Clinician Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions and Answers:

Q: I’m located in New York. Can I order tests from you?

A: No. Sorry, at this time we are unable to accept any samples from or send any test kits to New York.

HORMONE TESTING

Q: How long can the urine stay at room temperature for the 24hr urine hormone?

A: It depends on the temperature and test.

For example, if it’s summertime in Texas or Arizona it can be left for 48hrs (that’s true for all urine hormone profiles).  If it’s a humid area with high temps 48hrs at room temp is maximum. CompPlus w/hGH, CompPlus, or Estrogen Profile they can be left at room temperature for 48hrs and refrigerated for one week.Sex, Adrenal, or Comp. can be left at room temperature for 3-4 days and refrigerated for one week. The hGH is the only analyte that can NOT be FROZEN!!!

Q: Does testosterone affect human growth hormone test (hGH) results?

A: Yes, it can cause them to be high.  If the patient plans on continuing to take testosterone then it is recommended to continue taking it, if they want a baseline and may possibly go off of testosterone then it needs to be avoided for 3 weeks.

Q: If the patient is or has been on birth control how long do they need to be off of it before beginning the Hormone 24 Hour urine test?

A: Recommended at least 3 months.

Q: If patient takes the morning after pill, how long until they can collect?

A: Patient must wait one week from taking the pill to collect.  If it’s past their days to collect they will have to collect the following month.

Q: If I have to start over can I get a new boric acid tablet?

A: Yes, there is  a $10.00 shipping fee.

ALLERGY TESTING

Q: What is a “pending” result?
A: Meridian Valley Lab (MVL) adheres to strict westergard Quality Control rules. This means that our quality control must meet stringent guidelines. Because of the westergard QC definition, a certain amount of antigens will fall out of criteria. MVL wants to give you and your patients the best results. MVL will not turn out any results that do not meet those guidelines. The patient’s sample is rerun for the antigens that did meet the criteria. MVL only allows up to 7% of 95 per run to be repeated; if the percentage is higher than 7% the entire run will be repeated. MVL hopes this helps you in explaining it to your patients. Meridian Valley Lab understands the importance of complete and accurate results given to you and your patients.

Q: I’ve read that oats contain gluten, yet my results show a very low “score” for oat.  Is there any explanation for this?  Does your results test a different part of the oat?

A: Oats do not contain gluten, but are often processed in facilities that process wheat and are therefore often contaminated with gluten. Oats also contain another protein which can also be irritating to those with gluten sensitivity.

Q:  What type of antibodies do you test for?

A: There are five classes of antibodies IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, and IgD. Some of these are associated with allergic reactions, IgE, IgA and IgG. Some of the classes have subclasses. We actually test for IgG₄ and IgE in our format.

Q: How do you know what foods I have sensitivities to?  How does the test work?

A: In our test, we place your serum in with the foods.  If you have the antibodies it attaches to the food. If you do not have the antibodies, then it does not attach to the food. Then we add anti-human antibodies. If there is no human antibodies then there will be no color reaction.

Q: The ELISA Food Allergy test shows I am allergic to some foods that I have never noticed to cause me a problem, why is that?

A: Some people do not recognize the reactions because their bodies are overwhelmed by all the reactions. If you avoid the food for a period of time (talk to your doctor, a couple of months is reasonable) and then reintroduce the foods one at a time and wait after each one for 4 days to 1 week. You will probably notice specific reactions. Look for things like headaches, congestion, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, confusion, emotional problems like anger, etc.

Q: What is the difference between IgE and IgG₄?  How do I know which reaction I am having according to my test results?

A: IgE is an immediate, obvious mediated food reaction that may include hives, wheezing, rhinorrhea, vomiting, and/or anaphylaxis.  IgG₄ is a delayed mediated food reaction that may include such symptoms as headache, digestive complaints, musculoskeletal symptoms, and/or skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis.  IgE and IgG₄ cannot be differentiated in our ELISA test results.

Q: Gluten and Gliadin is included in the E95 allergy test.  What is the difference from that test as compared to the Gluten/Gliaden Sensitivity test?  Why would I choose to do this test?

A: The E95 food allergy tests your IgE and IgG4 reaction to Gluten and Gliadin.  The Gluten/Gliadin Sensitivity test measures serum IgG and IgA antibodies to gliadin (GA) and serum IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (tTg).

Indications for the Gluten/Gliaden test include, but are not limited to, Autism, Celiac Disease, Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1), Hepatic Disease, Neurological Disorders, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Schizophrenia, and Thyroiditis (auto-immune).

Q: What does “insignificant, moderate, and significant” mean?

A: Insignificant, or negative, means that there was not a significant – or no reaction – to the specific antigen.  This food can be eaten freely.

Moderate, or equivocal, means that this food can be a potential allergen if eaten more than once every four days.  We suggest that you rotate this food through your diet.

Significant means that you should eliminate this food from your diet completely.  If you want to try to reintroduce foods that you know will not cause an anaphylactic reaction, eliminate them from your diet for at least 4 weeks, then every week, one food maybe re-introduced.  If any reaction is noticed, discontinue the offending allergen and eliminate it from your diet completely.

Consult with your physician about desensitization of food allergens.

Q:In the allergy test what kind of malt?

A: Barley

Q: What family is Black Bean in?

A: It’s in the Pinto and Kidney Bean family.

Q:If patient is allergic to dairy products can they have lactose free products?

A: No, we don’t check the all dairy ingredients so we recommend they avoid anything that has dairy in it.

Q: What’s in the mixes in the allergy results?

A: Apple Mix: Red Delicious, Yellow, Delicious, and Jonathan.

Squash Mix: Yellow (summer) and Acorn (winter)

Chili Powder: Peppers, Garlic, Cayenne, Paprika, Cumin, Oregano

OTHER LAB TESTS

Q: What is the weight of hair collected required for Hair Mineral Kit?

A: .22 Grams

Q: What is better method to test for minerals hair or urine?

A: If is between the 24hr urine minerals and hair mineral it is better to do the hair mineral analysis but the best method would be the 6hr urine minerals.