My first experience with a functional medicine doc

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:59 am

I now have my primary, rheumatologist and functional med doc all working together on my MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) arthritis and MC.

The functional med doc requested that I get certain lab tests, but Medicare doesn't cover tests ordered by her so I went to the two other docs and not only did they order the tests, but it inspired both of them to order even more to make sure I don't have any nutritional deficiencies and more.

One test my primary had never heard of was the MTHFR, but my rheum. doc had and ordered it. http://mthfr.net/

Functional med doc also ordered a comprehensive stool test from Data Doctors and genetic testing from 23andme.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:24 am

Lucky you! I've wanted someone to order the MTHFR test on me. Up to 40% of us probably have at least one such mutation that makes us less able to use folic acid, and means we have impaired detoxification pathways. I've kept my integrative medicine doc a secret from my rheumy. I requested that each send my records to each other, but they never did.

Boy will my rheumy get a surprise this Friday when he learns I started LDN and started tapering all his meds since my last visit!

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:02 am

My primary doc was resistant at first, but I explained that the functional med doc was helping me with my nutrition and then she was totally on board.

My Rheum doc was not resistant because some of the tests the func. doc ordered inspired her to look at my symptoms that she deals with more closely and ordered the tests and more.

Good luck with your docs.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:20 pm

I have done both the MTHFR and the Pyrrole test this week.

In Aus the only doctors that do that sort of testing are Immunologists that focus on intolerances/auto immune symptoms. The doctors are expensive ($300-$750 after small Medicare coverage) and have long waiting list for appointments (3-6 months)

I lucked out big time, found a nutritionist/naturopath who is very informed on IBD's, immune system etc. she can access all the functional based tests, out of pocket cost for me is $40 + the tests
She can prescribe compound based treatments (same as immunologist) which will then be subsidised by my private health coverage.

There are 70 or more functional tests available, including hair mineral analysis, heavy metal toxicity, leaky gut etc.

On my wish list if I ever have the money and time off work is doing targeted testing on the microbes and bacteria etc of my gut, with this information we can use single specific strains of probiotic to fix gut flora imbalance.

I will get my results next week.

mcnomore · Post by **mcnomore** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:45 pm

That's great, let us know the results.

mzh · Post by **mzh** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:28 pm

Wow, never heard of any of this. Very informative! Time to do some Googling....

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 2:14 pm

Definitely worth the time and brain cells to read about MTHFR and Pyrrole.

My dear friend Maria (naturopath) has had chronic thyroid issues, digestion, fatigue, adrenal issues. The Pyrrole test was positive. adjusting the B6 delivery method should get things way more manageable.
She has had her children tested (aged 12 and 10). Her 10 year old also tested positive.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:25 pm

Zizzle, 23andme does the whole shebang for $99. They got shut down by the FDA and can't interpret the results but others can for $5. Deb

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:39 am

Hi Gabes, Have you ever had a hair analysis test? Jon

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:25 pm

Hi Jon,
Not yet, heavy metal testing via hair has been on my wish list for 3 years or more.
Once I start working and have some income, i will do it.

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:28 am

Hi Gabes, I have hair tests results since 1992 and the only level that was elevated was arsenic. The ND asked me what I added to my diet to cause the increase. I told her rice bread added to my banana bread. The most significant level was when they added urainium to the heavy metals test. The results where way over the chart. It has been high for years with no clue why. Finally, I was concerned about arsenic causing DNA damage I had the water tested and paid the extra money for a urainium test. The extra money was well worth it because it showed a high level in the water. It is natural in the water because of the deep well and the urainium in the rock. I talked to geologic researchers in the state and this is becoming a wordwide issue. The only solution is a point of service reverse osmosis water treatment but it wastes 50 % of the water it treats. Costs are over $1000. Jon

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:29 am

gluten wrote:Hi Gabes, I have hair tests results since 1992 and the only level that was elevated was arsenic. The ND asked me what I added to my diet to cause the increase. I told her rice bread added to my banana bread. The most significant level was when they added urainium to the heavy metals test. The results where way over the chart. It has been high for years with no clue why. Finally, I was concerned about arsenic causing DNA damage I had the water tested and paid the extra money for a urainium test. The extra money was well worth it because it showed a high level in the water. It is natural in the water because of the deep well and the urainium in the rock. I talked to geologic researchers in the state and this is becoming a wordwide issue. The only solution is a point of service reverse osmosis water treatment but it wastes 50 % of the water it treats. Costs are over $1000. Jon

We have a deep well also and tons of minerals in our water. I'm almost scared to have it tested! but I probably should.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:04 pm

Jon,
Thanks for the info,
I had been using the BIo Impedence, and Kinesiology treatments to try and cleanse out the metals and chemicals.
We did ok with some, there is one that we could not get it out. (Can't remember which one)
I started to react quite badly (kidney and digestion) to these treatments so we stopped.

In reading about the MTHFR gene issues. The bodies ability to exhumed heavy metals is compromised.

Current approach is to
1. Figure out the reason/root cause. (Pyrrole and MTHFR)
2. Modify supplements delivery system for the folate, b group etc.
3. Try to get the inflammation levels down namely the kidney/bp etc and the gut
4. Do some functional medicine tests to gauge the state of things.
5. Review and check best approach going forward.

I have realistic expectations that I may not be able to fix /treat/exhume some of the issues.
Especially at the moment while I have no job, I don't have the money to do the things I want. (6 weeks, applied for 15 jobs, only got call back on 2)

That's life!
Just doing the best I can with the cards I have been dealt.

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:04 am

Hi Gabes, I noticed that I made a typo in my last post. I added rice bran to my banana bread and on the next hair test the arsenic was elevated and was chelating out in my hair. I will check the uranium levels to see if the rice bran elevated those results. Be careful with the rice bran as it very high in fiber. The fiber had no effect on the MC. Jon

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:30 am

Hi Cathy, It cost extra for the urainium test. The test showed very low arsenic levels so the elevated arsenic could have been from working with the old type of pressure treated lumber that was treated with arsenic or from high brown rice consumption. An example of minerals in water was shown in a study done in Texas. In one community they found that it took eight weeks for individuals that had a bone fracture to heal. Yet in another community close to the first location it was normal healing time of approx. four weeks. They did water tests and found the amount of calcium was much lower in the community where it took eight weeks to heal. Call the state you live in and ask for the geology department and they will recommend the best water testing labs. Soon there will be maps published by the U.S goverment geologic survey showing the high arsenic and urainium levels in each state. It should used when buying a house with a water well to avoid the heavy metals. But you can always put in a filter. The only health issues with high urainium are kidney issues with prolonged use. I have looked for thyroid issues but only found one study from South America that was scary about the dangers of prolonged urainium exposure from drinking water. Jon