Digestive Function Tests

We work with several Labs including Geneva (formerly Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories) and Doctors Data to offer a number of functional tests to determine causes of acute and chronic digestive problems as well as assessing the role of digestion and absorption in other health conditions. Digestive function tests can be extremely useful in pinpointing specific problem areas and can help guide therapeutic approaches for the most rapid and effective results.

Examples of most common digestive function tests we use include:

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA): Offers a comprehensive look at the health of the gastrointestinal tract, with information about digestion, absorption, bacterial balance, yeast overgrowth, inflammation, metabolic activity, and immune function.

Comprehensive Parasitology: Uncovers parasitic infections such as giardia lamblia, blastocystis hominis, dientamoeba fragilis, intestinal worms, and other organisms that can cause acute or chronic digestive distress. This test can be combined with the CDSA.

Intestinal Permeability: Determines whether "Leaky Gut Syndrome" is present which can be associated with a variety of chronic health problems ranging from inflammatory arthritis to chronic skin problems and allergic conditions.

Microbiology Analysis: Assesses the presence of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, potential pathogens other than parasites, overgrowth of non-pathogenic bacteria which may indicate imbalanced bacterial populations, and yeast overgrowth conditions.

Helicobacter pylori Antigen: Detects the presence of H. pylori, an organism commonly associated with ulcers and gastritis.

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Heavy Metal Testing

Chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic has been linked with a variety of chronic health conditions. Analysis of the urine or feces, the main routes of heavy metal excretion from the body, provides important information on the presence of these and other potentially toxic elements and the body's ability to eliminate these successfully.

We offer both urinary and fecal heavy metal testing diagnostically to determine the presence of heavy metals in our bodies and to initially determine the potential benefit of using oral chelation therapies to aid in the elimination of these toxic metals. We also periodically follow-up with these tests to determine efficacy of detoxification protocols we use at our clinic.

We also offer hair analysis as a screening test for heavy metal exposure, but rarely recommend this test as we believe that urinary and fecal testing are not only more accurate but are not as subject to external sources of contamination (e.g. lead in hair products). If this is a test you are interest in, it is best to discuss withis with your naturopathic doctor to determine if it is right for you.

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Food Allergy Testing/Hypersensitivity

The incidence of food allergies has increased dramatically over the years, and it is estimated that up to 20% of the population have adverse reactions to foods. Increased total antigenic load related to food and environmental sensitivities has been associated with a wide range of medical conditions affecting virtually every part of the body. Even mood and behavior, including hyperactivity disorders in children, are profoundly influenced by food allergies. Symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe and may include: Asthma, Migraine, Eczema, Hives, Arthritis, Ear infections, Sinusitis, Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), ADD and ADHDD in children. An accurate food allergy test can greatly improve the lives of people suffering from undetected allergic reactions.

IgE vs. IgG Mediated Allergens

Classical skin testing for allergies such as skin-scratch testing, only measures IgE-mediated reactions which are immediate and provides no information concerning delayed IgG hypersensitivity reactions. Assessment of relative IgG antibody levels to a multitude of foods using sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technology identifies those foods against which the patient is producing antibodies. Measuring both relative IgE and IgG antibody levels provides an invaluable starting point for dietary intervention. The key differences between IgE and IgG mediated allergies are:

    IgE Mediated Allergies
    Immediate onset (within minutes)
    Circulating half life of 1-2 days
    Permanent allergies
    Stimulates histamine release
    Includes foods, inhalants and molds

    IgG Mediated Allergies
    Delayed onset (4-72 hours)
    Circulating half life of 21 days
    Temporary Allergies
    Stimulates histamine release
    Includes foods, herbs and spices

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Adrenal Stress Test

When under stress, the adrenals glands produce cortisol. This hormone controls the "fight or flight" response and is naturally supposed to diminish once you have achieved safety and the stress is over. In today's world, the stress is rarely over, and many people's adrenal glands become fatigued, or unable to mount the appropriate response. This is when fatigue sets in and it becomes difficult to drag yourself out of bed in the morning. You may become dependent on caffeine and sugar to get you through the day. The adrenals are also an important part of our circadian rhythms. Cortisol levels are supposed to rise in the morning, then taper off throughoutthe day. If levels stay high at nigh time, this can contribute to insomnia.

This test measures cortisol in saliva collected at four (4) different times throughout the day. By evaluating the pattern of cortisol levels, your doctor can tell whether you are in an early adaptive stress response or are in maladapted adrenal fatigue. This information will help to guide your treatments for fatigue or insomnia, as well as give clues to immune function and blood sugar regulation. Along with diet and lifestyle management, several herbs and supplements can be very helpful for regulation adrenal function.

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Comprehensive Thyroid Test

Healthy thyroid function is essential to good health. Thyroid hormones control our metabolic rate and are particularly important in making proteins in every tissue in our body as well as insuring proper tissue oxygenation. Thyroid diseases and imbalances are common, especially low thyroid function or hypothyroidism, which can affect our energy levels, weight, digestion, and immunity as well as other important body functions. When screening for thyroid problems, most doctors measure TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to determine if the thyroid gland is over or underfunctioning. Unfortunately, this is often not enough to properly assess thyroid health, especially in people where thyroid dysfunction has not reached the point of obvious disease. Our doctors prefer to get a more complete picture of thyroid function by doing a Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment, a simple, relatively inexpensive blood test that measures TSH as well as five additional tests for levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-specific antibodies. Together with history and physical examination, this test gives the most complete overview of thyroid health as well as point to the most effective treatment approaches. Please discuss this with your doctor if you are interested in this test.

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Cardiovascular Risk Profile

When you think of testing for cardiovascular disease risk factors, you're likely to think of a single number, the total cholesterol level. While important, relying only on your total cholesterol level to make therapeutic decisions is often too simplistic and may be misleading.

At SOMA Acupuncture, we offer a test called the Cardiovascular Risk Profile, a combination of screening tests that identify other important warning markers related to nutrition, blood clotting and inflammation that can play a major role in determining whether an individual is at increased risk of a heart attack. The CRF measures ten important cardiovascular risk factors including total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, homocysteine, c-reactive protein, fibrinogen, lipoprotein (a), triglycerides, Apo-B and Apo A-1, and their ratios.

This more comprehensive testing gives a clearer picture of cardiovascular disease risk as well as pointing the way to important and effective preventive measures. Because this panel is comprised of "bundled" tests, it is also cost effective; the prompt-pay cost is $123.00, and may be covered by your health insurance. Call us for more information. We also have pamphlets available.

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Salivary Hormone Testing

Hormones exist in harmony with each other - partners in a delicate balancing act. When our hormones are balanced, our body systems are stable. When hormonal balance is lost, hormone deficiencies and excesses can become toxic to the body causing unwanted symptoms, disorders and disease.

At SOMA Acupuncture and Natural Health Clinic we use three main methods of hormone monitoring: blood, urine and saliva. Most of our functional hormone tests use salivary samples.

Saliva testing reliably identifies hormone imbalances, and is a convenient, inexpensive, and above all, accurate means of testing steriod hormones (e.g. cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone). Scientific studies have shown a strong correlation between steriod hormone levels in saliva and the amount of hormone in the blood that is active or "bio-available." It is this fraction of total hormone that is free to enter the target tissues in the brain, uterus, skin, and breasts. Moreover, the non-invasive nature of saliva collection and the convenience of multiple samples facilitate the design of functional assays for the assessment of various endocrine functions. Hormones in saliva are exceptionally stable and can be stored at room temperature for up to a week without affecting the accuracy of the result. This offers maximum flexibility in sample collection and shipment to labs.

While blood and serum samples contain total hormone levels, they only give us a glimpse into the total hormone picture, because they do not show what fraction of these hormones is active or bio-available. We primarily use blood tests to monitor thyroid as well as some pituitary hormone levels.

Why should you test?

Hormones are powerful substances that control multiple functions throughout the body. Hormone levels should be sufficient and balanced with respect to each other. Too much or too little of them is not conducive to long-term emotional, mental and physical health. Saliva testing is a window into the emotional, hormonal, immunological as well as the nutritional and metabolic status of the body.

Without measuring the hormones before and after treatment your hormone picture is, at best, an educated guess. Hormone levels from woman to woman can vary 200 - 1500%. Just as you cannot balance your bank account without numbers on your bank statements, hormone testing provides both the basis for treatment as well as a measurement of its effectiveness.

What do we test for and what does it tell you?

We test for both male and female hormones. There are a number of hormone panels available for mean and women depending on your specific needs and goals.

These hormones may include testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, progesterone, estriol, estrone, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione. The brain-derived regulating hormones FSH and LH, can also be measured to help assess efficacy of control and feedback between the brain and ovaries.

Hormone tests can be used to help detect and monitor the following:

• Hormonal imbalance and PMS
• Functional infertility
• Luteal phase defect
• Menopause and perimenopause
• Influence of lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) on the menstrual cycle
• Menstrual problems originating in the brain
• Early pregnancy problems - spontaneous miscarriage
• Cycle irregularities following the use of birth control pills
• Dysmenorrhea, i.e. painful and heavy periods
• Migraine headaches
• Endometriosis and cystic ovarian disease
• Early osteoporosis
• Andropause and male hormone imbalances

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Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is defined as a genetic, immune mediated enteropathy of the small bowel that results in malabsorption. The disease is characterized by sensitivity to the proteins found in wheat, and to a lesser extent, barley and rye. The National Institutes of Health reported in August 2004 that the prevalence of Celiac Disease is much greater than previous estimates, possible affecting as many as 3 million Americans, indicating that the disease is widely under-recognized.

Who should be tested for Celiac Disease?

The clinical presentation of celiac disease has many faces and, as a consequence, the disease is often misdiagnosed. In fact, the average time from disease to diagnosis is 11 years. Those afflicted may have classic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms or may only exhibit extra-intestinal manifestations.

Even in absence of overt GI complaints, avoidance of gluten is imperative owing to the risk of lymphoma and other malignancies associated with celiac disease. Doctors should therefore consider routine screening for patients with the following clinical indications.

Typical Celiac Indications
Chronic diarrhea
Malabsorption
Abdominal distention
Unexplained weight loss

Atypical Celiac Indications
Type 1 diabetes
Anemia
Osteoporosis
Chronic fatigue
Autoimmune disorders
Dermatitis herpeteformis
Behavioral changes
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Infertility/Miscarriage
Neurological symptoms
 

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Predictive Genomics Test

Genomics is defined as the study of the composition of genetic material itself--the DNA in our genes and chromosomes. You may have heard of the Human Genome Project that decoded nearly 40,000 genes in the human body. This mapping of the human DNA has opened up a new arena of knowledge, exerting a powerful potential for improving our health and well-being.

Predictive Genomics assesses the variations in your genes that can influence health. More than 99% of the human DNA sequence is the same in all people. But the relatively small amount of DNA that differs from person to person is very important. A gene sequence that varies from the usual pattern can change the way your body functions. These variations can also make you more susceptible to some diseases and more resistant to others.

Your genetic profile is not an indication that you will absolutely develop a particular disease; the profiles do not cause disease by themselves. They indicate risk, not certainty. A gene's ability to promote disease relies heavily on external or environmental factors.

These factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet, sun exposure, poor sleep, bacterial infections, chronic nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, lifestyle habits or toxic exposure. In other words, genetic variations have the potential to cause health problems only if exposed to certain harmful agents over time. For example, the so-called diseases of aging that so many believe are inevitable are not caused by genes alone. There needs to be an interaction between genes and harmful agents. It's not an either/or scenario.

It would be immensely helpful to consider all of these factors together so that you can accurately estimate your unique health risks and take steps to help prevent chronic diseases from manifesting. We can't change our genes, but we can control our environment--the classic "nature and nurture."

Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab (one of the labs that SOMA Acupuncture uses) has the technology available right now for you to evaluate your personal genetic predisposition for certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis and some cancers, to name a few. DNA can either be analyzed from a blood specimen or from a noninvasive mouth rinse that collects the cells sloughed off from inside the cheeks.

If a profile shows a particular gene variation that is predictive of possible future disease, a comprehensive summary will be provided entailing the personal health implications of the result and offer recommendations for minimizing risks.

Genomic testing provides practitioners a new tool to help you employ truly "preventive medicine." Why not have the knowledge to even more fine-tune and customize treatment for an individual?

Whether you choose to eventually have your genes tested, you can take steps now to safeguard your health.

• Don't smoke
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol and caffeine
• Exercise
• Eat your fruits and veggies
• Get acupuncture tune-ups and take herbs and vitamins.

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SOMA Acupuncture & Natural Health Clinic Carl Hangee-Bauer, ND, LAc 1615 20th St • San Francisco CA 94107 • 415-643-6600 Website: www.SOMAacupuncture.com Naturopathic Medicine • Acupuncture • Herbal Medicine • Supplements Nutrition • Women's Health • Weight Loss • Breast Thermography Smoking Cessation • Work-Related Injuries