Assessments – VitalHealth Partners Willoughby Hills, OH

    
AssessmentsWilloughby Hills, OH
We will tailor a health program just for you! The assessment phase begins with questionnaires, a new patient evaluation with one of our holistic physicians, blood tests and other laboratory diagnostics, and non-invasive testing which will help us get to know you and your needs. At that time, any of the following cutting-edge health assessments may be used to further analyze your condition.

These health assessments can help us discover why you may feel any number of symptoms or illness such as weakness, restlessness, weight loss, fatigue, lack of energy, stamina, or mental clarity, weight gain, constipation, depression, or anxiety to name a few. We use several in- depth tests because reviewing multiple testing modalities helps confirm and assure the quality of health assessment results.

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Hair Analysis

Key Benefit: Hair sample analysis helps determine trace mineral/nutritional status and deficiencies and possibly heavy metal/toxic burdens.

What is hair analysis? Is it reliable?

Hair is a much better determinant than blood with regard to sustained (chronic) deficiency or exposure, and the sampling procedure is painless. A small number of hairs are cut at the root from the area at the nape of the neck using stainless steel scissors. The hair is then placed into an approved container and sent to the lab for processing. Hair analysis tests have been used for over thirty years and are commonly utilized in a very large number of clinical situations. Results are considered quite reliable, especially when used in conjunction with other assessment procedures.

What are trace elements, and why do they matter?

“Trace elements are present in low concentrations and …their functions range from providing structural support in the formation of bones and teeth, to maintaining the acid-base balance, water balance, nerve conduction, muscle conduction, and enzyme functions” (Watts, 1). These microelements play a role in preventing diseases and disorders, aging, and even emotional health. If you seem to have problems in one of these areas, hair analysis tests can be extremely helpful in determining and treating the cause. “The status of a mineral can give a strong indication of a vitamin need” (Watts, 8), thus allowing us to take corrective action in both areas.

What about heavy metal burdens?

“Human hair has been accepted as an effective tissue for biological monitoring of toxic heavy metals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and is being used for this purpose throughout the world” (Watts, 2). Toxic metals do not serve a biological function, and, in fact interfere with important processes because they displace nutritional metals, such as zinc, calcium, and iron. Heavy metals in the body may include but are not limited to lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, beryllium, or cadmium. Symptoms of contamination depend on the metal involved, but can include fatigue, joint pain, memory problems, learning disabilities, weakness, nausea, headaches, and lung problems, as well as more severe conditions, such as cancer, cerebral palsy, and seizures.

Provocative Assessment Test for Heavy Metals

Key Benefit: This is a test to identify heavy metal levels. Certain levels can adversely affect health in numerous ways. This test is a more comprehensive heavy metal test than the hair analysis; it is usually used if the hair analysis suggests a heavy metal burden.

What is the Provocative Test for Heavy Metals?

This heavy metals test uses a patient’s urine to determine heavy metal loads in the individual’s body. Chelating agents (in particular EDTA and DMSA) are administered to the patient, and a urine sample is then compared to a baseline sample, which is collected prior to the administration of chelating agents, in order to provide information about which types of heavy metals have been stored in fat tissue since the chelating agent binds them and flushes them out of the system in urine.

Why are certain amounts of heavy metals dangerous to have in the body?

Enzymes are essential for digestion. But did you know that almost every process in the body that requires something to happen requires an enzyme? For these enzymes to work, they need a trace mineral to give it the spark it needs to function. For example, the thyroid needs iodine. The thyroid stimulates metabolism to produce more energy to make ATP, but in order to produce that energy to break down fat, you need cobalt, zinc, copper and iron. These trace minerals can be displaced by heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum, just to name a few. A proactive test for heavy metals identifies heavy metal burdens. Certain levels adversely affect health and can potentially cause premature aging, memory lapses, neurological deficits or diminished circulation (see also Hair Analysis for additional information).

Hormone Level Test

Key Benefit: Understanding hormone levels allows for corrective action, if necessary. Hormones affect our bodies in a wide variety of ways, dependent on the hormone involved.

Why check my hormone levels?

As part of a comprehensive longevity and healthful living program, we recommend measuring and monitoring your hormones to help increase energy, stamina, youthfulness and vitality. At optimal levels, male and female hormones, along with the hormone excreting glands (that includes the adrenals, thyroid and pituitary among others) give us the energy, youthfulness and vitality we all seek.

What are some of the ways hormone imbalance can affect me?

Estrogen excess causes weight gain, and low testosterone causes impotence, loss of muscle mass, and low motivation. Cortisol excess can lead to fatigue, depression, and obesity. Another common culprit is low thyroid, which robs energy and causes weight gain, constipation, and mental fog.

How is the hormone analysis performed?

Blood or saliva are collected and sent to a lab for analysis. It may be necessary to avoid certain products, beverages, or foods for a period prior to assessment. We will work with you to assure the most accurate results possible. Sometimes blood and saliva are collected for serum and salivary testing in order to provide a complete picture of your hormone levels.

Food Sensitivity Testing

Key Benefit: Unrecognized food sensitivities may cause or exacerbate headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, fatigue or general weakness, and inflammation.

How and why do we test for food sensitivities?

This is a blood serum test of the highest quality and sensitivity. The immune system response to over one hundred foods is checked with this analysis. A food sensitivity test can tell us if you are sensitive to a particular item. If discovered that there is high reactivity to a food, that food is eliminated for at least ninety days while a comprehensive (but easy to follow) food rotation program is maintained. After ninety days you may be able to reintroduce and sparingly enjoy that food again.

Thermology

Key Benefit: FDA approved, non-invasive imaging procedure that allows for the assessment of breast health without pain or radiation. Thermology can detect unusual vascular patterns in the body that may require further examination without ever touching the body.

What is Thermology?

Thermology, also known as Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), is a non-invasive procedure that uses the heat, or thermal, activity in the human body to assess health—most notably, breast health. We also use thermology to examine circulation, for pre- and post-treatment images, and a variety of other situations.

How can Thermology detect possible problems in the human body?

Heat sensitive technology is used to detect areas of increased activity which may be a sign of trouble. All women can benefit from thermology breast screening. It sometimes takes months to years for a cancerous tumor to grow thus the earliest possible indication of abnormality is needed to allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention, and looking at thermal images is considered a very early screening tool. Thermology’s role in breast health is to help in early detection and monitoring.

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Contact Us

VitalHealth Partners is located at 34950 Chardon Road #206 Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 (440) 571-0006

AssessmentsWilloughby Hills, OH