The Great Plains Laboratory has been educating practitioners for over 15 years on how to help patients heal through cutting-edge testing, research and protocols. In our recent 3-Day Environmental Toxin Summit, speakers focused on the epidemics of environmental toxins and pathogen exposure after a foundation of the OAT is presented. Speakers reviewed patient cases and present testing and treatment protocols for toxin and mold-induced illnesses.
The following Q+A is a response to remaining questions Dr. Woeller was unable to answer during his presentations.
The material contained within this article is not intended to replace the services and/or medical advice of a licensed healthcare practitioner, nor is it meant to encourage diagnosis and treatment of disease. It is for educational purposes only. Any application of suggestions set forth in the following portions of this article is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. Implementation or experimentation with any supplements, herbs, dietary changes, medications, and/or lifestyle changes, etc., is done so at your sole risk and responsibility.
Kurt Woeller, DO
Functional Medicine
and the Organic Acids Test
Kurt N. Woeller, D.O. has been an integrative and functional medicine physician and a biomedical autism specialist for over two decades. He is an author, lecturer and clinical practitioner offering specialized diagnostic testing and health interventions for individuals with complex medical conditions such as autism, autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.
Q: Can there be significant reason for Low Vitamin C? When Arabinose is high?
A: There can be many reasons for low Vitamin C. However, the OAT value is typically low because it is unstable in urine. Therefore, you cannot use a low value to absolutely diagnose someone as deficient.
Q: Can you see elevations in the amino acid metabolite markers in patients who are carriers for the autosomal recessive inborn errors of metabolism diseases?
A: These elevations would only occur in someone affected by the genetics. They could be a carrier and not affected and their individual metabolites would be normal.
Q: For OAT ranges, sex is relevant. What do we report for sex when patient is trans on HRT? Biological sex or identity due to HRT use?
A: I do not know. You would have to ask the laboratory technicians about that.
Q: Should a patient stop mitochondrial support supplementation before OAT testing?
A: They can, but typically not necessary. It is not known exactly how long someone would have to be off supplements in all cases. A general rule if this is going to be done is about 72 hours prior to testing, but only if tolerated.
Q: Can you review mood disorders and markers on OAT?
A: This would fall under the influence of the neurotransmitters.
Q: Do antidepressants affect those OAT markers and how?
A: They could. You need to look at the mechanism of action of the drug. For example, an SSRI could influence the 5-HIAA.
Q: In the order of treatment where do you place mycotoxin treatment with clostridia and yeast?
A: It is a priority and could be taken on simultaneously with other treatments.
Q: Do you use bouvardia when treating candida?
A: I personally do not use it that often. I have seen too many adverse reactions from it in my patient base.
Q: What is the recommended anti parasitic agents for use with invasive candida?
A: It depends on the parasite and how invasive it is.
Q: Do pharma anti-fungals like Diflucan also break down biofilms?
A: I have heard some might, but do not have any firsthand knowledge of this.
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Q: What factors cause dietary oxalate to become an issue for some people but not others (e.g. leaky gut, vitamin A deficiency, B6 deficiency?)
A: Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1 status, leaky gut, sulfate status, microbiome diversity.
Q: My teenage son has all three high Glyeric (7.5), Glycolic (232) and Oxalic Acid (125) on OAT. He has a clean diet, no to low dairy or gluten, does have high Arabinose (92). Red skinned arms turn white when touched. No other symptoms other than cold/clammy hands. Shall I get him tested for Hyperoxaluria?
A: It sounds like implementing a low oxalate program could be worthwhile. If things are not resolving taking a deeper look at genetics might be beneficial.
Q: Would you recommend Mag Citrate to absorb oxalates versus Ca Citrate given concern about providing too much Ca?
A: The calcium binds to the oxalate and the complex gets excreted in the stool. Mag citrate is fine too, just most the protocols are using calcium citrate, but a combination is certainly okay in my experience.
Q: I am a bit confused by the statement that K2 will keep Ca in bones and not make it available for oxalates. It seems contradictory to taking calcium citrate. What am I missing?
A: Calcium citrate in the gut dissociates and it oxalates are present they form a complex in the gut. This complex is they released out of the body in the stool. Likely little of that complex gets absorbed. Vitamin K in circulation helps calcium that has been absorbed linked to bone metabolism and other physiological needs. Therefore, there is less free calcium available to bind to circulating oxalate
Q: In your experience, have you noticed that there is a connection with high oxalates with parasites or other pathogens die off?
A: I have seen some literature on this, but have not been able to make a connection in practice. It might be happening, but I am not sure.
Q: Do you recommend hair analysis for heavy metal when quinolinic acid is elevated?
A: Yes. But I use hair analysis testing in most patients whether their quinolinic is high or not.
Q: Can you speak some more about using niacin if also doing infrared sauna?
A: It helps induce lipolysis and flushing. It is helpful to take about 20 minutes or so before sauna in those that can tolerate it.
Q: Both lower levels of dopamine & serotonin, would you consider glyphosate toxicity impacting aromatic aminos?
A: I think there is a stronger connection to mycotoxins and/or organophosphates. Glyphosate could be a possibility.
Q: Can you take too much elemental lithium?
A: Yes
Q: Are you using regular or liposomal biocidin?
A: Both. I also use the capsules. I would suggest making an appointment with a representative at BioBotanical Research to discuss the various options.
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Q: What test would you recommend in a young man with low testosterone and altered hormonal status?
A: Salivary adrenal profile with cortisol and DHEA. Also, look at thyroid, liver enzymes, lipid panel for low cholesterol and OAT and mycotoxins.
Q: In individuals who have mold toxicity and severe fatigue what do you recommend for them to do for exercise?
A: Minimally walking, but they need to be careful about doing too much. Their exercise is based on individual tolerance.
Q: How do you work with patients who live in other foreign countries? - lab testing? supplements?
A: Most of these are done through Zoom. People outside the United States can order their own labs and then I help interpret the information, along with suggestions.
Q: Have you seen mold play a role in prostate cancer becoming more aggressive?
A: I am very sorry to hear this. Personally, I have not worked with a lot of individuals with cancer. Based on what Dr. Shaw is discussing with regards to mycotoxin toxicity I am sure this can happen. I wish for you recovery in this process.
Q: I just returned overseas, have lived in Yangon, Myanmar, yeah our water heater was on the roof in our house too...
A: I have now seen this with people in Pakistan, India, and some Middle Eastern counties like Qatar.
Q: What about cholestyramine for mold?
A: This will bind certain mycotoxins of mold, but will not treat the mold organism itself.
Q: Can psilocybin use contribute to fungal growth?
A: These are not something I believe shows up on the MycoTOX profile, but I would not be surprised if someone were fungal toxic that they could become extremely sensitive to these psychedelics.