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Dr. Lowe How to Prepare Patient-to-Patient Fibromyalgia Research Foundation
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In the metabolic evaluations I provide patients, we get two important physiological measurements: the first is the resting metabolic rate with indirect calorimetry. An indirect calorimeter is an instrument that measures oxygen volume in the air the patient breaths. Second is the body composition with bioelectrical impedance. Bioelectrical impedance is a measurement that determines the components of the patients body that are lean tissue, fat, and water. Using the results of these measurements with other data on the patient, I use equations that tell the us two things: first, whether the patient's metabolic rate is normal, high, or low; and second, if high or low, exactly how much so. To determine the most likely cause of a patients' abnormal metabolic rate, I do what is called a "differential diagnosis." That is, I use deductive reasoning to systematically differentiate between all the known causes of abnormal metabolic rates to learn the most likely ones affect the patient. To make the differentiation, I order metabolism-related laboratory tests. Some patients bring the results of these tests that their primary practitioners have ordered. These tests include measurements of a variety of hormones and other chemicals that can lower or raise the metabolic rate to varying degrees. I also have the patient measure his or her average basal body temperature and average basal pulse rate. I do a metabolically-related physical exam and assess the patient's responses on a set of evaluation forms that I developed over many years of clinical research and practice. With the benefit of all this information, I'm then able to reach a decision about the most plausible cause of the patient's abnormal metabolic rate. To recap and add more, if you choose to undergo a full metabolic evaluation, I will carry you through the following procedures: (1) Measurement of your resting metabolic rate with indirect calorimetry, (2) Measurement of your body composition with bioelectrical impedance, (3) Review of my forms for evaluating your health and metabolic status, (4) Resting electrocardiograph to learn its voltage and too look for other relevant tracing features, (4) Lab tests related to your metabolic status (these include thyroid function tests, a biochemical metabolic profile, lipid profile, CBC and differential, total and free testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor-1, which is also called IGF-1 and somatomedin-C). (5) Assessment of measurement of your basal body temperature and basal pulse rate, interpreted in relation to your other test results, (6) A physical examination, including:
After we complete your metabolic evaluation, we will, if you request, provide you with copies of your metabolic test results and I'll explain to you my conclusions about your metabolic status. I'll also provide a written summary of your test results. The written report includes interpretation of your test results (including calorimetry, bioelectrical impedance, and lab tests), a diagnosis if warranted, and treatment recommendations. Keep in mind, however, that writing reports is a bane to virtually every doctor, me among them. Also, most primary practitioners find long reports an odious chore to read. Because of this, I make my reports as brief and succinct as possible, while providing my relevant findings. A question most patients ask is how many days they'll need to be in The Woodlands (the Houston and Bush International airport area) for their evaluations. The answer is one day. An evaluation usually takes from three-to-six hours. If you have an questions, please phone my wife Tammy at 603-391-6061, or write to her at Tammy@drlowe.com. If you haven't read my bio, we recommend that you do before contacting us for information. | Dr. Lowe's Bio | © Dr. John C. Lowe, PLLC 2008 |
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