About the Results How long will it take for my results? Test results will be available approximately 2 weeks after your sample collection. How do I access my results? Your healthcare provider should contact you if the test indicates you might be at an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. LifeLabs is a Canadian-owned company and is the country’s largest provider of community laboratory services with over 50 years of experience serving the healthcare needs of Canadians. Our laboratory testing is focused on helping patients and their healthcare providers prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor disease. Are You Concerned About Alzheimer’s Disease? In addition to routine laboratory tests we offer numerous specialized tests to investigate health concerns including but not limited to: • Gastrointestinal function • Cardiovascular health • Wellness in aging What happens if I have an increased risk Alz-ID result? • Component-specific allergies If the test shows a low result, (below normal), it means you are at increased risk. You should be motivated to decrease your risk, starting with modifying your lifestyle in a positive way. This is similar to newly diagnosed diabetics being told to manage their lifestyle with likely changes to diet and exercise and mental stimulation. • Occupational exposure to harmful substances A low result (below normal), does not indicate with certainty that you will develop Alzheimer’s disease, but it does predict that you are at an increased risk based on your current situation. If you have an increased risk, be prepared to make changes to your lifestyle to keep healthy. • Presence of communicable diseases • Substance abuse We care about helping Canadians and we use our knowledge of laboratory medicine to help identify the right course of action to improve healthcare outcomes. A new health risk assessment test for Alzheimer’s disease. BC LifeLabs Ontario LifeLabs Ontario CML HealthCare Kit Ordering Service 1-800-431-7206 1-877-849-3637 1-800-263-0801 1-877-990-1575 [email protected] www.lifelabs.com The Alz-ID™ test is intended for use in risk assessment and monitoring; it is not a standalone test, and is not a screening test for Alzheimer’s disease. Lifelabs and LifeLabs logo are registered trademarks of LifeLabs LP. The Alz-ID™ is a trademark of Phenomenome Discoveries Inc. and is used by under license LifeLabs LP. For more information visit www.lifelabs.com ALZ002 | V1 | MAR 2015 LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services offers a convenient and reliable blood test to determine your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. About the Disease What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory loss, thinking and behaviour. Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible and destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate. If you are experiencing possible warning signs or are concerned for someone you care about, a simple blood test can help provide the answers and assess your risk. What are the warning signs? Some common warning signs from the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada include: • Memory loss affecting day-to-day activities • Difficulty performing familiar tasks • Problems with language • Disorientation in time and space • Impaired judgement • Problems with abstract thinking • Misplacing things • Changes in mood and behaviour Who should be tested? • Patients typically between 60-75 years of age. Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. • Anyone who experiences the warning signs where Alzheimer’s disease may be the suspected cause particularly if they: • Have a family history • Are carrying genes increasing their risk • Have diabetes or high cholesterol • Perform inadequate exercise for the brain and body • Are obese Alz-ID does not diagnose if you have the disease today. About the Testing Process How do I get tested? Visit your healthcare provider and obtain an “Alz-ID Test Requisition”. Bring this requisition with you to a LifeLabs Patient Service Center where your blood sample will be collected. To minimize your wait time, take advantage of our appointment booking service by visiting http://booking.lifelabs.com. What type of sample is required? About the Test Alz-ID Test is done on a blood sample. What is Alz-ID™? How do I prepare for the test? Alz-ID is a simple blood test for determining risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The test measures the level of a specific phospholipid, called a plasmalogen, in the blood. Plasmalogens are critical for the proper function of neurons in the brain, and levels in the blood correlate with levels in the brain. Therefore, if the Alz-ID test indicates a low level (below normal), in the blood, a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease is increased. No special preparation is necessary. Does the Alz-ID Blood Test Diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia? No. There is no pathological or biochemical test for Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia can only be diagnosed by your health care provider by using a mental function test – like a stress test for your brain. Alz-ID can identify if you are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease at a certain stage in your life. It will place you into an increased risk, average risk or decreased risk category. Is the test covered by insurance? This test is not be covered by provincial health insurance plans, but it may be covered by your extended private health insurance plan. Contact us to find out about the current fee for the test. How do I pay for the test? Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, cash or debit card before the sample collection.