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Naturopathic medicine utilizes conventional medical testing as well as non-
conventional methods to determine the cause of disease. Most often conventional
medicine cannot give the patient a diagnosis so they seek out the naturopathic
physician for help. Dr. Pincott does look at lab results with a different eye.
The "normal values" of the medical profession are not the
"optimal values" of functional medicine so this is a good place to
start. Even then the lab testing may not be helpful. The following is a list of
the assessments that Dr. Pincott utilizes in her practice. ALLERGY TESTING
- BLOOD
This is a blood serum test sent to US
Biotek. It is an IgG and IgE testing for immediate and delayed response to
allergens. This can evaluate foods as well as environmental allergens. A food
elimination program is also used to determine "food sensitivities".
ALLERGY TESTING - ELECTRODERMAL TEST METHOD
EDS (Vega Type) testing is a non-invasive energetic evaluation using a
galvanometer, developed in Germany over 35 years ago by Dr. Voll and Dr.
Schimmel. The machine that is used in our practice for this purpose is the MORA
III and is used to evaluate the presence of food sensitivities in the body. This
is not a true "allergy" test as the word "allergy" refers to
a life long reaction to substances or foods. What EDS identifies are "food
sensitivities" through the evaluation of acupuncture point on the hands.
Eliminating these substances gives the immune system a chance to heal and
symptoms improve more readily.
AMINO ACID AND ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID ANALYSIS
These tests are done with those who have chronic illnesses to determine these
specific deficiencies. (www.Metamatrix.com)
CANDIDA TESTING
The main method is using the EAV dermatron (see below), but also stool analysis
and blood antibody testing is available.
CHEMISTRY BLOOD ANALYSIS
This comprehensive analysis is not provided my MD's due to the cost to the MSP
plan of British Columbia. Dr. Pincott includes in this panel serum ferritin
which measures iron stores in the body, a T4 (the other thyroid test MD's won't
do if the TSH is normal) and five liver enzymes rather than the two that MD's
routinely order. Click to see a sample
report.
COMPREHENSIVE CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT
This may include blood tests not done my your MD or cardiologist to include
highly sensitive CRP (C Reactive Protein) and Homocysteine ( a protein in the
blood when elevated indicates increased risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease,
osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease). Dr. Pincott also offers NMR testing
which measures the size of the LDL blood lipid molecule in additional to the
total number. (www.spectracell.com)
COMPREHENSIVE DIGESTIVE STOOL ANALYSIS
This test is more accurate at diagnosing parasites and other imbalances in the
stool chemistry than what is available through the local labs in British
Columbia for those with chronic irritable bowel or colitis. (www.doctorsdata.com)
ELECTRODERMAL TESTING
The diagnostic machine Dr. Pincott uses to measure the stresses in the body is
the EAV (Electroacupuncture According to Voll) machine. This machine has been
used for the past 30 years to measure acupuncture points on the hands and feet
that correspond to the organs in the body. This is one of the many tools Dr.
Pincott uses to diagnose as well as evaluate her treatment programs.
HAIR ANALYSIS
This test provides information of heavy metal toxicity (excluding mercury as
this is not the best test for this) as well as mineral status. (www.Doctorsdata.com)
HEAVY METAL ANALYSIS (STOOL)
This stool test is one of the ways Dr. Pincott evaluates her Metal Free program.
As the patient detoxifies, the heavy metals are excreted through the bowels and
can be evaluated through this test. (www.Doctorsdata.com)
HELICOBACTER BREATH TEST
This accurate test is often used in place of the serum test to evaluate H.
pylori in the intestinal tract. The test sample is collected at home.
IN HOUSE LABORATORY TESTS
Glucometer (blood sugar readings), urinary dip sticks and blood typing are the
few in office tests performed in the office by Dr. Pincott or her staff.
MALE AND FEMALE HORMONE PROFILES
These are salivary hormone tests that evaluate levels of progesterone, estrogen,
DHEA, testosterone and cortisol. Saliva measures the unbound form of the hormone
circulating in the body which is more accurate than the bound form found in the
serum. (www.rmalab.com)
THYROID ASSESSMENT
The standard TSH blood test provided my MD's are augmented with T4 as well as T3
and thyroid auto antibody levels when appropriate. Body temperature and the
"iodine test" are also evaluated.
TUMOUR MARKERS
There are a few tumor markers in the blood for cancer detection as well as
evaluation that are useful in clinical practice.
URINARY ORGANIC ACIDS/TRIAD TESTS
These urine/blood tests provide very detailed biochemical information that
indicate specific nutrient deficiencies including amino acids and anti-oxidants.
These are very useful in difficult cases. (www.metamatrix.com)
FIA VITAMIN/MINERAL ANALYSIS
This exclusive test from SpectraCell provides nutrient status over a period of
the last several months. It measures deficiencies of vitamins, minerals,
anti-oxidants and several amino acids and fatty acids. (www.Spectracell.com) |
