid regulation and activity, peripheral thyroid function, and thyroid autoimmunity.

Bone Resorption Assessment

Using a simple urinary assay of pyridinium crosslinks and deoxypyridinoline, this test can identify the current rate of bone loss, lytic bone disease, and efficacy of bone support therapies.

Adrenocortex Stress Profile

This salivary assay tests the levels of cortisol and DHEA in the body, imbalances of which are associated with ailments ranging from obesity and menstrual disorders to immune deficiency and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Male Hormone Profile

Four four saliva samples are analyzed over a 24-hour period to determine levels of testosterone. Elevated levels suggest androgen resistance, while decreased levels can result from such causes as hypogonadism, hepatic cirrhosis, lipid abnormalities, and aging. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how testosterone is influenced by cortisol, DHEA and melatonin.

Female Hormone Profile

This profile analyzes 11 saliva samples over a 28-day period for the levels of ß-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, providing clues about menstrual irregularities, infertility, endometriosis, breast cancer, and osteoporosis. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how the sex hormones are influenced by cortisol, DHEA and melatonin.

Menopause Profile

Using three salivary samples over a 5-day period, this test determines levels of ß-estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone, and testosterone for women who are menopausal. The comprehensive profile includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and the Comprehensive Melatonin Profile to reveal how the sex hormones are affected by the influences of cortisol, DHEA, and melatonin.

Post-Menopausal Hormone Panels

This panel helps determine the risk of disease in your breast, uterus, and skeletal system and and provides data that allows Dr. Cowan to create personalized treatment recommendations to minimize these risks.

Comprehensive Melatonin Profile

This test analyzes three saliva samples for the secretion pattern of melatonin, a crucial hormone in the body. Melatonin imbalance has been associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder, infertility, sleep disorders, and compromised immune function.

 

Gastrointestinal Tests

 

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA)

CDSA is the original non-invasive evaluation of gastrointestinal function that includes analyses of digestion, absorption, bacterial balance, yeast and parasites. This profile is recommended for patients with diffuse and non-specific GI-related symptoms, such as indigestion, dysbiosis, constipation, and diarrhea.

This profile features exclusive new markers for assessing Irritable Bowel Syndrome, sub-mucosal inflammation, colorectal cancer risk, pancreatic insufficiency, and occult infection.

Comprehensive Parasitology Profile

For patients with abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and other GI-related symptoms, this test evaluates stool for presence of parasites, measures levels of beneficial flora, pathogenic bacteria, and yeast.

Intestinal Permeability Assessment

This test analyzes urine for the clearance of two non-metabolized sugars, lactulose and mannitol to identify “leaky gut” and malabsorption.

Bacterial Overgrowth of the Small Intestine Breath Test

Using this simple, non-invasive test, Dr. Cowan can detect bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, a common condition that often underlies chronic symptoms of maldigestion and malabsorption, including bloating, gas, diarrhea, irregularity, and abdominal pain.

Heliobacter Pylori Stool Antigen Test

Using an FDA-approved, noninvasive test, this assessment evaluates H. pylori antigens shed directly in the stool. Dr. Cowan uses this test to detect the major causal bacterium associated with peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and increased risk of gastric cancer. This test also provides a simple and sensitive clinical tool for monitoring eradication therapy of the pathogen.

 

Immunology Tests

At Acupuncture and Chiropractic Center of Pensacola, we offer an expansive range of immunological tests that include a mold profile and a celiac profile.

Allergy Antibody Assessment Options

Molds and other allergens are problems in our increasingly indoor environments. Recent estimates show that molds in homes, offices and public buildings cost between $5.4 and $7.7 billion dollars in the United States in annual work impairment.

We can perform the following assessments:

  • IgG Food with IgE Food
  • IgG antibody levels to 88 foods, IgE antibody levels to 19 foods, and Total IgE
  • IgG Foods – 88 foods and Total IgE
  • IgE Molds – 15 common molds and Total IgE
  • IgE Inhalants – 14 common environmental inhalants specific to 18 North American geographic regions and Total IgE
  • IgG Vegetable Food Add-On – 21 vegetarian foods with a total IgE
  • IgG Spices – 24 commonly used herbs and spices and Total IgE

Celiac Profile

Celiac disease is a disorder where immune reactions to gluten impact brain function and mood. Our profile assess the Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA/IgG and Endomysial IgA antibodies, which have been shown in clinical studies as a reliable for non-invasive assessment for Celiac disease.

This profile includes Total IgA to rule out false negatives in IgA immunodeficient individuals, and the Endomysial IgA as a reflex when indicated. Anti-GLiadin IgA and IgG is available to establish levels and use as a monitoring tool for successful elimination of gluten.

Food Allergy

We offer testing to uncover hidden food allergies. Conservative estimates are that as many as a quarter of the population has significant allergies to some types of food, chemicals or inhalants.

Dr. Cowan will determine if testing for underlying food allergies is appropriate for symptoms including wheezing, runny nose, irritable bowel, migraine headaches, skin rashes, urinary tract issues, cognitive or psychological disorders, joint problems, or other debilitating allergic problems.

 

Additional Nutritional and Elemental Tests

Elemental Analysis

This test examines blood or hair samples for levels of toxic and nutrient elements. Toxicities and nutrient insufficiencies are identified, allowing Dr. Cowan to create a targeted intervention.

Comprehensive Urine Element Profile
Toxic Element Clearance Profile

These tests measure urinary excretion of toxic and/or nutrient elements.

The Elemental Analysis, Packed Erythrocytes

Dr. Cowan uses this test to provide a reliable means of identifying short-term toxic element exposure and evaluating intracellular mineral nutrient status.

Amino Acids Analysis

We use fasting blood or 24-hour urine samples to evaluate 40+ amino acids which provide valuable biochemical information about many disorders, including chronic fatigue, learning disabilities, depression, and immune problems.

Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Analysis

This test evaluates the level of red cell membrane or imbalances of plasma fatty acids which can significantly affect inflammatory and other disorders. By knowing the various fatty acid levels, Dr. Cowan can reestablish a balance using nutritional intervention.

Metabolic Analysis Profile

For people with chronic systemic complaints such as fatigue and mood disorders, headaches, muscular/joint pain, and digestive problems, Dr. Cowan may suggest the Metabolic Analysis Profile. This test assesses urine metabolites to evaluate four critical areas of metabolism: gastrointestinal function, cellular energy production, neurotransmitter processing, and amino acid-organic acid balance.

Cellular Energy Profile

This profile uses a urine sample to evaluate14 organic acids that play a pivotal role in the generation of cell energy and analyze mitochondrial dysfunction and acquired errors of organic acid metals. The test can reveal metabolic distress associated with generalized pain and fatigue, which may arise in response to toxic exposure, nutrient imbalances, digestive dysfunction, and other causes.

Oxidative Stress Analysis

Especially useful in cases of chronic fatigue, xenobiotic exposure, and chronic illnesses, this blood and urine analysis identifies markers of hydroxyl radical activity, urine lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, following a challenge dose of aspirin and acetaminophen.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Profile

This panel analyzes blood for levels of HDL, LDL, lipid fractionation, total cholesterol, ratios, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, fibrinogen, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The assessment includes relative risk indices and metabolic syndrome alerts. These markers provide a thorough assessment of cardiovascular health status and can indicate a need for lifestyle interventions or referral to a cardiovascular specialist.

The Toxic Element Exposure Profile

Since hair is essentially an excretory tissue, hair element analysis provides important information which can assist Dr. Cowan with an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with essential and toxic element metabolism. The test evaluates a hair sample for levels of 21 toxic elements and is used in conjunction with patient symptoms and other laboratory tests.

Schedule your one-on-one functional medical appointment today by contacting the office of Dr. Robert Cowan.

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