DetoxiGenomic profile results - emotional reaction and how to interpret?

I just got my results back for this test. It seemed to me that I have a lot of polymorphisms (mutations, I guess) which make it hard for me to detox. Most of the genes I had variation in, I had it in both chromosomes.

Is anyone experienced with this test? I'm trying to get a sense of whether this is a normal result or something out of the ordinary (and of course knowing that normal for people on the Lyme boards may be different from the rest of the population...).

I've known that I'm really sensitive and don't adapt to stress or toxins well, but it feels somehow monumental to have a test in front of me pointing out the whys and hows of it.

I've been reading things written by people with multiple chemical sensitivities lately, some of whom are more sensitive than me, and have to move around the country in their old vans because they can't find a house they don't react to, and they need to travel seasonally to avoid toxins.

I started to really identify, since I left the last two places I lived due to environmental toxins, and my partner and I have been wandering around ever since, afraid to sign a lease anywhere, and without the means to buy and place and renovate it for my needs.

It seems like the test is confirming what I really already know, that I have to do whatever I can to keep my exposure to toxins and stress minimal, and eat really well, which I already do. But I'm still reacting to things and getting overwhelmed.

I'm looking into travel trailers and ways to restore one for low off-gassing. This is starting to seem like the only way I can have hope of healing - if something comes up in one environment, at least I can move on to somewhere cleaner.

Am I overreacting? I used to think so. I think I comfort myself by thinking so, that somehow I can adapt "like everyone else". This test seems to be something concrete in front of me saying I can't pretend anymore.

I'll share the results in case anyone knows how to interpret them:

Phase I Detoxification:
Polymorphisms in CYP1B1 and CYP2C9

Phase II Detoxification:
++ COMT SNP location V158M
++ NAT2 SNP location I114T
++ NAT2 SNP location K268R
++ GSTP1 SNP location I105V
+- GSTP1 SNP location A114V
++ SOD2 SNP location A16V

Thanks all. Awaiting your response.

Hi Ilexis,

I had this test done a few years before going to Hansa, and Dr. Jernigan. looked at it while I was there. Yes, it can seem overwhelming! I am not looking at mine now to compare to your results, but I had several issues, including pretty severe lack of glutathione conversion.

Bottom line, I would not overly worry about it. From talking with others at Hansa, I think this is quite common. In fact, I think (my idea here) that probably most people with chronic lyme have bodies that do not detox properly and this is a big reason why the disease can get a hold.

HOWEVER, it is treatable! and does not seem to mean a life of totally restricted diet, avoiding every toxin all the time, etc.

For me...the first doc that gave me this test told me that I needed to buy a FIR sauna and use it the rest of my life. I have done so.

Dr. J has me on a pump-gel glutathione and on antioxidants. So, you can do things in your life to help your body.

I am actually less affected by toxins now than I was years ago. I do eat a healthy diet, but don't worry about slips occasionally. no gluten/wholefood/no refined sugar. but sometimes I do eat those things anyway.

I think Dr. Jowdy will help! Hang in there!!
Nan

Well, I talked to Dr. Jowdy yesterday. I'm glad he was honest with me. He did have ideas of things I can take to help.

But he also said in no uncertain terms that my profile shows a "genetic mess". (His words not mine )

Because I have abnormalities in both chromosomes at every step of phase II detoxification, he says my body is overwhelmed on various levels, and is poor at responding to emotional/neurological stress as well, because I have a low capacity to break down my own neurotransmitters. In a departure from Hansa's usual approach, Dr. Jowdy said that I'll need supplemental supports and medical care for the rest of my life.

Nan, did they say these things when you got your profile too?

It's a bit of a surprise, because Hansa and Dr. Jowdy have been so optimistic overall. However, what he's saying really corresponds with my life experience. I'm so sensitive to all kinds of things, and when anything sets me off, it's been taking so long to recover.

The things listed on the sheet - cigarette smoke, car exhaust, perfumes, chlorine, plastics and pesticides are exactly the things I'm so sensitive to. In contrast, I don't seem to have as much trouble with dust, mold, or animal hair. The test seems right.

Even so, I admit I've been in some shock. When I was diagnosed with Lyme, I started to think a lot of my sensitivities and problems were due to the infection. I've been holding out hope that by treating it, I'd be able to live a more normal life (going back to school, working full-time, that kind of thing.) Now I think that I might be able to do some of that, but I'll probably have to have significant adaptations above and beyond what I'm already doing to make it work. And right now I'm just not sure where the money is going to come from to make those adaptations.

samjones: I think those kinds of lifestyle changes are great. The thing is, I've already done most of them. I've been using only natural products for years. I even make a lot of them myself, so they're sure to have nothing I react to. I eat ONLY organic food, NO gluten, dairy, grains, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, meat, etc. The most "cheating" I ever do is to have a little organic beans or pre-sprouted quinoa, (if I eat too much they set off my blood sugar balance.) I make my own cultured vegetables, coconut yogurt, cultured sprouted nut cheese, flax seed crackers, and I live on kale-based green drinks. I even used to have a business making this kind of food for other people.

My family laughed at the idea on the lab printout that I need to "stop smoking and eating charred/fried food". They've already thought I'm crazy for being this "clean." At least now they have an explanation for why I do it.

I do have hope that the right supplements targeted to my deficiencies can help. I also don't discount the power of prayer and meditation to be able to change genetic manifestations. I believe there is real potential in that. At the same time, I'm still thinking about how to get a trailer and renovate it without toxins. Not sure I could fit an infrared sauna in it though...