I need help with testing...

[Guest guest]

My Family Physician's Assistant, who does not know a lot about this

whole process but has been very honest with me from the start and

very willing to read whatever I bring her, said she will order

whatever test I want her to. Which of these tests are useless on a

GFCF diet? Which of these tests are more important than others.

Thanks in advance.

I went to the Great Plains Laboratory and found the following:

1. Organic Acids Test - Virtually all specimens from children with

autism or PDD have one or more abnormal Organic Acid compounds, due

to abnormal levels of yeast and other gastrointestinal bacteria.

These compounds can affect, among other things, neurological

functioning, vitamin utilization, energy level, intestinal wall

integrity, hormone utilization, and muscle function. In addition to

identification of excessive levels of GI yeast or bacteria, the test

also reveals nutritional or antioxidant deficiencies, inborn errors

of metabolism, amino or fatty acid problems, exposure to solvent

toxins, indications of possible diabetic conditions, deficiencies of

B or C vitamins, and unusual levels of neurotransmitters.

2. Yeast Culture and Sensitivity - This test should be done in

combination with the organic acid test to get the most accurate

reading for yeast and bacteria overgrowth. By doing both of these

tests you will have all the evidence your doctor needs to help you

treat this problem. The urine organic acid test is the most accurate

measure of yeast, which can sometimes be overlooked in the stool

test. Yeast can sometimes attach to the intestinal lining and will

not be eliminated in the stool. In some cases, the sections of stool

where the yeast is present are not the sections that are collected

and sent in to be analyzed. Generally, however, the stool test is an

accurate test. The greatest benefit of the stool test is the

sensitivity portion of the test, which will tell you which antifungal

agents your intestinal yeast will respond best to.

3. Food Allergy - The impact of food allergies on behavior can be

astounding, and cravings are very often, for the same foods that

cause allergic reactions. And, those foods may play a role in

abnormal levels of GI organisms. We have two panels available; one

that tests for 92 foods, and another that tests for 10 of the most

common foods people are allergic to. We recommend doing one of these

two panels. It is best to have the full panel done. However, the 10

food panel is good for those who have limited resources, or for those

who do not want to wait until the yeast problem is under control to

see what food allergies they have.

4. Immune Deficiency Panel - Numerous papers document inadequate

immune functioning in this many populations, increasing the

vulnerability to bacterial/viral/fungal infections. In particular,

yeast is well-documented as suppressing the immune system. So, if

there is an excessive yeast population, it increases the likelihood

of an inadequate immune response, in turn, increasing the probability

of more infections and more yeast. Our panel is designed specifically

for this patient population; for instance, levels of zinc, and

specific immune proteins like IgA and subclasses of IgG, are often

inadequate.

5. Peptide Testing for Milk and Wheat - In most cases people that

have food allergies to milk and wheat, also have problems with

peptides from milk and wheat interacting with their brain and causing

an opiate-like affect. However, there are some people that may not

show a food allergy to milk or wheat, but have the peptide problem

and vice versa so it is a good idea to have both the peptide and food

allergy testing done. If you prefer to have only one of the tests

run, we recommend the food allergy testing since it can be assumed

that the majority of people who have food allergies to casein and

gluten also have the peptide problem. The peptide test is also a

urine test and thus may be more convenient.

6. Inhalants (Comprehensive or Basic) IgE - Particularly useful when

allergies to inhalants, such as dust, molds, and pollens are

suspected; blood tests have improved considerably over the years, and

are especially helpful with individuals who would have difficulty

complying with skin testing or have skin rashes; to save time; or for

very young children. May also be considerably cheaper than skin

testing.

7. Amino Acids - Helpful in assessing causes and treatments for

lethargy, muscle weakness, vitamin deficiency, protein intolerance,

vomiting, kidney stones, inborn errors of metabolism, and seizures.

Since many of these symptoms are caused, or worsened, by elevated

levels of GI yeast/bacteria, we recommend that Amino Acid testing

follow Organic Acid testing and treatment (if indicated) for GI

organisms. The Organic Acid test includes some indicators of inborn

errors of metabolism.

8. Vitamin Profile - Helpful in identifying inadequate diet,

malabsorption, poor compliance, gastric mucosal status, and causes of

anemia and DNA synthesis deficiency. The 20 vitamin profile is useful

if Carnitine levels are needed. Vitamin testing can be very important

in children with diarrhea, loose stools, or undigested food in the

stool. Children who are extremely picky eaters may also benefit from

this test since their nutrient intake may be imbalanced. Recently

some researchers have found that in some cases Vitamin A deficiency

can cause vision problems in autism, and is thus another good reason

to have the vitamin levels checked.

9. Essential Fatty Acids - Deficiencies of essential fatty acids are

associated with hair loss, dry or peeling skin, diarrhea, eczema,

fatigue, aggression, dry brittle hair, eating disorders, excessive

thirst, gallstones, growth impairment, immune deficiency,

hyperactivity, and impaired wound healing. Essential fatty acids can

be deficient due to inadequate dietary intake, diarrhea, loose

stools, inadequate production of pancreatic enzymes, or inadequate

production or secretion of bile or bile salts. The pattern usually

observed in children with autism is deficiency of omega-3 fatty

acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid with elevations of arachidonic

acid and trans fatty acids.

Arachidonic acid is extremely important since it is converted to the

regulatory substances called prostaglandins. Grains and meats from

grain-fed animals may be very high in arachidonic acid. Trans fatty

acids are unnatural fatty acids produced by hydrogenating unsaturated

fatty acids. Trans fatty acids may be especially harmful when alpha-

linolenic acid is deficient. Trans fatty acids may affect neuronal

fluidity by virtue of different dimensions compared to cis fatty

acids. Trans fatty acids are high in foods like French fries, potato

chips, margarine, cookies, and cake.

10. Metals (blood, hair or urine) - Hair is useful for the detection

of toxic metals such as lead, aluminum, mercury, and cadmium. Lead

may be found in dirt near roads and is commonly present in paint from

older houses. Children with pica or who eat paint chips may develop

toxic lead levels. Cadmium is used in batteries, steel-belted tires,

and plastics. The clear plastics used to cover foods may be a source

of cadmium and it is also found in cigarette smoke. Mercury is used

in batteries, dental amalgam, vacuum pumps, valves, and seals. High

amounts of mercury from the dental fillings of the cremated deceased

have caused contamination of the surrounding neighborhoods. Arsenic

is high in seafood and may also be found in animals fed arsenic in

their feed. Arsenic is also present in wood preservatives,

fungicides, herbicides, corrosion inhibitors, and in lead and copper

alloys. Children with autism may respond favorably to removal of

toxic metals. Children with autism as a group also have low values of

essential elements like calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium.

Treatment of heavy metal exposure usually involves the removal of the

heavy metal source and/or treatment with chelating agents.