Page 81 - Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments in Psychiatry

The CAM Psychiatrist at Work | 81

Additional Labs
Depending on the patient’s symptoms and information gathered
from interviews and questionnaires, I may order:
− Genova One Test or Organix Test (Genova Diagnostics,
www.integrativepsychiatry.net): This takes the guesswork
out of knowing which nutrients a client needs for optimal
health. The test provides information about oxidative stress
and energy production by looking at potential insufficiencies
of a group of nutrients, including B vitamins, carnitine, NAC
(N-Acetyl-Cysteine), lipoic acid, and CoQ10.
− The Genova NutrEval (www.genovadiagnostics.com) or
Metametrix (www.metametrix.com) ION panel
(Individualized Optimum Nutrition) includes the organic
acid urine test and a blood draw. It measures specific plasma
or blood cell levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty
acids and toxic minerals such as mercury, lead and cadmium.
− Food Allergy IgG Panel: 90 Foods. This tests for IgG
(immunoglobulin G) antibodies for 90 different foods. IgG
antibodies are indicative of allergic reaction.
− Heavy Metals Testing (mercury, lead, etc.): This can be done
through hair tests and if further investigation is needed,
provocative urine testing can be used (the patient takes a
substance that provokes the heavy metal to leave the body
through the urine) (www.gdx.net, www.doctorsdata.com).
− Urine Neurotransmitter Tests: (NeuroSciences—
www.neurorelief.com, or Sanesco—www.sanesco.net). These
tests require some skill in interpreting since there isn’t a
linear relationship between urine and blood levels. Good
resources for information on nutritional and functional
approaches are the books New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind
by Patrick Holford (go.Amedeo.com/twn) and The UltraMind
Solution (go.Amedeo.com/kwq) by Mark Hyman, M.D.