Why “Your Labs Are Normal” But You Still Feel Awful - Dr Gabrielle Lyon

In this discussion, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon explores the underestimated impact of environmental factors on health, emphasizing that diet and exercise alone are insufficient for wellness. She shares insights from her medical experience, highlighting the rise of complex illnesses linked to mold, parasites, and other environmental exposures. Dr. Lyon discusses the challenges in diagnosing these conditions due to inadequate testing methods and the lack of standardized medical criteria. She underscores the importance of recognizing environmental influences on health, advocating for a more integrative and open-minded approach to medicine that considers both traditional and emerging factors.

• Originally, the two pillars of health were diet and exercise, but a third pillar, environment, was added.
• The realization came from a personal experience with a patient who was negatively affected by environmental exposures despite a healthy lifestyle.

"I graduated medical school obviously and then did my fellowship and when you finish your fellowship and go into private practice you kind of think you know everything and I was convinced the key to health was diet and exercise. It was all lifestyle and I was wrong."

• The speaker's initial belief that health was solely dependent on diet and exercise was challenged, leading to the acknowledgment of environmental factors.

• Complex illnesses caused by mold, gut health issues, BPAs, heavy metals, Lyme disease, and parasites are becoming more recognized.
• The increase in awareness is due to both more exposures and improved detection methods.

"We have more exposures than arguably we've ever had now with microplastics. And we are getting better at acknowledging and detecting it, but we're still not there."

• Despite improvements, there is still a lack of validated testing for certain environmental exposures, such as mold.

• Mold exposure can cause symptoms like rashes, brain fog, and fatigue, but testing for mold is not straightforward.
• There is no simple diagnostic test for mold exposure, unlike tests for conditions like diabetes.

"For a testing perspective, we don't have validated tests for mold. However, I think it's really important that we test for it."

• The difficulty in diagnosing mold-related health issues highlights the need for more research and better testing methods.

• Many people experience unexplained symptoms that are often attributed to aging or stress but may be caused by environmental factors.
• Environmental factors can significantly affect mood, energy, and overall health.

"The main sort of takeaway I think that I've learned from the last couple of years is how many people are living a life that they thought was just getting older or a natural byproduct of I'm just tired."

• There is a diagnostic uncertainty in traditional medical tests, which often miss these environmental influences.

• Parasites are more common than perceived and can cause significant health issues if left untreated.
• Parasites are not isolated incidents and can spread through various means, including food and interpersonal contact.

"Globally parasitic infection especially these worms hookworm, whipworm, roundworm, they are one of the leading causes of iron deficiency anemia which is extremely common because they cause this chronic blood loss that's slow."

• The standard PCR test for parasites is not always reliable, and traditional microscopy can sometimes be more effective.

• Mold is a challenging environmental factor to diagnose and treat due to the lack of standardized testing and diagnostic criteria.
• There is a disconnect between traditional environmental doctors and those seeing different results in practice.

"According to the American College of Medical Toxicologists, which these are in the group of individual doctors that look at the environment and these exposures, there is according to them, there's not really a diagnostic criteria for mold."

• Personal anecdotes highlight the severe impact mold can have on health, despite perfect lab results.

• Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to environmental factors like mold.
• Sensitivity to environments, including mold, is increasingly observed in medical practice.

"I personally am in medical practice and I am seeing more and more patients extremely sensitive to their environments and again mold is one of them."

• The medical field is gradually recognizing the importance of considering environmental factors in diagnosing and treating patients.

• Environmental exposures can lead to brain fog, headaches, rashes, and allergic reactions, affecting cognition and overall health.
• These symptoms are often dismissed due to normal lab results, leading to misconceptions about their origin.
• Environmental factors such as mold, humidity, and pollution can cause significant health issues, even when not visibly apparent.

"We see these environmental exposures that they can affect brain function, cognition."

• Environmental factors have a tangible impact on cognitive functions, though they may not always be recognized by traditional medical literature.

"People will say, 'But your labs are normal.' It has to be all in your head. And it's not."

• Symptoms from environmental exposures can be real and impactful, even if they don't show up in standard medical tests.

• Many environmental illnesses are not visible or easily diagnosed, leading to skepticism and misunderstanding.
• Patients often face disbelief from both medical professionals and peers, which can exacerbate psychological distress.
• The perception of wellness based on appearance can lead to misjudgments about an individual's actual health status.

"The symptoms aren't visible and the injury isn't visible either."

• Environmental illnesses often lack visible symptoms, making them harder to diagnose and understand.

"The two things that you never want to hear as a patient, the first one is from a doctor saying, 'We don't know what's wrong with you.' And the second one is from a friend saying it's all in your head."

• Patients with environmental illnesses frequently encounter disbelief, leading to frustration and a sense of isolation.

• There's a growing interest in hormone therapy and environmental influences on health.
• Environmental factors like parasites, mold, and heavy metals can compound health issues, affecting nutrient absorption and causing inflammation.
• These factors can lead to diagnostic uncertainty and require a broader perspective for effective treatment.

"We're seeing a huge interest in hormone therapy, testosterone for both men and women, all of this stuff around hormones."

• Hormones and environmental factors are increasingly recognized as significant influences on health.

"Their ability to absorb nutrients that they're having now decreases. So, you're starting to get low levels of inflammation, less absorption of your nutrients."

• Environmental factors can significantly impact nutrient absorption and overall health, leading to chronic conditions.

• Genetic predispositions can determine an individual's sensitivity to environmental factors like mold.
• Not everyone exposed to the same environment will experience the same health effects, highlighting the role of genetics.
• Personal anecdotes illustrate varying responses to environmental exposures within the same household.

"There seems to be, again, I would caution the listener and the physicians that are listening, this is somewhat of a bit uncharted territory that we're getting more and more data on, but it seems as if there's a genetic component to those individuals that become affected versus those that are not."

• Genetic factors can influence how individuals respond to environmental exposures, though research is still evolving in this area.

"My son and myself are sensitive. My husband and my daughter are not."

• Different family members can have varying sensitivities to environmental factors, suggesting a genetic component.

• Acute and chronic environmental exposures can accumulate, leading to significant health burdens.
• Individuals often push through symptoms due to societal pressures, leading to further health deterioration.
• Conditions like Lyme disease illustrate the complexity and subtlety of environmental illnesses.

"These exposures end up compounding over time and the challenge is that people will be told that it's all in their head."

• Environmental exposures can build up over time, exacerbating health issues and often being dismissed as psychological.

"Lyme disease is another one of those kind of silent epidemics that is now getting more and more attention."

• Lyme disease is an example of an environmental illness that is gaining recognition but remains challenging to diagnose.

• The modern world presents novel environmental challenges that require new diagnostic approaches.
• Microplastics and other pollutants are emerging concerns that need to be addressed with clear diagnostic paths.
• The medical community is divided on how to approach these issues, balancing traditional evidence with emerging data.

"Microplastics, there's a lot more information coming out about microplastics and I am certain we are going to continue to find more."

• Microplastics are an emerging environmental concern that requires further investigation and understanding.

"There has to be real information, vetted and important, validated literature and there has to be an open-mindedness within clinicians."

• A balanced approach between evidence-based medicine and openness to new information is necessary to address modern environmental health challenges.

• Medicine requires a balance between scientific knowledge and the art of truly listening to patients.
• Even if lab results are negative, patient symptoms and experiences must be considered seriously.
• Environmental exposures, like mold, can have significant health impacts that are often overlooked by conventional medicine.

"Even if quote the labs are negative. Listen, I treat we treat mold all the time."

• Emphasizes the importance of considering patient symptoms despite negative lab results.

"I recognize that what is in the literature is saying don't test and just remove them from the house."

• Highlights a discrepancy between literature recommendations and personal experience in treating mold exposure.

• There is increasing evidence linking chemical exposures to diseases such as Parkinson's.
• It is crucial for healthcare providers to remain open to emerging research and not dismiss potential environmental factors.

"During that time, there was murmurss of pesticides influencing the increase in Parkinson's disease."

• Indicates early observations of a potential link between pesticides and Parkinson's, now supported by clearer data.

"It's our responsibility, I think, not just as providers, but also in this new social media landscape to be able to recognize that we might be thinking ahead."

• Stresses the need for healthcare providers to stay informed and consider emerging evidence.

• Personal health challenges can become central to one's identity, influencing life priorities and perspectives.
• People often share their recovery experiences to help others who might be facing similar issues.

"It's somebody who has gluten intolerant in their Instagram bio. It's the equivalent of that."

• Compares the tendency to identify with health issues to a social media bio, illustrating how central health challenges can become to personal identity.

"It influences your quality of life so much that when you get out the other side of it, you think, okay, if you too feel what sad, tired, moody, brain fog, inflamed, whatever."

• Describes the profound impact of health challenges on life quality and the motivation to share solutions with others.

• Gut permeability, or "leaky gut," is linked to various digestive problems and autoimmune conditions.
• Factors contributing to gut issues include genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, and gut permeability.

"You needed to have genetic predisposition, an environmental stressor, and gut permeability."

• Outlines the three key factors required for an autoimmune response.

"Gut permeability is when these intestinal membranes, they become somewhat separated."

• Explains the concept of gut permeability and its implications for health.

• Identifying and managing sensitivities to environmental factors like mold or VOCs is crucial for health.
• Strategies include using air filters, regular testing, and sauna protocols for detoxification.

"If you know that you are sensitive to VOCC's then obviously um you're using low VOC paint or any of these other things air filtration."

• Suggests practical measures to manage sensitivities to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

"If you know you are sensitive to mold, or if you are someone that just you're going to eat sushi no matter what, then perhaps 3 months you should do or quarterly some kind of parasite testing."

• Recommends regular testing and preventive measures for those with known sensitivities.

• Sauna use is highlighted as an effective method for detoxifying lipophilic chemicals stored in body fats.
• Sauna protocols can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.

"The number one that came out on top was sauna."

• Identifies sauna as the most effective modality for supporting health and detoxification.

"This is a way for lipohilic chemicals so the chemicals that are stored in fats to be released through the skin excretion of these organic solvents."

• Describes how sauna use aids in the excretion of harmful chemicals from the body.

• Emotional stress plays a significant role in the ability to heal from environmental illnesses.
• A belief in one’s ability to heal is crucial for recovery, influencing physiological responses.

"If someone doesn't believe that they will get better, it's a real struggle."

• Emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset for healing.

"Conversely, if there is a belief in one's own ability to heal and they know they are with such high conviction that they will get better, these people they will get better."

• Highlights how a strong belief in recovery can positively impact health outcomes.

• Medicine is often structured to address simple problems, not the complex, multifaceted issues presented by environmental illnesses.
• Patients with complex conditions frequently become "medical nomads," seeking care from multiple practitioners.

"Medicine is built for being able to create a standard of care."

• Explains that medicine often follows standardized protocols, which may not address complex conditions effectively.

"Why do people end up with this Avengers assemble of of of medical practitioners?"

• Questions why patients with complex conditions often require a multidisciplinary approach to receive comprehensive care.

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of a team-based approach in medical practice, contrasting it with the often isolated nature of private practice.
• Wellness and effective healing are described as team sports, requiring collaboration among a core group of competent individuals.
• Identifying the correct problem is crucial for effective treatment, highlighting the need for asking the right questions.

"Typically, wellness is a team sport. And with more providers... it should be a core group, a handful of very competent individuals."

• This quote underscores the necessity of a collaborative approach in healthcare, emphasizing teamwork among providers for effective patient care.

"The only way people get better is if they can identify the problem. It doesn't help if it's some enigma of an issue."

• This highlights the critical role of accurate problem identification in the healing process, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions.

• Environmental exposures, including "forever chemicals," are predicted to become increasingly significant health concerns.
• The need to reevaluate traditional biomarkers, such as body fat percentage, is discussed, with a focus on intramuscular fat and muscle tissue quality.
• The conversation suggests a shift in medical focus towards environmental medicine and a reevaluation of standard health indicators.

"I think environmental medicine is certainly the way of the future."

• This quote predicts a growing importance of environmental medicine, suggesting it will play a key role in future healthcare.

"Maybe body fat percentage isn't the problem, but maybe it's the fat that is infiltrated into skeletal muscle that's the actual problem."

• This challenges the traditional focus on body fat percentage, proposing a shift towards examining intramuscular fat as a more relevant health indicator.

• The potential health impacts of technology, particularly nonionizing radiation from devices like cell phones and Wi-Fi, are explored.
• The discussion questions the current understanding of nonionizing radiation as safe, suggesting the need for further investigation.
• The potential for technology to influence health in ways not yet fully understood is acknowledged.

"We believe that nonionizing radiation is no problem... But is that true?"

• This quote questions the safety of nonionizing radiation, suggesting a need for more research into its health effects.

"Are we missing a whole influence on human health because of the way that we are surrounded by technology?"

• This highlights concerns about the potential health impacts of pervasive technology use, suggesting a gap in current research.

• The concept of "conceptual inertia" is discussed, where scientific progress is slow due to entrenched beliefs and resistance to change.
• The importance of being open-minded in medical research and practice is emphasized, contrasting it with non-evidence-based or hysterical approaches.
• The role of generational change in scientific advancement is explored, with the idea that progress occurs as old ideas are replaced by new ones.

"Science and human progress occurs one death at a time because the person who held this ossified view... is gone."

• This quote illustrates the idea that scientific progress often requires the replacement of outdated ideas with new perspectives.

"It's extremely insightful and I would say that's very accurate. Is very accurate."

• This affirms the challenges faced by forward-thinking clinicians in advancing medical knowledge and practice.

• The potential for hormonal research to shape the future of health and longevity is discussed, particularly in relation to muscle mass and anabolic agents.
• Upcoming research and publications on sexual function, muscle mass, and hormone-related health are mentioned.

"I'm doing a lot of research on hormones. And I think that that is going to be the way of the future for both men and women."

• This quote highlights the anticipated importance of hormonal research in future healthcare advancements.

"There are going to be a handful of other papers like that."

• This indicates ongoing research efforts aimed at exploring the connections between hormones, muscle mass, and health.