At the offices of Dr. Christopher Calapai, located in Garden City and Plainview, NY, we offer blood testing to provide our patients with insight into their bodies and overall health. This testing process also incorporates hormone testing and mineral testing, and after gathering the necessary data, we’ll receive results that provide us with a baseline so that we can move forward with the treatment plan that helps address your symptoms, correct deficiencies, and improve your health and quality of life.
What Is Blood Testing?
Blood testing is a simple process that can help diagnose any illnesses you’re dealing with that are currently unknown to you, determine the root cause of certain negative health symptoms, and provide useful information to help you better monitor and support your health. This testing process can meet the needs of patients with significant health issues and those who simply want to take steps to invest in overall health and well-being.
In addition to helping to diagnose illnesses, blood testing can help to identify early warning signs of chronic diseases or other health concerns. Diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, autoimmune disorders, and inflammation in the body name a few. Early detection can make a significant difference in the planning and success of treatment strategies, allowing patients to be proactive instead of only reactive when it comes to their health.
The blood testing process includes a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), liver function, cardiac markers, and cholesterol markers, including the breakdown of the three different types of HDL and LDL. Patients who undergo the testing process will also get results in the form of a full workup that provides more information about the following:
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Proteins
- A full thyroid panel
- Antibodies
- DHEA
- Testosterone
- IGF-1
- Female hormones
- PSA for men
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Celiac testing
- Food allergy testing
- Liver function panel
- High-sensitive reactive protein
- Homocysteine
- Heavy metals
- Iron profile
- Cortisol
- Arthritis panel
- Autoimmune markers
- Urine test for heavy metals
Diving Into CBC and CMP Testing
CBC and CMP testing are most frequently performed during blood draws and provide a vast amount of information. Let’s look at these two tests more in-depth.
Complete Blood Count
The CBC blood test focuses on counting and measuring red blood cells (transports oxygen), white blood cells (fights infections), and platelets (facilitates clotting). It also measures hemoglobin levels, which is the part of the red blood cell that transports oxygen. These test results can help identify the following:
- Anemia
- Infections
- Cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
- Bone marrow and spleen function
- Clotting disorders
Complete Metabolic Panel
The CMP blood test focuses on the body’s fluid balance, blood sugar, electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide), and how well the kidneys and liver work. These test results can help identify the following:
- Abnormal electrolyte imbalances
- Diabetes
- Inflammatory diseases
- Liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Kidney disease
- Malabsorption
Mineral Testing
The CMP blood test and others test the mineral levels in the blood. Mineral testing focuses on your body’s mineral levels to determine if you’re suffering from any deficiencies, which, when treated, will help improve your overall health and well-being. Mineral testing can also help determine whether you’re harboring any harmful substances in your system so that we can take the necessary steps to detox your body and improve your health.
Blood testing is a low-cost and minimally invasive way to see what’s happening inside the body. Symptoms of a mineral imbalance can be vague or general and may only be diagnosed via blood tests. These include:
- A general feeling of fatigue
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Numbness or tingling
- An irregular or fast heart rate
- Headaches
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
Evaluating Your Symptoms and Results
At the offices of Dr. Calapai, we believe that there are far more causes of illness and symptoms than meet the eye. Our goal is to initiate a treatment process that evaluates these causes to provide an accurate diagnosis so we can move forward with a customized treatment plan to improve health and quality of life and achieve exceptional post-treatment results.
What Are the Treatment Benefits?
Dr. Calapai created the comprehensive medical and nutritional approach over 35 years ago. This approach provides patients with an understanding of how their bodies work in cooperation with vitamins, minerals, and hormones. All of these aspects work together to feed and stimulate organ function. It is the most effective precursor to a comprehensive workup that can address conditions and patient symptoms and complaints. Some treatment benefits include the following:
- Concrete data about your health
- The ability to find out the root cause of your illness or symptoms
- Invaluable information about your health and body for an accurate treatment plan
- You’ll be informed about your body and health, which will increase confidence and awareness
- A completely customized treatment process
Beyond these, you can gain a detailed understanding of how your diet, daily habits, and stress levels may be affecting your body through normal or abnormal test results. Education in healthcare eliminates the fear of the unknown and empowers patients to make better lifestyle changes.
Hormone Testing
The hormone system is delicate; any imbalance can affect other bodily systems and organs. One of the benefits of blood testing is that it can give us more information about your hormone levels and any deficiencies, so we can then design a treatment plan to supplement those hormones that the body lacks to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Hormone testing can meet the needs of men and women suffering from the symptoms of a hormone deficiency. These symptoms can negatively interfere with quality of life and impact physical, mental, emotional, and sexual health. Once we determine your deficiency after hormone testing, we can use bioidentical hormones to resolve the imbalance and promote hormonal harmony.
Food Allergy and Sensitivity Testing
One valuable aspect of blood testing is the ability to see if you are allergic or sensitive to specific foods or ingredients. Food allergies can potentially be life-threatening while sensitivities can cause symptoms of discomfort, like bloating, fatigue, or skin problems. Dr. Calapai will measure the allergy-related antibody in the blood known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) which will alert if any of the tested foods caused an allergic reaction.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is not a food allergy, but an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks itself. While eating gluten-free is a trendy option these days, only about 1% of the United States population has been diagnosed with celiac disease. While many may be sensitive to gluten, those with celiac disease are unable to absorb the nutrients in gluten, which can damage the lining of the small intestines. Symptoms of celiac disease include:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
If you are concerned that you may have celiac disease, our antibody blood test can confirm or deny your suspicions. However, we can only perform this test if you are not on a gluten-free diet. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are not concerned about celiac disease, please reach out to us and we can try and determine the cause.
Blood Testing FAQs
What Can I Expect from My Testing Process and Results?
The tests required during this process depend on your health history, physical exam results, and primary symptoms and concerns. When we gather all the necessary information, we can better understand the causes of any medical problems and move forward with an effective treatment plan to resolve them. The blood testing process is simple and minimally invasive. Once we gather your results after completing the testing process, we can discuss them with you and move forward with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Am I a Good Candidate?
If you want to learn more about your body and current health and get results so you can move forward with a treatment plan that will help you become a healthier version of yourself, you may be the perfect candidate for blood testing. Almost everyone qualifies for this treatment because it doesn’t introduce anything into the body but instead requires a small blood sample that will provide a wealth of information about your system.
Does Blood Testing Hurt?
Most people only experience minor discomfort during a blood draw. The process is quick, lasting only a few minutes. Our team at the offices of Dr. Calapai are experienced in the process of drawing blood and will make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
What Should I do to Prepare for my Blood Test?
To ensure the testing results are as accurate as possible, you may need to fast for 8-12 hours beforehand, depending on the specific tests performed. Avoid alcohol and excessive amounts of caffeine for 24 hours, and make sure to hydrate well. We will provide the necessary instructions if the specific test requires additional steps.
Can I Request Specific Blood Tests?
During your consultation with Dr. Calapai, we encourage you to discuss your specific concerns. He can recommend blood tests tailored to your health goals or curiosities. Whether you are interested in checking your hormone levels, possible nutrient deficiencies, or inflammatory markers, we can customize your blood work for your needs.
Does Insurance Cover Blood Tests?
Insurance coverage depends on your insurance provider and the reason for the blood tests. Blood tests for diagnostic purposes, such as if you are experiencing muscle cramps and Dr. Calapai wants to check your potassium levels, are often covered. Tests requested or preventative or personal health insights are typically out of pocket. Reach out to our team to help clarify coverage before testing.
A Comprehensive Approach to Health
When you seek treatment at the offices of Dr. Christopher Calapai, you’ll receive treatment from Dr. Calapai himself, who is board-certified in family and anti-aging medicine. He’s also certified in chelation (the process of removing heavy metals and minerals from the body) and has a fellowship certification in stem cells. Dr. Calapai takes a comprehensive approach to illness and will consider all your symptoms and blood test results to proceed with an accurate diagnosis and design an effective treatment plan.
Dr. Calapai understands that health education is a critical aspect of the doctor-patient relationship. He strives to teach patients how to understand their health and their bodies better so that after their treatment, they can walk away with more information about their bodies than before seeking treatment. That way, they can feel confident about their health and make informed decisions on their wellness journey.
Take Charge of Your Health
If you want to learn more about your health, find out the root cause of your symptoms or illness, and move forward with a treatment that will improve your health and quality of life, you may benefit from blood testing. This process can provide invaluable insight and information about your body and your health so that you can invest in a treatment plan that will help you revitalize and rejuvenate your system. Contact us today to see how our innovative blood tests can help you feel your best.
