, Testing

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Part I: Glossary of Terms in Testing

This is a glossary for you and will help to explain the intent of the testing. The testing I have put forth here are commonly used in biotoxin illness assessment and mold exposure patients also fall into this category as well as Lyme patients, and others in which suffer from biotoxin illness.

In alphabetical Order:ACTH: Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone, released by the Anterior Pituitary Gland. It stimulates the relase of cortisol and other hormones by the adrenal gland. Earlier in MSH deficiency, high levels of ACTH compensate for the loss of MSH regulatory control. ACTH is often dysregulated and is to be measured simultaneously with Cortisol.ADH, Antidiuretic Hormone: Made the the Posterior portion of the pituitary Gland and is secreted in the form of Vasopressin

acting to retain free water from the kidneys. Measure simultaneously with Osmolality.Androgens: Male hormones found also in females, and is released following stimulation by the Anterior Pituitary Gland. These hormones are referred to as gonadotrophins. the measure of total testosterone, DHEA-s and androstenedione will identify abnormalities associated with the MSH controls of gonadotrophins. This abnormality is found in about fourty percent of biotoxin illness patients, and I also believe may explain why some of us have noticed our hormones being whacked, while others have not.Anticardiolipin: Is a form of anti-mitochondrial antibodies. Cardiolipin is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane and is found

almost exclusively in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it is essential for the optimal function of numerous enzymes that are involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS or APLS) or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a disorder of coagulation that causes blood clots (thrombosis) in both arteries and veins as well as pregnancy-related complications. The syndrome occurs due to the autoimmune production of antibodies against phospholipid (aPL), a cell membrane substance. In particular, the disease is characterised by antibodies against cardiolipin (anti-cardiolipin antibodies) and glycoprotein I. They are finding correlations of this and biotoxin mediated illnesses and those also of mold exposure

illness.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-cardiolipin_antibodieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibodies,_anticardiolipinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiphospholipid_syndromeC3a: A by-product of the activation of the third component of the complement immune system. C3a can continue to activate C3 when the alternative pathway of complement is activated. This creates a high risk for Chronic Fatique and persistent

symptoms in biotoxin patients.Cortisol: Is a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid hormone released by the adrenal glands upon stimulation of ACTH. Must measure or test simultaneously with ACTH to assess dysregulation.CRP, C-Reactive Protein: A marker of inflammation initiated by the release of IL-6 and is an innate immune response.DHEA-S, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate: Most abundant steroid hormone in the human body and is catalyzed in the liver, small intestine and the adrenals. Is a androgen Hormone and considered a

neurosteriod as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DehydroepiandrosteroneGGTP: A liver enzyme that converts glutathione. Relationship to Bile ducts and liver detox pathways!!!Gliadin: Is a protein found in gluten and is considered the toxic element in gluten. Some evidence suggests that gliadin can be incorporated into the intestinal wall acting as a “self†molecule. This has basis in autoimmunity diseases and can result from mold exposure or biotoxin illnesses.HLA-DR: These are groups of immune response genes that control the attachment of HLA to antigens in dendrite cells. The

dendrite cells are antigen presenting cells that engulfs the antigen before processing it and presenting the antigen for antibody formation. This is tied into the innate immune response and the acquired immune response. Interestingly enough, you will find upon more research, that dendrite cells are also in our skin.IgA, Immunoglobulin A: is an antibody which plays a critical role in mucosal immunity. More IgA is produced in mucosal linings than all other types of antibody combined. In its secretory form, IgA is the main immunoglobulin found in mucous secretions, including tears, saliva, colostrum and secretions from the genito-urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, prostate and respiratory

epithelium. It is also found in small amounts in blood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IgATTG IgA, Tissue transglutaminase Immunoglobulin A: It is particularly notable for being the autoantigen and is also known to play a role in apoptosis, cellular differentiation, and matrix stabilisation. The antibodies to tissue transglutaminase follow a complex pathway of generation. For most antigens, T-cells specific to those antigens develop, for autoimmunity autoreactive T-cells are not suppressed or antigens escape the protective process. T-cells are stimulated by antigen, presented by MHC molecules (HLA in humans) and surface IgM on

antigen reactive B-cells. These T-helper cells then stimulate B-cells to multiply and mature into plasma cells that make IgG to that protein.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_transglutaminasehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-transglutaminase_antibodiesIgE, Immunoglobulin E: Capable of elicting one of the most powerful immune responses within the human body as well as its

relation to allergy. This is part of the adaptive immune response. IL-1B, Interluekin-1-beta: Is one of the cytokienes that causes increased inflammation and is commonly found in biotoxin illness patients.IL-6, Interluekin 6: Is a pro-inflammatory cytokiene released as part of the recognition of foreign antigens and after activated by TNF and IL-1B.Leptin: This is a hormone made by fat cells. It is also a cytokiene that participates in regulating body mass and storing fatty acids efficiently. It also stimulates the production of MSH, which in turn regulates much of the immune response from the innate immune system. High Leptin and low MSH are the markers for obesity caused by toxins!!! With high Leptin in a biotoxin patient, weight loss in incredibly difficult. It is also associated with weight gain in short periods of time, and is a direct result of the bodys response

to biotoxin illness.MMP-9, Matrix Metalloproteinases, including #9, and are enzymes that effect tissues underneath blood vessel walls, the sub-intimal space. It is particularly adept at delivering inflammatory elements out of the blood vessels and putting them where they shouldn’t be such as the brain, lung, muscle, and joints. If you see a high MMP-9, look for toxins and cytokienes.MSH, Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone: Is a small peptide hormone that regulates all aspects of the innate immune-response. Made in the hypothalamus, it controls nerve, hormone, cytokiene function, skin cells, and mucous membrane defenses, as well as controlling production of endorphins and melatonin!!!!MBP, Myelin Basic Protein: Antibody to myelin basic protein. MBP is related to the myelin coating on nerves and commonly in biotoxin patients, the development of this antibody, then causes a autoimmunity to the coating on the nerve cells, the myelin, and attacks the proteins because they are viewed by the immune system as foreign, when in fact they are not. This needs explaining further, remind me.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myelin_basic_proteinNFkB: Is a nuclear factor that rapidly activates the cytokiene nuclear receptor and is

normally sheltered in a protecting protein called IkA. NFkB is released from IkA by a second messenger sent from a cell surface membrane after a toxin binds to the surface of a Toll Receptor. A Toll Receptor is a part of the innate immune response that provides rapid response after they are activated y bacterial, viral, and toxin components circulating in the blood.TNF, Tumor Necrosis Factor: One of the cytokienes that also increases inflammation. It is rarely elevated in patients of mold toxin illness but is associated with Post or Chronic Lyme Disease!!! There are many interconnections that are based on the HLA genetic types. Consequently, Chronic Lyme is also typed in the HLA types, the same as mold sensitivity and

gluten allergies!!! They are finding correlations of certain HLA types and the likelihood of the occurrence or predispostion in a patient to develop refractory or Chronic Lyme Disease, mold sensitivities, and gluten antibody formation!!!! Addtionally, along with this and the HLA genotypes, they are also finding that endogenous generation of bacterial toxins are also connected to the HLA genotypes, these would be bacterias other than Lyme Borrelias.TSH, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone or also known as thyrotropin: Is a peptide hormone secreted by the Anterior Pituitary Gland which regulates the endocrine function of the thyroid gland. In the case of biotoxin illness, these levels are found to be low. In

my own opinion, many find upon testing that levels may be considerd normal when in fact T3 is low. My opinion is based on what I have found many Lyme patients experiencing and are having their T3 compounded by a local pharmacy and has been quite helpful in the fatigue area of their disease. And the relation of Lyme to biotoxin illness again, is that Lyme is a biotoxin illness, and this observation would then include bacterial, fungal, and viral biotoxins illnesses as well.VEGF, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: One of many suspected growth factors. And exerts extraordinary control of blood flow in capillaries. High levels of VEGF stimulate the making of new blood vasculature called

angiogenesis. The role of VEGF in cancer and heart disease is being researched currently. Low VEGF is common in biotoxin patients and affects the NFkB and cytokienes. Bartonella creates very high levels of VEGF. VEGF Resistence: High levels of VEGF in the face of low VO2 max and low anerobic threshold. In this case, the VEGF receptor is not responding to VEGF despite high levels found in the blood. One must distinguish this condition from high VEGF without resistence by performing a pulmonary function test. High levels of VEGF are associated with the Lyme co-infection of Bartonella.Reference to Dr. Schaller publications.Reference to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker

publications.