Personal History and Family Genetic History
History | Physical | Diet | Laboratory | Appointments
One of the best tools of medicine available is the interview. In this person to person interchange the astute Nutrition Medicine Practitioner will listen and probe and help bring to light predisposing and contributing factors that may be negatively impacting on your health.
Taking about 90 minutes, this revealing conversation begins to unveil your current health status and when combined with a physical examination, a dietary analysis and cutting edge laboratory tests and investigations your unmasked health at both an holistic and cellular level begins to emerge. This process then naturally highlights what to focus on and the details of the best and most effective intervention and treatments can then be mapped out.
During the interview the following details are covered:
| • | Presenting symptoms |
| • | Male and female health issues |
| • | Environmental exposures |
| • | Contributions from present mental and emotional state and stress exposure |
| • | History of illnesses, trauma, surgery, and major life events and their influences on metabolism and nutritional status |
| • | Any acute (short term) and chronic (long term) illnesses |
| • | Any medications and their side effects on metabolism and whole body nutrient status |
Current illnesses are investigated using the latest scientific and medical understandings so that their effects on your physiology, cellular metabolism and nutrition status are made clear.
Finally a family health history is conducted that can illuminate predisposing genetic contributions to your present and future health. When combined with more detailed and specific laboratory genetic tests - with more becoming available and affordable daily - a preventative focus for your well being comes into play.
An emphasis on confidentiality is strictly maintained at all times and while the interview is light hearted and fun it is equally penetrating. The whole process can itself be healing and educational.
The findings and clinical results of all parts of the health assessment are presented in reports that are formatted in a language and style that is easily communicated to other health care professionals. This makes professional cross referrals and second opinions between yourself and other medical specialists, health practitioners and your own family doctor easy, fluid and timely.
Importantly, findings from all parts of the nutritional health assessment give details of any found nutrient insufficiencies and/or imbalances.
Below are example of reports and discussions for a real client although her name has been changed to Jane Starbright. The discussions show the impact of the specific illness and the medications
History Results for Jane Starbright.pdf
History Discussion - Bronchiectasis.pdf
History Discussion - URTI.pdf
History Discussion - Medications
History | Physical | Diet | Laboratory | Appointments
The physical examination provides further insight into overall health status and possible nutritional insufficiencies. Standard vital signs are measured like blood pressure, temperature, pulse, breathing sounds and heart rate along with exploration of signs of nutritional and metabolic disturbances.
Anthropometric data is collected and analysed to reveal body composition with body fat weight and lean muscle mass providing insight into important disease risks, possible malnutrition and adequate protein intake.
External body like skin, mouth, eyes, teeth, face, nails , hands and feet are examined and can reveal signs of allergy, essential fatty acid imbalances, protein insufficiencies, mineral and/or vitamin shortage and immune activation.
Cardio-pulmonary investigations can highlight hypertension, allergies, irregular heart sounds and breathing difficulties.
Abdominal investigations look at digestive tract tenderness and disturbances through the stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas and forms the first line of investigation into any potential gastro-intestinal dysbiosis.
Central and peripheral nervous system, reflexes, co-ordination and basic cognition are investigated and can further reveal neurotransmitter and/or hormonal imbalances or insufficiencies along with essential mineral, vitamin and amino acid adequacy.
Musculo-skeletal system, lymph nodes and thyroid glands are examined.
Physical Examination Results and Discussion.pdf
History | Physical | Diet | Laboratory | Appointments
Download pdf of daily food diary sheet .
Download pdf example of the the daily food dairy sheet.
A detailed dietary assessment entails keeping a diary of ALL foods and drinks that go into your mouth for a period of 3-7 days. This is then analysed for macronutrient intakes - ratio of carbohydrates:protein:fats:alcohol - along with minerals, vitamins and essentail fatty acid intake. Your personal intakes are compared to Australian recommended daily intakes (RDI's) for all the nutrients.
Example Dietary Report.pdf
Example Dietary Report Discussion.pdf
Standard Pathology testing and Specialised Laboratory and Genetic tests
History | Physical | Diet | Laboratory | Appointments
Laboratory testing uses advanced scientific and medical technology to verify some of the findings in the earlier part of the assessment. More importantly Laboratory testing allows us to probe deeper than ever before into the biochemical, metabolic, immunological, histological and genetic makeup of the client. Some nutrient levels can now be measured by laboratory testing.
The Nutrition Medicine approach to the interpretation of the laboratory results takes a more preventative stance. This is reflected in the use of T-Scores which in essence allows for detection of out of balance markers to a MUCH finer degree. (i.e. like blood cholesterol or iron or haemoglobin levels etc).The Nutrition Medicine practitioner is trained to take notice when results are more than ONE standard deviation away from the norm. (traditional testing mostly only acknowledges problems if results are TWO standard deviations outside of the norm) Note that a T-Score of 1 equals one standard deviation while a T-Score of 2 equals two standard deviations. SEE EXAMPLE REPORT
Standard Pathology testing is performed by QML or S&N in Queensland, Australia while other states use other Labs. Specilaised Laboratories in Australia and overseas conduct more advanced and specific testing. If your healh assessment indicates the need to probe deeper, the Nutrition Medicine practitioner will use the latest and specific tests available.
Example of QML tests can be seen here. Note that this document is copyrighted to QMLis not up to date and is intended as education only. QMLTests.pdf
Below are examples of more specific tests that are sometimes utilised to pin point and identify chronic unresolved gastro-intestinal issues or unidentified immune/allergic activations.
From the Metametrix Laboratories comes the GI Effects Stool Profile. Proper gastrointestinal (GI) function is critical to adequate nutritional status and can impact all aspects of body function. The GI Effects Stool Profiles address key components of proper GI health including measurement of beneficial microbial flora, opportunistic bacteria, yeast, parasitic infection, markers of inflammation, immune function, and digestion and absorption. The microbial population is measured using PCR amplification of the genetic material of each organism, allowing for sensitive detection, and the ability to detect and identify organisms that cannot be cultured or are extremely difficult to grow under laboratory conditions. Download 12 Page Guide
ALLERGEN TESTING
While a Standard RAST IgE four panel blood test is available from QML and is covered under medicare (allergens tested.pdf) , the tests below use the additional IgG4 antibody as a marker and while this test is controversial in medical circles, it does provide alternative insight into unresolved allergic irritations.
Allergix IgG4 Food Antibody Test
The Allergix family of test profiles includes IgG4 food antibody profiles that can reveal food reactions due to intestinal permeability (leaky gut) issues. Because they are distinct from IgE-mediated allergies, we describe IgG4 effects as “food sensitivities.”
The profiles measure levels of IgG4 antibodies that provide the clinician and patient with useful data to design appropriate diets that exclude the offending foods. IgG4 antibodies are associated with delayed hypersensitivity reactions, which are the most common yet most difficult to detect type of food reaction.
These delayed or “hidden” food reactions can cause a variety of chronic symptoms. Since IgG4 reactions occur several hours or even days later, there may be no obvious association between consuming a food and an adverse reaction. Food IgG4 levels increase in response to the presence of the food antigens that penetrate a weakened intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream, particularly with commonly eaten foods (e.g., corn, wheat, dairy, and egg). IgG4 antibodies combine with specific food antigens to form food immune complexes, which cause the problems associated with delayed allergic responses.
The complexes can cause inflammatory reactions at various sites in the body, including the small and large intestines, skin, kidneys, ears, sinuses, head, lungs, and joints.
Example Pathology report discussion.pdf
Appointment
or inquire further
Tel: 61 7 5545 2153
FAX: 07 3102 9959
SMS: 0439 54 77 88
info@healthysecondopinion.com.au
Clinic in Mt Tamborine, Queensland, Australia
Cross referrals available in other states within Australia
Or simply submit this form and we will respond. Please include either an email or phone or preferably both.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
"The process of 'wellness' is a tricky one and when dietary issues are involved it really can be a 'science'. I had suffered a lifetime of issues, including problems with severe migraine and sugar levels to name a few, and had been diagnosed with Coeliac disease just six months before meeting with Hartmut. Although I had major improvements after removing gluten from my diet I knew something was still just not quite right.
Hartmut took me through a detailed assessment process which involved not only a thorough medical but detailed family and personal history along with dietary history too. From this Hartmut set me on a pathway of eating the right foods to restore the depleted levels combined with supplements to bring those depleted levels up to more optimal levels.
During the process Hartmut took the time and energy to carefully explain in layman's terms the 'science' behind what had been happening and gave me the right information and guidance to address it. Six months on from that process I am feeling an energy and vitality that had been smothered for such a long time. As such I have no hesitation in recommending Hartmut to anyone.
Hello Hartmut - Just a quick note to update you on my progress and to thank you for the time and effort you put into my treatment. This holistic approach for diagnosis and treatment was not only effective for me in the short term but it resulted in a life style change I could maintain.
Thank you for making time to explain the science behind the process in a way that I could understand and follow. The attention to detail and the time taken for personal and medical history coupled with real time tests and observations i.e. diet were revealing. Then examining every detail to find specific imbalances and deficiencies that compromised my health made it easier for me to make better choices as I could see the correlation between deficiency and disease.
I was very appreciative of the way you married both alternative and traditional medicine when the situation lent itself to this. The food, nutrients, minerals and amino acids were a God send as you know I had been using drugs for over 25 years with all the side effects and little joy. My pain levels are down; my energy up meaning my whole life has changed. I still have trouble sleeping but my overall health is 100% better than I has been in many years. Not just treatment but good solid knowledge. ☺ Thanks Robyn
Quotes
“You can only function as a human being if you are whole, complete. You cannot be complete without knowing, without understanding, without feeling the value - the essence - of yourself.” Prem Rawat
A full health assessment, nutritional based treatments and lifestyle interventions can help remediation and prevention of collateral damage in the conditions below. And many many more.
CardioVascular Disease
Diabetes and high blood pressure
Neurological disorders
Imbalances in metabolism
Medication side effects
Chronic fatigue, mental exhaustion and fibromyalgia
Sleep disorders
Genetic Polymorphisms
Allergies, food intolerances and hypersensitivities
Weight gain and weight loss
Neurotransmitter and hormone imbalances
Cerbrovascular incompetency following a stroke
Alzheimer's disease
Chronic degenerative neurological disease
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis and epilepsy and autism
Bipolar Disorder, anxiety and depression
Migraine
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Osteo-arthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout
Chronic Pain
Digestive disorders including coeliac, and IBS
Autoimmune disease and Asthma and eczema
Inflammatory disorders and Neoplasia
Liver, kidney and pancreatic and gall bladder disorders
Respiratory disorders
Endocrine disorders
PMS, menopause and lactation anomalies
and many, many more benefit from Nutrition medicine assessment and intervention
Online
BioMedical
& Nutrition
Reference
Library
Global Library of Womans Medicine
ehp: Environmental Health Perspectives
DPDx - diagnosis of parasitic diseases
Faculty of 1000 - Medicine or Biology
Full Text Journals and Articles
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI databases)
Emedicine and Medscape Articles
Selected Laboratory Tests, With Reference Ranges and Conversion Factors.pdf
Genetic Disorders - Gene Reviews (not exhaustive)
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man ® OMIM
Kegg Pathways - Enzymes and Genes
Foods containg specific Nutrients
Please note that the information in the Online Reference Library is freely available to everyone and is designed as an education rescource and people seeking information about a personal medical or genetic condition are urged to consult with a qualified health practitioner for diagnosis and/or assessment for answers to personal health questions.
