Hi, determined and madietodd.
directlabs.com acts as a conduit to the labs that actually run the tests. They handle tests from several of the specialty labs, all of which must have federal CLIA certification to operate.
This doesn't mean that they never make mistakes and always have perfect quality control, but I generally find that the lab test results they give are consistent with the symptoms picture and with each other.
I've used this site myself. and referred many other people to it. I haven't received any complaints about the service. It does take some time to get the results back, but I think most of that is delay involving the labs themselves. The prices are probably higher than one could get through a doctor who deals directly with the labs, if the doctor does not tack on a fee themself, which some do.
As far as methylation testing is concerned, the Health Diagnostics methylation pathways panel is not offered through this site, but one can order urine organic acids tests from it, and they will give indirect evidence of whether there is a partial block in the methylation cycle and glutathione deficiency. The one I have used most is the Genova Diagnostics Metabolic Analysis Profile, which is on this page:
https://www.directlabs.com/OrderTests/tabid/55/language/en-US/Default.aspx On this panel, the strongest marker for a partial methylation cycle block is simultaneous elevation of Figlu and methylmalonate, to the middle of the page or higher. The markers for glutathione depletion are high or low pyroglutamate, and sometimes also a big drop between citrate and the two Krebs metabolites that follow it.
This panel alone will give a good indication as to whether there is a partial methylation cycle block and glutathione depletion. However, to get the most out of this panel, and to be able to evaluate what cofactors may be deficient, it is best to run some other panels with it. If you do that, "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts," because you can use one panel to help interpret the other, and get a more complete picture. Of course, more panels means more cost, and I realize that can be a problem.
Amy Yasko is now requiring that people order a complete package of biochemical tests at the same time if they want her to analyze their results. She does offer a time payment plan over as long as 10 months. The reason she has done this is that if a person orders only one or two of these tests, there will be a lot of questions that arise from the results that cannot be answered without further testing. If the person then orders another test, it takes time to get the results back, and she has to restudy the person's earlier results in order to interpret the new ones, which is not very time-efficient. Also, if the time drags out between the tests, it isn't clear that they can be analyzed directly together, because the biochemistry can change over time, especially if a person's illness is progressing or they change supplements, or other factors. So getting them all at once does pay off in the long run, if the person can afford it. Here is the package she recommends, in addition to her nutrigenomic panel (When I analyze a case, I actually prefer to see a plasma amino acids panel, too.):
Urine Amino Acid
Metabolic Analysis Profile
Urine Toxic Metals w/ Ess. Elements
Hair Elements
Fecal Metals
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
Gastrointestinal Function Profile
NeuroTransmitter
Best regards,
Rich
