Assessment and Diagnostics Flashcards
What is the ‘rule of 3’ used to inform the naturopathic nutritional plan?
As a naturopathically-trained nutritional therapist, you have a variety of evaluation tools including tongue, nail and facial diagnoses to help you better understand a client’s problems.
It is important to have three pieces of evidence (ie. Symptoms, tongue observation, test results) to confirm any hypothesis.
How is functional testing different from diagnostic testing?
Functional testing focuses on how body systems are functioning while diagnostic testing looks for markers to diagnose an illness.
What is the difference between ‘reference ranges’ and ‘optimal ranges’?
‘Reference ranges’ are diagnostic, whilst ‘optimal ranges’ indicate a need for support to maintain homeostasis.
In terms of Vitamin D, what is the
a) Reference range (diagnostic testing)
b) Optimal range (functional testing)
a) Conventional medicine considers levels over 50 nmol / L sufficient.
b) The optimal range is approx. 75-125 nmol / L.
List two benefits of functional testing
- Helps to uncover a deeper understanding of imbalances to help inform a naturopathic plan.
- Can make a plan more targeted and effective.
- Allows to quantitatively measure a client’s progress, which benefits the client as they can clearly see improvements.
List two downsides to functional testing
- Functional tests are provided privately, and so can be expensive. Always ask yourself: is the test likely to change the outcome / the plan you create?
- They can sometimes be challenging to read and interpret.
- As they are not diagnostic, it can be difficult to communicate results to medical doctors.
What contextual considerations are to be kept in mind when interpreting functional test results?
- What were the symptoms at time of testing? Do they correlate with the results?
- What is the dietary pattern this person adheres to? Can this impact the results in a predictable way?
- Is there any activity at the test time that could affect the results?
Define the following terms as they relate to the microbiota:
* Commensal
* Pathogenic
* Pathobiont
* Gram negative bacteria
* Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
- Commensal — microbes that live in harmony with the host (us) and provide a benefit to us.
- Pathogenic — microbes that possess certain evolutionary advantages to invade our microbiome at a cost to our health.
- Pathobiont — microbes that live with us and normally don’t pose a problem unless there is clear opportunity.
- Gram negative bacteria — bacteria that possess an outer cell wall, normally rich in lipopolysaccharides (LPS).
- LPS — the major component of gram-negative bacteria which have the ability to induce inflammation and immune responses.
Why might you consider a ‘CDSA’ for a client with GI complaints or for more chronic systemic illnesses in
which poor GI function might be relevant?
CDSA = ‘comprehensive digestive stool analysis’
Stool testing is a good way of getting a comprehensive snapshot of digestive function and the GI microbiome at a given time. This can help you to identify underlying root causes and guide or confirm your nutritional plan.
What is Metabolic Endotoxaemia?
An immune response that becomes a sub-clinical, persistent, low-grade inflammation because of increased circulating endotoxins (LPS).
Why is knowing the client’s diet important to be able to read a stool test accurately?
Different dietary models are well known for impacting the microbiota in different ways
Which two broad types of markers can be evaluated by comprehensive stool tests?
- Microbial markers such as commensal bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, parasites, pathobiont microbes, mycology, sometimes worms (these are often best seen visibly in the stool).
- Host markers — markers made by the human host such as immune, digestive, inflammation, intestinal permeability and occult blood.
What is calprotectin and what can raised levels be indicative of?
Calprotectin is a protein made by leukocytes when they have migrated to and are active in the GI wall.
It is a marker of inflammation and is flagged as high over 50 μg / g. Between 50-175 is ‘mid-range inflammation’. The elevation is triggered by damage to the epithelial lining - in worst case scenarios IBD, ulcers, cancer, but in most scenarios, relates to pathogens or NSAIDS.
What is Eosinophil Protein X and what conditions might a raised level indicate?
Eosinophil Protein X is a marker of eosinophil-driven inflammation and can be raised with intestinal inflammation and in cases of food allergies, parasites, colitis.
Which elevated metabolic host marker can point to issues with oestrogen excretion?
Beta-glucuronidase
What would be your interpretation of Pancreatic elastase (PE-1) result of < 200 μg/g?
It shows exocrine (digestive) pancreatic insufficiency and there is need for digestive support. Below 100 μg/g is considered severe insufficiency.
How might you increase PE-1?
PE-1 = Pancreatic elastase
Naturopathic approach to pancreatic insufficiency:
* Don’t overeat, chew adequately, avoid snacking between meals.
* Correct stomach acid levels.
* Stimulate the Vagus nerve to activate the parasympathetic nervous system:
‒ Deep (diaphragmatic) breathing before meals.
‒ Gargle, hum or sing.
‒ Laughter and social enrichment.
‒ Using bitters such as gentian, artichoke and dandelion.
* Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
What is sIgA (secretory IgA)?
SIgA is secreted by mucosal tissue and provides the first line of immune defence in the GI mucosa.
Upon reviewing a client’s stool test, you see that sIgA is low. What could this correlate with?
Low sIgA (<100 μg / g) correlates with chronicity. ↑ susceptibility to GI infections. Always identify why (e.g. chronic stress).
What could a high sIgA result signify?
High sIgA (>750 μg / g) signifies an upregulated immune response (e.g., acute GIT infection) at the time of testing.
What is Beta–defensin 2 and why might it be high?
High >62ng / g - might be a sign of the immune system responding to a breach by microbes, or due to GI inflammation e.g., UC.
What nutraceuticals might you suggest for a client experiencing chronic stress to help with low sIgA levels?
Saccharomyces boulardii and medicinal mushrooms can elevate IgA when levels are low
What is zonulin?
A peptide produced by epithelial cells when the GI tight junctions are open.
What might zonulin levels of > 100 μg / g indicate?
Zonulin may be raised in severe intestinal permeability (e.g., due to poor nutrition, heavy metals, drugs, alcohol, dysbiosis) and coeliac disease.