Comprehensive Specialty Diagnostic Testing

Our Comprehensive Specialty Testing Services

We focus on three main specialty tests that fall outside the scope of our standard holistic testing regimen. 

Lyme Disease Testing: Understanding Acute and Chronic Infections

Lyme disease refers to bacteria transmitted through tick bites that can cause flu-like symptoms, including achiness and joint pain, as well as a “bull’s-eye” rash. In severe cases, it can lead to inflammation of the heart and nerves.² 

Lyme disease can be particularly challenging to identify because its symptoms often mimic other conditions, like seasonal flu. Many people do not recall being bitten by a tick, and a rash does not always appear.

Testing for Lyme disease is essential because the infection can affect multiple systems of the body. When left untreated, it may interfere with normal immune function, joint health, neurological processes, and overall energy levels. 

The importance of accurate Lyme testing cannot be overstated. Standard tests sometimes miss infections, especially in their later stages. Our advanced Lyme disease testing approaches use specialized markers to help identify whether this hidden infection might be contributing to your symptoms. They are also designed to detect both acute infections (recent exposures) and chronic infections that may have been present for extended periods.

Understanding your Lyme status can be a crucial step in supporting your body’s natural immune response and overall wellness. Common symptoms that may warrant consideration of Lyme testing include:

• Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
• Joint stiffness or discomfort that moves from one area to another
• Cognitive challenges, including memory concerns and difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained neurological symptoms 
• Recurring headaches 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Temperature regulation challenges

Mold Exposure Testing: Identifying Environmental Factors

Mold is a type of fungus known as a microorganism and can be found nearly everywhere. Some molds are necessary for the production of cheese, yogurt, and medicines like penicillin. However, other molds produce mycotoxins: substances that, if inhaled, can lead to inflammatory responses and interfere with various physiological systems.²

Many people spend years dealing with unexplained symptoms without realizing that their home or workplace environment could be a contributing factor. This means mold exposure is an often-overlooked environmental factor that can impact your body’s normal function. 

Mold exposure can affect people differently, but common signs that might suggest the need for testing include:

• Respiratory concerns and sinus issues 
• Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep 
• Skin irritation or unexplained rashes 
• Cognitive difficulties (often described as “brain fog”) 
• Heightened sensitivity to smells or environmental factors 
• Chronic headaches 
• Digestive system irregularities 
• Joint and muscle discomfort

Our mold exposure test options evaluate multiple markers to assess whether environmental mold might be affecting your health. We examine specific antibodies and inflammatory markers that can indicate your body’s response to mold exposure. This comprehensive approach helps paint a clearer picture of whether mold is contributing to your wellness concerns. 

Heavy Metals Testing: Uncovering Toxic Burden

Heavy metals testing is a critical component of our specialty testing services. Over time, exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can accumulate in your body tissues. In fact, some studies see upwards of half of all participants with heavy metal accumulation in their bodies.⁴  

These metals can interfere with normal enzyme function, cellular processes, neurological health, and various other body systems. Many people carry a burden of heavy metals without realizing it, as exposure can occur through food, water, dental materials, occupational settings, and environmental sources.

Our comprehensive testing evaluates levels of these heavy metals in your system. We pay special attention to:

• Lead: Often found in older homes with lead-based paint, some water supplies, and occupational settings. Lead can be in the soil of yards or playgrounds, certain products, and even dust. Lead may interfere with normal neurological development and function, as well as cardiovascular and kidney health, and contributes to more than 1.5 million deaths globally every year, according to the World Health Organization.⁵
• Mercury: Can enter the body through certain fish consumption, dental amalgams, and environmental sources. Mercury poisoning can affect normal neurological function, immune system responses, and kidney processes.⁶
• Arsenic: Present in some water supplies, certain foods (particularly rice), and pesticides. Arsenic exposure may interfere with normal cellular function and various metabolic processes.⁷

While our bodies have natural detoxification systems, excessive accumulation of heavy metals can overwhelm these systems. Testing for heavy metals in blood cells and tissues can provide valuable information about your toxic burden and help identify whether these elements might be interfering with your body’s ability to function.

Understanding your heavy metal status through testing allows you to take proactive steps to support your body’s natural detoxification pathways through improving nutrition, modifying lifestyle, and reducing exposure sources.