Healthy Fathers Program

By using 23andMe.com raw genetic data we can create a comprehensive report of valuable genetic information that can help guide recommendations for whole health, particularly diet, exercise, and supplementation, according to your specific DNA variants. Simply follow this link to receive 10% off your kit and start the 23andMe process now. Once you get these results consult with Dr Pentland about next steps. 

*If you are nervous about 23andMe running your health info, just simply opt into the ancestry portion (less $). From there we can obtain the same raw data required to utilize at another private service to run the comprehensive genetic health report.

What  people are saying;

Low testosterone is a common cause of irritability and grumpiness in men. If too much testosterone is converted to estradiol, decreased sex drive and increased breast size can result. Depression, erectile dysfunction, memory loss, or weight gain that are not relieved by mainstream medical interventions, may benefit from having a saliva hormone test.

Testing includes;

• Testosterone, total
• Testosterone, free
• Androstenedione
• Cortisol
• DHEA-S
• Estrone
• Estradiol
• Estriol, unconjugated
• FSH
• IGF-1
• LH
• SHBG
• Prolactin
• Progesterone
• PSA total

Step-by-Step process;

1. Purchase and pick up your test kit and shipping supplies from Yinstill. 
2. Call Exam One 604.872.3610 to schedule your blood draw (Monday through Thursday only). They then take care of all the shipping and details – easy.
3. Be sure to follow the instructions inside the package. Freeze and bring the ice pack with you, and fast (water only) before your blood draw.
4. When the results are in your Yinstill practitioner will contact you. This usually takes about 2 weeks.

*Note: this process is exactly the same for both the Male hormone and cardiometabolic testing (they are done together – one test package only required).

What is bad for your heart is bad for your fertility! It is important for overall health and fertility to understand your basic risks for all cause mortality. Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are the reasons for almost all early death. This extensive cardiometabolic panel is your best insight to how you measure up with your risks for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This test could literally save your life.  

Testing includes;

• Lipoprotein Fractionation
• Lipoprotein Particle Numbers
• Total LDL Particles
• Total HDL Particles
• Triglycerides
• Lipoprotein (a)
• Leptin
• Apolipoprotein B
• hs-CRP
• Homocysteine
• Insulin
• Glucose
• Hemoglobin A1c
• C-peptide
• Adiponectin
• OmegaCheck

Step-by-Step process;

1. Purchase and pick up your test kit and shipping supplies from Yinstill. 
2. Call Exam One 604.872.3610 to schedule your blood draw (Monday through Thursday only). They then take care of all the shipping and details – easy.
3. Be sure to follow the instructions inside the package. Freeze and bring the ice pack with you, and fast (water only) before your blood draw.
4. When the results are in your Yinstill practitioner will contact you. This usually takes about 2 weeks.

*Note: this process is exactly the same for both the Male hormone and cardiometabolic testing (they are done together – one test package only required).

This food sensitivities test provides information about foods that your body can be reacting to. IgG food reactions are delayed (a reaction can occur hours or days after the food is consumed), therefore it makes it difficult to determine which food is responsible for the reaction without doing the test.  Test kits are available for purchase at Yinstill. 

Step-by-Step process;

1. In the week prior to testing, ensure you have eaten a wide variety of foods.
2. Immunosuppressant medications can alter results.
3. Fill out all highlighted sections on the lab requisition (in kit)
4. Make appointment at Life Labs or drop in to get the blood draw (don’t forget your kit).
5. Life Labs takes care of the shipping.
6. We will be in contact when we receive the results (usually within 2 weeks)

Bacteria, yeast, and parasites could be playing a role in not only your gut health, but your overall health and ultimately sexual function and fertility. Find out if your gastrointestinal tract is harbouring microorganisms that should be addressed.

*Clear detailed collection and shipping instructions (including prepaid FedEx envelope) are included in the test kit.

NOTE: do not ship on Fridays or weekends, specimens need to be processed with a certain time frame and the weekend can disrupt shipping times.

This advanced semen testing is not always recommended to every patient. It provides clinically relevant information for natural conception and artificial reproduction independent of those derived from conventional semen parameters. Talk to your Yinstill practitioner about getting a requisition for this report. Current evidence supports the association between high sperm DNA fragmentation and poor outcomes with regards to natural conception and intrauterine insemination.

Step-by-Step process;

1. 1. 1. Reception will fill out your patient information on the Reprosource form
      2. They will check off ASR 2.0 test box (advanced semen report) and the home semen collection box
      3. Reception will email your form to Reprosource to get in contact with you
      4. Reprosource will then contact you shortly thereafter to explain the procedure and charge you directly for the test cost and shipping cost ($175 US for testing and about $110 for shipping). Note* The shipping cost is quite a lot due to fast shipping of biological products across international borders that require freezing is relatively expensive
      5. Reprosource will ship you a container to send the sperm sample in and explain the shipping process to you. If you should have any questions about the collection or process please contact Reprocourse directly.
      6. Once you send it off results will be uploaded to an online portal after approximately 10 days
      7. Your practitioner will have access to your results and will contact Yinstill Reproductive Wellness reception to contact you and schedule you an appointment to discuss the results.

A reproductive urologist will investigate more deeply into the possibility of an underlying issue with Chris’s health that could be causing the poor sperm quality.  Below is an ideal male fertility work up. As poor sperm health could be an indicator for more serious health issues, infertility is a great opportunity to investigate further. Below is an ideal evaluation for any man with sub-optimal sperm;

COMPLETE MALE EVALUATION

History

A full medical & social history should be taken. This includes family and personal medical issues both present and past, developmental issues as a child (i.e. undescended testis), use of medications (some negatively affect sperm, i.e. drugs for hair loss, hypertension, prostate issues), sexual history, use of proper lubricants, & occupation (exposure to toxins or heat, sedentary). Please bring all prior medical evaluation paperwork with you to your initial appointment.

• recent fevers or illness
• cancer
• infections or STD’s
• surgeries
• trauma
• Family: cryptorchidism, hypogonadism
• DES exposure
• Medications
• childhood infections: mumps
• diabetes
• thyroid issues
• tobacco, alcohol, drugs, steroids
• Proper timing of intercourse
• lubricant use
• Heat exposure
• Toxin exposure
• Occupational history
• Partner history (gynecological & obstetrical)

Physical Exam

BMI, blood pressure, secondary sex characteristics, irregularities of the penis & testicles, careful palpation of the spermatic ducts for tenderness and/or obstruction as well as varicocele, and especially if there are any abnormal urinary symptoms, a prostate & seminal vesicle exam should be performed.

Semen Analysis

As Dr. Paul Turek states: ‘although not a true measure of fertility, the semen analysis, if abnormal, may suggest that the probability of achieving pregnancy is statistically low.’ It is always recommended to get 2 semen tests done, at least 2-3 months apart to rule out error. As well, it is recommended to have them done at a fertility clinic and opt for more extensive style semen testing options that are available. Unfortunately, sperm DNA fragmentation Assays are not currently done in Vancouver, as this is an important test that has particular importance in being used when recurrent pregnancy loss is evident. Normal up-to-date semen testing values:

– Volume: >1.5ml

– Concentration: >15 million/ml

– Motility: >40% forward rapid progressive

– Morphology: >4% normal forms

*Anti-sperm antibodies should be tested for if the following are present: should be no agglutination, white cells, increased viscosity, or raised ph. .

*Genetic testing should be considered if sperm concentration is zero or very low.

Lab tests

Hormones associated with reproduction should be measured if:

1) Sperm concentration is 2) There is impaired sexual function (erectile dysfunction, low libido)

3) There are exam findings of a specific hormone disorder (i.e. thyroid).

• Semen analysis (ASA & round cell staining to determine leukocyte content – CD45 monoclonal antibody)
• Post-ejaculate urinalysis: check for retrograde ejaculation & seminal fructose (if absent or PH is low, seminal vesicles may be absent or obstructed)
• Thyroid TSH (Free T3 & T4, anti TPO): especially if motility or morphology or erectile health is an issue.
• Testosterone
• FSH
• LH
• prolactin
• estrogen
• Coritsol
• Fasting glucose
• Post-coital testing
• CBC
• Cholesterol
• STI swab