January Newsletter - Diagnostic Testing

         HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

            The team at Aquarian Labs wishes you and your staff a

                      happy, healthy and successful 2012.

Diagnostic Testing

Overview

Diagnostic tests help practitioners revise disease probability and/or determine baseline and/or monitor treatment strategies. There are five reasons why a practitioner should order diagnostic tests;

• Establish a diagnosis in symptomatic patients. For example, a urinary organic acids test.
• Screen for disease in asymptomatic patients. For example, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in men older than 50 years.
• Provide prognostic information in patients with established disease. For example, a urinary thyroid test.
• Monitor therapy for either benefits or side effects. For example, a salivary hormone test.
• A test may be performed to confirm that a person is free from a disease.

As a complimentary practitioner, tests such as those listed above are available to you and should be used for both ethical and professional reasons. More specifically, if diagnostic testing is used correctly patient compliance increases markedly and hence disease prevention and reversal is more readily achieved.

What you should look for in a diagnostic test

As described in the November 2011 eNews, the things you should be looking for and more importantly asking your testing provider is; ‘Is the test result accurate and reproducible?’ Quite a simple and obvious question. However, you may be surprised by the answer. The crux of any assay is specimen quality and handling. The next is quality of the reagents and kits used. Then comes the experience of the operator and those interpreting and signing off on the results. Finally is the experience and knowledge of the technical and clinical support staff.

The problem with the industry currently is that practitioners are being swayed by price. What needs to be remembered is the old adage, ‘You get what you pay for’. This is just as valid in diagnostic testing as it is in any other industry. If you base your decision on what provider you are using on price, are you really looking after the interests of your patient?

Therefore, please take the time to ask your provider the basic questions about what quality control measures and standards they have in place. It may be the best thing you do in 2012.

Seminar Series 2012

We are pleased to announce that commencing in March we will be running a series of seminars throughout the country. We have organised for a leading researcher, academic and speaker to present on the topic of nutritional based testing. The way of the future. To keep up to speed and to stay ahead of the curve in your clinical practice, an understanding of the power and importance of nutrition is essential.

So please stay tuned in upcoming eNews for dates and locations.