We often get asked about the testing we offer at LifeScape. Overall, we look at our patients’ entire health and together determine which tests should be done to help with a specific condition or optimize overall health and well-being. We carefully personalize which tests we feel our patients would benefit from having.
An annual physical is always recommended, both for preventive health and to ensure if something has been progressing silently, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol causing plaque deposits in your heart arteries, it is caught before it causes a big problem.
If you are a Concierge or SimpleCare member, we encourage you to call 480.860.5500 to schedule your annual physical today. Not a member? Request a Meet & Greet with one of our providers today!
Our “Premier Physical” labs include a comprehensive set of labs we believe all adults should have annually. Obtaining a trend of certain labs can also help to paint a picture for us of your overall health.
Some patients are concerned by seeing a number of tubes being lined up, but I promise it is less blood than you think (much less than donating blood), and provides us with valuable information!
Below are a few examples of the specialized testing we can run at LifeScape, and what the results can show us to help you prevent or address specific conditions.
The HbA1C test evaluates a 3-month average blood sugar level. An HbA1c trending up shows us if metabolic issues are beginning.
The High sensitivity CRP helps to classify heart disease risk. This test also tells us if there is a “slow burn” going on – which patients can sometimes feel with achy joints.
A low vitamin D level might be a contributing factor for another health process, such as immune function issues, fatigue, or mood issues.
Unlike other family practices, at LifeScape we do the Cardio IQ Advanced panel which gives detailed cholesterol labs including the cholesterol particle sizes and numbers.
This test shows us what kind of “dump-trucks” (the cholesterol particles) exist, and how we can address concerns with diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Frequently, patients can have a normal basic cholesterol panel but the particle sizes and numbers are not ideal. These findings may indicate further workup is needed, such as a CT heart scan to calculate the amount of plaque in the heart arteries.
We offer multiple blood-based nutritional screening tests such as Spectracell’s Micronutrient and Genova’s Metabolomix tests.
These tests can indicate particular deficiencies or identify patterns. For example, multiple low vitamin B results can indicate something such as “leaky gut”. There is also an easy-to-do blood test by Spectracell which can give an estimate of aging based on telomere length.
Each patient’s health conditions are different, so talk with your provider if you would like this.
Another novel test we offer is Grail’s Galleri cancer screening blood test. This test detects up to 50 types of cancers, 45 of which have no other screening tests. Grail’s Galleri uses a breakthrough technology to help detect abnormal cancer cells that are shedding cells into the bloodstream. It can then be determined - majority of the time - where the abnormal signal is originating from.
This annual test is likely recommended for those at higher risk for cancer and patients who are in their 60s onward. It currently is not recommended for patients with cancer or who had a recent cancer for surveillance.
Some autoimmune conditions as well as the catch-all diagnosis of ‘Irritable Bowel Syndrome’ may be from gut dysfunction or dysbiosis, including SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth).
We use two companies to perform the breath test to determine if there is SIBO, and a stool kit to look at the organisms in the gut to determine overall gut health.
We work with multiple companies that provide food sensitivity blood tests, which may be indicated for people with autoimmune issues and food intolerances, to name a few conditions.
For genetic tests, we offer saliva or blood tests. These tests can help with cancer risk stratification, especially for those with family histories of certain cancers, or who have an indication for them to have testing, such as Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
In addition to these tests, we do offer some less common tests which may be needed for someone with a particular condition or risk. It is important to discuss all of the options with your provider at your physical.
We encourage our patients to always take full advantage of their concierge care program. If you have any questions, please contact pwynne@lifescapepremier.com.
With Concierge Care at LifeScape, Dr. McMillen and our other talented physicians treat you as a whole person. Our functional and integrative approach takes into consideration your history, genetic risks, and lifestyle, to get to the roots of your conditions and solve them in a holistic way.