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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by janejane on March 18, 2010, at 18:20:49
Anyone know about this? A holistic doc (not p-doc) suggested it to me but I can't figure out whether it's worthwhile or not. Thanks for any insight!
Posted by janejane on March 18, 2010, at 19:09:15
In reply to Amino acid testing, posted by janejane on March 18, 2010, at 18:20:49
Just wanted to clarify - this is amino acid testing, not neurotransmitter testing.
Posted by bleauberry on March 19, 2010, at 20:35:14
In reply to Amino acid testing, posted by janejane on March 18, 2010, at 18:20:49
I don't know, I guess it could be useful and maybe not. You wouldn't know until you did it.
For example, if XYZ amino acid was extremely low, and you supplemented with it to get it back up, and it did either nothing or made you feel worse, then was the test helpful?
How do we know that if your amino acid deviates from the so-called "norm" that there is anything wrong? Is the norm we are supposing to be perfectly accurate actually so? Does the test tells us why something is deviant? How do we know our own genetic profile purposefully has that amino acid low or high for a good reason?
There is just too much we don't know. The test is helpful in giving some ideas for experimental trials and errors of various supplements.
Let's assume an amino acid profile is really screwed up. Ok. Next question, why is it so screwed up? The test does nothing to tell us that.
I would think more basic straightforward tests and guesses would increase the odds of finding something substantially useful.
For example, a Diflucan challenge test to probe for hidden yeast in the gut, system, or brain.
A Doxycyline challenge test to probe for hidden infections including Lyme.
For either of the above, if med sensitive or if wanting to avoid meds, potent natural herbs can do the same thing.
Western Blot test for Borellia, Bartonella, and Babesia.
If any history of amalgam fillings, look no further. Some work is needed here.
Blood type test to give the blood-type diet a challenge trial.
Gluten intolernace test.
If a holistic doctor totally overlooks the extremely common issues of yeast, mercury, and diet types, and instead wants to embark on trendy but weak platforms such as amino acids or neurotransmitters, then I would find a doctor who will rule out the basics before going any further with the exotic trendy stuff.
And in any case, a strict anti-inflammatory anti-allergic diet must be the foundation on which your entire healing will be built. Face it, when illness of any kind is involved, food choices become critical. We can no longer put in our mouths whatever the heck we want.
Just my opinion. I had a holistic MD for a while. He had me spend hundreds of dollars on all kinds of exotic testing of amino acids, neurotransmitters, fatty acids, and other stuff I didn't understand. None of it was useful. It all showed that stuff was screwed up, but no answer as to WHY. And no answer as to WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. Simple supplementation of the things that were supposedly deficient did one of two things: 1.Made me much worse; 2.Did nothing. In no case did any of the apparently "needed" supplements prove of any worth.
It was with a different doctor I discovered yeast was a huge issue with me, probably the thing screwing up everything else, and that the yeast probably came from the earlier history of amalgams, and my previous diet heavy on pizzas and donuts and sodas, and that Lyme was a likely player in it all as well. I've improved a great deal by attacking things from those angles.
Posted by janejane on March 20, 2010, at 10:56:00
In reply to Re: Amino acid testing, posted by bleauberry on March 19, 2010, at 20:35:14
Thanks for your thoughts, Bleauberry.
I guess I should give a little more background. I went to this doc because she has experience with bioidentical hormones and I have been wondering whether part of my depression might come from low estrogen and/or progesterone. She ordered some tests and I'll get the results next week. We also talked a little about diet but since we only had 1/2 hour scheduled, couldn't cover much. I'm hoping we'll be able to do that in the future. I think she suggested the amino acid testing since I mentioned trying tryptophan. I'm unclear how results would be interpreted and it is definitely one of my concerns. She did mention that she had some vegan patients for whom the test turned out to be useful.
As far as mercury and yeast, I should give an update.
I did have that work done by the biological dentist. Two crowns and a replacement filling. But he didn't think it was a good idea to remove existing crowns to check underneath for amalgam because trying to do so would risk losing the teeth. (I didn't realize that could happen as I thought the worst case scenario would be breaking the crown -- apparently the whole tooth could break, which would be really bad since then I would need an implant to replace it.) He said the main threat is from mercury that's exposed to saliva anyway and that any amalgam under a crown would be much less harmful. I know that other experts say that you must get rid of every last bit (especially if you want to do chelation therapy), but I'm not sure it's worth the risk of losing teeth just to check for something that might not even been there (keep in mind that I have 5 old crowns). I might try to see another biological dentist to get a second opinion. I can't say I feel any different since the procedure was done. I did take the supplements you recommended.
As far as yeast goes, I have been taking that Candida Clear product by Now Foods that I told you about. It has a several anti-candida herbs in it. I know some people say it's better to cycle the different herbs but since I wasn't sure that yeast was a problem I thought I would try it and see if there was any effect before committing to a more comprehensive program.
I haven't noticed any changes in mood, but I think my usual discharge might be a little clearer (it was always slightly whitish), suggesting perhaps that I had a chronic low-grade infection. (I've only had vaginal yeast infections with noticeable symptoms a few times in the past so I'm thinking it might always have been there, but under the radar.) I never really had digestive issues and there has been no change there. I've also been taking saccharomyces boulardii ("yeast against yeast") in addition to some other probiotics. I had no herx reaction so maybe the infection was mild, I don't know. Do you have any advice as to how long I should continue taking the supplements?
I really don't think lyme would be an issue since my depression started before I moved to an area that has ticks. Plus, I'm just not an outdoor type person so I'm not sure when I would've been exposed.
The blood type test is an interesting idea. I just checked and it looks like you can order one online pretty cheap.
A different doctor did do some tests to check for celiac. Results were normal but I showed the new doc the results and she said that doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't affect me.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what the hormone tests say. Low estrogen might help explain my low serum copper, plus I have other symptoms that jibe with it. Assuming that everything is normal there, how do you think I should proceed given the new info I've provided you? What other tests should I ask for?
Well thanks again for your help, Bleau, plus anyone else out there who might have some insight.
This is the end of the thread.
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