Nutritional Endocrinology Practitioner Training (NEPT)
Clinical Pearl
September 7th, 2018

I’ve been listening to an audiobook while I run called, Why Can’t I Get Better, by Richard Horowitz.

This book is for those people who have tried everything, including maybe even Lyme testing or treatment, to consider the combination of Lyme, coinfections, and heavy metal overload.

According to Horowitz, much of Lyme and the coinfections, especially babesiosis, are missed due to poor testing. A combination of IGeneX labs and Western Blot, in his experience, is the most sensitive.

The first part of the book is heavily focused on his antibiotic protocols. But towards the middle and end, he starts to talk about functional medicine and nutrition.

The section on heavy metals and toxins was a real eye-opener for me.

He split tested hair and challenged urine (challenged with DMSA at a specific amount per body weight) and found the urine much more sensitive.

It really brought home for me the need to do Lyme testing, tox screens, and heavy metal urine testing in all of our mystery cases, as well.

I will caution you to be careful when using the challenge on folks with severe neurological impairment, as mobilizing toxins from storage during the testing can worsen symptoms. In that case, you may want to start with hair as an initial screen.

I highly recommend the book. The audio comes with a PDF companion with questionnaires and protocols.

I believe that addressing diet and foundational pillars would enhance his antibiotic protocols and cut back on the need for long-term use. Who knows… he may conclude that at the end of book too. I still have a few chapters to go.