As we enter Mental Health Awareness Week (May 6th-10th), we wanted to equip you with some valuable resources to empower your patients’ overall well-being. Mental health concerns are widespread, and a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that contribute to them is crucial. By addressing these root causes, it can help alleviate often-painful symptoms and guide patients towards a path of greater wellness.
This information serves to provide valuable insights to assist you in deciding what to test for.
Lab Tests to Investigate Mental Health
| Gut Health Investigation |
|---|
Issues of the gut are intricately connected to cognitive and mood disruptions through the gut-brain axis.
GI 360, Doctor’s Data
GI Standard Profile, US BioTek
GI Advanced Profile, US BioTek
GI MAP, Diagnostics Solutions Laboratory
SIBO, UHN (University Health Network)
SIBO, St. Mary’s Hospital
| Environmental Pollutants and Toxic Metals |
|---|
Environmental Pollutants and toxic exposures can lead to a wide array of neurological disturbances, implicating cognitive deficits associated with poorer mental health quality. Testing for levels of exposure can assist in a more focused treatment plan.
Environmental Pollutants Profile (EPP)*, US BioTek
Mercury Tri Test, Quicksilver
Toxic Elements Exposure Profile (hair), Doctor’s Data
Urine Toxic Metals Profile, Doctor’s Data
Toxic & Essential Elements* (18 Essential and 20 Toxic Metals) Urine, Doctor’s Data
| Micronutrient and Metabolic Panels |
|---|
These tools are valuable for evaluating levels of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins and insights into imbalances and deficiencies that could affect mental well-being.
Amino Acids Profile, Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory
Mircronutrients*, Spectracell
Nutristat, US BioTek
Organic Acids Test, Mosaic Diagnostics
Organic Acids Profile, US BioTek
Mycotox*, Mosaic Diagnostics
Neuro Basic Profile*, Doctor’s Data
NeuroAdvanced Profile, ZRT
| Food Sensitivities |
|---|
Some medical literature points to a potential correlation between food sensitivities and mental health conditions (depression & anxiety) comparing concentrations of serum IgG against food antigens in patients with major depressive disorders. Higher serum levels of IgG can indicate a connection between food sensitivities and mental health.
IgG General Food Panel + Candida, US BioTek
240 Food 2 Antibody Combo Panel + Candida, US BioTek
E-95 Basic Foods (95 Foods), Meridian Valley
P88-DIY Dietary Antigen Test, Precision Point Diagnostics
MENTAL HEALTH FOCUSED EDUCATION
US BioTek:WEBINAR: Achieving Health Goals with Data: How the Hair Elements Test Can Support an Individualized Wellness Plan
Doctor’s Data:WEBINAR: Achieving Health Goals with Data: How the Hair Elements Test Can Support an Individualized Wellness Plan
GI MAP: WEBINAR: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: A Multi-OMICS Approach
ZRT Laboratory: BLOG: Heavy Metals, Nutrients & Mental Health
Quicksilver Scientific: BLOG: DETOXIFICATION
SpectraCell Laboratories:CASE STUDY: 33 Year Old Female with Chief Complaint; DEPRESSION
Precision Point Diagnostics:WEBINAR: P88 Dietary Antigen Testing QA with Dr. Cheryl Burdette