Dr. Peter W. Huddleston, N.D., C.N.C.

BLOODWORK

(Blood Spot Testing) 

Blood Spot Testing as a minimally invasive form of hormone and wellness testing.  Collection of the blood spot sample is easy and convenient; a simple nick of the finger with a lancet, and placement of blood drops onto a special filter paper to dry is really all it takes from the patient’s perspective.  The dried blood is then sent by regular or expedited mail without the need for keeping the sample cold (cold packs), or labeling it as a biohazard.  Blood collection can be done in the privacy and convenience of your home-no more taking time off of work to drive across town and wait your turn to have a stranger stick a sharp needle in your arm.

Clinical laboratories have used dried blood spot analysis extensively since the early 1960’s in large scale population screening programs.  Today blood spot testing for PKU and thyroid hormones (T4 and TSH) is widely accepted as a routine procedure in newborns.  The scientific literature clearly shows that most analytes measurable in conventional serum can be measured in rehydrated dried blood spot with equivalent accuracy.

 Customized test reports include:

ü      Hormone ranges based on endogenous production and exogenous supplementation

ü      Ave-based hormone ranges

ü      Dose, delivery, timing, and type of hormone supplements used

ü      Graphical presentation of patients’ self-reported symptoms

ü      Interpretive comments linking hormone test results with symptoms and hormones used

ü      A “History Test Report” that compares current with previous test results, symptoms, and hormones used.

General Advantages of Using Dried Blood Spots (Finger) vs Serum (Venipuncture)

§            Simple, safe, nearly painless collection of blood by finger stick

§            No more inconvenience of driving to a blood collection center

§            No more sharp needles inserted into your arm by a stranger

§            Blood collection, preparation, and shipment from home more simple and convenient

§            Much less blood required for expanded testing-drops vs tubes

§            Requires no special handling (centrifugation, ice packs, biohazard labeling) for shipment

§            Easy, cost-effective shipment of dried blood in flat envelope

§            Hormones in dried blood exceptionally stale up to one month at room temperature

Equivalence of Test Results in Whole Dried Blood (Finger) and Serum (Venipuncture)

§            Dried whole blood results quantitatively equivalent to serum tests

§            Established ranges nearly identical to serum

Testing Advantages of Dried Blood Spots (Finger) vs Serum (Venipuncture) or Saliva

§            Capillary blood from finger more representative of tissue levels of hormones than serum following topical or sublingual hormone supplementation (gross underestimation by conventional serum tests)

§            Capillary blood from finger more representative of systemic tissue levels of hormones that   saliva following sublingual hormone supplementation (gross overestimation-false –high-by   saliva testing)

Clinical Utility of Blood Spot Testing

§            Determine hormonal imbalances that may be causing symptoms or lead to increased risk for serious health issues

§            Facilitate hormonal balance and quality of life using test results as a rational basis for treatment

§            Monitor hormone levels for individualized, physiologic hormone therapy dosing

§            Track treatment progress with comparative history reports

Innovations in Testing:  Vitamin D         

Why Test Vitamin D?  ………..Vitamin D deficiency is very common, particularly in northern climates with little sunshine.  Vitamin D has been found to be important in protecting the body from a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, cancer, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes (types 1 and 2), and schizophrenia.

How does the new blood spot Vitamin D assay compare with conventional Venipuncture serum testing?

With this new finger-stick dried blood spot testing method Vitamin D results are quantitatively equivalent to

Vitamin D testing in serum drawn by Venipuncture.

Clinical Utility of the Vitamin D Test:

§            Identify vitamin D deficiency as a potential cause of health problems

§            Monitor patient 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels during vitamin D supplementation to ensure adequate dosing and protect against overdosing

Innovations in Testing: CardioMetabolic Profile I

 The world is faced with an epidemic of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes

The incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes is rising at an alarming rate. 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morality for both men and women in the United States.  Obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes significantly predispose individuals to developing cardiovascular disease.

If we are to make an impact on the serious health and economic consequences of these issues, we need to identify risk early enough for people to make lifestyle modifications or seek medical help, and avoid becoming a part of the rising statistics.

Biochemical markers that identify risk for CardioMetabolic disease and diabetes

The CardioMetabolic Profile I measures the following risk markers in dried blood spots: insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), and hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc), and it has now been expanded to include HDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol.  Abnormal levels of several of these markers are a strong indicator of increased risk.

Rationale for development of the CardioMetabolic Profile

The CardioMetabolic profile was developed to help the practitioner identify in his/her patients the presence of metabolic syndrome, which is closely associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases including heart disease and stroke.  It is also a highly effective means to monitor the success of medication, as well as hormonal and lifestyle (e.g. diet and exercise) interventions used to treat these health issues.  Used as a screening panel, the CardioMetabolic Profile I allows clinicians first to identify the risk and then design programs to reduce it.  Blood spot testing can also be used in concert with clinical assessment for monitoring cardiometabolic risk factors in patients who already have Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Clinical Utility of CardioMetabolic Profile I:

§         Early detection of major indicators associated with metabolic / insulin Resistance syndrome

§         Risk assessment and monitoring of patients being treated for type 2 diabetes

§        Screening which will allow clinicians to recommend appropriate treatments to reduce the overall risk and potentially avoid the onset of  type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

ARE YOU AT RISK?   Yes, if they:                    

ð      Are overweight

ð      Have high blood pressure

ð      Have elevated blood lipids

ð      Smoke

ð      Have central obesity   

To make an appointment

call Transformations: 702-252-3502
 

Have a question? E-mail Dr. Huddleston directly at

TransformLasVegasND@yahoo.com

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