6. What Labs to Order
Metabolic Evaluation of Parkinsonism
While there isn't a single biomarker that predicts PD progression, there are a lot of biomarkers have been shown to be associated with outcomes. Low vitamin D is associated with muscle weakness and constipation, elevated hsCRP (inflammation) is associated with increased risk of progression, and high homocysteine is associated with increased risk of dementia. All of these are modifiable, inexpensive labs tests that are readily available, and yet most PD doctors don't measure or monitor these labs.
This course is intended to be a thorough overview for patients and providers explaining the lab tests that I use in clinic for a metabolic assessment and to guide management. I provide references are throughout the video. Slides are available for download.
"GREAT lecture - very informative!!! Being a patient of yours, I knew some of what you have presented, but the time you spend going in depth is very useful."
"I love the lecture series and wish I could get my PD friends to subscribe."
"Hello Laurie, I am learning so much from these lectures. Thank you. This one in particular I keep listening to over and over. "
"Thank you, Laurie! This section was so very informative. I will be watching it again before I have my next appointment with my neurologist so I can have a conversation with her about some of this testing that hasn't already been done on me."
Your Instructor
Dr. Mischley has spent the past two decades studying the unique nutritional requirements of people with Parkinsonism and working to find better ways to measure, monitor, predict, and prevent PD. Her academic training is in naturopathic medicine (ND), nutrition (PhD), and epidemiology (MPH). She built the Parkinson Symptom Tracking App (www.pd-symptoms.com), has trained dogs to detect the scent of parkinsonism in ear wax (ParK-9.com), is lead investigator of the MVP-Study.com, and is founder of the Parkinson Center for Pragmatic Research (CPR). She created Parkinson-School.com in 2020 as a way to empower patients, accelerate education and catalyze some long overdue conversations.
Course Curriculum
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StartHomocysteine (16:35)
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StartVitamin B-12 (9:44)
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StartComplete Blood Count (CBC) & Thyroid (3:40)
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StartF2-isoprostanes (6:27)
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StartIron (9:56)
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StarthsCRP (12:36)
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StartHbA1c (Blood Sugar) (6:30)
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StartOmegaCheck (EPA, DHA, AA) (5:16)
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StartLithium (7:22)
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StartDHEA-S: Hormonal Health (5:42)
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StartUric Acid (7:49)
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StartSummary (3:02)