Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) FAQs

Why is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) an Exceptional Tool?

Gastrointestinal Health Panel (GIHP) FAQs

Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) with Saliva Testing

How Does Metabolic Typing Work?

How Does Heredity Affect My Diet?

Core Premises of Metabolic Typing

All of our tests can be purchased online, with downloadable instructions or are available by appointment at the Optimal Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact us to make an appointment or just ask questions. We have many years of experience and have worked with thousands of clients.

The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) is a panel of 6 tests analyzed from 4 saliva samples you submit:

• Cortisol is measured from all 4 samples to evaluate stress response and adrenal function
• Insulin is measured from 2 samples to investigate blood sugar control and assess potential or real insulin resistance
• DHEA is measured as a marker of adrenal gland ability and stress adaptation
• Secretory IgA is measured to evaluate the toll of cortisol on immunity
• 17-OH Progesterone is measured to determine adrenal reserve
• Gluten Antibodies are measured to identify grain intolerance and stressor severity

When your Adrenal Stress Index Saliva Test order is received, our lab is notified and ships you a sample collection kit with instructions. Follow the directions inside of the test kit and submit your samples via the United States Post Office, Express Mail, back to the lab. You may use another overnight service but USPS is the most affordable and is reliable. Once we receive your results from the lab, we will mail them to you. This process usually takes 7-10 days.

When you receive your test results, contact us to make an appointment for your 30 minute consultation to interpret your test results. If you need a longer consultation, additional time is charged at $1.40/minute.

An Adrenal Stress Index is best used in conjunction with a HTMA. The reason for this is that optimal mineral levels are needed to correct adrenal gland imbalances. Additionally, heavy metals interfere with the body's ability to rebalance hormones and rebalance gut immunity. The results of both tests give a more complete picture of what is needed to improve your health.

Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) with Saliva Testing

The Female Hormone Panel (FHP)™ is a simple, non-invasive test. Eleven saliva samples are collected during specified time periods throughout a menstrual cycle. For the first time in routine medical practice, the FHP will allow both patient and doctor to view the profile of Estrogen and Progesterone. In addition, we report the cycle average for Testosterone and DHEA. Diagnostic guesswork is minimized, and hormonal balance evaluation and customized treatment become a reality with the FHP. This expanded FHP also includes 5 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) measurements to see if both brain control and stimulation of the ovaries is optimal.

• Functional infertility
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Fibroids
• Influence of lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.) on the hormone cycle
• Menstrual problems originating in the brain's systems
• Early pregnancy problems - spontaneous miscarriage
• Cycle irregularities following the use of birth control pills
• Cycle irregularities following the use of birth control pills
• Dysmenorrhea, i.e. painful and heavy periods
• Migraine headaches
• Endometriosis and cystic ovarian disease
• Early Osteoporosis Advantages of the FHP

Customized Hormone Therapy — Presently, female hormone therapy is not individualized to the needs of each woman because current diagnostic tests do not provide sufficient data. Consequently, most women are treated without regard to their individualized physiology and specific needs. The FHP, for the first time, will allow a clinician to customize therapy to each woman.

As is typical in most clinics, one or two blood samples or a 24-hour analysis of urine for these hormones cannot give an idea of the ovaries' hormonal productivity. The FHP gives a good approximation of the ovaries' capacity over a whole cycle.

This test includes 30 minutes of consultation and a full dietary and supplemental protocol.

We test for natural hormones circulating in women, one, two, six or eight of them, depending on the need. We utilize your saliva as a sample for measuring hormones, such as Testosterone, DHEA, Progesterone, Estriol, Estrone, Estradiol, Dihydrotestosterone*, and Androstenedione*. The brain-derived regulating hormones, Follicle Stimulating Hormone** and Lutenizing Hormone**, are also measured to help assess efficacy of control and feedback between the brain and ovaries. Saliva hormone values reflect the tissue concentration of your hormones. Blood and serum contains the total hormone, but your tissues are only bathed with the active or effective fraction as found in saliva. Active fraction measurements are superior to blood and urine measurements both in diagnosis and treatment.

*Part of the Male Hormone Test
**Included in the expanded PHP-1

How can we help you?

Example: A woman suffers from several symptoms — migraines, hot flashes and emotional fragility. She is having irregular periods, one every 6-8 months. Her doctor treats her with natural estrogens, but he does not do any testing to determine quantities or types of hormones that will meet her specific needs.

• Increased blood pressure
• Endometrial cancer (uterine cancer)
• Fibroid growth
• Gallbladder disease
• Over 15 years, at least twice the risk of breast cancer. With a test of her saliva hormone levels the doctor would have known that she has too much estrogen, not enough progesterone to balance the estrogen, low DHEA, and marginal testosterone.

This test includes 30 minutes of consultation and a full dietary and supplemental protocol.

The Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Panel evaluates gastrointestinal function and health in order to assist you to overcome digestive disorders such as Candida albicans, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, Colitis and seemingly unrelated symptoms such as Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. The Gastrointestinal Health Panel is often recommended for those people who have traveled abroad extensively, have unresolved digestive problems, have a sudden change in bowel habits and are using probiotics to address their digestive health.

The Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Panel includes 15 conjoint parameter analyses tests covering the following:

• Stool culture for yeast and bacteria such as Blastocystis hominis
• Immunoassays for Giardia antigen, Cryptosporidium antigen and Clostridium difficile toxin
• Microscopic Ova and Parasite wet mounts, general stain and special stain
• Antibody IgA for Ameba histolytica
• Antibody IgG for Heliobacter pylori
• Fecal pH test
• Anti-Gliadin antibody test for Gluten Intolerance
• Digestion related screens for enzyme levels and immunochemical markers such as Chymotrypsin
• Intestinal function markers to evaluate irritation and inflammation; markers indicate overall status of gut immunity and integrity, i.e. occult blood, total intestinal SIgA, etc.

The fee for the Gastrointestinal Health Panel includes 30 minute consultation to establish a healing protocol possibly using diet, supplement, colon cleansing, herbs and lifestyle changes. When you receive your test results, contact us to make an appointment for your 30 minute consultation to interpret your test results. If you need a longer consultation, additional time is charged at $1.40/minute.

When your Gastrointestinal Health Panel order is received, our lab is notified and ships you a sample collection kit with instructions. Follow the directions inside of the test kit and submit your samples via the United States Post Office, Express Mail, back to the lab. You may use another overnight service but USPS is the most affordable and is reliable. Once we receive your results from the lab, we will mail them to you. This process usually takes 7-10 business days.

A Gastrointestinal Health Panel is best used in conjunction with an HTMA. The reason for this is that optimal mineral levels are needed to correct digestive imbalances. Additionally, heavy metals interfere with the body's ability to heal and rebalance gut immunity. The results of both tests give a more complete picture of what is needed to improve your health.

Gastrointestinal Health Panel (GIHP) FAQs

The Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Panel – Expanded panel of 22 conjoint parameter analyses tests contains all 15 of the tests in the Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Panel above and the 30 minute consultation , plus:

• Food intolerance test for milk antibody - SIgA
• Food intolerance test for soy antibody - SIgA
• Food intolerance test for egg antibody - SIgA
• Stool test for Tapeworm
• Stool test for Roundworm
• Stool test for Tissue worm or Trichinella
• Stool test for Toxoplasma

Read the Gastrointestinal (GI) Health Panel description above for further explanation.

The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is an invaluable screening tool which allows a correct program of diet and supplementation to be designed for each individual's specific needs. The three areas of analysis are:

• Nutrient mineral/electrolyte levels in the body's tissues are measured including Calcium; Chromium; Magnesium; Selenium; Sodium; Phosphorus; Potassium; Nickel; Iron; Cobalt; Copper; Molybdenum; Manganese; Lithium; Zinc; Boron
• Toxic metal levels to determine the heavy metal load in the body including Lead; Mercury; Cadmium; Arsenic; Aluminum
• Significant mineral ratios that help determine carbohydrate metabolism, thyroid function, level of inflammation, adrenal reserves, copper toxicity, tissue breakdown, and calcium shell.

Once you purchase the HTMA test online, you will be sent an HTMA instruction form. Fill out the form which also includes instructions for preparing your hair sample. Mail in your hair sample and the form to the Optimal Health Center. We forward the hair sample to our testing lab. Once we receive the results, we mail a copy to you. This whole process takes 10-14 days from the time we get the hair sample.

When you receive your test results, contact us make an appointment for your 15 minute consultation to interpret your test results. If you need a longer consultation, additional time is charged at $1.40/minute.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) FAQs

Why is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) an Exceptional Tool?

Download/Print Mineral Ratio Worksheet

Using a saliva sample, the regular Male Hormone Panel (MHP)™ panel measures six hormones: DHEA, Androstenedione, Testosterone, Dihy-drotestosterone, Estrone and Progesterone. The extended MHP panel measures these six hormones plus FSH and LH.

Traditionally, age-related male hormone changes were not considered problematic, because fertility in men persists until an advanced age. Recent studies and careful evaluation in men has shown progressive changes, including:

• Decreased muscle mass and strength
• Decreased vigor and low energy
• Decreased libido
• Insomnia
• Nervousness and depression
• Hair loss

This test includes a 30 minute consultation and a complete dietary and supplement protocol.

Metabolic Typing uncovers the patterns of the genetically-based strengths and weaknesses that make each of us, on a physiological and biochemical level, as unique as our fingerprints.

Taking a Metabolic Typing Test determines the balance and efficiency of your:

• Autonomic Nervous System, the master regulator of metabolism and how it’s two sides, the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic, are working together
• Oxidative System to determine the rate at which nutrients are converted to energy

Within each of these Control Systems, there are 3 possible Metabolic Type categories:

• Autonomic Nervous System
  • Sympathetic Type
  • Balanced Type
  • Parasympathetic Type
• Oxidative System
  • Slow Oxidizer Type
  • Mixed Oxidizer Type
  • Fast Oxidizer Type

Therefore, there are 9 possible Metabolic Type combinations involving the pairing of the Autonomic and the Oxidative Systems:

Sympathetic Fast Sympathetic Mixed Sympathetic Slow

Balanced Fast Balanced Mixed Balanced Slow

Parasympathetic Fast Parasympathetic Mixed Parasympathetic Slow

The Advanced Metabolic Typing Diet Program will help you fine tune your diet so that you eat foods that are ideal for your particular metabolism, in the correct ratios of macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. You will discover the “fuel mixture” that works best for you. Remember that cells are like tiny “engines of metabolism,” and food is the fuel that each cell runs on. When the right foods are eaten in the correct proportions of macronutrients, that food is converted into energy, and not stored as fat, toxins or offered as food for unhealthy microorganisms like Candida albicans.

THE GOAL FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH IS TO BURN THE MAJORITY OF YOUR FOOD INTAKE FOR ENERGY. Eating according to your Metabolic Type will allow you to more fully burn your food for energy, thus for health and longevity.

The Advanced Metabolic Typing Diet Program includes:

• An easy-to-complete online computer analyzed questionnaire
• 45 minutes of consultation by phone or in person with Kristina Amelong, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor
• A custom diet and supplement plan based on your Metabolic Type
• Guidance to establish an individualized cleansing program using colon cleansing, coffee implants, castor oil packs, gallbladder and liver cleansing, lymphatic drainage and more

When we receive your Advanced Metabolic Typing order, we will email you a link to the test and instructions on how to complete and submit the test online. Once we receive the results, we will email them to you. When you receive the results, read them over. Then contact us to make an appointment for your consultation in person or on the phone.

How Does Metabolic Typing Work?

How Does Heredity Affect My Diet?

Core Premises of Metabolic Typing

The Comprehensive Metabolic Typing Diet Program includes:

• All features listed in the Advanced Metabolic Typing Diet Program
• An additional 45 minutes of consultation by phone or in-house with Kristina Amelong
• A hair tissue mineral analysis
• A glucose challenge test
• A potassium challenge test
• An acid/alkaline pH test
• A circadian rhythm test

The additional comprehensive testing in the Comprehensive program requires you to purchase separately approximately $200 of additional supplies and tools. These items are available from Ultra Life, Inc. or at your local pharmacy. Below is a list of the items you will need to purchase separately in addition to the test program itself:

• Macherey-Nagel pH Test Strips for urine and saliva pH
• Blood Pressure Unit
• Reagent Strips (urine test strips)
• Glucometer (Accucheck Advantage)
• Glucose Test Strips (Accucheck)
• ABO Blood Type Test Kit (not necessary if you know your blood type)
• Potassium Challenge (enough for 3 tests)
• Glucose Challenge (enough for 1 test)
• Stop Watch or Clock with second hand
• Basal Thermometer (with mercury, not a digital thermometer)
• Measuring teaspoon
• Pupil Size Mirror
• Container For Urine

For the Comprehensive Metabolic Typing test, you will need to perform a variety of self-tests (potassium challenge, glucose challenge, reagent strip tests and circadian test) and record all your results within the online questionnaire. When we receive your Comprehensive Metabolic Typing order, we will email you a link to the test questionnaire and instructions on how to purchase and perform the other tests and submit the questionnaire and the tests results online. Once we receive the computer analysis, we will email the analysis results to you. When you receive the results, read them over. Then contact us to make an appointment for your consultation in person or on the phone.

Your Metabolic Typing Advisor can be available to you on an on-going basis to answer your questions throughout the duration of your program. Please follow all of the testing instructions carefully. If you have any questions, please don't guess at the answers. Consult your Advisor for answers before proceeding.