The beginning to understanding of the origins of cancer in each patient starts with exams and specialty labs designed to determine underlying causes. Conventional treatment plans focus most labs and exams solely for the identification and monitoring of cancer position and spread. The integrative approach looks for underlying immune imbalances or deficiencies that have to some degree or another contributed to the presence and spread of cancer. The failure to treat underlying causes can lead to a failure to treatment whether conventional or alternative.
CBC
A complete blood count (CBC) measures the cells that circulate in the bloodstream which are generally divided into three types: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and platelets or thrombocytes. Abnormally high or low counts may indicate the presence of many forms of disease and so provides an overview of a patient’s general health status and reaction to treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation can lead to suppression in the production of white and red blood cells causing immune suppression or fatigue respectively.
CMP
The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) is a standard suite of 14 blood tests which serves as an initial broad screening tool for physicians. The CMP provides an important baseline of a patient’s basic physiology. In and of itself, however, the CMP provides an important gross check on the status of kidney function, liver function, and electrolyte and fluid balance.
LIPID PANEL
A lipid panel or cholesterol panel measures lipoprotein particles and types.While minimum levels of cholesterol are essential for life excess levels in the circulation are associated with atherosclerosis and even metabolic syndrome. Cholesterol and lipoprotein particle ratios are a reliable assessment of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
HbA1c
Glycosylated (or glycated) hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin used primarily to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time. It is formed in a non-enzymatic pathway by hemoglobin’s normal exposure to high plasma levels of glucose. Glycosylation of hemoglobin has been implicated in nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetes mellitus. Monitoring the HbA1c overtime can provide an accurate assessment of dietary adherence. Low blood sugars overtime have also been linked to decreased cancer growth rates.
TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is the first test in the measurement of thyroid activity associated with metabolic rate. TSH can be affected by some health conditions resulting in a decline in function and subsequent onset of fatigue.
VITAMIN D 25 [OH]
The vitamin D hormone, calcitriol, has been found to induce death of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Although the anti-cancer activity of vitamin D is not fully understood, it is thought that these effects are mediated through vitamin D receptors expressed in cancer cells, and may be related to its immunomodulatory abilities. The anti-cancer activity of vitamin D observed in the laboratory has prompted some to propose that vitamin D supplementation might be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of some types of cancer. And of course v vitamin D is most frequently associated with disorders of bone such as osteoporosis and rickets.
IgG FOOD ITOLERANCE
Studies reveal that 95% of the population has what is known as a Type II toxic reaction or IgG response to common everyday foods that you eat regularly. More than 75 symptoms are associated with food toxicities. Perfectly healthy foods can be virtual poison to your particular system. The latest trendy diets may be good for general information. But everyone’s system is different, so you want to find out which foods are toxic to your particular system. This will help you be a healthier and more energetic than ever before and alleviate many unexplained and chronic symptoms.
2OH-16OH ESTROGEN RATIO
This test measures the ratio of 2-hydroxy (E1-Estrone + E2-Estradiol) to 16 alpha- hydroxyestrone in a random urine sample. Evidence indicates that this ratio is relevant as a risk factor for estrogen-sensitive diseases including breast and cervical cancers as well as some autoimmune diseases.
G6PD
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited condition caused by a defect or defects in the gene that codes for the enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). G6PD is present in all human cells but is particularly important to red blood cells. It is required to make NADPH in red blood cells but not in other cells. It is also required to make glutathione. Glutathione and NADPH both help protect red blood cells against oxidative damage. Thus, when G6PD is defective, oxidative damage to red blood cells readily occurs, and they break open as a result.
