Full Description
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Please contact us at (714) 864-3730 or pe@anti-fragilityhealth.com to order your test.
Blood Spot
Blood spot testing is very easy to collect, utilizes a simple finger prick collection system that can be conveniently performed at home by the patient, and does not require a venous blood draw or phlebotomist. Blood spot stability and integrity is maintained through desiccation, and samples can be mailed from anywhere in the world in a prepaid return envelope that does not require an express courier. The experienced staff at Doctor’s Data has validated many different tests using this collection method, and correlation data between blood spot and serum/blood samples is available for each assay.
Detailed Information
Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may influence health and risk for dieases facilitates clinical support for patients. The Doctor's Data DNA Methylation Pathway Profile includes a variety of SNPs known to influence many aspects of health including:
- insulin sensitivity
- bone health
- cancer risks
- cardiovascular health
- detoxification processes
- fertility
- mitochondrial function and metabolism
- methylation
- neurotransmitter balance
The identification of SNPs and their impact on health and physiology is an ongoing area of research – the hope is that finding and studying these small variations in DNA will lead to better and more individualized medical interventions. In many cases the environment – diet, nutrition, toxicant exposures, stress - may further modify the expression of genes and SNPs.
The SNPs affecting detoxification and methylation become even more important if a patient has been exposed to the toxicants such as mercury, lead or bisphenol A (BPA). Lead and BPA inhibit the function of methyltransferases, and mercury inhibits methionine synthase, an important enzyme in the re-methylation of homocysteine. Methylation is an essential step in the detoxification and elimination of arsenic and other xenobiotics. Normal methionine metabolism is a critical component of Phase II detoxification processes; the B-12 and folate-dependent transmethylation and B-6 dependent transsulfuration pathways convert homocysteine to cysteine. Cysteine is an important precursor in glutathione biosynthesis.
The greatest difficulty in interpreting SNP results is determining the extent to which a DNA genotype is phenotypicallyexpressed. Functional tests, combined with evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and responses to intervention, are necessary to assess the influence of known SNPs on the phenotype. DDI’s Plasma Methylation Profile is one such test; it provides a direct assessment of several major metabolites that indicate genetic and epigenetic affects. The Plasma Methylation Profile is a functional follow-up test when SNPs affecting methionine metabolism are identified.
DDI’s DNA Methylation Pathway Profile allows clinicians to screen their patients for a variety of SNPs that may impact the function of important biochemical processes. Identifying SNPs that influence health and disease risk allows clinicians to support their patients with appropriate lifestyle changes and nutrition to maximize health and wellness.
Usage Directions
Before you start:
Please read all of the directions, and familiarize yourself with the collection procedures.
This test requires no special diet. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinning medications or if you have a blood clotting disorder. Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
The lancets and collection card provided are for one time use only. Do not collect from the fifth/little finger, or on children younger than one year, because the tissue depth is insufficient. Do not layer blood on a previously dried spot. Avoid strong repetitive pressure (milking) in the pricked finger. This may cause tissue-fluid contamination of the specimen.
More Instructions: