Dr. Nicola utilizes sophisticated diagnostic testing to evaluate the underlying stressors that may be causing a variety of health issues.  The list below is a sample of the tests she uses more commonly.  The testing selected will differ depending on the health issues and needs of the individual.

Foundational Tests

Functional Adrenal Stress Profile (with estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and melatonin) - This test evaluates the Cortisol circadian (24-hour) rhythm along with DHEA to provide an accurate assessment of adrenal function.  It helps to reveal problems adaptating to environmental, emotional, mental, and physiological stressors. This test is coupled with the Metabolic Assessment Profile in the Foundational Health Program test to provide a comprehensive analysis of your underlying health. Additional tests including Progesterone, Estradiol (estrogen), Testosterone, and Melatonin may be included based on your individual needs. – Saliva  

Metabolic Assessment Profile – This profile measures oxidative stress, liver detoxification capacity, and protein digestion – critical elements in an accurate assessment of the risk of degenerative illnesses, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.  Since a great many serious health problems have their origins in the digestive system, determining your ability to digest and absorb nutrients is essential for the early detection and/or avoidance of many potentially serious health problems. – Urine  

Expanded Chemistry Profile Plus – This is ten different tests rolled into one!!  Checks blood counts (ruling out anemia and immune dysfunction), liver and kidney function and mineral levels.  It also screens gluten intolerance with anti-transglutaminase and anti-gliadin antibodies, blood sugar dysregulation with fasting insulin, glucose and amylase, and candida (yeast) overgrowth.  A full thyroid screen is included with TSH, free T3 and free T4, as well as checking RA factor and ANA, common markers of auto-immune disease.  No one test has ever given so much information!!  - Blood


Digestive System Testing

Mucosal Barrier Function – This test is used as an immune system indicator of overall intestinal mucosal integrity, as well as of gastrointestinal physiology.  This test is the cornerstone for determining the need for further diagnostic assessment.  It evaluates the existence of yeast and/or bacterial imbalances, dietary food protein sensitivity, and secretory IgA production. – Saliva  

Gluten/Food/ Immunity Profile – This profile is critical in the effort to rule out sub-clinical causes of inflammation and gastrointestinal dysfunction. This test assesses sensitivity to certain food proteins including gluten (wheat and grain protein), milk, soy, corn, and rice. It also evaluates the production of Secretory IgA, your body’s first line of immune defense against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and allergies. - Saliva

Gastrointestinal Pathogen Screen – GI infections pose an increasing threat to the U.S. and all other countries. This problem is especially insidious due to the fact that an absence of GI complaints and/or symptoms does not rule out the presence of these potentially life-threatening infectious organisms.  This GI Pathogen screen determines the existence of abnormal bacteria, yeast, fungus, and parasites. - Stool

Parasite Antibodies Profile - This test detects the presence of 3 different parasite infections, including Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia, and Entamoeba histolytica.  This test is part of the comprehensive analysis regarding digestive function and infection.  – Blood

Helicobactor Pylori Antibodies - This test detects the presence of H. Pylori antibodies IgG, IgM, and IgG, and is more specific than standard medical blood tests using only IgG.  This test is part of the comprehensive analysis regarding digestive function and infection – Blood   

Helicobactor Pylori Stool Antigens – This test detects the presence of H. pylori micro-organisms in the stool.  It frequently finds infections that may not even show up on the blood test, making it a vital part of the GI analysis.  – Stool

Food Allergy Test – This test measures immune response to 90 different foods.  It is used when multiple food sensitivities exist, and can help direct nutritional programs.  IgG reactions are measured, which are slower and more subtle than IgE reactions.  – Blood

Candida DNA and Candida Antibodies – Detects Candida DNA in the bloodstream which is an indicator that intestinal barriers have broken down allowing yeast to enter the bloodstream and stress the immune system (“leaky gut”). Candida antibodies are also measured to differentiate the degree of Candida involvement in your body.  - Blood    

Hormone Testing

3 Day Female Hormone Panel - measures estradiol, progesterone and testosterone on each of three days and DHEA-S on one of the days. It can be used to establish baseline levels of sex hormones and also to monitor the efficacy of adjunctive hormone therapies.  This panel is chosen over the 1 day sample for women is early menopause who are no longer cycling but who's hormones may still fluctuate day-to-day.  - Saliva

Expanded Pre-menopausal Hormone Panel – saliva samples are collected every other day throughout the cycle, allowing for a map of the entire cycle to be analysed for estrogen and progesterone levels, timing of events etc.  This test would be chosen for a pre-menopausal woman who is still cycling and experiencing issues such as PMS or infertility.  - Saliva

Amenorrhea Profile Group I - This test measures estradiol, LH and FSH (pituitary hormones that stimulate events in the menstrual cycle).  It is most indicated for women who are of reproductive age but not menstruating, such as in anorexia nervosa, and can help determine whether lack of ovulation is primary (due to the ovaries) or secondary (due to the pituitary).  - Blood

Amenorrhea Profile Group II – This test measures estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA-S.  It is a useful test for evaluating PCOS, hirsutism, and evaluating pregnancy health.  - Blood

Male Hormone Panel - This profile provides a snap shot of male sex hormone levels from a single saliva collection. Cortisol, DHEA-S, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, progesterone and estrone are measured.  It is ideal for men who are experiencing hormone-related symptoms due to a decline in hormone levels around their 40’s and 50’s.  - Saliva  


Infections and Immunity  

Immune Function Profile  - This tests provides an analysis of cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, including T-helper: T-suppressor ratios, Natural killer cells and immune complexes.  It provides detailed information about the function of the immune system.  - Blood  

Infections and Auto-immunity – This test shows markers for auto-immune conditions as well as 18 different infectious agents.  It helps evaluate oral infections which are a major source of auto-immune reactions.  - Blood  

Immunology of Lyme Disease Panel - This panel provides comprehensive markers to help identify the presence of antibodies not only to Borrelia burgdorferi, but to other organisms that the immune system may recognize because of their similarity to B burgdorferi.  - Blood    


Testing for Toxicities  

Mold Antibodies Profile – This test gives immune markers to five different molds indicating mold exposure. Under certain conditions, many molds produce mycotoxins, natural organic compounds that initiate a toxic response in humans.  - Blood  

Heavy Metal Immunoglobulins – Immune markers to lead, nickel, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, indicating a heavy metal toxicity.  – Blood  

Hair/ Urine/ Stool Heavy Metals – A hair test can be a useful baseline of how much metal is being excreted from the body, and how much is sequestered in the tissues.  Urine and stool metal tests are usually done either with a challenge (giving a chelating agent to provoke elimination of metals and then measuring how much actually comes out) or as a  periodic measurement once chelation therapy is underway.  – Hair/ Urine/ Stool    


Other Tests  

Platelet serotonin & norephinephrine – tests levels of neurotransmitters which may be helpful indicators in depression and anxiety.  Also useful for monitoring anti-depressant medications or amino acid therapy.  - Blood