Daniel
Forum Replies Created
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Hey ,
In this case the conversion is really easy. If you want to go from nmol/l to ng/mL, you just divide through 2.5.
96 nmol/l is 38.4 ng/mL of serum vitamin D.
How long have you been on vitamin D supplementation?
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Hey ,
I don’t know what Dr. Ben Lynch posted, unfortunately. However, on a traditional panel, triglycerides and HDL are always mentioned.
The Triglyceride/HDL ratio can be calculated from this – which isn’t often on the report (sometimes it is though). On a traditional panel, you will find the cholesterol ratio (which is total cholesterol devided by HDL). This ratio isn’t a ratio I personally pay a lot of attention to.
It is the triglyceride/HDL ratio that can help you assess your risk. You would like to have it below 2.
Other markers
The other markers in my previous response, which aren’t on a traditional panel, are ‘stronger’. Especially the pattern A/B information, the ApoB and the Lp(a) markers. I’m just mentioning it if you are considering more advanced labs.One last note on Lp(a). Lp(a) doesn’t vary much in a lifetime. It is more genetically influenced. If you measure it only once in a lifetime, it would help you understand if you belong to the group of 20 per cent that is more vulnerable to plaque forming.
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Hey ,
Mold toxins can definitely mess up female hormones! I would recommend you to watch the entire mold course (which you can find here).
Insulin resistance can cause elevated androgens (like DHT or dihydrotestosterone). However less known is that insulin resistance can lower SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, which binds sex hormones making them inactive). When SHBG lowers, this can cause elevations in estrogen as well.
Having your fasting insulin measured can help you spot insulin resistance. Even when you work out, it still is a good idea. I once went to a course in Canada for personal trainers where we measured blood sugars. Half of the personal trainers there had elevations in blood sugar showing evidence of insulin resistance!
Liquorice can be a helpful supplement, but compounds found in liquorice root are also estrogenic and can activate estrogen receptors in the body. You can simply experiment with leaving the supplement out of your supplement stack for a while and see if you find some relief.
Your melatonin looks a bit on the higher end. This can be because of several reasons. Having lots of tryptophan in the diet can be a cause. Sometimes higher levels of vitamin B6 can cause melatonin to elevate as well.
Another reason for elevations in melatonin can be caused by the liver, Melatonin is also produced by the liver as an antioxidant to protect against free radicals. If mold is at play, the liver might be working harder.
The liver plays a role in detoxifying estrogen as well. Having liver enzymes tested can help you find clues if your liver is detoxifying well.
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Hey ,
Thank you! It was written with pleasure!
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Hey ,
Good question! Cholesterol is a fascinating, but complex topic to discuss. Understanding the different lab markers on a traditional panel will help.
I wrote a tip about cholesterol (you can find it here). It explains the difference between Cholesterol, HDL and LDL and will discuss ranges as well.
To summarize shortly, Cholesterol is a molecule that is transported by LDL and HDL. Although LDL (and HDL) particles come in different sizes, the backbone of LDL is a molecule called ApoB.
Here the discussion becomes a bit more nuanced.
Small LDL particles can get easier stuck in damaged arteries, which can cause plaque to build up. Bigger particles fit less well in small holes and are in general less damaging.
LDL or LDL-C
When the lab value LDL (or LDL-C, with C for Cholesterol) is on your lab report, this gives back the cholesterol mass transported by the LDL taxies. It doesn’t say anything about the average size of these LDL transport molecules.LDL-P
A better marker to asses risk would be to count the LDL particles. This is done, but it isn’t the standard. You would like to see the lab value LDL-P (P stands for particles).ApoB
Measuring the amount of ApoB (since it is the backbone of LDL) will be an even better way to count the LDL particles. Depending on someone’s genetics ApoB can be more or less plaque-forming. This has to do with the next lab value:Lp(a)
Lp(a), pronounced like LP little a, is a special form of LDL that has attached a molecule called “apolipoprotein a” to Apo-B. These particles are more plaque-forming than LDL. It is estimated that 20 per cent of the population of the world has this genetic variance. Therefore measuring Lp(a) is important as well.Pattern A and Pattern B
People with smaller LDL particle sizes have a pattern B LDL profile. Having on average bigger LDL particles is, therefore, an advantage. People having this type of LDL profile are having a pattern A profile.Triglycerides
You can find these on a traditional lipid panel as well. Elevated levels
are often indicative of metabolic dysfunction, fatty liver, elevated blood sugar, hypothyroid function and/or high stress hormones. Low levels may be from low intake of dietary fats, hepatic-biliary congestion, hyperthyroidism, or an autoimmune disease dynamic.Triglycerides/HDL Ratio
The most predictive of CVD risk in the traditional lipid panel is an elevated ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (it somehow estimates LDL particle size). The Triglycerides/HDL ratio would be desired <2.0.Now to answer your question:
For all these reasons, I personally like the cardio IQ report from Quest Diagnostics. You can order it here. It will also help you interpret the reference ranges.
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Hey ,
I just wanted to let you know, after a discussion with Bernadette, I changed my mind a bit on the THAK test.
From a scientific point of view, the THAK test can’t differentiate well between the next 2 situations:
• high histamine levels with normal DAO and HMNT enzyme production and
• normal histamine levels with low DAO and HMNT enzyme production.This is why I preferred the other test. However…
In both situations, we would make the same lifestyle & supplement recommendations.
Since the THAK test is cheaper and if histamine is your main concern, the THAK test would be good.
You could use the money to invest in a new pan 🙂
Sorry if I confused you!
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Hey ,
Iron pans can be a source of iron in your diet. I think Lodge is a brand you could purchase. Staub is also a brand you could take a look at as well. Both have the option to order your cast iron pans pre-seasoned.
I once wrote a tip (which you can find here) that could help you. It discusses the pros and cons of different types of nontoxic cookware. It also explains how you could season your cast iron pan yourself if you like to do it yourself.
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Hey ,
The reference ranges for that age are a bit dependent on where you took your labs. Typically they are somewhere between 25-200 ug/dl for DHEA-Sulfate. If you would only look at the value, it would be good.
The more important question is: did you feel good with these values? And when you were drawing blood, were you on DHEA or were you already off?
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Hey ,
I’m glad you enjoy it here!
What do you hope to learn from the CGM and the labs? Perhaps we could help you on what to look for!
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Hey ,
The THAK test (or THDC in English, which stands for Total Histamine Degradation Capacity) is a measure of the total histamine degradation capacity.
What it tests is how well you are able to break down histamine. The good thing about the test is that it is done in a way that is independent of what enzyme (DAO, HMNT) histamine is degraded by.
It is a relatively new test. I think the test has potential, but the amount of research I could find on it was limited (click here if you like to learn more)
The benefits of the test from Regenerus are that
• It returns more information. For example, it reveals antibodies that elevate in your serum when LPS has entered your body.
• It measures serum zonulin.
• It measures your absolute histamine – which was high on your previous results. It would be interesting to know those values when you have low exposure to dietary histamine. High histamine values will translate into a low THAK since the amount of histamine can’t be degraded that fast compared to the number of histamine degrading enzymes produced by the body.
• Although it doesn’t measure the HMNT enzyme which helps break down histamine, it would be useful to compare your old DAO enzyme production to your current DAO enzyme production. This could help us see if your enzyme production has changed for some reason.It becomes a matter of preference. My personal choice would probably be the Regenerus test.
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Hey ,
You’re never late with your response here!
I will start with a brief explanation of the results of your latest test (which is already a bit older now).
What you see here is a measurement of what was in your blood. Usually antibodies are not well absorbed in the GI tract and influence antibodies in the blood less. This can of course change a bit when the gut is leaky, but from the test it can’t be deduced how much immunoglobulins you should take. Immunoglobulins do help with gut health and can help to reduce the exposure to LPS via that way.
The best way is just try and find out how well you respond to it.
Dosage wise the product of Moss Nutrition (I think you refer to IGG Select 75 G, right?) is a little stronger then IGG2000.
If you order it, let us know how you feel with the product!
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You can brew tea with cinnamon sticks for sure. It takes around 15 minutes on a teapot with burner. I like to combine the tea together with lemon peel or orange peel and a twig of fresh thyme. I think it tastes amazing.
You can also use the sticks in curries. The greek kitchen uses a lot of cinnamon. Perhaps you can find inspiration in those kitchens as well.
I’m not sure what the test mentions about LPS, if you could share the results again, I will look into it.
A way to determine if someone has leaky gut is to measure LPS antibodies in the blood. LPS (or Lipopolysaccharides) are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria that live in the gut. If the gut is leaky these LPS can pass the gut lining and cause an immune reaction.
If the test measures these antibodies, it is a way to examine if your gut is leaky.
IGG2000 is a supplement that can help support the immune system in the gut. Immunoglobulins help to bind microbes and toxins and can help the healing process.
You could look at it as sending extra troops to the front line to support the immune system.
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If there is a disruption to the microbiome resulting in an imbalance in the microbiota, it is called dysbiosis. SIBO is a special type of dysbiosis.
The way to address this is by reducing constipation, giving your immune system support, addressing stress, minimising sugar intake (and alcohol!), improving stomach acid production, getting your bile flowing and focusing on getting foods that have antimicrobial properties (like coconut oil, olive oil, oregano, thyme, sage, ginger, garlic, sage and cinnamon for example)
I loved this research article. It contains a recent (2019) overview of foods that have anti-microbial properties. Perhaps it is of use to you!
You might think: ‘Hé, I’m doing a lot of these things..!’
This is why Bernadette said: you’re on the right track!
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I’m so happy for you! Well done!
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Hey ,
I agree with Bernadette that this could definitely be at play! Just to understand a little more about what could be at play, can you describe where you feel the bloating and pain? Are they in the same area?
And if you put your hands on the place where you feel the pain/bloating, where you would you put it? Is it at the level of your belly button? Or is it more to the rib cage? Do you feel the bloating/pain more to the left/right or is it more at the centre?
In addition, could you describe the pain as well? Is it cramp-like, achy, dull,
sharp or something else?
