[Daniel]

Hey ,

Some of these symptoms and labs are typical signs for insulin resistance. Blurred vision, dry eyes, fatigue, weight gain and elevations in cholesterol and last but not least, the cravings for sugar all fit into this picture.

Some of the things you mention (insulin resistance & fibromyalgia) have some common root causes. Mitochondrial dysfunction for example can cause insulin resistance. With fribromyalgia mitochondrial dysfunction is also often present. Here are some suggestions you could try:
• D-Ribose – some research has shown that taking 5 grams of ribose 3 times per day can help with energy production. With firbomyalgia the capilaries of the arteries can become thickened which can lead to less oxygen transport to the muscles. This could then lead to less oxygen transport to the muscles causing stifness. D-Ribose could therefore bring some relief with stiffness, energy problems and pain because ribose can help with energy production.
• CoQ10 – helps with energy production in the mitochondria. Deficiencies of CoQ10 are well known to cause muscle fatigue and soreness (as in statin induced CoQ10 deficiency). CoQ10 has been shown to improve mitochondrial health and it has also been shown to help bring symptom relief in patients with fibromyalgia (see this article). I usually recommend my clients 200-400 mg of CoQ10 per day in the uqbiquinol form.
• Exersice – To help improve mitochondrial function, you need to tell the body it is important to have them as wel. I know in a number of people they have to build a routine very slowly since in the beginning the body can react strong. Depending on your current fitness you could start with walking (not running!) 30 minutes and graduly increase intensity.

My recommendation for this is to watch your breathing. Use an intensity that makes breathing harder, but you should still be able to have an basic conversation while doing this. The muscle fibers you’re training here are the type 1 muscle fibres which contain the most mitochondria. Whatever activity you use to accomplish this should be a form of cardio – like swimming, biking, rowing or something else.

It helps reversing insulin resistance as well.
• Acetyl-L-Carnitine – is also often used to support mitochondrial health and helps shuttle in fatty acids into mitochondria. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been shown in research to improve symptoms with fibromyalgia as well

What stands out further is that your white blood cell count is on the lower side. Where you sick at the moment of blood drawn? Related to that, if you are currently taking 5000 IU of vitamin D per day and your current values are 29 ng/ml, I suspect some absorption issues as well. Taking your vitamin D supplements with foods containing fats can help. Temporary using digestive enzymes like ox bile is something you could consider as well.

Getting vitamin D up (see this handout for more information) can help you deal with fighting inflammation. I usually aim with my clients to have serum levels from at least 50 ng/ml.

Other nutrients that are important for white blood cell production are vitamin A, vitamin B12 and zinc.

I’m also curious to learn if there are some gut health related issues. For example how are your stools? Do you for example experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea or cramping?

[Daniel]

Hey ,

The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
• Vaginal itching or soreness
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Pain or discomfort when urinating
• Abnormal vaginal discharge

Vaginal candidiasis can in, some women develop more severe infections involving redness, swelling, and cracks in the wall of the vagina.

If you recognize some of these symptoms it is best to take a look at it by a specialist who can actually assess best.

Meanwhile, we do have this handout that has some recommendations on how to address candidiasis in a natural way. Often with vaginal candidiasis an overgrowth of candida can also be found in the gut and I would recommend additional testing in this case. An OAT (Organic Acid Test) could provide you with more insight into the presence of candida in the gut.

Things like coconut oil, garlic, peau d’arco, oregano & thyme oil are good antimicrobials and could help you on top of probiotics in this case.

[Daniel]

Hey ,

For some reason, the link does bring me to the right location. You could try this link here as well or otherwise, go to the ‘all courses’ page, select monthly courses and scroll down to the section called ‘Blood Sugar Dysregulation’. You will find in that list a movie called testing considerations.

If there are some symptoms present it is good to rule out. But some of these symptoms are of course a little harder to tell with children. Most children like sweets and memory problems are also perhaps a little difficult to interpret. But it is good to rule out an option.

What were the other symptoms that are present?

[Daniel]

Hey ,

I would use a broad-spectrum probiotics supplement for that. A good broad-spectrum probiotic supplement that I like is from Klair Labs called Ther-Biotic® Women’s. You can also order this on Fullscript right here.

If you like to know what strains should be in a probiotic supplement for vaginal health, I would like to see at least the next strains since they have been shown to reduce bacterial vaginoses:  Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus reuteri.

There are other strains as well:

This 2022 review also mentions for example strains the next strains that also have been shown to help with bacterial vaginosis: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis,  L. salivarius subsp. salicinius, L. plantarum and L. Brevis.

And while we are on this topic: you might find this handout also an interesting read!

If you are trying to treat a medical condition like bacterial vaginosis it would be wise to rule out vaginal candidiasis first since the approach would differ. Let me know if you would like help with that!

[Daniel]

Hey ,

You are right: dysregulation in blood sugars can indeed also contribute to oxidative stress and blurry vision. Here are some other signs you could watch for to get an indication if blood sugars are dysregulated. 
• Low energy – Don’t only ask him how his energy levels are, but watching how he plays alone or with friends can provide you insight as well.
• The need to urinate a lot and possibly bed-wetting 
• Related to that, he might also be very thirsty. 
• A Reduced satiation and an increased appetite.
• Cravings for sweets are common with blood sugar dysregulation. 
• Becoming irritable when he skips a meal.
• Headaches
• Memory problems
• Tingling sensations 
• Having a fruity-smelling breath 

If you like to test for blood sugar dysregulation I would recommend you to watch this movie. Often only blood sugars are checked, but in the beginning stage of blood sugar dysregulation, blood sugars could still be measured as ‘normal’. I often recommend my clients to test fasting insulin since insulin is often first dysregulated before blood sugars are.

If signs and symptoms are present I wouldn’t wait too long with testing. At that age type 1 diabetes is more likely.

Another cause of these symptoms could be migraine aura without headache. Do you know if this has been ruled out by your Ophthalmologist?

[Daniel]

Hey ,

Is Ora Organic a brand you can order in Canada? The product I mean is called Aloe Gorgeous: Vegan Collagen Booster – Vanilla. It is also available in Fullscript (just click here) if you can’t order it directly. It is vegan, has vitamin C, and some iron and is based on aloe vera which also helps reduce wrinkles according to this study.

[Daniel]

Hey ,

Collagen has been shown to have an effect on wrinkles and Marionette lines (or as you described it quite well with ‘sad mouth’). Plant-based ‘Collagen’ unfortunately is less well researched, although I have heard good stories about that. In my opinion, it are the amino acids that collagen is made of where the ‘magic’ happens since collagen is broken down into these amino acids before being absorbed.

Since I’m based in Europe and there are many collagen supplements, could you tell me where you live? Is it in the UAE?

The most dominant amino acids are proline, glycine and hydroxyproline from which glycine is the most abundant. Supplementing with glycine only also has been shown to improve wrinkles.

The amino acids, once absorbed, can be used to build human collagen. This is done by cells called fibroblasts. To produce collagen providing nutrients for cofactors like vitamin C and zinc are equally important.

However…

Inflammation plays a role as well and can break down collagen in the skin. Having an anti-inflammatory lifestyle will also help your skin.

Omega 3’s (with inflammatory issues I usually recommend my clients 2000 mg or more. In the absence of inflammation I recommend a minimum of 1000 mg per day), curcumin, extra virgin olive oil and a diet high in antioxidants can help.

Nutrients that support the immune system like vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc and vitamin B12 will also help reduce inflammation.

Reducing the causes of inflammation can help as well. Avoid fast digestible carbs, sugar and processed foods & vegetable oils like canola, corn, soybean, sunflower, and safflower oil

If you are sure you suffer from eczema, I would also take a look at this handout. It provides you with tips on how to approach this. You will find many overlapping recommendations.

Sad mouth

Dry skin
Besides eczema. lifestyle can worsen dry skin. Dry skin is due to water loss from the outer layer of the skin. It might be caused by:
• Heat – including central heating
• Cold (I know, you can’t win!)
• Too much bathing or scrubbing
• Soaps & detergents
• Swimming frequently in chlorinated water
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• and ageing as well
• Other health problems like allergies, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism and kidney dysfunction can also be the root cause of dry skin.

I hope this helps!

[Daniel]

 2 drops is 10.000 UI indeed!

[Daniel]

Hey ,

Are you still using other vitamin A supplements? If so, you need to correct the dosage accordingly for it. I wouldn’t advise you to take more than 10.000 IU of vitamin A in total. If you are eating liver on a regular basis you will need to include this in your calculation.

To boost the immune system you can for sure use the protocol in this handout.

Vitamin A is fat-soluble, which means it will get better absorbed with food. Especially when the meals contain some fat.

I hope this helps!

[Daniel]

Hey ,

In addition to Bernadette’s excellent advice, I would like to add that there is a distinction made between pseudo-croup and croup.

To make it more confusing, pseudo-croup is often called croup because it occurs much more often. With true croup (also called Diphteria – which is rare) you could see a greyish-white membrane in the throat or nose. This membrane can obstruct the airways and cause difficulty in breathing. The lymph nodes in the neck may become enlarged and tender as well.

With pseudo croup, the infection usually lasts a few days (3 to 5 usually) and the symptoms present in waves (often in the evenings). In the last few days symptoms are usually at their worst. Coughing could still continue for a couple of weeks, but eventually, this goes away as well.

If your gut tells you you should see a doctor, then definitely do so. The normal course is that the infection is well handled by most kids. Several viruses can cause croup (like influenza (flu), parainfluenza (the common cold) and some other viruses. Sometimes there are non-viral causes.

Seeing your kid can be quite disturbing especially when the coughing sounds harsh like a seal or dog or when the areas around the eyes turn red or when rashes are part of the symptoms.

Here are some do’s and dont’s with croup
• Coughing remedies don’t work. 
• Make sure he gets plenty of liquids. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to lubricate the throat. It lessens the harmful effects of a cough on the airways. Staying hydrated can help ward off more severe croup symptoms, such as a fever.
• Put your son in an upright position as much as possible because it makes it easier to breathe.
• Out of other people’s experiences, it seems that cool and humid air often brings relief because it reduces swelling in the lungs. A steam bath can help. 10 or 20 minutes in the shower can also help. 20 or 30 minutes in the bath is another option. Just don’t use a water cooker, this steam is too hot and will burn the skin.
• Some people use menthol with steaming, but I would advise against that. this will make symptoms worse.
• Staying calm while helping your son also helps your son to relax. This will prevent the waves of symptoms to become more severe.
• Coughing up mucus is ok. It is protective against inflammation in the air sacs in the lungs.

As I said, the infection often goes away in a couple of days, but if you are worried just contact your doctor. Just be aware that the typical treatment is the use of corticosteroids though. In more severe symptoms epinephrine could be used.

If the croup keeps reoccurring you could contact specialists like an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) or pulmonologist (breathing and lung disease specialist).

I hope your son gets well soon!

[Daniel]

Take your time !

[Daniel]

Hey ,

Do you know if the high blood pressure was there before the pregnancy? Or are you sure that the high blood pressure started during the pregnancy? And if the high blood pressure started during pregnancy, do you know around what week the blood pressure started to increase?

There are different variations of high blood pressure caused by pregnancy. Pregnancy itself can increase blood pressure since the blood volume increases during pregnancy – especially with the first pregnancy. Having a twin can increase the risk of high blood pressure as well. Some people can have a genetic predisposition to get high blood pressure. In this case, you could ask if high blood pressure during pregnancy occurred in other family members.

If high blood pressure is present in combination with water retention, make sure she sees a doctor immediately.

Normal lifestyle factors can play a role as well of course. Low potassium can contribute to elevations in blood pressure as well as a magnesium deficiency, blood sugar imbalance caused by insulin resistance, obesity, smoking, alcohol, etc.

Having an idea of the cause of hypertension helps to make more targeted plans to reduce hypertension. I don’t know if any labs were measured as well. Usually, liver function tests and kidney health will be measured in these cases. Blood sugars and electrolytes might be measured as well. If any labs are there, sharing will help us to five more targeted pieces of advice.

An essential lab when blood pressure is elevated that I often recommend my clients do is a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Magnesium test. If a deficiency is present, high blood pressure can be the result. Make sure kidneys are in good health when you start increasing magnesium.

Hypertension could be caused by insulin resistance. With pregnancy from the third-trimester insulin sensitivity can decrease as well due to hormonal changes (this article goes in-depth about insulin resistance during pregnancy). If some insulin resistance was already present before the pregnancy, high blood pressure might become more visible during pregnancy. Here are some easy tips that can help you address insulin resistance during pregnancy:
• Make sure you walk at least 30 minutes daily.
• Swimming is another option that can help increase insulin sensitivity.
• Removing sugar and fast digestible carb sources from the diet can help as well.

If emotional stress is at play then stress reduction can help as well. Setting boundaries and learning to say no can help. If she has a good support group, and this person feels like she has to do everything alone, accepting help might also be part of the solution. Other things that might help are journaling, meditation, grounding and even therapy can be part of a solution.

Do you know if she uses medications? Some medications can also contribute to elevations in blood pressure. If she does use medications, let us know so we can help provide better advice.

Here is a handout about the different causes of hypertension. Especially when hypertension was already present, this document can help you.

I know I have asked you some questions that can help us formulate better advice, but I hope these tips can help you give her some starter tips

[Daniel]

Hey ,

H2 Blocker
When weaning off H2 blockers, you would like to do this slowly. The stomach lining needs to get used to acid production again. Stopping cold turkey can cause reactions because the stomach lining needs to adjust to the acid production again.

How to reduce stomach acid medication when the time is right:
If my memory served correctly, you were on a pretty low dosage, but I’m not quite sure. Still, everybody is unique and can react differently. I recommend my clients (in consultant with their doctor by the way!) to take half a dosage for 2-3 weeks. Then reduce the dosage again by taking a quarter dosage for 2-3 weeks. And then taking this dosage every other day for 2-3 weeks again, but as I started with every person is different. For some people rebuilding the stomach lining can take 3-6 months and decreasing medication should go much slower. If you decide to wean off, I would recommend the slower approach.

Autoimmune
Like earlier discussed, one of the tests showed autoimmune antibodies. As I discussed above, I recommend with my clients always go gluten- and dairy-free, supporting the immune system with the proper nutrients, reducing stress, etc. A lot of these recommendations you are following I believe, so those recommendations don’t really change.

But the expectations on how things develop do change. The healing process takes longer and it is more usual to see symptoms flaring up. Having vitamin D levels higher can reduce the flares, but they still can occur.

DUTCH Test
Bernadette already explained the benefits of having a proper cortisol spike in the morning. I would like to add to that, that having an appropriate Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) can help fight autoimmune problems since a good CAR helps break down improper working T cells in the thymus. When health problems are worse in the morning, this can indicate that the CAR isn’t optimal since cortisol is anti-inflammatory.

If you would like to learn more about the CAR I recommend you watch this movie here. The DUTCH Plus you can find here and I believe it’s 325 pounds right now.

Liver test
Are you talking about the aspartate transferase here? I wouldn’t worry too much about that if this is the case. The liver might have been a little busier than usual with these values, but this happens. Your value of 30 still looks great.

D-limonene
Sometimes biliary congestion can lead to pain in the centre abdomen or just under the ribs on your right-hand side. I believe you mentioned these types of symptoms right? If these symptoms are gone, this is a good indication that bile flow has improved. Are you still experiencing sudden pains in this area?

[Daniel]

Hey ,

Let me think with you. Perhaps we could help you stir in a direction you didn’t consider yet. Perhaps you could answer some questions for me so I can get more insight into the situation:
• Is there a specific moment when the tinnitus started? Did it happen after an infection (this includes an ear infection)? Or after hurting your neck/head? After a hard sound perhaps? Or did it get there slowly? Are there any intuitions you have as to what might have caused it?
• Are there any steps you are currently taking in order to try to reduce the tinnitus? For example, are you momentarily taking some supplements?
• Are there any other symptoms you are experiencing? For example, do you experience cold hands & feet? Are you feeling fatigued? Are you experiencing tingling sensations somewhere? Are you experiencing concentration problems? Do you feel slow? Are you losing hair? How is your gut health? Are you experiencing constipation/diarhea? Do you feel bloated? Are you experiencing acid reflux? Are you feeling depressed? How is your joint and back health? Everything you can think of could provide us with some insight!
• Was your blood pressure ever measured? And if so, can you remember the numbers?
• Are you currently using any type of other pill or medication?
• Were there any labs measured? And if so, would you like to share them? From a functional medicine perspective, we often take a different look at them than your regular doctor. Perhaps we could help you find a new approach based on them.

Was Tinnitus Retraining Therapy(TRT) ever suggested to you? If not, this might be something you could consider.

Tinnitus can also have an emotional component. Stress can cause tinnitus as well. But being stressed from tinnitus can also keep the tinnitus ‘alive’. I have seen people successfully reduce tinnitus with therapy. This option is more successful when other medical causes have been ruled out.

Bernadette already shared a lot of medical conditions. It is our experience that a slow thyroid is often misdiagnosed in regular medical care. A full thyroid panel (just click here) might provide you with better insight, especially when slow thyroid symptoms are also present (an overview of symptoms you can find here by the way).

If I have more details, I might be able to help you!

[Daniel]

Hey ,

How are things going? Did you made any progress on finding triggers in your gut?