ADD/ADHD
Using Laboratory
Tests in Treating ADD/ADHD
Below are some
common questions about our ADD/ADHD lab tests, or you can find out more
about the testing process in the Getting Tested
section.
How
does the testing process work?
We
do everything we can to make your testing experience as convenient and
simple as possible. Blood samples are collected in your doctor's
office, hospital lab or other clinic and then sent to us free of charge
by Federal Express. Urine or hair samples are even easier, and can be
collected right at home. Transportation from your doctor's office or
home to the lab is included in the price of the test for US residents.
(For general information about our testing, see the Getting Tested section.)
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How
can I get test transport kits?
It's
easy. You can contact The Great Plains
Laboratory by phone, fax, e-mail,
or from our website to get a test. There's
no charge for the test kits. After you receive the kit, you'll need
a physician to authorize the testing. You can use your family physician
or one of the physician groups from our
site.
Blood
samples are sent from the lab or doctor's office. There is no shipping
fee, but you are responsible for any blood collection fee. You can send
hair or urine samples in from home.
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What
about insurance coverage?
Most
of our testing is generally covered by insurance and we would be happy
to file your claim. We do not currently file for Medicaid. Find out
more in our Insurance and Payment section.
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How
can I use these test results to help me and my child?
We
provide detailed reports of results. In addition, we are pleased to
provide a phone consultation to help you
and your physician implement a treatment plan.
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Where
can I get help to find out how to recognize which foods are major
sources of food dyes and additives?
The
Feingold
Association can provide books and other literature on choosing
safer foods for affected children and adults.
Physician groups which are usually more knowledgeable about nutritional
approaches and food allergies in AD(H)D can be located at the American College for
Advancement in Medicine (ACAM). You may also want to seek
out physicians using enzyme potentiated
desensitization (EPD) as a way of treating food
allergies, as they are more likely to be knowledgeable about these
issues as well.
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What
type of allergy testing is best?
We
recommend that you do IgE testing for
inhalant allergies such as grass, weeds, dust, dander, etc. and IgG testing for food allergies. Many food allergies are missed when IgE
testing is used for foods.
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What
about drugs such as Ritalin?
We
are not anti-drug. If medication is needed to control serious symptoms,
you and your physician need to keep your child's welfare first.
Numerous studies have established the effectiveness of Ritalin in
controlling symptoms of hyperactivity.
However,
none of these studies address the underlying causes of AD(H)D. We
suggest that you begin to look for underlying causes of your child's
hyperactivity. If you found that your child had carbon monoxide
poisoning due to a leaking furnace you could just give him supplemental
oxygen, but it would be better to fix the leaking furnace producing the
carbon monoxide. Once the biological causes of AD(H)D are found, you
may be able to reduce or eliminate drug therapy.
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