Testing The Immune System
Testing The Immune System
The Wellbeing Revolution advocates for proactive health management by regularly assessing the state of your immune system through checkups with your dedicated Wellbeing Practitioner. These professionals can facilitate a range of blood tests that provide invaluable insights into your immune system's health and its responses to internal and environmental factors. Key tests include:
White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
This test examines white blood cells, crucial defenders against infections.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Assessing inflammation levels, particularly relevant in autoimmune disorders.
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)
These antibodies, which typically combat infections, can sometimes turn against the body's tissues.
Vitamin D
A hormone regulating vital organ functions.
Specific Infection Tests
Targeted screenings for prevalent infections like HIV/AIDS, syphilis, herpes, Toxoplasma gondii, H. pylori, and candidiasis.
Should any of these tests reveal irregularities, The Wellbeing Revolution encourages individuals to undergo comprehensive Immune Function Tests. These immunological assessments, carried out by Wellbeing Practitioners, serve as diagnostic tools for infections, aid in monitoring autoimmune conditions, evaluate immune responses to treatments and assist in managing immune-related disorders. Your proactive involvement in monitoring your immune system's health can play a pivotal role in safeguarding your overall well-being.
Immune Function Tests
Lymphocyte Subsets
Antibody (Immunoglobulin) Tests
Complement Assays
Autoantibody Tests
Cytokine Assays
HIV Tests
Allergy Testing
Functional Immune Assays
Vaccine Titers
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) Tests
Immunodeficiency Tests
Immune Profiling
A White Blood Cell Differential is the first point of call for any test of the immune system. A White blood cell (WBC) differential (also known as a differential white blood cell count or simply "diff") is a component of a complete blood count (CBC) test. They measure the percentages of different types of white blood cells in a person's bloodstream. The test quantifies five major types of white blood cells:
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Neutrophils: Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell type essential for combating bacterial infections. An increase in neutrophils (neutrophilia) may indicate a bacterial infection, while a decrease (neutropenia) can make a person more susceptible to bacterial infections.
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Lymphocytes: Lymphocytes play a crucial role in the immune system fight viral infections, and regulate immune responses. Elevated lymphocyte counts may suggest a viral infection, chronic infections, or certain immune disorders.
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Monocytes: Monocytes are responsible for engulfing and digesting foreign invaders. Elevated monocyte counts may indicate chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, or other inflammatory conditions.
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Eosinophils: Eosinophils are associated with allergic reactions and parasitic infections. Increased eosinophil levels may be seen in allergies, asthma, and parasitic infections.
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Basophils: Basophils are involved in allergic reactions and inflammation. They release histamines and other substances in response to allergens. Basophil counts are rarely elevated, and their clinical significance is less clear than other white blood cells.
The WBC differential provides valuable information about a person's immune system and can help diagnose various medical conditions. Abnormalities in the differential counts may indicate specific types of infections, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, or bone marrow disorders. A WBC differential allows a Wellbeing Practitioner to tailor wellness plans and interventions based on the specific immune responses detected in the blood.
White Blood Cell Differential
Functional tests are valuable tools for assessing immune-related conditions by evaluating the actual performance of the immune system. These functional tests provide valuable insights into the performance of the immune system's components, including cells, proteins, and mediators. Functional immune tests are crucial in identifying immune-related conditions, monitoring treatment responses, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Wellbeing Practitioners often use a combination of these tests to comprehensively understand a patient's immune status and tailor treatment accordingly.
Functional Test
T-Cell and B-Cell Count
Immunoglobulin Levels
Complement Function Tests
Antibody (Immunoglobulin) Function Tests
T-Cell Proliferation Assays
Natural Killer (NK) Cell Function Tests
Cytokine Profiling
Histamine Release Assay
Lymphocyte Transformation Assay
Phagocytosis Assays
Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) Test
Chemotaxis Assays
Immunophenotyping
Natural Killer (NK) Cell Activity Assay
Lymphocyte Subpopulation Analysis
Monocyte Phagocytosis Assays
Intracellular Killing Assays
Immunoelectrophoresis
C-reactive Protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
Immunophenotyping of Soluble Immune Mediators
Lymphocyte Transformation and Proliferation Tests
Neutrophil Chemotaxis Assays
Immunoglobulin Subclass Analysis
Functional Autoantibody Assays
Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) Skin Tests
Functional Tests
Serology tests are blood tests primarily used to detect antibodies in the bloodstream. These tests can provide information about a person's immune function, including their current or past exposure to infectious agents.
A blood sample is collected through a simple blood draw from a vein in the arm to conduct a serology test. In the laboratory, the blood sample is tested for specific antibodies. If antibodies are detected in the blood, the person has been exposed to the pathogen (e.g., a virus or bacterium) at some point. The presence of antibodies suggests that the person's immune system mounted a response against the pathogen. Wellbeing Practitioners use serology tests to diagnose infectious diseases, monitor immune responses, assess vaccination status, and diagnose autoimmune conditions, among other applications.
ELISA
(Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
Western Blot
Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Complement Fixation Test (CFT)
Hemagglutination Assay
Neutralization Assay
Multiplex Immunoassays
Serum Protein Electrophoresis
Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test
Antibody Testing for COVID-19
Serology Tests
Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical technique used to analyse and quantify various characteristics of individual cells in a blood sample. It is widely employed in immunology and immunological research to measure immune responses, among other applications. The prepared sample is injected into a flow cytometer, a specialized instrument equipped with lasers, detectors, and a fluidics system, in which the flow cytometer uses one or more lasers to illuminate individual cells as they pass through the laser beam.
When the laser hits a labelled cell, the attached fluorescent molecules emit light of a specific wavelength. Detectors in the flow cytometer capture the emitted fluorescent light. The instrument can determine the type of fluorescent label attached to each cell by measuring the intensity and wavelength of this emitted light. The data collected from each cell, including its size, granularity (forward and side scatter), and fluorescence characteristics, are recorded and analysed by specialized software. This analysis allows researchers to identify and quantify different cell populations based on their markers and characteristics.
Flow cytometry has several applications in measuring immune response, including Cell Surface Marker Analysis, in which changes in marker expression can indicate immune activation or differentiation. It can also measure immune cell response to stimuli like pathogens and antigens, immune cell survival, and humoral immune responses, and classify immune cell populations based on their surface markers. Flow cytometry is a versatile tool in immunology and provides quantitative and qualitative information about immune responses at the single-cell level. It is essential for understanding immune function, evaluating treatments, and monitoring disease progression.
Flow Cytometry
Allergy testing is a medical procedure used to identify specific substances, known as allergens, which trigger allergic reactions in an individual. These tests are crucial for diagnosing allergies and helping healthcare providers determine the most appropriate treatment or management strategies.
Skin Prick Test (SPT)
Intradermal Test
Patch Test
Blood Tests
Elimination Diet
Oral Food Challenge
Provocation Testing
Spirometry
Nasal Smear
Component-Resolved Diagnosis (CRD)
Food Challenge Testing
Patch Provocation Test
Inhalation Challenges
Patch Tests for Contact Dermatitis
Atopy Patch Test (APT)
RAST (Radioallergosorbent Test) and ImmunoCAP
Basophil Activation Test (BAT)
Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT)
Intradermal Drug Allergy Test
Mast Cell Tryptase Test
Patch Testing for Allergic Contact Urticaria
Hair Patch Test
Allergy Testing
Molecular diagnostic tests are medical tests that detect and analyse the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of microorganisms, cells, or genes to diagnose various health conditions, including immunity issues. These tests can provide valuable insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying immune system disorders, infections, and other conditions.
Molecular diagnostic tests are crucial for the development of personalized treatment plans. By analysing a patient's genetic and molecular profile, healthcare providers can tailor therapies to the individual, optimizing treatment outcomes. Overall, molecular diagnostic tests play a significant role in diagnosing immunity issues, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring disease progression. These tests provide precise and actionable information, improving patient care and outcomes.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Gene Sequencing
Flow Cytometry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR)
Real-Time PCR (qPCR)
Microarray-Based Gene Expression Profiling
Sequencing-Based HLA Typing
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for Immune Receptor Repertoire Analysis
Pathogen-Specific PCR Tests
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping
Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Testing
HLA-B27 Testing
Cytokine Profiling
Molecular Tests for Immunoglobulin Genes
Genetic Sequencing for Primary Immunodeficiencies
Molecular Biomarker Panels
MicroRNA Profiling
Epigenetic Profiling
Molecular Tests for Immunotherapy Assessment
Molecular Tests for Autoimmune Antibodies
Molecular Tests for Allergen Sensitization
Molecular Tests for Inflammatory Markers
Genetic Testing for HLA Associations
Molecular Tests for Immune Cell Receptor Diversity
Genetic Tests for Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)
Molecular Tests for Immune Checkpoint Proteins
Molecular Diagnostic Tests
Cytokine profiling is a laboratory technique used to measure the levels of various cytokines in a person's blood or other biological samples. Cytokines are small signalling proteins secreted by immune cells and various other cell types in the body. They regulate immune responses, inflammation, cell communication, and tissue repair. Abnormal levels of cytokines can indicate underlying immune-related conditions or diseases.
Cytokine profiling is also widely used to discover new biomarkers for immune-related conditions. Researchers can identify novel markers that may aid in early diagnosis or personalized treatment approaches by analysing cytokine patterns in large patient populations. It plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing immune-related conditions, guiding treatment decisions, and advancing our understanding of the immune system's role in various diseases.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Multiplex Immunoassays:
Flow Cytometry
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Proteome Arrays
Luminex Technology
Mass Spectrometry
Microarrays
Cytokine Profiling
Histopathology
Histopathology examines tissues or biopsies under a microscope to detect abnormalities, inflammation, or autoimmune reactions. Histopathology methods play a crucial role in detecting immune-related conditions by examining tissue samples for structural and cellular abnormalities. They identify signs of inflammation, immune responses, tissue damage, or the presence of specific immune-related conditions.
Imaging techniques play a vital role in detecting and visualizing immune-related conditions, providing valuable insights into the location, extent, and characteristics of immune responses and tissue abnormalities. Radiographic techniques like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI may be used to visualize immune-related conditions affecting organs and tissues. These imaging techniques are essential tools in diagnosing and monitoring immune-related conditions, helping healthcare professionals visualize disease activity, assess treatment effectiveness, and guide interventions. The choice of imaging method depends on the specific condition, the area of interest, and the information needed for diagnosis and treatment planning.
X-rays
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan
Fluoroscopy
Endoscopy
Molecular Imaging
Intravital Microscopy
Imaging
Several genetic tests are related to immune system function, helping identify genetic mutations or variations that may impact immune health. These genetic tests can aid in diagnosing and understanding various immune-related conditions, assessing susceptibility to infections, and guiding treatment decisions
HLA Typing (Human Leukocyte Antigen Typing)
Primary Immunodeficiency Genetic Panels
Secondary Immunodeficiency Genetic Tests
Genetic Testing for Autoimmune Diseases
Genetic Testing for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Immunogenetic Testing
HLA-B27 Testing
Pharmacogenomic Testing
Complement System Gene Testing
Genomic Sequencing for Immune System Disorders
Genetic Testing
Autoantibody profiling is a diagnostic method for detecting immune-related issues, particularly autoimmune diseases. It involves analysing a person's blood serum to identify autoantibodies, antibodies that mistakenly target and attack the body's tissues or antigens. Autoantibody profiling is used to identify a range of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), myositis, and autoimmune hepatitis, among others.
Autoantibody profiling is a critical tool in diagnosing and managing autoimmune diseases. It allows Wellbeing Practitioners to identify specific autoantibodies associated with conditions, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing autoimmune diseases and preventing further damage to the body's tissues and organs.
Autoantibody Profiling
Flow Cytometric Crossmatching (FCXM) is a laboratory technique used in transplant medicine to assess the compatibility between a potential organ donor and recipient, particularly in the context of solid organ transplantation (such as kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplantation). FCXM is primarily utilized to detect immune-related conditions that could lead to graft rejection and transplant failure. By identifying such immune-related issues early in the transplant evaluation process, FCXM helps transplant teams make informed decisions, select appropriate donor-recipient pairs, and implement strategies to minimize the risk of graft rejection, ultimately improving the chances of successful organ transplantation.
Flow Cytometric Crossmatching (FCXM)
