Sugar Land Diet Doctor and Gym

Functional Intracellular Analysis

50% of those taking supplements will remain deficient.

There is overwhelming evidence confirming that vitamin deficiencies are associated with disease processes and the overall condition of your health. Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress the function of the immune system which can contribute to degenerative processes such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to name a few. Yet you, like many other people, may be deficient in some vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and/or other essential micronutrients and not even know it.  University research shows that 50% of people taking supplements remain deficient. These deficiencies can contribute to disease processes and keep you from performing your best.

Available exclusively from SpectraCell Laboratories, the patented FIA™ (Functional Intracellular Analysis) measures levels of selected vitamins minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells.

Current standard serum micronutrient tests reflect a person’s diet over a relatively narrow window of time. The results can be biased by many factors, especially by foods eaten during the few days preceding the test, allowing potential long-term deficiencies to be missed.

But now, after 18 years of research, the patented SpectraCell FIA™  uses your own cells (resting lymphocytes) to measure the biochemical intracellular function of selected essential micronutrients.  Analysis of the function of these cells under SpectraCell’s patented conditions can reveal a person’s functional nutritional status over a much longer time than conventional serum testing.

The results obtained, therefore, can uncover deficiencies that standard serum tests may miss.  If not corrected, such deficiencies could impair your health by contributing to the development or progression of chronic disease.

Why is nutrient status important?

Nutrient status is a vital foundation of health. Each micronutrient plays an individual and indispensable role in promoting optimal functioning of all our cells. When some of our cells do not function at their best, the foundation of our health is compromised, setting the stage for the development of disease.  By identifying and correcting functional micronutrient deficiencies, you are taking an important step toward long-term maintenance of optimal health.

But I Eat a Balanced Diet, Exercise and Take a Multi-Vitamin.

If this describes all or part of your lifestyle, read on. Many people work at improving their health, yet some individuals still have deficiencies. Why?

Biochemical individuality.

Because each of us is metabolically and biochemically unique, the micronutrient requirements for one person may be quite different than the requirements of another.

Absorption.

Although you may eat a balanced diet, if you do not absorb vitamins, minerals antioxidants and/or other essential micronutrients properly, you will have deficiencies.

Chronic Illness.

Health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fatigue and multiple sclerosis, to name a few, can be affected, directly or indirectly, by micronutrient deficiencies.

Aging.

Our micronutrient requirements at age 30 are quite different from our requirements at age 40, 50 and beyond. Absorption difficulties, especially of vitamin B12, quite commonly occur as we age.

Lifestyle.

Excessive physical activity, prescription drugs, smoking, alcohol and even sedentary habits all impact on micronutrient demands.

Do The Prescriptions You Take Deplete Your Nutritional Status? Dowload our Chart (pdf).

The FIA™  is the only functional intracellular blood test that takes all the above factors into consideration to identify your baseline nutrient status. With this information, specific deficiencies that may be negatively influencing your health may be corrected.

How do the FIA™ tests work?

Your blood is collected in our office and sent to SpectraCell (no fasting is required).  At SpectraCell laboratories your white blood cells are isolated and grown in a series of patented culture media. First, the cells are stimulated to grow in the control media which contain optimal amounts of each micronutrient analyzed.  Then, each micronutrient is removed from the medium, one at a time. The growthof your cells under these different conditions reveals possible deficiencies. If you cells grow well, they are not deficient. If our cells do not grow well, then a micronutrient deficiency is indicated. For example, when vitamin B12 is removed from the medium and cell growth is not sufficient, then we conclude that your lymphocytes have a B12 deficiency.

How do I get an FIA™ test?

Your blood is collected in our office and sent to SpectraCell (no fasting is required).  It takes about two weeks to receive your easy-to-read, comprehensive test results. Additional testing services including homocysteine and specialized tests to assess cardiovascular risk are also available.

How will I be billed?

Insurance.

When ordered for diagnostic purposes, test components are reimbursable by most private insurance carriers (PPO, EPO, POS and indemnity plans*)

If you have insurance (non-HMO plans*) we will file the insurance on your behalf.  However, please be advised that you are at all times financially responsible for services provided. This shall include cases where your insurance carrier does not cover services provided to you by our office. However, we believe so strongly in the importance of SpectraCell testing that, even if your insurance company does not pay for the test, the maximum out-of-pocket amount you will be liable for to Pucillo Family Practice, P.A. is $370. This will fully satisfy your financial responsibility. You will not be sent a subsequent bill for any non-covered portion, patient co-pay or patient deductible. Payments may be made by check, major credit card or in four monthly installments of $94.

If your insurance company mandates a co-pay for office visits, including a return visit for interpretation of results, you are responsible for paying your portion to Pucillo Family Practice at the time of service.

*$75 co-pay does not apply to these insurance carriers: All HMOs plans, G.E.H.A. (Government Employees Health Administration), The Guardian, Humana, Unicare, Principle Financial Group, American Medical Security.

Medicare.

SpectraCell accepts Medicare assignment. Most test components are reimbursable when ordered by us for diagnostic purposes.

Non-Insurance.

You will be responsible for paying an up-front payment of $75 to our office before the test is taken. The non-insurance cost of the testing is $375 less the $75 up-front payment, making a total due of $300. Payments may be made by check, major credit card or in four monthly installments of $75.