Q. Do I need to have an appointment, or can I just show up?
A. An appointment is required for all tests.
Q. How long do the tests take?
A. This is dependant on the tests you are booked to have. You could be at the laboratory for 10 minutes or up to 45 minutes. Check with reception when making the appointment.
Q. Do I need a Doctors referral?
A. A Doctors referral is required for the DNA testing.
Q. Will having a Doctors referral make any difference to the cost of the tests?
A. There is no difference in cost if referred by a Medical Practitioner, a Holistic practitioner or if self referred.
Q. Will the tests give me a diagnosis as to what the problem is?
A. No. Our tests are not intended to be diagnostic; the tests are designed to assist you with information about your health status and to look for subtle changes that may contribute to ill health.
Q. What is the difference between your tests and routine Pathology testing?
A. In routine pathology testing we test for the presence of disease. Therefore the majority of tests use "normal range" to indicate acceptable levels or "absence of disease". In contrast, with many of our tests, we expect that a patient should show perfect health, or at least aspire to that. These subtle changes may not indicate disease, but usually it is found that when problems are corrected, patient health and wellbeing improves.
Q. What are the qualifications of the technicians doing the testing?
A. All technicians are trained in routine pathology and hold qualifications commensurate with this. We have both Technical Officers and Scientific Officers present in the laboratory.
Q. Are the tests covered by Medicare?
A. No, We are a private pathology testing facility, and our tests are unique. There is at present no Item number for rebates.
Q. Are the tests covered by Private Health Funds?
A. Yes, there are quite a number of health funds that will refund part of the costs. To find out if your health fund is one of these, ask reception at the time of making the appointment.
Q. If I have had tests in the past, would you still have my file?
A. Files are kept for a 5 year period. We would appreciate being informed if you have ever had tests with us before.
Q. Do you open outside business hours?
A. Yes we are open on one Saturday per month.
Q. How long before I receive my results?
A. Copies of results are posted out within a few days depending on the tests requested and as per instruction on the referral form. (If applicable)
Q. What happens when I have received the test results?
A. Australian Biologics does not offer treatment, however we will ensure that if you are a self referred patient, you will be given every assistance in finding a suitable health care professional.
Q. Which is the closest train station?
A. Town Hall. We are almost on the corner of Pitt and Liverpool Street. The entrance to the building is underneath the Monorail track in Pitt St. The building was formerly known as the old "Fays Building".
Q. What is the difference between Allergy Testing and Sensitivity Testing?
A. Allergy is a specific response which involves the immune system and generally does not lessen throughout a person's life. In fact, an allergic response may increase with each exposure. Sensitivity to foods stimulates an undesirable reaction. Sensitivity to foods can be eradicated or lessened by avoiding or reducing contact with suspect foods. Check your results for suspect foods where you have a positive reaction mark. Conversely a person may develop a sensitivity to a particular food that they expose themselves to.
Q. What do the plus (+) signs mean on my result sheet?
A. For maximum benefit, avoid all positive foods for 8 weeks. Following this elimination, if desired, you may re-introduce reactive foods cautiously and monitor any response carefully. If symptoms appear or reactions persist, discontinue intake and consult professional advice.
Q. What is the difference between Wheat and Wheat Gluten?
A. Wheat is the whole grain. Wheat gluten is the protein found within the wheat, it is also found in rye, barley, triticale and oats. The forms of wheat include: durum, semolina, spelt and kamut which are related grain hybrids. (corn, and rice are also members of the grass family.)
Q. Why am I sensitive to one and not the other?
A. Wheat consists of many different components. Wheat gluten is only one of these components, which is highly allergenic on its own.
Q. What is the difference between Baker's Yeast and Brewer's Yeast?
A. Baker's Yeast and Brewer's Yeast are slightly different types of yeast. Brewer's Yeast is more nutrient dense and contains more B vitamins and minerals such as chromium and selenium which are not found in Baker's Yeast.
Q. If I am sensitive to cheddar, does this include other cheeses?
A. Cheddar is a hard cheese. If you are sensitive to cheddar, you may be sensitive to all hard cheeses. Ricotta and Fetta (sheep or goats milk) may be tolerated. Eat small portions only of suspect foods. Reactions can be to between 1 and 5 different milk proteins within cheese. Sheep or goat milk cheeses may be tolerated.
Q. If I am sensitive to sugar, does this include all sugars?
A. This tests sensitivity to cane sugar, however if you are sensitive to cane sugar, you may also be sensitive to other sugars including fruit sugar.
Q. Why am I sensitive to milk and not cheese or vice versa?
A. Often a cheese sensitivity may be a reaction to moulds and ferments rather than a milk reaction.
Q. How can I be sensitive to egg yolk but not whole egg?
A. This would usually indicate a mild reaction where the reaction is not strong enough when yolk is mixed with egg white.
Q. What is the preferred time period between retests for a cytotoxic food sensitivity test?
A. One (1) Year.
Q. How can I be sensitive to pork if I don't eat it?
A. All food sources should be checked ie. read labels. Chinese food, some chocolates and some thick shakes often have pork as an ingredient. Total non-exposure should not give a +ve (positive) reaction.
Q. What does salicylate allergy mean?
A. Salicylates are a family of plant chemicals found in many foods. These include some fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs & spices, jams, beverages such as tea and coffee, juices, beer & wine, flavourings and medications. Many foods are naturally high in salicylates such as apples and strawberries. Foods high in salicylates also consist of many other components. The compound salicylates however are a common source of intolerance or sensitivity.
Q. I have been on steroids for a prolonged period how will this affect the cytotoxic test results?
A. When steroids are used long term it is not expected that a patient should cease treatment. Rather, even slight reactions to foods should be avoided.
Q. Will steroidal cream affect the cytotoxic food test.
A. Yes it may minimize the strength of the reaction.
Q. What is lactose intolerance?
A. Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down the milk sugar known as lactose. Lactose intolerance is usually due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase.
Q. What foods are high in lactose?
A. Lactose is contained in milk and other dairy products.
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