Multiple Sclerosis Testing Overview
In order to gauge your current state of health, our clinic will often request copies of your last two years of medical testing and will often recommend further testing as needed. Our clinic does request some testing that is and not commonly performed in more "mainstream" medical clinics. 24-hour heavy metal testing with provoking agent, neurotransmitter analysis, food sensitivity testing, comprehensive stool testing and Candida antigen testing are commonly recommended by our medical staff. Some of these are discussed in detail in the links in this section.
What to Expect on Your First Visit:
First office visits typically last 45-60 minutes. Your doctor will review your intake form with you and gather a detailed medical history. A partial physical exam is usually performed and medical records are often requested from your primary care physician and/or other doctors. Specialty laboratory testing may be recommended. Most clients are offered an initial protocol consisting of nutritional supplementation, dietary and life style recommendations.
First Visit: Blood Test
To assess and identify kidney, liver, blood sugar and other key factors such as blood cholesterols. The results are explained to the patient, giving him/her a fuller understanding of the blood chemistry, so that they may take control.
Patients are required to fast for 14 hours before the test. Water may be drunk freely, but not tea, coffee, juices or other beverages. Appointments are normally arranged for mid-morning so that food and drink can be consumed up to 8pm the previous evening. On the day of the appointment, any prescribed medication should be taken with water as normal.
Patients are recommended to bring food to eat after the blood sample has been taken. Diabetics should advise the clinic, and separate arrangements will be made.
First Visit: Urine Analysis
To establish exactly how the kidneys are functioning. Patients are required to collect urine over a period of 24 hours. This should be as near the date of the blood test as possible, but must not include the 14 hours fasting period prior to the appointment.
A recommended timetable is that the first urine of the day should be excluded, than all subsequent urine for the next 24 hours collected in clean plastic containers. (If collection starts at 8am, this process must be followed until 8am the following day.) Eg. Appointment 10am Friday, fasting commences Thursday 8pm. Urine collection starts Wednesday 8am. until Thursday 8am.
Containers should be clearly labeled with the patient’s names and brought to the clinic at the time of their appointment.
First Visit: Resting ECG for Doctors Report
The electrocardiograph (ECG) determines the condition of the heart and measures its actions and the pulse.
The doctor in charge reports any findings in his medical notes.
Specific Multiple Sclerosis Testing:
A. Neurological Examination
What is a Neurological Examination?
A neurological examination is a noninvasive procedure that evaluates the patient’s mental status, motor system, sensory system, reflexes, coordination and gait through physical tests and mental questions.
Indications and Contraindications:
A neurological examination is done to patients when conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer’s Disease, ADD-ADHD, neurological trauma, multiple sclerosis, psychological diseases, and memory loss is suspected.
How do you prepare for a Neurological Examination?
There are no special preparations required for a neurological examination.
How does it feel? How long will it take?
There are many types of neurological tests that can be performed on a patient. Tests for coordination, muscle strength/weakness, tremors, posture, neck and back movements, sensory perception, eye movements, motor functions, and reflexes.
A neurological examination may take approximately 1-2 hours to be completed.
Effects after the test:
There are no side-effects to a neurological examination. Depending on the patient’s mental and physical health, the patient may feel exhausted from the tests by the end of the neurological examination.
Results:
Normal Findings: All tested functions are found within the normal range
Abnormal Findings: Examination reveals abnormalities of the CNS functions.
- Weakness, numbness, stiffness and pain of the muscles
- Sensory problems (i.e. vision loss,
- Cognitive (i.e. memory loss, concentration) and emotional problems (i.e. depression, mood changes)
- Problems on coordination and balance
- Hearing loss
B. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
What is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
MRI is a diagnostic radiology procedure that visualizes the CNS, joints, extremities, spinal cord, back and neck, kidney, breasts and liver. An MRI procedure uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of organs and body structures.
Indications and Contraindications
Indications for MRI include:
- Evaluation of headaches
- Neurological signs of CNS diseases
- Neck and back pain
- Detection of brain tumors, injury, bleeding
- Diagnosis for stroke
Contraindications:
- Patients who are pregnant
- Patients with intrauterine device
- Patients with medication patches
- Patients with unstable vital signs
- Patients with implanted metal objects such as pacemakers, ear implants, metal fragments on eyes, aneurysm clips, and infusion pumps
- Patients with artificial heart valves
- Patients undergoing chemotherapy
How do you prepare for Magnetic Resonance Imaging?
There are no dietary restrictions necessary before the MRI procedure. All metallic objects on the body such as jewelry, dentures, clips, belts, coins and cards should be removed before starting this procedure. It is also recommended that you empty your bladder before the MRI.
How does it feel? How long will it take?
MRI is a painless procedure that usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. A contrast material may be used for the MRI. It is injected intravenously in your arm. This usually takes 1-2 minutes. You may feel a slight prick or tingling sensation as the contrast material is injected in to your veins.
During an MRI, the patient is required to remain still so as not to distort the scan. There will be times that you will be asked to hold your breath. For some patients, lying motionless during an MRI can be uncomfortable and some are claustrophobic inside the equipment. In these cases, you will be lightly sedated to help you relax.
You may hear a thumping sound while the test is going on. If necessary, you can request for earplugs. In rare cases, it is normal to feel warm on the area being examined.
Expected effects after the test:
Normally, there are no effects after the procedure. In some occasions, allergic reactions due to the contrast material used may develop. Notify your physician of effects such as allergies or infection on the IV site and follow the treatment prescribed to you by your doctor.
Special instructions after the test:
You may drive home without assistance after the procedure. However, if you were given a contrast material and sedatives during the procedure, avoid driving and have a responsible adult to drive you home. For the next 24 hours, drink water frequently to expel the dye out of your body. If you are nursing, breastfeeding must be resumed 2 days after the procedure to avoid passing the dye to your child. Notify your physician if a delayed allergic reaction occurs and follow the treatment recommended.
Results:
Normal Findings:
- There is no evidence of a disease in the x-ray images from MRI scan.
- Normal results illustrate the absence of foreign materials, growth, bleeding and build-up in the brain, blood vessels and skull.
Abnormal Findings:
- Enlargement- hydrocephalus
- Presence of tumors- cerebral tumor
- Demonstration of hemorrhage and abscess
- Blockage and narrowing of blood vessels
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Brain infection and abscess
- Abnormal findings indicate multiple sclerosis
Notes:
Inform you doctor of your current medical conditions such as sickle cell anemia, heart conditions, diabetes, and kidney disease.
MRI equipments have a maximum weight limit. It cannot support over 300 pounds of weight
The Right Diagnosis and Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Once the comprehensive review is completed for each patient, our doctors and our team of medical professionals will evaluate your diagnosis. At this point, our doctors will spend one on one time with you to interpret and explain your results. Together you will explore your goals and discuss your treatment plan options. These treatment plans can be implemented using multiple modalities such as medications, hormones, diet, supplements, behavior and lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies. Our doctors will prescribe a preventative and comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and fits into your lifestyle.
Patients Medical’s Personal Approach to Multiple Sclerosis
Our doctors and our team at Patients Medical will regularly monitor your progress and track the effectiveness of your program making adjustments if necessary. Our goal is to support you and advise you every step of the way.
We work in conjunction with your existing doctors. Any gaps between specialists are filled to ensure we support your overall health and well-being. While we treat serious medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and heart disease; the primary objective of our staff is prevention and early detection of disease.
Next Steps:
Poor health can significantly affect your life. Improve your life by changing to good health. Call our patient coordinator at 1-212-679-9667 or click on Request an Appointment to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for evaluation and testing.
We are located at: Patients Medical PC, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 900 (Between 42nd & 43rd Street), Manhattan, NYC, New York, NY 10017.
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Article Last Updated: 06/26/2009
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