Multi-element/amino acid/GI analyses at Doctor's Data Inc.
Adrenal analysis with Genova Diagnostics
Alcat (food allergy) - no lab name given
Detoxification Profile with Great Smokies
Intracellular Vitamin Analysis with Spectracell Labs.
He was upfront about the cost and told me he may be able to get some of the labs to wave part or ALL of their fees so we can get these tests done (I like this doc already!).
He also gave me literature on all of them and referrals to articles and studies about them, too. It all *sounds* like good stuff, but I'm just not sure it's necessary at this point.
I'm wondering if anyone has run into these tests before, if they're "typical" tests or if you're familiar with the labs and their work.
Also, is it common for docs to want to re-run Lyme testing at another lab if a major lab like Labcorp returns all negative results for ELISA and WB?
I don't have my test results back yet, but this doc suggested we might try retesting at a different lab (he mentioned on in Florida??).
Thanks, Sarah
Posted by SarahL (Member # 11452) on :
Hi, Thanks for the lab info! This doc definitely treats Lyme with IV abx (he has treatment rooms in his office for this purpose alone) and is (I think) just being VERY thorough. He's also not insisting I have these tests, but he's advised me to consider them.
We're also still waiting for a test result for Lyme, but he says he will absolutely treat without a positive result.
He just knows insurance will cover treatment if I do have a positive, and it's important that we seek that out if it's a possibility.
Thanks again! Sarah
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
My LLMD tested for adrenals and heavy metals. He usually tests for celiac, but I had already been tested and eat gf. He did lots of blood work, but I honestly don't remember all he checked for.
I was happy to have him be so complete in his testing so that we didn't find out later that I had other issues going on.
Mine is into holistic medicine, but uses heavy antibiotics for Lyme. I like the balance.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
My LLMD is more "traditional". I was not tested for anything that you mentioned.
I was tested for a heck of a lot of other things though...I probably had 60 tubes of blood taken out of me over the 2 years I was trying to get diagnosed...in addition to MRIs of brain, C-spine, lumbar spine, spect scan, lumbar puncture...etc, etc.
The choice is always up to the patient. With regard to lyme testing...I've probably had 13 western blots run on me. And lots of co-infection tests too.
If you want to get to the bottom of what is wrong, you do have to go through testing, since lyme is difficult to diagnose!
Having said that...I've not been tested for what your doctor is suggesting. I'm not saying that is right or wrong...just not the bent of the doctors I've gone to.
Timaca
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Hubby has had all the tests you mentioned done numerous times -- am familiar with all the labs you mentioned.
Do you have major G.I. symptoms? -- the amino acid test would primarily be used to see if you are absorbing protein adequately. Could also be of benefit if you have psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
If the multi-element test is a RBC (red blood cell mineral test) this would give you info on how well you are absorbing minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc etc -- mineral status is very important to treating Lyme.
If you only have one test done on this list I would get the detox test -- can help greatly to help mitigate herxes if the detox pathways are all working well.
Personally the results of the Spectracell test conflicted with other similar tests from other labs for hubby.
Adrenals -- very important issue for Lymies. However, controversy regarding best testing method -- 24 hour urine or saliva are most common tests. Do you have any symptoms of orthostatic hypotension or POTS?
Food allergy testing -- G.I. symptoms would probably be a good reason to do this test.
If this was me, I would just do one test at a time and not jump in and do everything at once. After treatment starts then you can decide which tests might be more beneficial.
Of course a lot depends on how long you have been sick and if you have been following a healthy diet and/or already take nutritional supplements.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Bea Seibert
P.S. One other important factor to keep in mind -- find out if the doc marks up the price of the tests. Many docs make a lot of money off testing.
For example, Great Smokies (Genova Diagnostics) used to allow the patient to prepay the test and gave a substantial discount -- some docs not only pay for the test themselves so they get the discount instead of the patient, but they actually write up the cost of the test and charge more than the lab charge for the test.
If the doc lets you pay for the test yourself and does not run the charge through the practice then you can save a lot of money.
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