Dr. Hirani may order specialty lab work in addition to the conventional lab work your previous doctors may have ordered. The unique and leading edge laboratory testing that she orders gives her insight into how your body is behaving bio chemically and provides data for the precise, focused individualized recommendations she will make for your condition.

It is impossible for the office to predict the types of lab work she may recommend in advance of your history and physical exam. This is a partial listing intended to give you an idea of the types of tests available.

Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
For proper gastrointestinal health your body must carefully coordinate the breakdown, absorption and elimination of food. Poor digestion or imbalances in your intestinal flora can result in many illnesses, from gastrointestinal complaints such as chronic constipation and abdominal pain to more serious illnesses which may appear to be unrelated to digestion, such as asthma or migraines. 40-70% of your immune system functions through your gut. Assessing and analyzing your gastrointestinal function provides an important window into your immune system that most conventional doctors overlook. A sample report and more information is available by clicking on the above link.

Erythrocyte Mineral, Nutrients and Toxic Elements
Toxic Elements Profile
The erythrocyte (RBC) is the red blood cell that floats in our serum to carry oxygen to our cells. This tests reveals hidden mineral deficiencies that may be contributing to your problems. This assay screens Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Potassium, Selenium, Vanadium, and Zinc. It is also an initial screening for the following toxic elements. Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead and Mercury. In this particular case, RBC is superior to the hair, serum and plasma analysis for determining the levels of your essential minerals and toxic elements because it checks the levels inside of the cell. For example, if you are deficient in a specific mineral, your body may prioritize and pull it from one part of your body to use in another, transporting it via the blood. Thus testing via extra cellular levels would not reveal a deficiency, but intra cellular levels would. Depending on your condition, Dr. Hirani may have you do further toxic element screening via urine and a provoking agent. Follow the above links for sample reports.

Bone Resorption
There are several tests for bone loss. One uses x-rays to assess bone mass. Another, a bone biopsy, requires an invasive surgical procedure. However, these tests only detect bone loss after it has occurred. The Bone Resorption test can measure bone loss before it becomes a problem. Using early warning indicators, the test reveals your current rate of bone loss, determines if you are at high risk for future bone loss and fractures, and will help monitor the effectiveness of your current preventative treatment. A sample report and more information is available by clicking on the above link.

Food and Environmental Allergen Profiles
Intestinal Permeability
Most people are familiar with common symptoms of food allergies such as skin rashes, sneezing, asthma, however you may not know that allergies can affect every major system and organ in the body causing recurrent infections, body pains, fatigue, anxiety, depression and a host of other symptoms. Reactions are often delayed, occurring hours or days after exposure, making the detection of food and environmental allergies possible but difficult without the right blood tests. Sometimes when left untreated, the chronic inflammation of the lining in your gut due to food allergies can lead to "leaky gut syndrome" where the space between the cells lining your digestive tract increases and allows large, yet undigested, food particles to slip into your blood stream. These foreign particles in your bloodstream then wreak havoc in the body causing your immune system to attack antigen-antibody receptors on common body parts like the cartilage in your knee, thus leading to knee pain. All this due to a food allergy! The Intestinal Permeability test is a simple test that checks the porousness of your gut.

Amino Acid Profile (Plasma)
Amino acids are the building block of every neurotransmitter in the brain. Deficiency of these, especially the "essential amino acids", can cause depression and anxiety. Dr. Hirani will recommend this test to her patients who have not improved by following recommendations for diet, supplements and lifestyle changes. Based on the results of your amino acid profile, a customized formula of amino acids can be formulated which can have remarkable benefits, eliminating the need for prescription drugs and their side effects.

Estronex 2/16 OH Estrogen Ratio
This test evaluates a female's risk for breast cancer. The estrogens in a female's body produce two types of metabolites: 2OH and 16OH. The former are protective and the latter can promote breast cancer. Examining the ratio can indicate an increased risk for breast cancer and the need to modify your diet and take certain supplements.

ION Panel (Individual Optimal Nutrition)
The Metametrix ION Profile is a comprehensive combination of nutritional analyses that measures levels of fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants, as well as other markers of metabolic function. Over time, functional nutritional inadequacies can result in a variety of chronic health conditions. The ION profile can help determine functional nutritional inadequacies due to poor dietary consumption.