The genus Candida comprise about 154 species of which six most commonly inhabit the skin and mucous membranes as members of normal flora. Candida albicans represents the most abundant opportunistic strain while Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis and Candida lusitaniae may also mount infection under opportunistic conditions. Predisposing factors that may set up such conditions include trauma (infection), surgery, underlying disease (diabetes mellitus, Addison’s disease), medications (corticosteroids, antibiotics, oral contraceptives), immunodeficiency, pregnancy, age (elderly, infancy), and malnutrition.
Generally, fungal infections due to overgrowth of Candida are referred to as Candidiasis of which cover a broad range of clinical signs and symptoms encompassing superficial, local and deep-seated infections.
VRP’s Candida Antibodies and Antigen Panel is a semi-quantitative analysis of serum Candida antigen, in addition to IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies specific for Candia spp.
IgM is the first antibody formed after primary exposure to antigen, and reflects a present infection. IgM readily activates complement, and assists the phagocytic system to eliminate antigen from the intravascular space.
IgG is the predominant antibody formed from secondary exposure to antigen, and reflects a past or ongoing infection. It is produced as IgM antibody levels decrease after primary exposure. IgG activates complement, and assists the phagocytic system to eliminate antigen from the extravascular space.
IgA is found in mucous secretions and is important in local (mucosal) immunity. Elevated IgA antibodies may reflect a more superficial Candida infection.

The kit includes all collection materials and the means to ship the specimen to the lab free of charge. Results are provided within 10-14 days from the time the test was received at the lab. This is a simple finger-prick blood spot test.

THIS TEST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE medical advice. The blood test services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of Vitamin Research Products or the ordering physician to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of your personal trained health professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your healthcare team may determine other tests needed to explore your health concerns.

$152.00/kit

The Celiac test was designed to be an extensive evaluation for the presence of Celiac Disease.
Celiac Disease, also called: Celiac sprue, Gluten-sensitive enteropathy, Nontropical sprue is a condition where when you eat foods with gluten, your immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye and barley. It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other products like medicines, vitamins and even the glue on stamps and envelopes.
Tests for Celiac Disease can be divided into 2 different types of antibodies: those which are anti-gluten, and those that anti-self. The anti-gluten antibodies are the anti-gliadin IgG and IgA. Ig stands for “immunoglobulin” or “antibody”.
The anti-self antibodies tested in this methodology is anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA. The tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody is often abbreviated as “tTG”. Each antibody test varies widely in its sensitivity and specificity for predicting whether the disease is present in any individual.
The kit includes all collection materials and the means to ship the specimen to the lab free of charge. Results are provided within 10-14 days from the time the test was received at the lab. This is a simple finger-prick blood spot test.

THIS TEST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE medical advice, a diagnosis or exclusion of disease, yet serves as a screening. If your results are positive consult your doctor immediately, and if the test is negative and you have symptoms associated with eating gluten/gliadin grains, discontinue their consumption and see your personal health care provider.
The blood test services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of Vitamin Research Products or the ordering physician to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of your personal trained health professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your healthcare team may determine other tests needed to explore your health concerns.

$169.00/KIT

Allergic reactions to common foods such as milk, wheat, corn, soy, citrus, tomatoes and peanuts may be mistakenly attributed to passing viral infections or recurrent “colds”. The relationship between the many common symptoms (including fatigue, headache, anxiety, as well as itchy runny nose and puffy eyelids) and the food allergies that caused them may go unrecognized for years. Increased stress, recurrent infections or declining health may add to the burden of chronic food allergies. Over the years, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune disease, eczema, and migraines, to name a few serious conditions linked with food allergies, can develop into chronic conditions if the offending allergens are not discovered and removed from the diet.

This is a quantitative screening test kit for antibodies against 96 different foods reflective of a typical American diet. The test provides the same clinical results that can be obtained from a local laboratory without the added expense and inconvenience. These tests have been developed and independently validated in accordance to the CLIA proficiency testing criteria for acceptable analytical performance.

The food allergy test kit includes all collection materials and the means to ship the specimen to the lab free of charge. Results are provided within 10-14 days from the time the allergy test was received at the lab. This is a simple finger-prick blood spot test that detects allergies to these foods:

In addition, by ordering 98401 you can add the Environmental panel which will test for the following antigens;
Common Grass: Bahia, Bermuda, Smooth Brome, Johnson, Sweet Vernal, Timothy, Perennial Rye;
Common Molds: Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium notatum;
Common Indoor Allergens: Cat Antigen, Dust Mite Mix, German Cockroach, Dog Epithelia, House Dust.
There is no additional blood sample needed. The lab will use the specimen submitted for the General Food Allergy Test.
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications such as oral or intranasal corticosteroids (prednisone, ect..) and topical cortisone suspensions and creams, may affect test results.

* For customers ordering outside of the United States *

Blood samples must arrive to the lab within 60 days, preferred carrier is DHL, UPS or FedEx. Samples returned must be labeled "Non-infectious, non-contagious samples for testing." Results are returned via email unless a hard copy is requested.

Note: food allergy test kits are non-refundable.

The lab test services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of the laboratory performing the test or VRP to provide specific medical advice, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of a trained health professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Food Allergy Testing Cautions:

Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications such as oral or intranasal corticosteroids (prednisone, beclomethasone, fluticasone, triamcinolone), and topical cortisone suspensions and creams, may affect test results. The suggested time period to abstain from these drugs is at least 6 months for oral corticosteroids and at least one month for topical and intranasal corticosteroids. Consult your health care practitioner before making any changes to your current medication regime.

96 General Food Allergy Test Kit
$239.00/kit

Legal Notice: The Author specifically invokes the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. The information written is published for informational purposes only under the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution for the United States of America, and should not in any way be used as a substitute for the advice of a physician or other licensed health care practitioner. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products discussed herein are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Images, text and logic are copyright protected. ALL rights are explicitly reserved without prejudice, and no part of this essay may be reproduced except by written consent. 
©2010 by Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist and Owner of Murray Avenue Apothecary.