Information for doctors & practitioners
Introduction
Biolab is a medical laboratory specialising in nutritional and environmental Medicine. We measure mineral and vitamin levels, toxic metals, other biochemical levels that are related to the availability of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and we also have an extensive range of profiles for assessing the effects of Twenty-First century lifestyles on our bodies (Tests).
The laboratory is staffed by a highly qualified team and participates in a number of quality control schemes. Many of our tests require expensive high-tech instrumentation and are not normally available at other pathology laboratories. Routine pathology investigations and allergy tests are referred to other laboratories.
Biolab is actively involved in researching the effects of nutrition and the environment on health and disease. We have our own library of research material and have published many papers in medical and scientific journals, (Publication list).
Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
For an introduction to nutritional and environmental medicine written by Dr Stephen Davies, Biolab's Medical Director, see: Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
For sources of further information please see:
Introductory reading list for doctors and practitioners
Biolab workshop recordings - Audio recordings of lectures from Biolab workshops for the period 1997 - 2010 (available at cost price to doctors and other healthcare practitioners)
Links web sites and articles that may be of interest
Quality Assurance
Biolab assists doctors with the detection of nutritional imbalances in their patients by the use of the latest validated scientific methodologies and reporting systems to ensure optimal care.
Quality assurance is essential in clinical laboratories for the provision of precise and accurate analytical results for reporting to the doctor.
Quality assurance encompasses a range of measures to ensure the reliability of investigations. These include test selection, obtaining a satisfactory sample, analyzing it correctly and recording the result promptly, as well as the appropriate interpretation of the results. Biolab procedures are well documented and the results are carefully recorded so that they can be referred to for many years in the future.
Biolab laboratory tests are internally quality controlled to keep a check on day-to-day analytical variations. Biolab also participates in a range of CPA (UK)-accredited quality assurance schemes for trace elements, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants operating under the UK NEQAS code of practice. We also participate in a scheme run from the Centre for Disease Control in the USA.
Biolab laboratory staff regularly attend a range of continuing professional development seminars to ensure satisfactory knowledge and competence of all analytical procedures.
Referring patients to Biolab for tests and registering as a user:
We are a doctor/practitioner referral unit and can only perform tests requested by doctors, dentists, osteopaths, chiropractors, nutritionists and some other registered practitioners (please contact us for further details). Our senior laboratory staff comment on all reports with abnormal or unusual test results and you are welcome to contact us to discuss either appropriate tests for your patients or the interpretation of results. Our disease related recommended profiles (profiles) may be of assistance in selecting Biolab tests.
For detailed information on how to refer patients to Biolab and for a registration form to have your details added to our list of referring practitioners please download this document: (Referring to Biolab)
Patients can call to arrange an appointment to see one of our nurses, or you may submit samples by post (see Postal Samples). Blood tubes and test kits are available on request.
If you would like to refer a patient to a doctor who is familiar with our work, please see our referral list (Medical referral list), or contact us directly to discuss the case (info@biolab.co.uk).
Further Information:
The following links, and those at the top of this page, provide further information about the range of tests available at Biolab, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information info@biolab.co.uk.
CD-ROM - A CD-ROM containing our laboratory guide, request forms, test data sheets and more detailed information sheets about Biolab tests is available for doctors on request. The CD also contains copies of our publications and copies of handouts from recent Biolab workshops for doctors (all workshops since 2000).
Laboratory Guide (Adobe Acrobat PDF format, 38 pages, 1MB bytes)
Request forms (PDF files for downloading)
Patient instructions before Biolab tests
Photographs of the laboratories and patient facilities