What Tests Are Needed For Malnutrition + Malabsorption?

[integral]

I would like to test everything but don't know the correct names for each test or I am aware some tests are deceptive and don't really reveal the issue so id like to avoid the ones that aren't accurate.

What tests do you recommend? I feel like this is generally useful information for everyone on the forum. 

Edited June 2, 2023 by integral

[Michael569]

If you have signs or symptoms of malnutrition (hair loss, rapid weight loss, thyroid issues, fatigue, pale skin, pale stool, neurological symptoms) then see a doc and have them run bunch of tests.l before going down rabbit hole of functional tests that can be hit & miss.

I don't know the full scope, @undeather would need to comment on most effective GIT protocol but things like Pancreatic Elastase 1, IgA Tissue Transglutaminase (coeliac test) and calprotectin might be some of the early choices.

If they indeed suspect malnutrition rather than checking for everything, they will start to ask "why" and in young person such as yourself the most likely culprit will be brush border enzyme destruction by Coeliac disease.

Second to that IBD, pancreatic enzyme deficiency and maybe some gastric acid deficiency, not sure how common the latest one is - there are tests for that such as Heidelberg for hypochlorhydria.

Ofcourse nutritional deficiencies in suboptimal caloric intake need to be ruled out too.

I know you dislike doctors but that's where i would start

Edited June 2, 2023 by Michael569

[undeather]

12 hours ago, integral said:

I would like to test everything but don't know the correct names for each test or I am aware some tests are deceptive and don't really reveal the issue so id like to avoid the ones that aren't accurate.

What tests do you recommend? If feel like this is generally useful information for everyone on the forum. 

Do you experience any symptoms related to a malnutrition/malabsorption-issue? 
Any GI stuff at all? 
Or is there a abnormal lab test showing defficiencies?

The thing is, once you just start randomly testing for potential functional inconsistencies, you can get lost very fast.
I am all for going beyond the ordinary in medicine, but there needs to be a clinical basis for that to be reasonable. 

Edited June 2, 2023 by undeather

[integral]

@undeather @Michael569 Its for me and my gf.

She has issues with losing hair, acid reflux and chronic low energy.

I have POIS, that takes about 4 days of recovery to go back to normal after ejaculation. Symptoms are sluggishness, poor digestion, lactic acid build up from exercise stops or disappears, brain fog.