COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 336
You’ll read and understand lab reports, like blood tests and gut
sensitivity tests, and spot common patterns that show up when
someone’s body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs.
Let’s say you’re checking to see if there’s a digestive problem.
The markers that may be low include: total protein, albumin,
chloride, Vitamin B12, and phosphorus. The markers that are likely
to be high include: WBC (absent infection), MCV, MCH, CO2, HDL
(H2 blockers), BUN, and Globulin.
Use Dr. Zachary’s Lab Values book to study these and other
patterns, so you can learn which blood markers are most
important in functional nutrition and how they relate to your
client’s health.
Limitations of Stool Testing for Gut Health
Although stool testing can be a useful tool, it does have limitations
that may not provide practitioners with the full picture.
Additional Resources:
Unit conversion links, drug‐nutrient depletion references
(expanded), patient handouts.
Required Reading:
● Dr. Zachary: p.443 (Drug3Nutrient Depletions), p.444 (Unit
Conversions)
● Unit Conversion Links Handout
In functional nutrition, it's important to understand how
medications can affect a person's nutrient levels. Even when used
correctly, some pharmaceutical drugs can lead to nutrient
imbalances or depletions over time.
Certain medications can block the absorption of nutrients in the
digestive system, speed up how quickly the body uses specific
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