Other Profiles and Screens
See also: Trace and toxic minerals and vitamin profiles
Serum nutritional antioxidant activity
The radical-scavenging antioxidants in human serum represent a heterogeneous group of substances, some synthesised in the body and some derived exclusively from the diet. Serum proteins, for example, can scavenge free radicals if they have available tyrosine or cysteine groups. Uric acid, which is also present in the serum in substantial concentrations, is another major free radical-scavenger. Circulating albumin and uric acid together provide the major source of antioxidant activity in normal human plasma. Using a synthetic radical cation, generated in the test tube as the basis for a laboratory test, the reference interval for serum total antioxidant activity is 1.32 – 1.58 mmol/L (Trolox equivalents). The reference interval for serum nutritional antioxidants (taken as the total serum activity minus that of the serum albumin and uric acid) is 450 – 800 µmol/L (Trolox equivalents). Oxidative stress, i.e. the presence of a relative excess of pro-oxidants in the extra-cellular fluid, causes a fall in these figures. Studies on diabetic patients, asthmatics, subjects with cardiovascular problems and premature babies, have confirmed the usefulness of these measurement in certain clinical situations and we feel that there are many other patients in which a knowledge of the combined activity of all the circulating antioxidants would assist in clinical assessment and care. Deficiencies of vitamin C (reference interval 34 – 114 µmol/L) or vitamin E (reference interval 25 – 60 µmol/L) usually only have a marginal effect on these figures and hence levels of these vitamins should be assessed individually.
[Gold top tube (SST)]
The fee for serum total and nutritional antioxidant activity is £37.00.
Amino Acid profile
A profile of 56 amino acids arranged in groups of essential, protein and metabolic (see sample report).
[24 hour urine]
£70.00
Serum & RBC Cu, ceruloplasmin, vitamin E, RBC GSH-Px, RBC fragility, superoxide dismutase, serum ß-carotene and platelet aggregation.
[1 x Gold top tube (SST), 1 x green top heparin tubes, samples must reach the laboratory within 24 hours and before 4pm, no supplements on the day of the test]
£84.00
Breath hydrogen in the assessment of gut function - see Gut function
Copper Response Test
Fasting serum is collected and a further sample is taken 1 hour after an oral loading dose of 50mg of zinc. An increase in copper is usually found. A reduction in copper response to zinc is seen in copper deficiency and some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
[Patient must attend the laboratory, special appointment required]
£34.00
Essential Fatty Acid profiles - see Essential Fatty Acids
Fractionated Lipid Profiles
Cholesterol Esters
[Gold top tube (SST), no food for 14 hours before the test]
£68.00
Gut fermentation profile - see Gut Fermentation
Health risk profile
This is a profile designed to identify biochemical and metabolic abnormalities associated with an increase in the risk of disease. The tests relate to antioxidants, trace minerals, vitamins, EFAs, along with some liver and biliary function tests and isoenzyme studies. It does NOT exclude the use of routine haematological and biochemical screens.
[2 x Gold top tube (SST), Green top heparin tube, 2 x lavender top EDTA tube, no supplements on the day of the test]
Note: Patient must attend the laboratory if sweat Zn and Cu are required; alternatively these will be substituted for WBC zinc and serum copper.
£145.00
Sample report - Health Risk Profile
Mercury and metals sensitivity profiles - see Toxic Metals
Osteoporosis profile
Total and bone alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatases are measured to assess the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. Calcium and phosphorus are measured in both urine and blood together with tests to assess the status of a range of nutrients essential to bone metabolism. The profile complements rather than replaces bone mineral density measurement.
[Gold top tube (SST), Green top heparin tube, 24 hour urine collection, no supplements on the day of the test]
Note: The serum should be separated.
£108.00
Sample report - Osteoporosis Screen
An increase in platelet stickiness is a risk factor for migraine, coronary thrombosis and stroke. The test measures the percentage of platelets that aggregate in response to increasing levels (1, 2 and 5 micro mols) of ADP (adenosine diphosphate). Reference ranges determined from 42 healthy adults.
[Green top heparin tube, patient must attend the laboratory]
£32.00
See also Antioxidant screen
Links to other Biolab tests:
Vitamins and related functional tests
Trace and toxic elements and related functional tests
Other Biolab tests and challenge tests