Discover the 4 Must-Know Labs for Neuropathy
In my years as a functional medicine expert, I've guided countless individuals on their journey to overcome neuropathy. Dealing with neuropathy requires a comprehensive approach, combining multiple solutions to address your unique challenges.
While I often recommend conducting a broad range of lab tests to pinpoint the root causes of your symptoms, there are four crucial labs that I consistently advise my patients to prioritize when it comes to neuropathy.
If you're currently battling neuropathy, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Together, we can develop a customized treatment plan to eliminate your neuropathic pain and allow you to reclaim the activities you love, whether it's playing with your kids, enjoying a game of golf, or engaging in other cherished pastimes that neuropathy has been robbing you of.
A substantial number of individuals suffering from chronic neuropathy are plagued by mold infections in their system. These infections can stem from exposure to mold that occurred as far back as a decade ago.
Mold presence in your body triggers persistent inflammation. This inflammation impedes your nerves' ability to receive vital nutrients and hampers their normal functionality. Consequently, neuropathic symptoms arise.
Throughout my practice, I've encountered patients with alarmingly high mold levels. Working together, we've successfully eliminated the mold infection, leading to the disappearance of their symptoms. When undergoing this lab analysis, it's crucial to strive for mold levels as close to zero as possible, although anything below 200 is considered ideal.
Elevated insulin levels contribute to nerve degeneration. Imagine insulin as shards of glass coursing through your bloodstream, triggering significant inflammation. As I mentioned earlier, inflammation can lead to nerve degeneration and dysfunction, which are the hallmarks of neuropathy.
Given the close connection between insulin levels and overall inflammation within your body, it becomes imperative to measure fasting insulin as a key marker during lab tests. Optimal fasting insulin levels should range between 5 and 6.
C-Reactive Protein serves as a crucial marker, indicating the levels of inflammation present throughout your body. Ideally, the concentration of this protein should be less than 1. However, I've encountered patients with levels surpassing 13. By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to elevated C-Reactive Protein, we've successfully lowered their markers and alleviated their neuropathy symptoms.
Homocysteine serves as a marker that can cause damage to your blood vessels and capillaries. This damage impairs your body's ability to provide essential nutrients and maintain the health of your nerves, ultimately leading to degeneration.
While high levels of homocysteine can be attributed to genetic factors as well as lifestyle choices, a healthy individual should strive to maintain homocysteine levels between 5 and 6. Elevated levels of this marker can indicate potential harm to your circulatory system, necessitating prompt treatment.
By conducting these four crucial lab tests, you'll gain valuable insights into the underlying causes of your neuropathy. Armed with this knowledge, we can devise an effective treatment plan tailored to your unique situation, ensuring a successful journey towards lasting relief.