Testing for Toxins
Toxin Tests
Several laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures that can help assess toxin exposure and its effects on the body. The choice of tests depends on the suspected toxin, the individual's symptoms, and the clinical assessment by healthcare professionals. Interpretation of test results should be done by Wellbeing Practitioner who can provide appropriate guidance and treatment if necessary.
Liver Function Tests
Kidney Function Tests
Heavy Metal Testi
Mould Testing
Toxicology Screen
Skin Patch Testing
Breath Tests
Urine Tests
Environmental Sampling
Biopsy
A liver function test (often referred to as liver function panel or liver enzyme test) is a group of blood tests that evaluate the health and function of the liver. While these tests primarily assess the liver's overall well-being and its ability to perform essential functions, they can indirectly help identify toxins or toxic substances in the body.
Liver enzymes (such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) are released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged or inflamed. Elevated levels of these enzymes can indicate liver injury, which may result from exposure to toxins, drugs, or alcohol. If the liver is not functioning properly due to toxin exposure or other factors, it may not process these substances efficiently. This can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream, which can be reflected in abnormal liver function test results.
Liver function tests can serve as a valuable tool in identifying liver damage or dysfunction that may be linked to toxin exposure. However, they do not directly identify specific toxins in the bloodstream. To pinpoint the presence of toxins, specialized toxin-specific tests or screens may be necessary. If toxin exposure is suspected, it is essential to work with healthcare professionals who can order appropriate tests and provide guidance on treatment and management.
Liver Function Markers
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Total Bilirubin
Albumin
Total Protein
Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT or Gamma-GT)
Direct Bilirubin
Indirect Bilirubin
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT)
Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT)
Cholinesterase
Ferritin
5'-Nucleotidase (5'-NT)
Liver Function Test
Kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and toxins from the bloodstream. A kidney function test (also known as a renal function panel or kidney function panel) is a group of blood tests used to assess the health and function of the kidneys. While these tests primarily focus on evaluating the kidneys' ability to filter waste products and maintain electrolyte balance, they can indirectly provide information about the presence of toxins in the body. They measure a range of waste products including Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatinine, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate), Uric Acid and Cystatin to provide insights into kidney health and function. They however do not directly measure or identify specific toxins in the bloodstream. To pinpoint the presence of toxins, specialized toxin-specific tests or screens may be necessary.
Renal Function Panel
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
Electrolytes
Albumin
Uric Acid
Phosphorus
Calcium
Cystatin C
Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (UACR)
Estimated Proteinuria
Microalbuminuria
Urine Sediment Examination
Renal Doppler Ultrasound
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Function Test
Mould exposure can lead to respiratory issues and other health problems. Testing for mould exposure in individuals typically involves a combination of clinical evaluations, blood tests for antibodies, and mycotoxin testing. Blood Tests for Mold-Specific Antibodies include IgE Antibodies and IgG. Mycotoxin Testing may include Urine and Blood Testing. Mycotoxin testing in urine can identify the presence of mycotoxins that may have been ingested or absorbed by the body, including assessments for mycotoxins like aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and trichothecenes. Blood tests for mycotoxins can also be performed to detect the presence of mycotoxins in the bloodstream.
Mould Testing
Clinical Evaluation
Blood Tests for Mould-Specific Antibodies
IgE Antibodies
IgG Antibodies
Mycotoxin Testing
Urine Testing
Blood Testing
Testing for Mould
Heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium can accumulate in the body and cause toxicity. Blood, urine, and hair tests are often used to measure heavy metal levels.
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Blood Tests: Blood tests are a common way to measure recent or ongoing exposure to certain heavy metals. Key heavy metals that can be measured through the blood include lead, mercury and cadmium.
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Urine Tests: Urine tests are useful for assessing the body's excretion of heavy metals over time. Some heavy metals are primarily excreted through urine. Key heavy metals that can be measured through urine tests include mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.
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Provoked Urine Testing: This test involves administering a chelating agent (a substance that binds to metals) to the patient, followed by a urine collection. It evaluates the body's total metal burden, especially for metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium. The chelating agent helps mobilize and excrete stored metals.
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Blood and Urine Testing for Specific Metals: Some metals, such as copper, iron, and zinc, are essential for the body in trace amounts but can be toxic when elevated. Blood and urine tests can measure these essential metals to assess potential imbalances or toxicity.
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X-ray Imaging: In some cases, imaging techniques like X-rays or bone scans may be used to assess heavy metal deposition in bones or tissues. This is particularly relevant for metals like lead and cadmium.
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Hair Mineral Analysis: Hair samples can assess heavy metal exposure over an extended period. This test measures the levels of various elements, including heavy metals, in the hair. While it is not typically used for acute exposure assessment, it can provide information about long-term or chronic exposure.
Heavy Metal Testing
A toxicology panel comprehensive test panel can detect the presence of various toxins in the body, including drugs, chemicals, and other substances. It is often used in cases of suspected poisoning or overdose. The collected sample is sent to a specialized laboratory for analysis. Advanced testing methods, including chromatography and mass spectrometry, are often used to identify and quantify substances accurately. Toxicology panel results can guide medical treatment decisions, inform patient management, and assist in identifying potential substance abuse or overdose. In forensic settings, the results may be used as evidence in legal cases.
Basic Toxicology Panel
Basic Drug Panel
Comprehensive Drug Panel
Urine Drug Screen (UDS)
Blood Drug Screen
Hair Drug Test
Alcohol Panel
Comprehensive Toxicology Panel
Heavy Metal Panel
Pesticide Panel
Industrial Chemical Panel
Cyanide Panel
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Panel
Methanol and Ethylene Glycol Panel
Environmental Toxins Panel
Forensic Toxicology Panel
Occupational Toxicology Panel
Newborn Toxicology Panel
Pain Management Panel
Sports Doping Panel
Date Rape Drugs Panel
Mushroom Toxicology Panel
Cannabinoid Panel
Designer Drugs Panel
Opioid Metabolite Panel
Overdose Panel
Post-Accident Panel
Painkiller Panel
Chemical Exposure Panel
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Panel
Methamphetamine Panel
Bath Salts Panel
Floral Toxins Panel
Environmental Contaminants Panel
Metabolic Toxin Panel
Chemical Warfare Agents Panel
Aquatic Toxins Panel
Hair Follicle Drug Test
Fentanyl Panel
Narcotic Panel
Veterinary Toxicology Panel
Forensic Urine Panel
Nail Clipping Analysis
Environmental Air Quality Panel
Toxicology Panel
A "skin patch test" is a medical diagnostic test to identify allergies or sensitivities to various substances. This test is especially useful in diagnosing contact dermatitis and other allergic skin reactions. It involves applying small amounts of potential allergens to patches placed on the skin to observe any adverse reactions.
The patches are left in place for a specified period, usually around 48 hours. During this time, the patient is advised not to get the patches wet or engage in activities that could cause excessive sweating. After the allotted time, the patient returns to the healthcare provider's office to remove the patches. The Wellness Practitioner examines the skin under the patches to assess for any allergic reactions.
Skin Patch Test
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Breath tests, also known as Breathalyzer tests, are diagnostic procedures used to measure the presence or concentration of certain gases or substances in a person's breath. These tests are commonly used to detect the presence of specific toxins, metabolic byproducts, or other markers related to various medical conditions. Breath tests are non-invasive and relatively quick, making them useful in diagnosing and monitoring certain health issues.
Breathalyzers and other breath analysis instruments are primarily designed to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and are commonly used for alcohol-related testing, however there are specialized breath analysis devices and technologies designed for specific toxicological purposes. These specialized breathalysers may be used to detect certain toxins or compounds in the breath.
Breathalysers
Breathalyzers
Hydrogen breath tests diagnose gastrointestinal conditions such as lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). These tests measure the hydrogen gas levels in the breath following the consumption of specific substances (e.g., lactose or fructose). Elevated hydrogen levels indicate malabsorption of these substances.
Hydrogen Breath Tests
The urea breath test is used to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in the stomach. This bacterium is associated with conditions like peptic ulcers and gastritis. The test measures the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the breath following the ingestion of a urea solution containing a labelled isotope.
Tri-Med, Inc. - The BreathTek® UBT
Urea Breath Tests
Like hydrogen breath tests, methane breath tests are used to diagnose gastrointestinal disorders, particularly SIBO. Elevated methane levels in the breath can be indicative of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
Methane Breath Tests
Advanced breath analysis technologies may be used to detect and quantify specific VOCs in the breath. VOCs can be associated with exposure to environmental toxins, chemical substances, or occupational hazards. These tests are highly specialized and may require sophisticated instrumentation.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Tests
Urinalysis
Urinalysis can detect the presence of toxins or their metabolites in the urine. It is commonly used for drug testing but can also be used for other toxin assessments. While it may not directly measure specific toxins, it can provide valuable information about certain health conditions, potential exposures, and abnormalities in the body.
Urinalysis
Metabolic Waste Products
Protein
Blood
pH Levels
Specific Gravity
Glucose
Bilirubin and Urobilinogen
Ketones
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Crystals and Sediments
Personal Care & Cosemtic Product Apps
Personal care and cosmetic product apps are mobile applications that serves as a resource for consumers to learn more about the ingredients in personal care and cosmetic products. The primary goal of these apps is to empower users to make informed choices about the products they use on their skin and bodies.