Lab Testing

There are several different ways of measuring the hormones in a person’s body. Most blood and serum tests look only at the level of hormones that are present in a person’s tissues. This is known as “bound hormone levels”.

Saliva testing looks at the “unbound hormone levels” also known as “free fraction hormone levels” which are the hormone levels that are available to be used by the body’s tissues. This gives providers a better idea of the levels of hormones that are actually influencing the tissues, rather than just the level of hormones that are present in the tissues.

Measuring free fraction hormone levels gives a provider more information than measuring bound hormone levels. Usually, when bound hormone levels are measured, a provider needs to guess at the level of hormones affecting the tissues. This is not the case when measuring free fraction hormone levels.

The accuracy of saliva testing, together with its affordability, convenience, and the ability to collect multiple specimens makes saliva testing superior to blood testing.

This includes a review of all systems in up to one hour. A physical examination is a series of routine tests your doctor will perform to check your overall health. It is also known as a wellness check.

According to the National Institutes of Health, these exams are used to:

• Check for possible diseases, so they can be treated early
• Identify any issues that may become medical concerns in the future
• Update any necessary information with prescriptions, supplements or immunizations.
• Ensure that you are maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine

The doctor will begin the exam by inspecting your body for any unusual marks or growths. They will check your circulation and nail and hair health. You may sit or stand during this. They will then move on to looking in your ears, eyes, nose and throat. They will test visual acuity, your peripheral vision and your pupil’s reaction to light.

Your doctor tests your sense of smell as well. They will feel for your lymph glands in specific areas and feel your thyroid gland. They may also perform a hearing test at this time if indicated.

Next, they will have you lie down and will feel your tummy and other parts of the anterior side of your body looking for healthy organs (spleen, liver etc). When doing this, they are inspecting the consistency, location, size, tenderness, and texture of your individual organs.

Your doctor will use a stethoscope—the listening device doctors typically keep around their necks—to listen to various parts of your body. This could include listening while you take deep breaths, listening to your heart and listening to your intestines. Your doctor uses a technique known as “percussion,” tapping around the body like it was a drum. This helps them discover fluid in areas where it should not be, as well as locate the borders, consistency and size of organs.

Your doctor will test your cranial nerves by looking for responses to specific tests done on the body. This helps them to better understand what may be going on in your neurological system. She will test your reflexes and lastly your doctor will also check your height, weight, temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

Be sure to communicate with your doctor if you have any concerns throughout the exam or would like extra attention to a specific area.

The PAP smear is a routine screening test used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous changes in the cells of the endocervical canal of the female reproductive system. Studies show that regular cervical screening can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by up to 70% (BC Cancer Screening Agency).

Our physicians provide patients with a safe, clean, relaxing environment for their patients to have their PAP tests done. Our doctors provide a unique PAP exam experience by not only professionally completing the procedure but also by presenting the opportunity for women to learn more about their bodies and be involved in the procedure if they wish. The comprehensive PAP exam with your doctor also includes a manual pelvic exam that feels for cysts and other abnormal tissue in the ovarian and uterine area and a manual breast exam. Many patients comment that they feel empowered about their bodies after leaving what used to be a dreaded test for them.

Studies have shown a 20% reduction in prostate cancer in men who are screened for the disease and removal of precancerous polyps reduces the risk of colon cancer by 90% (BC Cancer Agency).  This is a gentle procedure done in the office to detect early signs of benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis.

This panel is an extensive look into your liver function, kidney function and protein levels. The test also looks at your blood sugar markers and electrolytes as well as comprehensively covering your cholesterol (lipid panel) and Iron levels. This is a great test for people wanting to establish a base line or follow up yearly with lab values.

This blood test is often used when symptoms of numbness and tingling are present, shortness of breath and very low energy. This is also a consideration for vegetarians and vegans due to the lack of B12 in food sources used in those diets. Our doctors like to routinely test B12 levels in their elderly population, as B12 deficiency is common amongst this population and a very easy fix for more energy.

This blood panel includes a Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differentials evaluating the cells that circulate in blood. Blood consists of three types of cells suspended in fluid called plasma: white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets (PLTs). They are produced and mature primarily in the bone marrow and, under normal circumstances, are released into the bloodstream as needed. This panel identifies the size and color as well as the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in your blood. Along with the CBC your ferritin, which is your iron storage, is measured. The two together help our doctors to determine if low iron is the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, lack of muscle strength, changes in menstrual cycle and others. Total Iron binding Capacity, Iron and Transferrin saturation may be elected for at the doctors discretion.

To screen for metabolic and kidney disorders, and for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is also a part of a diabetes investigation used to look at urinary glucose. When to Get Tested? During a routine physical or when you have symptoms of a UTI, such as abdominal pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination; as part of a pregnancy check-ups and diabetes investigation. This test is mandatory before starting any IV therapies.

In house urine test used to detect pregnancy