Please read. This is an IMPORTANT POST from Dr. Amy concerning changes that will be implemented as of Monday, March 21st:

ROLE OF H. PYLORI AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN AUTISM:

As many of you may have realized by now I believe that H.pylori may be a factor for a large number of individuals on this program.  As I will illustrate at Autism One, addressing H.pylori helps to fill in the bigger picture of pieces of the methylation cycle. Working on H.pylori and how hints of its presence can be seen in a number of biochemical tests helps to illustrate yet another point; it is critical to look at a range of biochemical tests on a regular basis, essentially a  “biochemical check up” at least once a year or every four to six months if possible.

Even if we do not see H.pylori showing up initially on a GI function, hints of its presence can be seen on UTMs, UEEs, FMT, HMT, UAA, MAP and neurotransmitter tests. Rather than looking at each of these tests individually at random times during the year, it is important to take a snap shot in time, to run these tests at the same time and see a composite of what is going on biochemically. I now see that it would be best to comprehensively review each client’s file at least once a year, if not, more often. This would also help other doctors to implement the program more easily if their patient had a complete “biochemical check up” from me at least once a year to help to define areas that need fine tuning.

NEW SERVICE - COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM REVIEW:

So, we are going to change the way we do biochemical testing. We are going to convert to a ‘test based comprehensive file review; format so that I can continue to serve as many of you as I currently do. Toxic metal excretion testing will continue as it has in the past. I encourage frequent use of UTM/EE, FMT and HMT between a ‘comprehensive program review’. I will continue to comment on those tests results and over time we are planning to convert to a system to track changes on those tests. The metal excretion data will be plotted on a continual basis for easier tracking of excretion progress, ultimately  in a user interactive format.  So again, I encourage and want to see frequent measurements of metal excretion and you will start to see more tools in the near future to help to track your progress in these areas.

The new comprehensive program review will replace the randomly ordered and individually reviewed UAA, MAP, Neurotransmitter, CDSA and GI function tests. Please note that any tests (UAA, MAP, Neurotransmitter, CDSA, and GI function) that were purchased individually prior to this change will be reviewed and commented on.

You can order this once a year, twice a year, etc. For that review, I will expect to have the following in the file: UAA, MAP, Neurotransmitter test, CDSA, GI function, UTM/EE, FMT, HMT and eventually the global methylation assay (which will be purchased as a bundle rather than individually), along with a one page (I emphasize one page) summary of where you are and what the biggest concerns are as well as an up to date abbreviated supplement list.  With this new comprehensive format I will have the time to go through each file in detail, cross checking test values and making suggestions to guide you through the program. The pricing structure is no different than the current test purchase/comment format. We are simply bundling the tests together to provide a more comprehensive evaluation.  As with our current testing, there is no separate fee for my time and actually there will be a cost savings by purchasing all tests up front at one time. I feel that this type of total biochemical review of your file is so important that HHI is going to make payment plans available so everyone can take advantage of this service. The payment plan feature will be available very soon; an upgrade to our online store will soon be complete to facilitate this option. Once you make your purchase you will want to sign up to schedule your file review. This is for me to set aside the necessary time to reveiw your file. You can pick your review date by emailing your first three choices for a date to kelly@holistichealth.com. I can only do so many a day and that is why I need to schedule each review. The date chosen tells us that we should expect your file is ready for review by that time. By that date all tests would have been run and the results in our office in order to conduct the file review. You will get your Comprehensive Program Review emailed to you a couple of days after your scheduled date.

WHO SHOULD USE THIS NEW SERVICE:

I do think this type of review is also ideal for those ordering nutrigenomic tests. The idea would be to time the biochemical testing with the nutrigenomic test so that I have a complete file to review when your genetic test is complete. However, it is not necessary to run the genetics in order to take advantage of this new comprehensive review. While I think it is ideal to have the genetics as well as the biochemistry, a number of adults on this program do not have their genetics yet. It is still okay to send me a comprehensive file review package along with a one page summary and an abbreviated supplement list and sign up for a review.

I also feel strongly that the new “Comprehensive Program Review; is a tool that should be used by every person on this program. Regardless of the doctor you are working with, I believe that having me go over your file even just once a year to make suggestions, tweak supplements, note new patterns that I am seeing is a valuable asset for moving forward with this program.

Again, I feel this new format is important in order for you to get a comprehensive view of what is going on biochemically at a given point in time.  You will be able to order random UTM/EE, FMT, and HMT between the comprehensive program reviews. I will not be looking at individual UAA, MAP, Neurotransmitter, CDSA, GI function and UAA, once we have the system in place for the ‘comprehensive program review’.  We expect to make this shift on March 21st.  If I feel there is a need for a random follow up test to be done I will handle that on an individual basis. 

LOOKING FORWARD:

As another step toward being more individually involved with those on the program, Erin and I will start to do my weekly/biweekly Q and A for the chat group via a webcast format. In this way I will answer the questions that Erin picks from the chat group each week in a video format as that may help with more personal interactions. We will announce when this will take place.

The goal of this program and the chat group is to help each of you on the path to recovery, seeing each person as an individual with their own special needs. The first step toward making the program easier to implement was the introduction of compounded formulas this past year. I am now looking to take customized support to another level by switching to ‘comprehensive file reviews’ to give you more individualized attention. These biochemical based file reviews do not replace the need to have a doctor with whom you can work with while on the program. These reviews are designed to help chart a path for you and your doctor.

Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at Autism One this May. I will be focusing on the larger puzzle of autism and how that is progressing. I do not think we have all of the pieces but we are certainly getting closer. In addition to H.pylori there are other new insights that I will be sharing, and for those who cannot make it to the conference I will share those concepts with you in your comprehensive file review. I truly hope that this latest change in format will help me to do an even better job of helping all of you on your individual paths to recovery.

With love, hope and a hug,
Dr. Amy