Toxic Assessment
See also Toxic metal profiles and Metal sensitivity profiles
Lymphocyte sensitivity tests for a range of metals have been available at Biolab for several years. There has been a considerable demand for us to extend the technique to include sensitivities to formaldehyde, silicones, latex and a range of other Xenobiotics.
Lymphocytes are separated from a blood sample and incubated with heat-activated microscopic glass beads. The adhering lymphocytes are then visualised by video-phase contrast microscopy. Microcapillary electrodes are used to measure the resting potential of a series of lymphocytes and minute quantities of the test substance are directly applied to the cell membrane. The change in resting potential is recorded for a sufficient number of cells to give a reliable indication of the degree of sensitivity. For each test substance, we report a numerical value derived from the average change in resting potential. Values below 100 are considered to be normal. Values up to 1000 are seen in a marked sensitivity.
See (Lymphocyte sensitivity request form) for full list of metals and chemicals for which we can test lymphocyte sensitivity.
Other applications of the Biolab chemical / metal sensitivity tests:The interest in silicone sensitivity revolves around illness associated with silicone gel-filled breast implants. Many women are now reporting continuing ill health even after explanation. It is hoped that the test will help to evaluate these conditions. Early findings are very promising. See Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (2000) 10, 246 – 7 - Biolab publication list.
Methacrylates resins are increasingly used to replace mercury amalgam in dental fillings. Some people do seem to be sensitive to these chemicals and we have been asked to test for that possibility.
Tin and antimony and metals used in dental work (such as platinum, and rhodium) can be included individually in requests for sensitivity studies. We are also prepared to test samples of specific commercial products used in dentistry provided a small amount of the material is provided by the requesting doctor or dentist. 2 – 5 mg is sufficient.
[Green heparin tube, sample must arrive at the laboratory within 24 hours]
£53.00 for the first substance and £10 for subsequent substances
Chemical sensitivity profiles (sample requirements as described above)
Pesticides and organophosphates
16 chemicals - see request form (Lymphocyte sensitivity request form)
£158.00
Exhaust gas profile
Burnt aviation kerosene, butane gas, natural gas, diesel exhaust and petrol exhaust
£84.00
Food additive profile
16 food additives ( see Lymphocyte sensitivity request form)
£147.00
Furniture/soft furnishings profile
PBB flame retardants, formaldehyde, p-dichlorobenzen and dimethyl phthalate
£74.00
Hair dressings
Commonly used hair cosmetics (and detergents)
£147.00
Detergent Sensitivities (blood)
This profile looks at the lymphocyte sensitivity to low levels of a wide range of detergents.
[Green heparin tube]
£32.00
A profile of 21 commonly encountered volatile organic compounds (VOC) with a detection limit of 1ng/ml for most of them. Population 'average' levels are provided and we comment on any other VOCs detected during the analysis.
[Green top heparin tube]
£74.00
Links to other Biolab tests:
Vitamins and related functional tests
Trace and toxic elements and related functional tests
Other Biolab tests and challenge tests