FAQ’s Sensitivities & Allergies
Allergy Blood Testing ( IgE & IgG )
Food Additives and Preservative Testing
Food Sensivity Testing
Food Sensitivity Testing is an assessment of foods that may impact your health on a regular basis and may or may not be true allergies. The symptoms of a food sensitivity will affect you wherever your genetic weaknesses are. For example one person may have a headache while another may have digestive symptoms.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Headaches
- Digestive Upset
- Behavior Concerns-ADD
- Pain-Arthritis
- Fatigue
- Skin Conditions-Eczema
- Fertility Concerns
- PMS, Menopause
- Darkness Under the Eyes
- And Many More….
- Your foods maybe affecting how you feel…. Food and Environmental Testing can make a difference!
Common changes include:
- Increased Energy
- Better Sleep
- Improved Digestion
- Optimum Weight
- Reduced Pain
- Better Focus and Concentration.
The method of Testing:
The Vega Test is an EAV acupuncture technique testing device. The electroacupunture diagnostic method utilizes a galvanometer designed to measure the skin’s electrical activity at designated acupuncture points. The patient holds a negative electrode in one and hand and the doctor holds the positive electrode probe to press selected acupuncture points. When a suspected food or environmental is placed on an aluminum tray which is connected into the circuit (or when the Vegamedi, which encases the food or environmental samples, is used), certain galvanometer reading changes, indicating sensitivity. This method is also used for Food Additive Testing, which is most indicated for children with ADD/ADHD, and adults or children with learning disabilities. This takes 10 minutes as well and can be done alone or in combination with the food and environmental testing. The proceedure is non invasive , thus it is not painful and is ideal for children.
The Optihealth Wellness Centre uses the Vega Test as a supportive technique (not a diagnostic or treatment device) in conjunction with an individual’s history, physical findings and/or laboratory tests. The information gathered is used in conjunction with the traditional elimination challenge technique to determine a person’s food sensitivities. The Vega Test along with a patient’s history will facilitate food sensitivity assessment which is to be noted as different than food allergy detection. If a person has other allergies it is important for them to overlap these results with any food sensitivities that are determined.
Patient Preparation:
1. Avoid the use of lotions or creams on the hands or feet the day of the Vega test
2. Please remove all jewelry and watches for the test (done at the time of the test)
3. Please remove all telephone, pager, and other electronic devices
4. Please notify your Naturopath if you have a pacemaker or similar device
5. Avoid stimulants with caffeine, i.e. coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate 24 hours before the test
6. Take any normal medications that you use on an ongoing basis. Note that high doses of alcohol, amphetamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, corticosteroids, and immune suppressives may make testing more difficult; thus if not a part of your normal medical plan of management, avoid 24 hours before the test.
Fee Schedule:
FIT : Adult 98 Child 89
Extended FIT: FIT, FA&P,EST: Adult 199 Child 189
( Food Intolerance Test, Environmental Test, Food Additive and Preservative Test )
FIT or EST Consult: Adult 98 Child 89 (Additional to Test Fee)
(It is recommended to have a food intolerance consult with this visit, to counsel you on how to go about making the food changes)
The results of this test are available shortly after your test.
Blood Allergy Testing ( IgE & IgG )
Allergy Testing at Optihealth is done via blood plamsa analysis. This is done in contrast to scratch testing (the technique Allergist’s will commonly use) .
The advantages to the Optihealth Method are:
- We are able to test a great number of items. Thus you can have many items tested through one blood sample draw which give you also the most accuracy.
- False negative results are minimized ( as when a person is stressed the body releases adrenaline which may cause false negative results especially in children)
- We are able to see results from an immediate allergic reaction ( IgE) and a delayed allergic reaction ( IgG)
- The Test maybe done as single samples from Gammadynacare or as group testing at Meridian Valley Labs through Optihealth. If you have more than 19 items that you wish to have tested it is advised to use the group testing for 95 items as your best financial option.
“Allergies” can follow two pathways either an Immunoglobulin E ( IgE) response which is an immediate reaction or an Immunoglobulin G ( IgG) response which is a delayed response. In an allergic reaction the mast cells in the immune system then release histamine to produce traditional allergy symptoms.
At Optihealth we perform IgE and IgG using a lab called MVA labs http://www.meridianvalleylab.com/allergy_dept_details.html
Fee Schedule:
Single Allergy Item Test IgE or IgG : 32 Plus 11 for each item tested
ie 32 +110 =142 for 10 items tested through Gamma DynaCare
E- 95 Common Food Allergies IgE & IgG : 209 US plus 25 gammadyne blood draw fee
A-95 Seasonings and Other Foods IgE & IgG : 209 US plus 25 gammadyne blood draw fee
Both E and A Combo Ig E & IgG : 316 US plus 25 gammadyne blood draw fee
Blood Spot Panel ( 45 Allergens): Contact Optihealth for latest fee
Consult: 98
( It is recommended to have a consult to integrate your results for your optimal health plan)
You are given a requesition for testing in which you go to any Gammadyna Care Lab in Ottawa http://www.yellowpages.ca/bus/Ontario/Ottawa/Gamma-Dynacare-Medical-Laboratories/3039765.html?adid=14026563ac&what=Laboratories-Medical&where=Ottawa+ON&le=adbcfdd1ee%7Cadbcfdd1ec%7Cadbcfdd1f1
The results are generally available 2 weeks after sample is received.
