Elizabeth Steels - Pathology & Screening: Best Practices for Clinicians
In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Steels explores the essentials of pathology testing and regular health screenings, providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge to guide their patients toward optimal testing accuracy and meaningful results. Elizabeth discusses the core set of pathology tests recommended for different age groups, key companion tests for deeper clinical insights, and the importance of regular screenings such as DEXA scans.
We also dive into the practical considerations that can significantly impact test accuracy, including fasting requirements, hydration, time of collection, and other factors that practitioners should educate their patients about. Additionally, we touch on the evolving field of epigenetic testing and its potential role in preventative healthcare.
In this Episode:
2:40 – the rise of chronic disease and the role naturopaths can play not only in the management, but also prevention
3:09 – utilising routine testing and not necessarily needing functional medicine testing
3:37 – the base set of tests patients should get done regularly
4:28 – chronic disease testing – what age should we start?
4:54 – testing children
5:13 – the importance of testing young adults, understanding family history and testing for prevention
5:34 – catching vitamin D deficiency in young people to avoid chronic disease
5:57 – the diabetes epidemic in the 25-35 age group
7:37 – iron deficiency in young people/children
9:36 – essential tests for older adults
10:33 – the association between testosterone and blood sugar
11:30 – blood tests for inflammation
13:41 – continuous blood glucose monitoring
15:30 – insulin resistance
17:08 – DEXA scans and osteoporosis
18:26 – cholesterol and cardiovascular health
19:45 – case study – seemingly healthy patient with cardiovascular disease
20:36 – how often should you recommend a DEXA scan?
22:50 – educating patients on how to prepare for blood tests – the dos and don’ts
25:59 – when to test hormones and the importance of hydration
26:51 – best fasting practices
29:54 – supplements that can interfere with blood tests
33:20 – when to test during the menstrual cycle
35:38 – other factors that can impact blood test results
39:52 – what to do if a blood test result doesn’t make sense
42:26 – epigenetic testing
47:44 – thank you Elizabeth
Bio:
Elizabeth is a clinical biochemist and nutritionist with over 30 years experience in clinical practice, research, clinical trials, formulation and regulatory affairs. She runs a consulting and research clinic in New Farm, Brisbane. She is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, and has a growing team of clinical naturopaths enrolled in MPHIL and PHD students, also becoming researchers to further support natural health research. The projects vary from metabolic disease and diabetes, pain and peripheral neuropathy, GIT health, candida overgrowth, to probiotics for bone health in menopause. She is well published and often speaks at academic and industry events.