[bernadette]

 thank you for sharing your experience! I’m glad to hear it helped your relatives.

[bernadette]

 I went back to our old threads. Can you please update me on your migraine status? Has that improved? If so, what did you end up doing (diet/supplements/tests). How about the constipation? Did you go through the Constipation Relief program?

Please keep in mind that histamine related migraines, constipation, a ferritin value above 100 (from your labs – this points to an infection which I’m assuming was the UTI), frequent illness/UTI, and antibiotic use are all pointing to gut dysfunction since the majority of our immune system resides in the gut!

This needs to be your primary focus (digestion & gut immunity), and in the constipation relief program I share questionnaires to help you determine which of the major players are needing support and how to test for them (i.e. “GPS” – gallbladder, pancreas and stomach).

Here’s the initial assessment questionnaire from the program. Please fill it in and attach it here if you don’t mind sharing.

I wouldn’t compare nutrient values from 1 test to another, but instead I would look at patterns. Is it trending up or down or is it the same? If you’ve been ill, it’s normal for zinc, vitamin A and D (therefore magnesium) to become depleted again, since they are used up to fight illnesses.

Regarding the UTI protocol, it can be used to help avoid antibiotics (if started at the first “twinge”) and also be used preventatively to avoid chronic UTIs. Of course dosing needs to be discussed with your practitioner but generally speaking:
• 1-2g daily of D-mannose has been shown in literature to help with prevention (if someone is prone to UTIs) 

But this is not addressing the root cause as you mentioned, and gut immunity and gut dysfunction is likely playing a role in this since bacteria can only thrive in an alkaline environment, and if there is dysbiosis (imbalance in microbiome), this can affect the pH elsewhere as well. If you have the funds to invest in a comprehensive stool test, you can get a GI Map for example to get an overview of the microbiome. As a minimum, I would want to rule out an H Pylori overgrowth, and this can be tested alone (which reduces the cost).

Did you doctor advise you to start eating fermented foods and/or taking probiotics post-antibiotic treatment? This should be prioritized since antibiotics will create a favorable environment for yeast to overgrowth, and in itself creates dysbiosis.

[bernadette]

 Testing for markers like pepsin and gastrin can provide insights into gastric FUNCTION so indirectly looking at stomach acid production. Pepsin is an enzyme produced in the stomach, and elevated levels may indicate increased gastric activity. So if someone has a protein, this should increase. Same with gastrin; it’s a hormone that stimulates the production of stomach acid. So I’m assuming it can probably give clues but not a direct measurement.

Please let me know if she replies… 

[bernadette]

 – OMG! I’m so sorry you got injured by your chiropractor. Was this your first time with them?

I would turn to homeopathy for rapid relief. Arnica is always my go-to for injuries (that don’t involve bleeding). For sprains, I like to use Rhus Tox cream rubbed directly over the injury. It can be taken orally as well in pellet form in 30c or 200c. Pharmacies in London carry these usually…

If it’s a bone issue, I’m attaching a picture taken from my book on Schuessler’s tissue salts so you can figure out which one is better suited:
[WhatsApp Image 2023-10-28 at 19.01.32_54d17185.jpg]Hope you feel better and have a full recovery soon!

[bernadette]

 I use symptoms to guide the process until retesting. So if a person’s symptoms are improving during the H Pylori antimicrobials, it’s likely safe to add in stomach acid support to prevent an H Pylori reinfection.

[bernadette]

AquaTru is a good RO brand of water filter. Keep in mind however that it removes all impurities, including minerals, so if you do end up getting an RO filter, it’s recommended to re-mineralize your water by adding in 1/8tsp of sea or Himalayan salt per gallon. You can also purchase trace mineral drops like ConcenTrace for example. 

Regarding alkaline water… The water produced by a standard RO system typically has a neutral pH, which is around 7. This is considered neither alkaline nor acidic.

Alkaline water has the ability to neutralize acidity in the body, however this means it can also impact stomach acidity. Therefore, if you do drink alkaline water, do so away from meals because we need good strong stomach acid to break down our food.

Hope this helps you make a more informed choice.

[bernadette]

Hi  – I haven’t heard of this lab or panel. I went to their website to try and get more information on what technology they use but I can’t seem to find the “Gastro Panel”. Here are their available tests: https://www.ganzimmun.de/en/laboratory/gastrointestinal-diagnostics

Do you know which one exactly she was referring to or what technology they’re using? 

I’m really curious to know how they’re measuring stomach acid because currently, you can only do it with a camera tube/biopsy or the Heidelberb pH capsule test. 

In terms of testing H Pylori, the urea breath test is still considered gold standard although I have come across false negatives which is why I personally prefer PCR stool test technology.

[bernadette]

 they don’t ship to Dubai, but you can use a mail forwarding company like Shop & Ship and Boxit4Me to get them redirected to Dubai.

[bernadette]

Hi  – do you mind sharing your age please? Something else to also keep in mind is estrogen, as that can affect the vaginal pH. As women age and estrogen levels decline, changes in the vaginal pH and microbiota can occur. These changes can potentially lead to an increased risk of bacterial overgrowth and vaginal infections that can potentially contribute to an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

So checking your hormone levels is something else to consider. If low, the use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (bHRT) and estrogen creams applied locally, like estriol, is a common medical approach to address these issues, particularly in postmenopausal women. Estrogen creams can help restore the vaginal pH and improve the overall  health of the vaginal tissues.

Hope this helps offer another direction to look into. I will be sure to update my UTI protocol to include this point as well.

[bernadette]

 I usually wait 45 days after H Pylori treatment to retest. The introduction of stomach acid support is not factored into the decision to retest or not.

[bernadette]

 to answer your first question, here’s an explanation of each of the values and what they mean:
1. pH (Potential of Hydrogen): pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. It indicates the balance between acids and bases. Normal blood pH is around 7.4.
2. pCO2 (Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide): pCO2 measures the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood. It reflects how well the lungs are eliminating carbon dioxide. Normal pCO2 levels are around 35-45 mm Hg.
3. pO2 (Partial Pressure of Oxygen): pO2 measures the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood. It reflects how well the lungs are oxygenating the blood. Normal pO2 levels are around 75-100 mm Hg.
4. HCO3 (Bicarbonate, P): HCO3 is a measure of the bicarbonate ion in the blood and is used to assess the body’s acid-base balance. Normal HCO3 levels are around 22-28 mEq/L.
5. cTHb (Carboxyhemoglobin): cTHb measures the amount of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which is formed when carbon monoxide (CO) binds to hemoglobin. Elevated levels can indicate CO poisoning.
6. sO2 (Oxygen Saturation): sO2 represents the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen in the blood. Normal sO2 levels are typically 95% or higher.
7. fO2Hb (Fetal Hemoglobin): fO2Hb measures the amount of fetal hemoglobin in the blood. It is typically present in small amounts in adults.
8. fMetHb (Methemoglobin): fMetHb measures the amount of methemoglobin in the blood, which is an altered form of hemoglobin. Elevated levels can be a sign of certain medical conditions.
9. cTBil (Total Bilirubin): cTBil measures the total bilirubin level in the blood, which is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. Elevated levels can indicate liver or blood disorders.
10. fHHb (Fetal Hemoglobin): fHHb measures the amount of fetal hemoglobin in the blood. Like fO2Hb, it is typically present in small amounts in adults.
11. K (Potassium): K measures the level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that plays a crucial role in various physiological functions.
12. Na (Sodium): Sodium is another essential electrolyte, and its level is important for maintaining proper fluid balance and nerve function.
13. Ionized Calcium: Ionized calcium measures the concentration of free, biologically active calcium in the blood. It is crucial for various physiological processes.
14. Cl (Chloride): Chloride is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance and is often measured alongside sodium.
15. Glucose: Glucose is a measure of blood sugar levels. Elevated glucose can indicate diabetes or stress.
16. Lactate: Lactate is a product of metabolism. Elevated levels can indicate tissue hypoxia or other metabolic issues.
17. Base (ECF) (-): This value represents the base excess or deficit in the extracellular fluid. It reflects the body’s overall acid-base balance.

Since your son had a high fever, I’m assuming the panel was requested to assess his overall condition and whether there were any metabolic imbalances or acid-base imbalances due to the infections or other factors.

[bernadette]

I would do it at least 3 x per day and yes IAG is my go-to for immune support along with vitamin A, D and zinc (all liquid)

[bernadette]

 that’s great! Let us know if you notice a difference!

[bernadette]

 all good

[bernadette]

 hope you like them