Module 5 questions

[Lorraine Love]

1. who determines test reference ranges – CDC, QuickSilver – but these are not”safe ranges”
2. who sets “optimal’/ safe range – below which exposure is not likely to be a problem?
3. who decides that x amount of a toxic metal or toxic chemical is actually ok
basically, who really knows for sure – so everyone should do Lower Body Burden protocols 1-2 x year?

4. do you test liver pre metal detox/ what values do you test for? and what are the optimal ranges? or should you assume everyone needs pre detox liver support?
5. do you always do liver support before gut detox/or env metals/heavy metals detox? seems we should yet increases cost and time
6. how test for minerals in someone who dyes her hair and has no other body hair – have done GPL tox for env chemicals and did glyphosate but have not tested for heavy metals which she wants to do
7. I almost always see high Cu and low Zn on Scell Micronutrient test – so tend to use a MVMM without cu – and add extra zn – I use a high powered MVMM as a base which can replete most identified deficiencies, then add extra as needed for the functional deficiencies – what do you think?

Topic

[Kurt Woeller]

Lorraine,
Here is my response:

1 – Labs have the ability to establish their own reference ranges based on the data that they collect overtime from a wide variety of people. This is what Quicksilver has done and the CDC. The question of safety from what I gather is a different topic and open for opinion. The presence of a known toxin, doesn’t automatically mean that a person is having toxic reactions.
2 – The term ‘optimal’ is something that most labs try and stay away from anymore. As far as what is safe when it comes to chemical and heavy metals much of that information comes from the CDC, NIH and other regulatory agencies. This too is obviously up for opinion. For exampple, certain blood levels of Lead 20 years ago were okay compared to today. Things seem to change as time goes on and more is known about a specific compound. Honestly, I don’t know all that is involved in the decision making either from a lab or a federal agency regarding these issues.
3 – In an ideal situation the lowest levels possible would be great. Therefore, attempting to do some body detox interventions a few times a year would be a goal. Also, just working on improving health and avoiding toxins as much as possible is necessary.
4 – I don’t test everyone. For example, with many children using low dose DMSA the need to upfront testin is warranted in my experience. Older individuals, people on lots of medications, etc. it makes more sense to test. However, it is still not common to see elevated enzymes as a baseline, but testing liver enzymes 4 to 6 weeks into a program makes sense. However, that decision too is based on what is being used. If you are using low dose DMSA than the need for testing is not that necessary for most people. However, if you are doing high dose oral DMSA or DMPS or intravenous chelation that blood testing is important.
5 – The supplements I use (and have discussed in this course) such a vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are also supporting liver function. Therefore, when we get people started on foundational supplements and improve their diet there other organ systems are automatically getting supported.
6 – In this situation you would have to test mineral via blood testing such as the Spectra-Cell Test and their micronutrient analysis.
7 – I like it! In fact, this goes to the heart of question #5.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Dr. Woeller

[Author]

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