Keep it Simple
Whether our clients are chronically unwell or want to optimise their health, keeping things simple can sometimes help us not lose sight of fundamentals. In honor of Keeping Things Simple here are our top 5 tests:
Keeping Things Simple
This time of year can be synonymous with excess, and that can make it harder to make things simple. However, sometimes that is all that is required. I was reminded of this when re-reading a piece by Dr Dan Kalish from some years back, which I found while trying to simplify my own computer filing system!
Dr Kalish was recounting how he was starting to become burned out running a busy clinic, working with chronically unwell patients for several years, and all the complexities that a functional approach can bring. Taking a step back and considering the wisdom of a mentor he decided to focus on working with people who were not yet chronically unwell and by concentrating on three areas: Hormones, GI then Detox. He would utilise just 5 tests that covered those areas. He simplified things. New clients could see exactly what he was offering, what the cost would be and he could track and chart his clients to build a solid understanding of his process. He then went on to coach other practitioners in his method.
Whether our clients are chronically unwell or want to optimise their health, keeping things simple can sometimes help us not lose sight of fundamentals.
In honour of Keeping Things Simple here are our top 5 tests:
- Stool test
Our recommendation for a step 1 stool test is the GI Map panel. This is a single sample stool test that reports back within 3 weeks, and gives results for potentially significant pathogens, The most fantastic DNA PCR H.pylori test, commensal flora levels, opportunistic microbes, yeasts, protozoa and an intestinal health section that includes FIT and Calprotectin levels. Whilst microbiome tests are fantastic step 2 tests, a step 1 test can give the lay of the land of what a client might need to focus on before moving onto commensal flora balance.
- Adrenal saliva test
We agree with Dr Kalish that adrenals are supremely important for our clients. Cortisol awakening Response can now be undertaken as part of a typical 4-point adrenal test and an adrenal test will complement SIgA on a stool test really nicely! Colabs offers hormone testing via ZRT, the original developers of dried urine hormone testing. ZRT also offer bloodspot, blood and saliva options for their testing.
- Nutrient panel
Accessing key nutrients on testing either via urine analysis (organic acid) or bloodwork can be invaluable for our clients. Nutrients like B vitamins, Vitamins C, D and E are easily accessed, and your own personal profile can be curated for your clients so you get what you want every time.
- Basic Cardio-metabolic panel
By adding a lipoprotein panel to a cholesterol panel we get something simply magic; a deeper understanding of cholesterol particle size and number with the simple elegance of just that extra little bit of detail, we can better contextualise the risk of an elevated LDL level.
- Hormone metabolite panel
Even though this is about keeping things simple, we can’t resist adding in a dried urine panel, which can also include 4-point adrenal cortisol testing. The fantastic thing about this metabolite test is that it offers more MeO pathways, corticosterone pathway metabolites, has a 4-point melatonin test and reports in just 5 working days!! How simple is that?
Colab Services are happy any time of year to help you keep things simple for your clients. Call and have a chat about your clinic priorities and we can curate panels for you or walk through various test options so you can make the most informed decision to then keep things simple for your clients.
Wishing you a simply fanatic festive season.
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