Diagnostic Tests
Dr. Riddle uses many different tests, labs and a detailed history of his patients to get a comprehensive overview of their health.
Contact Regulation Thermography (CRT)
Contact Regulation Thermography (also called Computer Regulation Thermography) or CRT provides a functional analysis of 15 major organ systems in the body. CRT is also very helpful at detecting indications of early disease processes or imbalances including:
- Helping identify blocked organ systems
- Evaluating lymphatic health
- Functionally looking at Gastrointestinal health
- Assessing the body’s ability to adapt to stress
Thermography allows us to measure a baseline and then apply the stress of a cool environment to see how our organ systems are working at both rest and in stressed states. The test is non-invasive, takes about 45 minutes and uses skin temperature readings to gain a functional assessment that can help determine the level of health.
By studying the skin temperature patterns from the patient’s body, the diagnostician gains a direct index of the metabolic activity in the various parts of the body. Disturbances in the energy-conversion processes and reduced responses to the stress stimulus show up in the CRT thermographic scan as inflamed, degenerative or blocked. The information from the thermographic profile and patient evaluation assists our physicians in determining the level of health and helps provide them with indications of disease processes in very early stages.
Subsequent thermographic scans can monitor and demonstrate the progress of treatments as the blocked areas become unblocked or the degenerative areas become normal.
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
We believe that assessing a patient’s response to stress is a key factor in promoting optimal health, and the HRV test can detect early signs of the development of pathological processes or the presence of some functional disorders, which may not be revealed by an ordinary physical examination.
The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) test is a quick electrophysiology study of the stress on your autonomic nervous system (ANS). The test evaluates heart rate variability at rest and gives an assessment of the adaptability of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS. To achieve health and balance, the body needs to maintain a proper balance between the sympathetic, “fight or flight” and parasympathetic nerves “rest & digest” which is increasingly difficult due to the daily demands of the world.
Digital Pulsewave Analysis
With cardiovascular disease as the leading killer in America, the DPA is an invaluable tool to assess arteriosclerosis and is also useful in evaluating oxygen profusion to tissues.
The Digital Pulsewave Analysis (DPA) is an FDA approved device that is sensitive enough to pick up the earliest signs of cardiovascular disease and reduced blood circulation. It gives an accurate measure of the elasticity of a person’s arteries and determines the biological age of arteries.
Reduction in blood perfusion to the capillaries means there is reduced delivery of oxygen to the tissues of the body. When the tissues and cells lack oxygen, the body must shift into anaerobic metabolism (making energy without oxygen). This is a much less efficient process and results in increased production of lactic acid and a shift toward an overall acidic tissue pH. Most organ systems do not function optimally with this shift in metabolism.
Therefore the application for DPA’s testing goes beyond cardiovascular health and can be used gain more insight into tissue health, with implications in prevention of chronic disease, enhanced performance and greatly supports anti-aging programs.
Bio-Terrain Assessment
Biological Flow System Analysis can be a powerful health-screening tool as it assesses oxidation (free-radical damage), mineral status, hydration, vitamin C status, kidney function, lymphatic congestion, and protein intake and output.
Biological Flow System Analysis delves deeply into the body’s unique biochemistry by measuring and identifying key biochemical imbalances found in the urine and saliva. By examining metabolic makers in urine and saliva you can gain an insight into the body’s “biological terrain”. The five area’s evaluated are electrolyte status, anabolic/catabolic imbalances, sympathetic/parasympathetic dominance, acid/alkaline balance and fast versus slow oxidizers.
Flow Systems Analysis allows us to use quantitative data to monitor patient progress throughout treatment. Measuring biochemical changes in a quantitative way also enables us to use this tool as a vehicle to maximize health, athletic performance, and recovery.
Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA)
The doctors at the American Center for Biological Medicine consider Bio Impedance Analysis or BIA to be a invaluable tool in the assessment of total health as the test provides a true baseline of where your body’s physiology currently resides. This space-age science is also used by NASA to monitor the body composition of astronauts in flight.
BIA takes an internal snapshot to reveal a person’s cellular health and then gauges how quickly or slowly a body is aging on the inside. By measuring the way a low dose of electrical current flows through the body, body composition can be determined. Lean tissues like muscles are great conductors of electricity, while fat and bone do not conduct electrical current.
BIA is a ground-breaking system in that it is the first method to accurately assess the weight of your body-cell mass, the weight of your muscle and organ tissue, plus red cells and tissue cells. The test itself is non-intrusive and takes only five minutes.
The parameters assessed using BIA:
- Phase Angle represents the quantity and quality of active tissue. It is a key bio-marker of healthy ageing. Factors which increase active tissue include resistance exercise, sufficient high quality dietary protein, and nutritional support for the mitochondria. Loss of active tissue mass can be a result of the ageing process, low protein/high carbohydrate diets, lack of exercise, inflammation, insulin resistance, stress (high Cortisol), hypothyroidism, and increased body fat. We consider this parameter of the test to be one of the best assessments to measure the biological health of your body.
- Active Tissue Mass (ATM) represents the amount of metabolically active tissue including: organs, nervous tissue, visceral and skeletal muscle. Changes in ATM are generally due to changes to the skeletal muscle mass. Factors which increase ATM include resistance exercise, sufficient high-quality protein, and adequate rest. Deficiency of quality dietary protein, lack of exercise, malabsorption, inflammation, elevated cortisol (stress), insulin resistance and hypothyroidism can contribute to loss of active tissue mass.
- Fat Mass is the total mass of adipose tissue, including visceral (internal organs) and subcutaneous (beneath the skin) deposits. Factors which increase fat mass include excess calorie consumption, dietary high carbohydrate to protein ration, insulin resistance, elevated insulin levels, inflammation, hypothyroidism, elevated cortisol (stress), lack of exercise, and low ATM.
- Intracellular Water (ICW) represents all of the water which is contained within the ATM cells. Higher levels of ICW are correlated with anabolic cellular processes and better health. Factors which increase ICW include large ATM (a larger muscle mass holds more water), sufficient intracellular electrolytes and proteins, and good cellular energy production to maintain electrolyte pumps. Dietary deficiency of protein or electrolytes, catabolic factors (inflammation, stress, hypothyroid) leading to a loss of ATM, lack of energy production, and cell membrane damage (toxicity, oxidative damage, lack of essential fatty acids) can all contribute to a decrease in intracellular water.
- Extracellular Water (ECW) includes all of the body water that is not found in the ATM. This includes water in plasma, tissue spaces and lymph, and is commonly referred to as edema. The ECW also includes all water which is stored in the body fat. Higher levels of ECW are associated with poorer health. Factors which increase ECW include increased body fat levels, inflammation, toxicity, immune activation (infection, allergy), injury, increased sodium consumption, lymphoedema, renal failure, aldosteronism, Cushing’s disease, heart failure, flying, and hypothyroidism. A reduction in body fat will generally reduce ECW. Other factors decreasing ECW are dehydration, diuretics, alcohol and caffeine intake (acutely).
BIA gives information on the body’s cell function, energy production and fluid balance. This allows your Naturopath to monitor your energy levels, toxicity, inflammation and response to treatment. BIA is also a very accurate tool for measuring biological age, as well as body fat and muscle levels, two of the most important bio-markers of ageing. No other test provides all of this information so quickly and easily.
The data for evaluation is gathered through computer monitoring of the R-R intervals using a chest strap sensor applied to the subject’s body. First the patient lies down (supine position) for several minutes. Then, after a computer-generated signal (beep), the subject stands up and remains standing. This takes about 7-10 minutes and the results can be viewed immediately either on screen or as a print out. Your doctor will then be able to analyze and explain these results. It allows an overall view into the functioning of your nervous system.
When used in conjunction with Computerized Regulation Therapy it can highlight which system or tissue is compensating the most for the imbalance detected by Heart Rate Variability. When we repeat this test in the future we will be able to monitor improvement in your body’s ability to self-regulate in response to stresses.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Food sensitivities are on the rise today and contribute to a host of symptoms, fatigue, allergic shiners, migraines, asthma, allergies, ADD, ADHD, joint pain, ear wax, dandruff, hypertenstion, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal reflux, IBS, weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, dry skin, eczema, etc.. The list goes on and on. With processed foods, genetically modified foods, high sugar consumption and the generally poor diet Americans eat, it is not surprising food sensitivities play a role in overall health.
Food sensitivities or intolerances are delayed reactions to foods and induce chronic activation of the innate immune system which gives rise to inflammatory processes. The chronic immune activation from repetitive exposure to food sensitivities cause excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other inflammatory metaboliates.
A difficult factor with food sensitivities is that they differ from true food allergies as the symptoms are often delayed by up to two days after exposure while food allergies trigger an immediate immune response. Food allergies cause an acute response and release massive amounts of the chemical histamine that leads to an immediate reaction such as anaphylaxis, hives, etc.
The methods used for identifying food sensitivities vary and often combinations of methods are used to gain a complete picture, such as a thorough medical history, blood tests and in-house testing.
Digestive Testing
The digestive system plays a significant role in overall health and wellness. Cells need nutrients to function properly and without proper digestion the body is deprived of the building blocks it needs to effectively perform.
When food is inadequately digested, absorption is disrupted and food starts to ferment which then causes production of toxins. Toxins are then released into the blood stream and lead to inflammation and a whole host symptoms and illness.
The digestive system also plays a vital role in the immune system, as the intestines possess the larges mass of lymphoid tissue, called GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue). Immune cells are produced in the GALT and the tissue is important in protecting the body from pathogens.
With the rise of ADHD, ADD, autism, IBS, celiac, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and many others, it is essential to evaluate the gastrointestinal system, as it often is a major contributor to ill health. Proper digestion requires multiple enzymes, healthy bacteria, and the absence of parasites, infectious bacteria, and inflammatory metabolites.
We use extensive blood, stool and urine tests to evaluate your digestive function. The tests are used to uncover leaky gut, pancreatic function, digestive enzymes, dysbiosis (bacterial balance), inflammatory processes, celiac, hepatic detoxification and imbalances correlated with each individual’s picture.
Hormone Analysis
Hormones are the powerful chemical messengers in our body that alter the way that distant cells and tissues work. They are essential for bodily functions, metabolic activity and brain function. Small amounts of hormone are secreted by glands into the bloodstream to deliver profound affects on metabolism in other areas of the body. It is vital to evaluate adrenal, gonadal (testes/ovaries), thyroid, and the pituitary glands together to effectively get a complete picture and to identify the root cause of hormonal dysfunction.
One of the newest modalities in modern medicine is the field called Age Management Medicine. From this perspective, we look at all of the hormone levels in a patient and make interventions to normalize the hormones that are deficient or elevated. While this can provide profound changes in the symptoms that are experienced by patients, we also strive to find and eliminate the underlying causes of these aberrant hormone levels so that patients take as few medications as possible long term.
The American Center for Biological Medicine evaluates hormones through saliva, blood and urine testing where appropriate.
Chronic Infection Screening
Chronic infections are a causative factor in many chronic illnesses. Some infections cause direct symptoms while others tie up the immune system and interfere in its ability to accomplish normal activities. To ensure that the immune system is operating at its highest level, it becomes important to identify the presence of any chronic infections so that targeted therapy can be put in place to rid the body of these stressors. Once the body can be cleared of these infections, the ideal internal terrain can be nurtured so that the activity of the immune system is stimulated to its greatest levels. We have found a significant number of patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple other disease states that are testing positive for multiple infections.
In many cases, when these infections are eliminated and the body is stimulated to restore and rebuild itself, the other symptoms resolve themselves. Chronic infection screening at the American Center for Biological Medicine is used to identify, viruses, bacteria, and Lyme disease and co-infections. Chronic infections are treatable obstacles that can interfere with your overall health.
Heavy Metal & Environmental Toxin Testing
Toxicity inside the body is another major source of stress on the immune system and contributes to chronic disease states. We live in a world were we are exposed to toxic elements on a daily basis. It is important to decrease your toxic exposure and optimize your body’s ability to eliminate built –up toxins. Heavy metals and environment toxins such as volatile solvents, PCB’s, phthalates, parabens, chlorinated pesticides, organophosphates, & bisphenol A, all need to be evaluated and eliminated to optimize health.
Heavy metals are a group of minerals that includes things like lead, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic and others. These metals are by products of modern industrial society. They occur in cigarette smoke, dental amalgams, cookware, drinking water and used to be common in paint as well as our water pipes. The body does its best to eliminate heavy metals but over time the metals often get stored in tissues and bind to receptors therefore blocking minerals and hormones and interrupting normal physiological functions in the body.
Environmental toxins are found in everything from plastic bottles, to new carpet, furniture, beauty products, pesticides and cleaning products. Certain vegetables, fruits and food products can be a source of exposure to environmental toxins as well. Over time, these toxins can bind to and block normal hormone function and can cause a plethora of symptoms, headaches, fatigues, muscle/joint pain, etc.
The reality is that many people have elevated levels of toxins that contribute to the inflammation, autoimmune disease, and poor health. Heavy metal and environmental toxins also play a significant role in the aging process due to the hormone disruptions and excessive free radical damage they produce.
The American Center for Biological Medicine uses blood and urine testing to evaluate for heavy metal and environment toxins.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
To evaluate most musculoskeletal injuries, a diagnostic ultrasound evaluation is the best option. It is superior to most other methods of evaluation for several reasons. X-rays can be beneficial for identifying bone abnormalities such as fractures, spurs & bone changes associated with osteoarthritis, but do not show soft tissue injuries. MRIs can show soft tissue changes, although often they are used with heavy metal based dyes primarily to evaluate joint cartilage. They are also expensive.
Ultrasound is the ideal diagnostic device to evaluate muscle, tendon and ligament damage. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a real-time image of the area of injury without the need for heavy metal based dyes or the cost associated with MRIs. In addition to identifying areas of current injury, the diagnostic ultrasound can be used to identify weak areas in tendons, ligaments and muscles that can be treated before an injury happens.
Once injured areas are identified and treated, periodic re-assessments can be done to determine the percent change and the amount of therapy needed to completely heal an injury.
