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 Airborne 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. We cannot bill Blue Cross directly but will provide you with
a reimbursement form that you can file with your plan. Find our more in
our Insurance and Payment section.
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How can I use these test results to help my child and
me?
We provide detailed reports of results. In addition, we
are pleased to provide phone consultations
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 the 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. A better approach would be 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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