Lab Testing
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Lab testing is at the core of our program. As the saying goes, "test, don't guess".
Labs provide a very detailed window to your physiology and as such, the 7 different types of lab evaluations we utilize will get to the root of what may be limiting your performance. Please refer to our Labwork Directions document in regard to how get your testing completed. (This will be sent to you with your New Client Welcome Packet).
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After helping athletes for the last 18+ years, these are the labs that I've found most helpful in providing a deep understanding of one's health and physiology:
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Most of our hormones are produced in various glands throughout the body
collectively known as the endocrine system. These hormones function as a
symphony; imbalance in one gland can lead to dysfunction in another hormone
system leading to a cascade of symptoms. We utilize salivary hormones in
order to assess functional levels of hormones, rather than relying on
blood levels which don't always tell the whole story.
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Through saliva hormone testing, we look at the following hormones in
both men and women:
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Estrogen and Progesterone
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Testosterone
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Cortisol & Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) - This is also known as an Adrenal Stress Index
Food sensitivities are perhaps one of the greatest drains on one's energy and they're also a constant source of symptoms with no apparent cause. Our opinion is that every athlete should have food sensitivity testing done, at least once a year. Our immune systems, training, diet, stressors, lifestyle, etc are always changing - our bodies continue to change and react or adapt to our environments. Because of this, food sensitivities may come and go; others may be permanent.
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Regardless, our 96-Food Sensitivity test is one of the most important tests an athlete can do.
Comprehensive Thyroid Evaluation
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The thyroid gland is one of the main drivers of metabolism; it's also highly sensitive to environmental stressors and pollutants that can impeded its proper function. Additionally, thyroid hormone is easily influenced by sex steroid hormones - when they're out of balance they affect the thyroid as well.
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This is why we run a complete thyroid hormone panel, looking at all aspects of thyroid hormone production in order to ensure its proper function.
On The Run in St. George
Inflammation is always an ongoing concern as it has far-reaching effects on our health. Athletes especially need to make sure their inflammatory pathways are protected with the correct ratios of dietary fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids, while essential for health, are also responsible for over-producing pro-inflammatory compounds when left unbalanced by inadequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
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The Omega 3 & 6 fatty acid test clarifies your body's propensity to create inflammatory compounds, whether your supplementation with omega-3 (or other!) fatty acids is working, and if not supplementing will give an accurate look at your fatty acid intake and if/how it should be modified to limit inflammation as a whole.
The micronutrient assay is the most comprehensive nutritional analysis available. It measures functional nutritional deficiencies at the cellular level. It's a direct measurement of how well the body is utilizing all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino and fatty acids.
It provides the basis of a very personalized, functional approach to supplementation and at the same time provides key insights into preventing nutrition-related disorders over time. The report provides you with targeted nutrient repletion recommendations for 33 different micronutrients.
The results from this test make up the foundation of your supplement regimen - test, don't guess when it comes to providing you with detailed nutrition information.
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This panel of tests takes an extensive look at numerous risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There is no other, more comprehensive set of tests that give you this much risk assessment for heart disease, pre-diabetes and vascular inflammation.
Just simply testing cholesterol alone is outdated and completely uninformative as a screening tool for cardiovascular disease.
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Heart disease and pre-diabetes can strike anyone, even extremely fit athletes. These tests will provide you with detailed information regarding the extent to which heart disease and pre-diabetes or its beginnings, may be present. You can then use this information to take preventive action if needed, or assurance that you're on the right track.
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Additional tests including a complete blood count with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel and iron panel tell me about your general health, including energy delivery systems (red blood cells), immune system function (white blood cells) and iron absorption and storage (iron-deficiency anemia is a common cause of fatigue in athletes of both sexes.