METABOLIC & GENETIC TESTING

Yes. We only draw through commercial laboratories with professional phlebotomists. There are no significant risks to blood draws.

Privacy laws regarding genetic testing are still evolving. Many people have concerns regarding the future consequences of genetic testing, and with good reason. Some of the more well-advertised genetic tests are not subject to healthcare privacy legislation, and claim ownership of your DNA once you submit it for a test. We strongly recommend that our patients avoid these commercial services. We work only with companies that safeguard your data at the same level as any other HIPPA compliant laboratory.

Genetic testing can reveal a great deal about factors that may be impairing your recovery. There are genetic variants of enzymes involved in neurological pathways, and some of these enzymes are less efficient than others. There are enzymes involved in the production and breakdown of neurotransmitters that may be inefficient, leading to an increased likelihood of developing a cluster of neurological symptoms. 

For example, and enzyme known as catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the breakdown of neurotransmitters including norepinephrine. Elevated levels of norepinephrine have been associated with higher levels of anxiety. There are also different genetic variants of norepinephrine receptors, some far more effective than others. If a genetic profile indicates a slow COMT enzyme and highly efficient norepinephrine receptors, the consequence will be more circulating norepinephrine and a greater level of norepinephrine response. This has been implicated in panic attacks and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. A deep dive into your relevant genetics can show us a great deal about the causes of your issues. More importantly, it can show us ways to address these factors to ensure your best outcome.

Metabolic testing allows us to see how your body produces and utilizes energy. Energy production starts with glucose, which is broken down through a process called glycolosys to produce ATP. This does not require oxygen, and produces 2 ATP for every molecule of glucose burned. This also produces pyruvate and lactate. This process is what takes place when you sprint on a treadmill. It burns glucose quickly, only produces a small amount of ATP, and the byproducts become lactic acid that makes your muscles hurt. If oxygen is not available or being utilized correctly, metabolism generally stops at this level. In this anaerobic metabolism, insufficient ATP production leads to fatigue and failure of neurological systems. 

Pyruvate can move forward into a series of reactions known as the Krebs Cycle, which leads to the production of 2 molecules, NADH and FADH2. These can then be moved through a series of reactions called the electron transport chain, which ultimately produces a net gain of 32 ATP. This process is far more efficient, but requires oxygen in order to function. If oxygen is present, and every enzyme in these reactions has the cofactors they need to function properly, this aerobic metabolism leads to sixteen times more ATP production than anaerobic metabolism. 

Since aerobic metabolism is a much more complicated process, there are many more ways for it to break down. Deficiencies in blood flow reduces oxygen and glucose availability. Nutritional deficiencies can impair enzymes critical to this process by depriving them of their needed cofactors. Inflammation can damage the parts of the cell where these processes take place, and interfere with insulin systems that provide glucose. There are far too many ways for metabolism to be impaired to list here. Comprehensive metabolic testing can show us exactly how these processes break down, and thus exactly what we need to do to improve your metabolic function.

In many cases, yes. Depending on the cause of your metabolic issues and how advanced they have become, we may be able to improve your metabolic problems with careful application of functional medicine. This can involve everything from changes in dietary patterns, to exercise recommendations, and specific forms of supplementation tailored to your condition.

Genetics cannot be modified, however the function of the systems impacted by your genetics can usually be improved with targeted supplementation. We all have suboptimal genetics in one form or another, and testing can show us exactly how we need to intervene to help you compensate for these inefficiencies. Genetic testing can be a critical step in your NeuroRescue Program, one that finally allows you to get back to living the life you deserve.