Posted by bleauberry on December 12, 2007, at 19:38:03
In reply to Re: Cortisol, thyroid, testosterone)bleauberry, posted by dapper on December 12, 2007, at 2:40:18
> I liked the info you gave, but it leaves me with further questions. If I wanted to get exact numberical readouts within any given category on a blood test, how do I get that done? Can you simply ask to be given the exact readout,
Yes. Just ask for a copy of the lab results. By law all you have to do is request it. It will give the exact number and show where it falls in the so called normal range. Then you can analyze the numbers a little more critically than a doctor. Websites are even available to help you know what each thing is and what it means.
so you can further research alternative treatments? Who do you see clinically, or as a qualified specialist, when you get the readouts and want to try to take that path to remission?You don't want a qualified specialist. They are too limited. You want somehow to partner with you, monitor you, and give you space to make your own decisions under their watchful eye. That means a GP who is open minded and willing to learn along with you as you both embark on the journey. Hard to find. But if you screen a couple dozen on the phone, one will be right. An alternative or integrative doctor would be best, but make sure he is one that is not deadset in his own ways. You want someone flexible.
I see several people state in posts that if you don't respond to AD's and you keep trying one after the other with little success, that you should look into other underlying problems. My question stems from wanting to know how one would go about to test these common, but underlying, problems.
Most tests are available online without a doctor. They send you the test kit, you do it at home, then send the samples to the lab. If a lab requires a doctor permission, then that's easy enough.
Top things to test for:
Adrenal Stress Index: A saliva sample of cortisol taken 4 times during a 24 hour period. The results show how your cortisol secretion compares to average healthy patterns. In depression, cortisol is either way too high, way too low, or its peaks and valleys are in the wrong places during the day and night. Inexpensive and easy to treat. When you get to that point, we can go over the needed supplements.
ELISA delayed food intolerance test. Something you ate yesterday makes you feel really bad today or tomorrow. You eat the same thing again today...the cycle goes on and on and you have no clue it is that bread or that glass of milk or those potato chips or whatever that are poisoning your brain day in and day out. This is so common it's scary. The most common culprit is gluten. It is estimated 15% of the population are intolerant of it, and yet it takes an average of 10 years for a diagnosis to be made. In the meantime, the patient has suffered through antidepressants, antianxieties, pain meds, insomnia meds, gastrointestinal meds, without much luck.
Doctors Data lab hair sample. Tests essential metals, heavy metals, and minor metals. The exact readings are not important. It is the pattern that is important. It will tell you a number of things, such as whether you are toxic with mercury, lead, or arsenic. Hidden toxicities are more common than realized. They wreak total havoc on the brain and glands.
Great Smokies stool sample. Shows intestinal problems, malabsorption, indigestion, bad bacteria overgrowth. All lead to leaky gut, or allowing small food particles directly into the blood making you feel like absolute depressed crap. These things are closely tied with metal toxicity or hypocortisolism.
Thryoid complete panel with T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies.
I would wager a bet you would come out with at least a few dramatic deviations on these lab tests. Some you suspect as bad might be just fine. Some you suspect are just fine might actually show to be major problems.
There are other lab tests. But the above ones cover the majority of the ballpark. Most would be out of pocket expenses. Insurance might help if they were doctor ordered. But plan on spending some money, probably in the $1000 to $2000 range. Roughly 8 to 10 pdoc visits. You have to ask yourself, what is going to give you a better handle on your condtion and future, 10 visits looking at a pdoc's desk or a handful of targeted lab tests.
poster:bleauberry
thread:800073
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071204/msgs/800436.html