Other information for patients

We measure trace element levels in head hair (£30), sweat (£37 + £5 for Hg), serum (£40), blood, urine and even saliva (for mercury). However, the different body tissues are not all suitable for the wide range of trace metals that we can determine. If you are able to attend the laboratory, the Sweat Mineral Analysis is probably the best all round test and requires a (7cm x 3cm) absorbent patch being taped to your back for one hour. The collected sweat, (about 0.1 grams), is extracted in the laboratory and ten mineral and toxic metal levels are measured in the extractant. The Hair Mineral Analysis is often used when the patient cannot attend the laboratory and when it is not possible for blood samples to be delivered promptly to the laboratory. This technique can be very useful in the assessment of a patient’s trace and toxic element levels, but no definitive diagnosis can be made from a hair sample. There are a number of blood tests that indirectly reflect the levels of some minerals and these are called functional tests and generally involve looking at various biochemical pathways that depend on an adequate amount of particular nutrients being present.

We can measure the levels of vitamins A, C and E and total carotene directly. There is a range of functional blood tests available for vitamins B₁, B₂, B_3, B₆ and biotin. Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid measurements in serum are widely available within the NHS and other private laboratories, so we send samples for these to the London Clinic Pathology Department. Vitamins can be requested individually for £16 or as profiles (A, E & carotene for £42, B₁, B₂ & B₆ for £42 or both of these with vitamin C for £72).

Essential Fatty Acids (£50): Omega-6 and Omega-3 series and other fatty acids.

This profile is used to detect abnormal yeast fermentation in the gut. The patient is given 4g of glucose dissolved in water and 1g of glucose in two capsules following a 3 hour fast and 24 hours without alcohol. A blood sample taken one hour later is analysed for levels of different alcohols that will be present if there is abnormal fermentation in the gut. If any ethanol is found then it suggests that some of the glucose has been fermented by a yeast in the gut.

This test detects the presence of bacteria in the stomach or small intestine. A series of breath samples are taken and are analysed for hydrogen levels. Variations of the test enable the investigation of lactose or sucrose intolerance.

Antioxidants are important protective substances, which include a number of essential vitamins and minerals. This profile looks at the levels of the important antioxidants (copper, ceruloplasmin, vitamin E, selenium, ß-carotene and others).

Using the same technique as described above for metal sensitivity tests, sensitivities to a wide range of chemicals can also be measured (see request form).

Health Risk Profile (£145): Designed to identify biochemical and metabolic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of disease. It should be used in conjunction with, and not instead of, routine haematology and biochemistry screens, and while this profile is based on much research, a ‘normal’ set of results does not provide a total guarantee of freedom from disease.

A series of blood and urine tests for important nutrients of known importance in the development and maintenance of bone.

Detergent Sensitivities (£32): This test is used to observe the sensitivity of red blood cell membranes to different low levels of a wide range of detergents.