Lab Testing

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by Dr Julia Britz NMD

Lab testing is a vital aspect of Alternative to Meds Center’s overall program.

test for addictive biochemistry Lab testing by our medical staff is the most accurate way to get to the bottom of mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, or psychosis. Additionally, lab work may allow us to discover the pathology of addictive biochemistry. Through comprehensive testing, we are able to design the most effective personalized treatment for each resident.

Testing of this order is what most people hoped for when they began having issues.

The reason we believe it’s important to do such thorough lab testing is often there are physiological factors contributing to what’s going on mentally. Additionally, many psychiatric medications affect a person’s biochemistry, and we need to see how the body compensates so we can suggest the most appropriate treatment for you.

Psychiatric medications can affect a person’s endocrine system, nutritional status, sleep patterns, and neurochemistry. Being in a state of anxiety or depression does the same thing. This is why we dig deep and see what’s really going on within the whole body. We don’t want to just think about the brain, we want to restore balance to the whole person!

Lab testing allows us to see what is really going on beneath the surface.

Our lab testing is not limited to but includes:

Complete metabolic functioning including liver and kidney
Complete blood count with differential
Amino acids
Trace minerals
Cortisol
Sex hormones, comprehensive
Pregnancy, thyroid, blood sugar, iron, and other metabolic markers
Additional tests may be requested by the medical directors

Extensive blood chemistry analysis allows us to get started with a clear picture of where the client is at. We can assess blood sugar, electrolyte balance, organ function, hormone balance, adrenal function, neurotransmitter status, immune function, nutrient and mineral status, and the cofactors in between. Nutrient deficiencies, for example, play an important role in health and dis-ease and are almost always seen concurrently with mental health symptoms.

Thorough lab work combined and analysis of clinical symptoms combined with effective holistic treatments is the most effective way to heal the body and mind together.

Originally Published Mar 20, 2020 by Dr Julia Britz NMD

This content has been written by a licensed Naturopathic Doctor.

Julia Britz

Julia Britz is a licensed naturopathic doctor who received her training from Bastyr University in San Diego, CA. She specializes in supporting people who are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, OCD and eating disorders; as well as a chronic illness like autoimmunity and mold toxicity. Her passion for working with individuals suffering from these lonely conditions is that she too was a “hopeless case”, but got better.

Dismissed by doctors, she was told over and over there was nothing else she could try beyond pharmacotherapy, and so was inspired to create myocddiary.com, a site dedicated to documenting the daily life of OCD and related disorders. Through this project and holistic therapies, she found new levels of wellness, and in 2014 did a TED talk called “MyOCDdiary: an imperfect story.”

She utilizes natural and integrative modalities including targeted amino acid therapy, peptide therapy, micronutrient therapy, NAD+ and IV therapy, botanical medicine and epigenetic analysis. Dr. Britz listens to her patients and respects where each person is on their healing journey. She understands that each individual has unique needs and she is passionate about finding creative ways to support them and optimize their health. She is passionate about the work being done at ATMC, by the healthcare team and the residents, because true healing happens when we all heal together.

In her personal life, Dr. Britz loves to paint, go backcountry camping with her siblings, bake and explore ghost towns. Originally from Las Vegas, she now enjoys living in Arizona with her adorable cat, Icky Thump.

Social Profile: LinkedIn

View Bio

Medical Disclaimer:
Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.