Dr. Kurt Woeller

About Dr. Kurt Woeller

http://LabTestsPlus.com

Posts by Kurt Woeller:

toxic lead levels in children ADD

Toxic Lead Levels in Children

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Toxic lead levels in children is a growing concern, not only in the United States, but across the globe where even small amounts of lead can be damaging to the brain. Recent contaminated toy and jewelry products from China containing high levels of lead has raised concern that lead, once thought to have been reduced significantly from the environment in the United States is now once again a serious public health concern. Toxic lead levels in children has serious consequences for brain function and has in part contributed to the increase in attention deficit disorders.

Various Environmental Exposure for Toxic Lead Levels In Children

Toxic lead levels in children has been a problem in past decades. For years lead was used in paint used in homes across the United States. This exposure source became more concerning as homes aged and paint weathered and chipped providing sources of lead deposited throughout the home environment, especially if eaten by small children. In the 1970’s lead based pain was banned in the United States, but around the world these bans do not always take effect and therefore can remain as a source of toxic lead in children. Other sources of toxic lead exposure for children has been various household goods such as bathtubs and ceramics even though the Environmental Protection Agencies campaign against environmental lead exposure has helped reduce the exposure risk of toxic lead levels in children, exposures still occur.

Attention Deficit and Toxic Lead Levels In Children

Toxic lead levels in children is damaging to the brain. Levels high enough can cause severe damage and disease to the cells of brain leading to mental confusion, behavior problems, and stunted development. However, it is the lower and more sustained exposures of toxic lead levels in children that is most concerning as blood levels for lead can be misleading. There is now strong evidence that toxic lead levels in children is a contributing factor to attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in children. Various research from across the United States has shown that cognitive function is altered by accumulation of lead, and that hyperactivity is also linked to lead exposure as well.

Testing for Toxic Lead Levels In Children

Over the years testing for toxic lead levels in children has been mostly done through blood sampling. The problem is unless the values where quite high not much was done for a child as it was misunderstood how bad the problem could be. Research data now shows that there is really no safe level of lead in the blood and that any level could be a problem. Another way of assessing for toxic lead levels in children is through hair analysis testing. Hair Analysis provides assessment of lead exposure over many months to years and is reflective of accumulated stores of lead in the body. Even when blood levels are normal, hair analysis testing can still be high showing tissue accumulation that has moved beyond transient blood circulation. Therefore, in my experience performing Hair Analysis Testing is an excellent screening assessment for toxic lead levels in children, that can also be followed up if deemed necessary by blood testing.

 

Recommended: Benefits of Heavy Metals Tests

food intolerances and allergies

Food Intolerances

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Food intolerances can manifest in many different ways. People with typical food allergies will have food intolerances that give rise to hives, itching, pain the mouth, throat, and stomach, and in serious circumstances anaphylactic reactions (severe allergy) that may require hospitalization. Other food intolerances can be related to immune sensitivity to food through a process called IgG production. There are four types of the immune chemical IgG’s that are produced in response to foods, pathogens, or environmental exposures, i.e. pollens. IgG 1 – 3 have the ability to trigger immune sensitivity to various foods leading to food intolerances of different sorts. This could be an IgG food intolerance to dairy, an IgG food intolerance to wheat, or IgG food intolerances to grains, meats, nuts and seeds, etc. These type of IgG food intolerances often cause bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, but have also been associated with headaches, body aches and pain, and mental changes in memory, emotions, and behavior. Other food intolerances can often be seen by intolerance to certain chemicals in food.

Food Intolerances With Chemical In Food

Many foods have natural chemicals which some people have a difficult time processing. These food intolerances are to various chemicals called phenols and salicylates which can trigger imbalances in brain chemistry leading to emotional problems, learning difficulties, memory processing, and behavior. Also, food intolerance to phenols. etc. is something seen quite commonly with children on the autism-spectrum who become hyper and agitated when they consume foods high in phenols. In addition to IgG and phenol/salicylate food intolerances there are other chemicals which cause problems too. These are called peptides.

Food Intolerances With Wheat & Dairy

Peptides are small chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. When the body attempts to digest certain food items such as dairy and wheat there can be an increase in abnormal peptides that interfere with brain chemistry. These peptides have a chemical similarly to opiates and interact with opiate receptors in the brain and nervous system. This type of food intolerance is quite common in the autism community, and in certain individuals with mental health challenges like Schizophrenia. The consumption of foods like wheat and dairy for a person carrying this food intolerance problem can have devastating consequences. It is not uncommon to see individuals on the autism-spectrum have heightened anxiety and emotional problems, along with behaviors leading to self-injury that can be tracked back to wheat and/or milk food peptide intolerance.

Testing for various food intolerances is important to decipher what type of food intolerance is occurring. Common blood tests for Food IgE look at true allergy to foods. The more common profile of total IgG (Comprehensive IgG Food Sensitivity Test) is appropriate for a wide range of people suffering from food intolerances. The Urinary Peptide test is easy to perform and is helpful to identify food intolerance with respects to milk and wheat peptide problems.

 

Recommended: Common Food Allergies

hormone problems fatigue

Hormone Problems

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Hormone problems disrupt the wide array of physiological benefits hormones do for our body. Many hormones such as thyroid are important for energy production which is critical to support the heart, brain, immune, digestive, and musculoskeletal systems. Problems with hormones can then create havoc in a number of areas. Other hormones like cortisol and DHEA are involved in maintaining healthy adrenal gland function. Hormone problems with adrenal production of cortisol can lead to fatigue, poor immunity, increase inflammation, faulty blood sugar control, and imbalances in other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The adrenal glands, and their production of cortisol and DHEA, are very important for maintaining healthy hormone balance. Other hormone problems often occur with sex hormones themselves.

Estrogen Hormone Problems

Estrogen problems can occur when estrogen is too low or too high. High estrogen can create swelling in the body leading to breast tenderness, back and joint pain, and headaches. High estrogen can also create other hormone problems with thyroid hormone and testosterone. Estrogen that is too low often leads to sleeping issues, hot flashes, depression, and moodiness. Hormone problems related to estrogen deficiency are also linked to early onset of osteoporosis and advanced aging.

Progesterone Hormone Problems

Progesterone problems often coincide with estrogen issues. Too high progesterone can lead to anxiety, sleeping problems, irregular menses, and fatigue. When the hormone problem of progesterone being low is recognized women often feel depressed and moody, as well as experience heavy menstrual bleeding, and difficulty getting or maintaining pregnancy. Hormone problems of both progesterone and estrogen are resolved in part by using hormone replacement therapy, and most effectively these hormone problems are helped when adrenal problems are addressed as well.

Testosterone Hormone Problems

Testosterone is a powerful hormone, and hormone problems related to testosterone deficiency or excess are important to recognize. Excess testosterone can cause irritability, aggression and a feeling of being angry all the time, along with acne, abnormal hair growth, and loss of scalp hair. When hormone problems of low testosterone are seen people often feel weak, fatigue, have poor muscle mass, lack libido and suffer from poor mental function. Hormone problems related to testosterone are important to address as well with hormone replacement therapy as long-term consequences of low testosterone is acceleration of the aging process, and risk for cardiovascular disease.

Hormone problems have a significant impact on overall health, and depends on the hormone in particular. Addressing hormone problems is key to any health promoting program and to eliminate the physical, emotional and mental consequences of these imbalances.

 

 

Recommended : Adrenal Stress

adrenal fatigue sex

Adrenal Fatigue

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Adrenal fatigue is a common term used today to describe a host of symptoms that relate to physical and mental tiredness, aka. fatigue. Overall, adrenal fatigue is referenced as a ‘catch all’ term for anyone not experiencing full vitality with respects to how they feel. The list of signs and symptoms related to adrenal fatigue are extensive, but here is a short list:

• Chronic allergies
• Blood sugar imbalances
• Chronically “sick”
• Depression, anxious
• Dizziness upon standing
• Dry and thin skin
• Excessive hunger
• Hair loss
• Chronic inflammation, i.e. joints, skin
• Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature
• Low sex drive
• Mood swings
• Poor concentration and memory
• Chronic shoulder pain
• Sleep problems
• Thyroid problems

What Causes Adrenal Fatigue?

Although, not everyone on this list can be specifically attributed to adrenal fatigue, the vast majority of those signs and symptoms are commonly observed in people who eventually are diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, as well as have their adrenal fatigue (and corresponding issues) resolved. Adrenal fatigue, is also called adrenal exhaustion, and normally comes about from months or years of chronic stress. The stress hormone from the brain called ACTH signals to the adrenal glands to output cortisol and DHEA, and overtime these hormone signals begin to diminish which negatively impacts the bodies ability to maintain energy. Also, with adrenal fatigue other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid are impacted as well. Imbalances in these hormones leads to their own negative consequences.

Adrenal Fatigue & Mental Health

Adrenal fatigue is often linked to mental health challenges. Anxiety and depression are commonly seen in individuals with adrenal fatigue as cortisol and DHEA not only have a positive function on physical health, but mental and emotional health as well. Adrenal fatigue is a leading cause of chronic fatigue too, and anyone dealing with these issues listed above should absolutely undergo adrenal hormone testing to evaluate the status of cortisol and DHEA production.

Adrenal Fatigue Testing

One of the most effective ways of testing for adrenal hormone output is through salivary adrenal hormone production. This is preferable over blood testing in many cases as the saliva can be collected at various times throughout the day and is more representative of total daily output versus a one time blood draw for cortisol which is normally the practice in traditional medicine. In doing the salivary testing the overall values of cortisol, as well as its relationship to DHEA can be measured to determine the extent of adrenal fatigue. This can then be followed with specific nutritional supplementation, and medication (if needed), to help resolve the adrenal fatigue problem.

Recommended Tests:

Recommended: Lab Tests

heavy metals toxicity symptoms mercury

Heavy Metals Toxicity Symptoms

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Heavy metals are a group of metals that can be toxic in varying amounts, and are toxic by their individual nature. For example, tin and nickel can be toxic in the human body in high amounts, but their overall toxicity is much less than a heavy metal like mercury or lead. It will take much less mercury or lead to cause heavy metal toxicity symptoms than tin or nickel. There are many different heavy metal toxicity symptoms that can trigger long-standing illness. For example, irritability and volatility of mood can be a sign of mercury toxicity. Unfortunately, these symptoms are not specific heavy metal toxicity symptoms for mercury. Mercury toxicity is also known for many neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, headaches, memory deficits, and if very serious dementia.

Heavy Metals Toxicity Symptoms Vary By Metals

Lead is another toxic metal that often give certain heavy metal toxicity symptoms. Some of the symptoms of lead are similar to mercury in that they alter the brain and nervous system, but often gives specific issues of attention and focusing problems. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been strongly linked to lead exposure, and any child who exhibits attention deficit and/or hyperactivity should be checked for lead levels. Blood testing for lead is quite common, but hair analysis testing is also accurate as well. In fact, hair testing may be preferred as it is indicative of storage of lead in the body long-term, whereas blood testing may only be indicative of recent exposure. After the exposure is gone blood lead levels can dissipate quite quickly. This too is the case with mercury and other heavy metals.

Arsenic is another heavy metal associated with marker heavy metal toxicity symptoms. Arsenic is commonly found in various rice and chicken products. It is also used in pesticides and herbicides sprayed on farms which makes it associated with ground water contamination. Arsenic, like lead and mercury, can lead to nervous system problems as well such as attention, hyperness, and poor cognitive function, but can also create problems metabolically leading to fatigue, weakness, and anemia.

Unsure? A Heavy Metals Lab Test Can Tell You

It is very important for anyone suffering with various heavy metal toxicity symptoms described in this short article to be tested for heavy metals. Hair analysis testing is the preferred method at first as a general screen for prolonged heavy metal exposure. Blood testing can be done, but often it doesn’t stay elevated for very long after acute exposure. Either way the presence of heavy metal toxicity symptoms warrants laboratory assessment.

 

Recommended: Toxic Lead Levels in Children

hormone imbalances women

Hormone Imbalances

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Hormonal Imbalances are a common health complaint of millions of people. For some this means they are in the midst of menopause and feel the effects of low estrogen and progesterone. Women feel more tired, emotional, have a lack of sex drive, or do not sleep well. The hallmark of menopause early on is the dreaded ‘hot flashes’ that create so much discomfort for women.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances

For other individuals hormonal imbalances can indicate irregular menstrual cycles, increasing fatigue and weight gain, poor memory and overall brain fog. These are common manifestations of hormonal imbalances that affect testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen throughout the month via their erratic production in the body. For men, hormonal imbalances means a drop in testosterone that affects their ability to maintain energy, sex drive, stamina, and peak performance that they may have been accustomed too in their late teens and early twenties and thirties. Finally, hormonal imbalances for millions of individuals means they have poor adrenal health which affects every system in their body.

Hormone Imbalances and Adrenal Exhaustion

Chronic stress overtime leads to excess stimulation of the adrenal glands and their corresponding production of cortisol and DHEA, but eventually this chronic stimulation of adrenal function contributes to lack of production long-term which leads to adrenal exhaustion. Hormonal imbalances are quite common with adrenal exhaustion as the adrenal glands regulate the production of sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. In fact, hormonal imbalances has become such a popular catch term in health and medicine that there are now many books, articles and websites that support the concept of hormonal imbalances as a real medical entity that needs to be dealt with in order to prevent various illnesses and health problems. For anyone suffering with symptoms of hormonal imbalances such as fatigue, headaches, poor sleep, difficulty losing or gaining weight, lack of sex drive, memory problems, menopause or irregular menstrual cycles, etc. than being assessed for hormonal imbalances is of paramount importance. In order to determine the level of hormonal imbalances that may be occurring it is important to test for the hormones involved in hormonal imbalances. One great of way of doing this is through salivary hormone testing that looks at cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Melatonin, the hormone involved in sleep, can also be evaluated for as well. Saliva testing is an efficient, accurate, and easy method of looking at these various hormones to determine what the extent of hormonal imbalances there may be.

Recommended Lab Tests: Functional Adrenal Stress Profile (#201)
Functional Adrenal Cortisol Rhythm (#204)
Functional Adrenal Stress Profile, Plus V (#205)
Functional Adrenal Stress Profile, Plus V, With Estrone (#205E)
Melatonin Biorhythm Profile (#210)

Recommended: Hormone Problems

Food Allergy Symptoms warning

Food Allergy Symptoms

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Food allergy symptoms can manifest in a wide variety of ways. Commonly people who have food allergy symptoms will often have itching or a rash on the skin after eating an offending food. For example, having an allergic reaction to cow dairy causing itching in the throat or a cough. Other food allergy symptoms can be quite severe such as is seen with shellfish or peanut allergies. In these unfortunate situations with severe food allergy symptoms people develop anaphylactic reactions which can be hives, throat closer from intense swelling and death. Statistically, about 100 people die each year in the United States from severe food allergy reaction to peanuts.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Other food allergy symptoms can manifest as digestive problems such as bloating, gas or loose stools. Many people don’t associate a rapid change in bowel function to a specific food allergy thinking it may just be an upset stomach. Long-standing food allergy symptoms in the digestive system can lead to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation brought on by food allergies can lead to destruction of the surfacing lining of the bowel compromising digestive enzyme production for the breakdown of food stuff, but interfere with nutrient absorption as well. Joint pain is another food allergy symptom that people often don’t relate to their diet. Food is often an trigger for immune reactivity which causes inflammation, and many times inflammation of joint tissue. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder associated in part with adverse food reactions. Other food allergy symptoms are headaches, including migraine headaches, sinus and nasal congestion, respiratory problems, skin rashes, muscle aches and pains, sleeping problems, and long-term stress that affects adrenal function.

Food Allergy Symptoms

The adrenal glands are linked to the production of cortisol which helps to regulate hormone levels throughout the body. A common source of adverse adrenal stimulation is from eating foods that the body has an adverse reaction too. Therefore, food allergy symptoms can take on a whole list of issues that not only affect the hormonal systems in the body, but immune and digestive function as well. It is important for anyone suspecting these food allergy symptoms discussed here to have a food allergy testing done to determine which foods are causing the problems.

 

Recommended: Food Intolerances

Yeast Infections with doctor

Yeast Infections

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Yeast infections can manifest in many different ways. A common manifestation of yeast infections is vaginal yeast infections that plague millions of women throughout the world. The dry, inflamed, and itchy vaginal tissue becomes irritated by the presence of certain yeast that reside in the pelvic region. When host immunity is compromised, especially locally in the vaginal area, the yeast proliferate causing the uncomfortable symptoms described previously. Another manifestation of yeast infections is oral thrush. This is common in young children and individuals with poor immunity or poor oral hygiene. Yeast infections in the mouth give a white coating appearance to the tongue and cause inflammation along the gums and throat.

Yeast Infections in The Digestive System

A more deeper manifestation of yeast infections is the overgrowth syndrome that occurs when yeast in the digestive system becomes invasive and causes a lot of intestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, loose stools or constipation. Yeast infections in the digestive system are often caused by a common yeast called Candida albicans. This particular yeast can naturally be present in small amounts in the digestive system, but when host immunity becomes compromised via other infections, i.e. bacteria or parasites, a diet to high in sugar, excess alcohol consumption, eating foods that cause allergic reactions, etc. the naturally present yeast take advantage and proliferate. This type of yeast infection can lead to a variety of health problems such as brain fog, fatigue, muscle aches and pain, and even certain mental disorders if severe enough.

Effects of Yeast Infections

It is known that the toxins produced by yeast infections can interfere with brain chemicals predisposing to depression. Many individuals on the autism-spectrum are neurologically sensitive to yeast infections and the toxic byproducts they produce. One such chemical called arabinose can be produced from yeast infections in the digestive system which cause various biochemical imbalances in the nervous system. It is important for anyone suffering from yeast infections described here to have some specific testing done.

Testing For Yeast Infections

A common test is the Organic Acids Test from Great Plains Laboratory. This test helps to identify the toxins produced by yeast infections, as well as other metabolic factors that can be a problem. Also, food sensitivity testing is important too as adverse food reactions can lead to the potential for yeast infections. Finally, yeast infections can be treated with various non-toxic medications and/or herbal/natural supplement remedies. Taking these, along with a change in diet, can make a significant difference in reducing and eliminating the problems with yeast infections.

 

Recommended: Candida Symptoms

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