We are very excited to welcome Sanesco Health (NeuroLab) to Rupa Health! We had a great conversation with Amy Shaffer, VP of Business Development & Communications, to learn more about Sanesco Health (NeuroLab), how they got started, and the technology behind their tests.
Introducing Sanesco Health!
Hi Amy! It’s great to chat with you. Tell us more about the origins of Neuro Lab & Sanesco Health.
NeuroLab, a division of Sanesco Health, was born 15 years ago out of a desire for a personalized approach to medicine that addresses the root source of health complaints to improve quality of life rather than manage symptoms. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays a pivotal role in maintaining quality of life.
Cool! So tell us more about why that’s important.
Healthy HPA function is essential in the neuroendocrine system and the body’s communication system. Imbalances in the critical messengers of this axis contribute to the manifestation of a wide range of health complaints affecting quality of life including cognitive function, mood, sleep, and energy.
Sanesco believes quality of life for all is possible by empowering healthcare practitioners with knowledge, understanding, and a clinical model that allows a personalized approach for addressing imbalances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the source of health complaints impeding quality of life.
Can you tell me more about the kinds of tests you offer?
NeuroLab specializes in biomarkers of the neuroendocrine system utilizing non-invasive specimens that can be collected in the comfort of your patient’s home.
- Neurotransmitters- We assess the 7 most influential excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the body through urine.
- Adrenal hormones- NeuroLab offers the most clinically relevant form of cortisol assessment- 4 point saliva collection along 2 point DHEA-S.
- Sex hormones- We measure sex hormone levels in saliva, which measure the unbound or free bio-active levels of these hormones for a true measurement of their activity.
The HPA-G Complete Profile is our most comprehensive neuroendocrine assessment which is ideal for individuals suffering from complaints typically related to hormones and is especially useful for all individuals over the age of 40 as transitions to menopause and andropause begin.
Great - that is why we are so excited to have you on Rupa Health!
What technology do you use at your lab? Can you explain how the technology works?
NeuroLab employs the gold standard in urinary neurotransmitter testing. UHPLC Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (MS) technology offers the highest level of sensitivity and specificity for neurotransmitters. This technology provides the highest and most accurate and reproducible results available to ensure practitioners have the lab numbers they need to make effective clinical decisions.
Now onto something a little more personal. What is your favorite part about being in this industry?
The functional and integrative industry is filled with providers who dig deep to get to the root cause of clinical complaints and are often on the cutting-edge of medicine in order to help their patients who either prefer a natural approach or have not found answers in traditional medicine.
At Sanesco we enjoy working with these driven and knowledgeable healthcare providers to support them in creating a clinical approach that is personalized to get to the root of the patient’s clinical concerns and restore quality-of-life. The biggest reward is hearing how Sanesco’s neuroendocrine Communication System Management™ clinical model has changed the lives of patients.
What is your future vision for functional medicine lab work?
NeuroLab will continue to expand not only its testing menu but the education and clinical analysis providers depend on for drawing real-life correlations between imbalances and their patients’ clinical complaints as well as for developing personalized regimens.
In addition, Sanesco has opened a diagnostic laboratory called CommunityLab. This new laboratory division offers no swab, salivary collection PCR testing for COVID-19. CommunityLab began as a way to meet the needs of our community in western North Carolina and is beginning to expand to offer this convenient test, which can be done at home, nationally.
What are you working on right now? What do practitioners have to look forward to?
Along with most industries, our focus this year has been directed by the pandemic. With the drastic rise in mental health concerns stemming from the financial and emotional strains of the past year, Sanesco has been educating providers through webinars and other educational resources. We’re looking at the role neurotransmitters play in different aspects of mental health such as sleep, resilience, cognitive function, and mood.
Anything else funny, interesting, or noteworthy you'd like practitioners to know about your lab?
Like integrative and functional providers who take a holistic approach to health, Sanesco offers a whole clinical system, not just laboratory testing. Neuroendocrine testing is the first step in the clinical model looking to analyze, personalize, and optimize neuroendocrine communication system management™ (CSM).
The components of the CSM clinical model are:
- Neuroendocrine Testing (provided by NeuroLab)
- Personalized Correlation Analysis Reporting and Education (CARE) package (an add-on to NeuroLab profiles)
- Custom Targeted Nutritional Therapy™ Recommendations (provided by Sanesco’s formula division)
When implemented in a cyclical approach, Sanesco has found this approach to significantly improve many quality-of-life indicators including sleep, mood, menopause symptoms, weight management, anxiousness, fatigue, cognitive function and more. Our monograph exploring the significance is available for further exploration.
Thank you so much Amy! We look forward to speaking with you again soon.
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