Vibrant America & Vibrant Wellness

About the Vibrant America

Vibrant Wellness utilizes a microchip technology, which synthesizes entire proteins as peptides and offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This results in enhanced sensitivity and specificity compared to other platforms. The Wheat Zoomer has been validated at 99% specificity and sensitivity. This technology is unique to Vibrant and is considered the gold standard test.

Wheat Zoomer Intestinal Antibody Detection includes:

All known deamidated gliadins

Alpha, alpha-beta, gamma and omega gliadin
HMW and LMW glutenin family
Zonulin protein and actin
tTG- DGP Fusion Peptides
Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)
Differential transglutaminase: 2, 3 and 6
Non-gluten wheat proteins such as Farinins, Globulins, Serpins, Amylase/Protease Inhibitors
Total IgA and IgG

Wheat Zoomer Intestinal Permeability Includes:

Lipopolysaccharide IgG/IgM/IgA
Zonulin
Anti-Actin IgG/IgA
Anti-Zonulin IgG/IgA

What are the advantages of Wheat Zoomer?

The Vibrant Wellness Wheat Zoomer test ‘zooms in’ on the individual peptide fragments of proteins in order to test for the full array of possible reactivity to wheat and gluten-containing foods. It detects differences between celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, non-gluten wheat sensitivity, and autoimmune processes triggered by gluten. It also includes the market’s most comprehensive biomarker panel to identify intestinal permeability (leaky gut syndrome) as well as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which contribute to intestinal permeability.

IMPORTANT TEST PREPARATION

READ CAREFULLY:

Do not collect samples while menstruating.

Wait 14 days after a colonoscopy to collect your sample.

If you are taking or have recently taken antibiotics, antimicrobials, rectal suppositories, or proton-pump inhibitors, see below for special timing instructions.

You must avoid certain medications for 2-3 days prior to testing.

If you are taking laxatives or probiotics, consult your healthcare provider regarding the timing of this test.

Use FedEx to ship samples back to the lab as soon as possible, Monday - Thursday only.

The Vibrant Clinical Team does not recommend a “gluten challenge” to an individual who is already aware they have adverse symptoms driven by gluten. However, with any antibody testing, if the antigen (in this case gluten or other peptides in wheat) has been removed for a significant amount of time (variable amongst individuals), the body will no longer mount an IgA/IgG antibody response and will render an antibody test as a “false negative”. Such is the case with our Wheat ZoomerTM test.

However, the Wheat ZoomerTM looks at more than gluten and wheat antigens, and if a patient is still experiencing symptoms, it would be helpful to look at the intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) panel from the Wheat ZoomerTM. Also, many of our practitioners find that running a Wheat ZoomerTM can demonstrate a person’s true compliance in following a gluten or wheat free diet. As we know, it’s extremely difficult to eliminate gluten 100%, and often patients will be obtaining gluten from a hidden source unknown to them and will produce an antibody response. Research suggests that a single exposure from gluten can elevate antibodies anywhere from 2-6 months in a person (and this varies individually). Therefore, while the Wheat ZoomerTM does hold a little more clinical utility and direction if a person is actively consuming gluten, there is still useful insight in an already gluten-free patient

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wheat Zoomer Testing

You can download a copy of clinician instructions HERE.

What are the collection Requirements

Collection Instructions

Bring the test kit, frozen ice packs, and completed test requisition form to your blood draw appointment.

The phlebotomist will collect, prepare, and ship your sample for you.

Your test kit may come with more tubes than needed. Please have the phlebotomist check the collection instructions HERE and your test requisition form to determine the correct tubes to draw.

Where do I go for a blood draw?

Step 1 – Vibrant Wellness covers a flat rate with contracted labs for the phlebotomy services associated with their test kits requiring a blood draw. Depending on the location and lab, additional draw fees may be required. Please take the signed Test Requisition form and the lab kit to any locations which you can find here: https://www.vibrant-america.com/blood-draw-center/. If a draw site is not located in your area, a Vibrant Wellness Phlebotomy Services Manager will assist with finding a blood draw center for you. If you live in a remote location, you may need to travel a distance or ask your local physician to assist with phlebotomy.

Step 2 – Fill out the Test Requisition Form completely with your personal information. Payment type must be completed with payment included to process your sample unless you made arrangements to pay through Fortitude Functional Nutrition.

Step 3 – The blood draw center will ship the test kit with your blood sample and requisition in the FedEx bag provided (within the kit).

Do I need to fast, eat gluten or stop eating certain foods before I collect my blood sample?

No fasting required. It is suggested that you maintain your usual dietary habits and consume a variety of foods when possible within a couple weeks prior to blood collection, unless advised otherwise by your healthcare practitioner. Eat gluten containing foods for this lab test unless it has potentially resulted in a previous adverse reaction and/or anaphylaxis, as secondary exposure may prove fatal.

How do I ship the sample?

Specimens may be shipped Monday through Thursday.

Before shipping, be sure that all the samples and the Test Request Form are labeled and completely filled out including payment.

All test tubes should be placed into the bubble bags (provided) and placed inside the test kit box after completing all required breath specimens. The box should be mailed back to the laboratory with the prepaid postage (included) within two days of completion of the test. If you collect your urine at home you will need to ensure the facility who is drawing your blood has the urine sample to include it with your blood samples to get returned to the lab.

Locate the FedEx Clinical Pak mailer. Fill in your name and address on the shipping label attached to the outside of mailer. Place the kit box into FedEx Clinical Pak. Remove strip to reveal sticky film and press both sides of mailer together to seal the pouch.

Call FedEx to schedule a pick-up. Dial 1-800-238-5355. When the automated greeting begins say “Rep”. When asked if you are shipping a package say “Yes”. A live person will then answer to help schedule your pickup. Let them know you are shipping using a Billable Stamp or take to a FedEx shipping center.

Do I have to pay for postage?

Yes, please follow the packing and shipping instructions provided with the test kit.

Can I drop the kit off at a FedEx location?

Yes, please follow the packing and shipping instructions provided with the test kit.

I accidentally threw out the test kit box, can I use another one to ship?

Yes, use any clean small box.

I sealed the bag but forgot to put the paperwork in it can I reopen it?

Yes, just tape it reclosed.

Can I ship my sample on Friday?

No, ship specimens to the lab only Monday – Thursday. The box should be mailed back to the laboratory with the prepaid postage (included) within two days of completion of the test.

My test kit did not have a requisition form, what do I do?

Unless you already received the test requisition in your private portal, you should email or call our office (at info@fortitudefunctionalnutrition.com or 720-580-2078) for a Test Requisition Form.