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Q: How do you test for blood sugar control issues, and what are some symptoms associated with poor blood sugar control?
A: Lifestyle factors are closely examined (diet, exercise, sleep patterns), saliva tests are used to test your adrenal gland function, and blood tests are used to look for metabolic imbalances. Common symptoms associated with blood sugar issues are general fatigue, or a dip in energy during the afternoon, problems sleeping, irritability, anxiety, depression, weight gain around the mid-section and cravings for sweets or carbohydrates.
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Q: Why do you use saliva testing to test hormones instead of blood tests?
A: Hormones travel through the blood attached to a carrier protein. Only a small fraction (1-5%) breaks away from the carrier protein and is free to enter target tissues such as the breast, uterus, brain and skin. This "free-fractioned" hormone is considered to be active or bioavailable to the target tissues. A typical blood test to measure hormones will measure both the active and inactive form of any hormone. The active form of a specific hormone tells us what is available for use, and can be measured by using a "free-fraction" blood test. It is a much more expensive measurement and is not typically done on a routine blood test. Saliva tests are a much better way to measure hormones because saliva testing is the most reliable way to naturally measure free, bio-available hormone activity- those hormones actually doing their job at the cell level.
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Q: What is neurotransmitter testing?
A: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring chemicals within the brain that relay signals between the nerve cells and are required for proper brain and body functions including movement, emotional response, and the physical ability to experience pleasure and pain. A proper balance of neurotransmitter levels helps achieve optimal health.
Neurotransmitter imbalances have been linked to:
- Attention issues (lack of focus and motivation, poor concentration, and ADD)
- Learning difficulties and development delays (young children)
- Hyperactivity and ADHD for both children and adults
- Sleeping problems (fatigue, problems falling asleep, tossing and turning, etc.)
- Menopause related issues (hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats)
- PMS and birth control related issues (mood swings, aggressiveness, irritability, sadness, lack of libido)
- Weight issues and appetite control (cravings, overwhelming hunger, etc.)
- Depression (sadness, lack of motivation, mood swings, etc.)
- Migraine Headaches
- Anxiety (irritability, nervousness, obsessive-compulsive, insecurity, racing thoughts, restlessness)
- Libido (lack of sex drive for women and men, orgasm issues, erectile dysfunction, etc.)
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Q: How are digestive problems evaluated?
A: Saliva testing for food intolerances to cow's milk dairy, soy, egg and wheat is performed, as well as stool testing for parasites, bacterial pathogens, infections and other imbalances. Lifestyle factors are addressed as well.
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