Laboratory Testing
Check out Dr. Waters' video about Laboratory Testing
The first consultation day with Dr. Waters and staff is comprehensive and will be an investment in your health. During your consultation, Dr. Waters will determine what laboratory testing will be required to offer you the best possible care. Please note that we can only give an estimate of costs as each visit is tailored to your specific needs that day.
The laboratory gives all doctors a glimpse into the body’s functioning. Data from complete blood cell counts, electrolytes, liver function, lipid panels, blood sugar regulation and hormone status (thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones) are commonly obtained for diagnosis. While these tests give an overview of body chemistry, to diagnose and effectively treat the kind of difficult problems patients present to doctors today require more advanced inquiry. Levels of nutrients, such as vitamin D, iodine, metallic trace elements, stored iron, essential fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and intracellular magnesium concentration guide us in restoring the building blocks of our physical body.
Since cardiovascular disease and diabetes are the largest group of disease causing premature death, we use cutting edge measurements to assess your true risk of these diseases. Typical cholesterol panels used today are almost useless in understanding the true risk of arterial disease. We now obtain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance parameters for the number and “stickiness” of LDL and other cholesterol fractions, levels of microalbumin, serum myeloperoxidase and Phosphalipase A2 (PLAC test) to evaluate the degree of inflammatory activity in the vascular system. Fasting insulin is an indicator of metabolic health. Markers of free radical activity and capacity to dampen ongoing damage to biological structures can be meaningful. These include 8-OH-Guanosine (reflecting DNA damage), F2 isoprostane (lipid membrane damage) and Glutathione levels (the most important detoxification agent in the human body). These parameters actually reveal whether the diet and supplements you are ingesting are actually effective in protecting your body’s molecular structure. Attention is also directed to the body burden of toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, et al., as well as looking at cancer risks. Finally, there is presently, especially in Wisconsin and surrounding States, a virtual epidemic of Lyme and associated diseases which must be addressed as potential causes of many people’s health problems.
The laboratory gives all doctors a glimpse into the body’s functioning. Data from complete blood cell counts, electrolytes, liver function, lipid panels, blood sugar regulation and hormone status (thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones) are commonly obtained for diagnosis. While these tests give an overview of body chemistry, to diagnose and effectively treat the kind of difficult problems patients present to doctors today require more advanced inquiry. Levels of nutrients, such as vitamin D, iodine, metallic trace elements, stored iron, essential fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and intracellular magnesium concentration guide us in restoring the building blocks of our physical body.
Since cardiovascular disease and diabetes are the largest group of disease causing premature death, we use cutting edge measurements to assess your true risk of these diseases. Typical cholesterol panels used today are almost useless in understanding the true risk of arterial disease. We now obtain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance parameters for the number and “stickiness” of LDL and other cholesterol fractions, levels of microalbumin, serum myeloperoxidase and Phosphalipase A2 (PLAC test) to evaluate the degree of inflammatory activity in the vascular system. Fasting insulin is an indicator of metabolic health. Markers of free radical activity and capacity to dampen ongoing damage to biological structures can be meaningful. These include 8-OH-Guanosine (reflecting DNA damage), F2 isoprostane (lipid membrane damage) and Glutathione levels (the most important detoxification agent in the human body). These parameters actually reveal whether the diet and supplements you are ingesting are actually effective in protecting your body’s molecular structure. Attention is also directed to the body burden of toxic metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, et al., as well as looking at cancer risks. Finally, there is presently, especially in Wisconsin and surrounding States, a virtual epidemic of Lyme and associated diseases which must be addressed as potential causes of many people’s health problems.
The following testing is done on all new patients
and usually once per year for prevention.
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Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Liver, kidney, electrolytes, glucose, etc. Complete Blood Count Blood cell analysis. Ferritin Level Stored iron and risk factor for heart disease and cancer. Lipid Panel Cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Determines thyroid function. Red Blood Cell Magnesium Analysis within the red blood cells provides the best diagnostic tool for assessing magnesium inside our cells or on blood cell membranes in relation to cardiovascular disease and inflammatory issues. |
A1C Glycohemoglobin
Long-term blood sugar regulation Vitamin D Level Checks for deficiency. Relates to bone health, immunity, brain function. Urinalysis Checks for blood, protein, pH, etc. DHEA Level Adrenal hormone. Marker of aging. Cortisol Level Adrenal hormone. Marker of energy production. Whole Blood Mineral Panel This diagnostic method assists in determining deficiencies, excesses and imbalances of essential as well as recent or ongoing exposure to specific toxic elements. |
Advanced Laboratory Testing
These markers set our Center apart from any other medical facility in the Mid-West.
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Lyme IgG and IgM Western Blots
Performed by the laboratory IGeneX, these tests involve a highly complex visual determination of protein bands, based on their molecular weights and intensities. For both tests, IGeneX uses multiple negative controls to serve as baselines for comparison to positive responses. Found to be the most accurate testing by Lyme literate doctors. Myeloperoxidase This enzyme is up-regulated in patients with arterial lining inflammation, an ongoing infection and even patients with diseases related to mercury and other heavy metal intoxication. It is imperative to direct diet change, nutritional supplements, and detoxification procedures to bring this enzyme under control when it is excessively high. Red Blood Cell Membrane Essential Fatty Acids Measures the amounts of Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 and their derivatives like EPA and DHA in the Red Blood Cell membranes. This is reflective of total body content of these important structural and regulatory substances. A person can’t get well without the proper balance of these fatty acids in all the cells of our body. F2 Isoprostanes/creatinine ratio This substance is a “free radical marker.” It reflects the degree of damage that is occurring to the lipid membranes of our cells. Cell membrane damage leads to wide-spread electrical and hormonal dysregulation. Iodine Level This essential element is a component of our Thyroid hormones and is also concentrated in our breast and prostate tissue. The modern Western diet is extremely deficient in iodine and supplementation may be of benefit in many disease conditions. NMR Lipid Fractionation The standard “Lipid Panel” which measures total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and CALCULATES, not measures, LDL is a very superficial look at cardiovascular disease risk secondary to blood fat levels. Much more indicative of real risk are the sizes and numbers of the various lipid protein particles. Two people could have the same calculated LDL with one of them being at high risk of a heart attack while the second has almost no risk at all. This panel should replace the screening panel in assessing risk from a blood lipid standpoint. Detailed Endocrine Evaluation In some cases such as chronic fatigue and symptoms of menopause or andropause (change of life symptoms in males) specific sex hormone determination can add to our understanding of a patient’s symptoms and direct proper treatment to the issues. These tests include: T3, free / T4, free / Estradiol Level / Progesterone Level / Testosterone Level / Melatonin / Dehydrotestosterone |
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
There is a “virtual organ” living primarily in our intestinal track known as the Microbiome. This test is used evaluate the status of the Microbiome’s members, the degree to which the person is able to digest their food, measure the level of intestinal inflammation and in some cases, look for the presence of parasites. Red Blood Cell Glutathione Level The primary antioxidant, metal binding agent and detoxification peptide. When levels are low, we accumulate toxins and can’t regenerate antioxidant vitamins (C, E, A, etc.) CoEnzyme Q10 This vitamin-like substance carries electrons in the mitochondria and this contributes to our ability to make energy for life’s processes. Oxidized LDL It isn’t the level of cholesterol in our blood that causes arteriosclerosis but rather the effect that oxidative damage has on the cholesterol carrier LDL. Instead of the LDL delivery cholesterol to the endothelial cells lining our circulatory system, the oxidized LDL initiates the beginning of plaque formation in the arteries. 8-hydroxyguanosine Free radicals damage all of our cellular structures when they are in excess over our ability to neutralize them. This marker reveals the extent to which our DNA, is being damaged. Oxidative damage to our DNA is the basis for the development of cancer and neurodegenerative disease. PLA2 (Plaque) Test Levels of the enzyme Phosphalipase A2 can alert us to increased risk of an arterial plaque rupturing. Urine Microalbumin Even a tiny amount of protein in the urine signals increased risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Can be caused by chronic, hidden infections, autoimmune processes and toxic metal damage to the kidneys. Fasting Insulin As levels of this centrally important hormone increase, the cells become more and more resistant to it and eventually the person becomes a diabetic. |
We offer the advanced testing by Cleveland Heart Lab to predict and treat cardiovascular risk.
