Listen to this weeks podcast here!
TGIF to all of you,
Today we’ll talk about the different advanced labs and specialty kits that we use to evaluate the “terrain” of our clients bodies in preparation of developing plans to help them improve and ultimately heal.
We discussed the basic labs that are used in conventional medicine last week and I elaborated on the utility of each of them including the CBC, CMP, lipid (cholesterol) panel, nutrient labs, inflammatory markers, and thyroid labs.
To expand on these basic labs allows for the uncovering of more information that can be used to more thoroughly understand how the different systems of our bodies are functioning and how they are working or not working together to create our “terrain”, which I would describe as the synergy of how our bodies systems work together to create function or dysfunction.
Our large lab panel that we obtain initially on all our clients with cancer or other complex chronic illness is quite extensive but allows us a lot more access to what is “behind the curtain”. In addition to the basic labs from last weeks post we recommend several additional tests including, but not limited to:
Iron panel/Ferritin/Soluble Transferrin Receptor/RDW/GGT - these labs allow me to see the iron status of an individual and make an assessment on the oxidative stress burden on the body. Pro-oxidant therapies like IV vitamin C, ozone, and hyperbaric oxygen can be used as well as antioxidant supplements and diets depending on results. It can be dangerous or ineffective to start certain treatments affecting the redox system of the body without the knowledge of how to assess this balance.
Complete Thyroid panel - this allows me to understand in much more detail how the thyroid is working and whether there is autoimmune dysfunction, or imbalance in the system. In addition to the TSH, Free T3 and T4, I also look at Total T3 and T4, Reverse T3, T3 Uptake, and Thyroid antibodies. A much bigger picture that allows for a more informed approach.
“Trifecta labs” - there are 3 labs in this category and for cancer patients these are the most important. They are:
LDH/LDH isoenzymes - LDH has been shown in multiple studies to provide accurate prognosis in cancer patients, and isoenzymes can alert me to problems in specific systems that can then be acted on in a targeted approach. I like to call this the “sniper bullet” approach rather than the “shotgun” approach as it leads to interventions that are specific to the inflamed areas of the “terrain” instead of systemic therapies that have a higher probability for dysregulation of unaffected systems.
CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - this is another inflammatory marker that is non-specific, but has shown to be invaluable in cancer prognosis and can give us a “snap shot” of how the body in general is doing.
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) - this is the final inflammatory marker. It is also non-specific but is another marker that has been studied in great detail in it’s ability to provide accurate prognostic value.
B-12/Folate - these labs show 2 important vitamins that are vastly important to our bodies ability to make energy, regulate DNA, and overall general function through a chemical process called methylation.
Vitamin D - this vitamin is one that most Americans are deficient in and is vitally important to immune function which can help us avoid the common cold, influenzas, COVID-19, and cancer.
VEGF/CopperRBC/ZincRBC/Ceruloplasmin - these labs, among others, allow for the assessment of the current state of a process called angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels in cancer patients. If imbalanced, different therapies and supplements can be employed to shut this process down.
Fibrinogen/Ferritin/Platelets - these labs allow me to assess the “stickiness” of the blood, and may lead to suggestions for natural “blood thinners” like cod liver oil, and other supplements that are typically fat soluble.
We also use specialty kits which allow for what we call the “Deep Dive” which is an even more thorough evaluation of the “terrain” including:
Nutrition Genome - this is a genetic panel run from the cells collected in a cheek swab (very non-invasive) to obtain genetic information on around 100 genes and over 200 SNP’s (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that are important to your lifestyle, like diet, activity level, and more. This allows me through the concept of epigenetics to customize your lifestyle to what will most likely contribute to your overall health.
DUTCH plus - this acronym stands for “dried urine test for comprehensive hormones” and is an advanced hormone analysis which allows me to assess not only the basic sex hormones, but also their precursors, metabolites, and pathways based on genetically mediated enzymes. This also allows me to do the same with the adrenal system which is commonly at the heart of hormone dysfunction. There really is no comparison to the data collected via this study and a conventional hormone panel which only looks at the basic sex hormones when considering how to treat someone with hormone dysfunction or hormone sensitive cancer.
GI-MAP - this study goes into great detail to evaluate the specific balance of the microbiome which is the bacterial environment of the gut, and also allows for the evaluation of “leaky gut”, and the immune environment of the gut which is by some accounts where over 80% of your immune system functions.
Mercury Tri-test / Blood metals panel - this study allows me to evaluate the heavy metal burden of an individual which can contribute to toxicity, how this may influence adrenal and hormone function, and also evaluates certain minerals and their balance which can influence things like bone health, and cardiac function.
EPP/Enviro-Tox panel/OAT - these studies look at environmental toxins that have been shown to alter normal human function in various ways including metabolic, hormone, and endocrine systems. They also allow for targeted detoxification through the use of supplements, sauna-therapy, and gut binders. OAT stands for organic acids test, and allows for a great deal of insight into your metabolic system and it’s function leading to supplements and therapy recommendations to improve the generation of energy.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! It’s a lot, but really just a small piece of what contributes to what we give to benefit our clients. There is a lot to be said for what can be uncovered through this “Deep Dive” workup, especially when tailored specifically to an individual. Hopefully, this will give you a peek “behind the curtain” of what we do and how we operate.
Finally, I’d like to give you a link to the wonderful interview that Tye did with literally my first patient with cancer (other than my father) while I was still working at Veritas medical, Alissa Perez. She came to me with advanced stage 4b ovarian cancer; a very serious diagnosis. She has been evaluated through most of the tests above (if not most of them, and a few extra) which allowed me to do what I have been trained to do: Test, Assess, Address - and find the recommendations that will bring balance to struggling terrain and encourage the body to do what it already knows how to do - Heal - Body, Mind, and Spirit. And a special thanks to Alissa for allowing us to peer through the window and into her life and journey. We’re so proud of you. You are an inspiration to others and you did all the hard work. Glory be to God!
Thanks for reading today’s post, and God bless you all!
Micah - Worldview Wellness
Beautiful illustration of the need to trust the Lord, place value only on the truly important things, and actively seek spiritual peace. Well done.