It’s estimated that 25% of the world’s adult population has metabolic syndrome. This condition imposes significant health risks including a five-fold greater risk of type 2 diabetes and triple the risk of heart attack or stroke as compared to people without metabolic syndrome. Associated cardiovascular disease accounts for much of the financial burden associated with both metabolic syndrome and overt diabetes. Given these astounding numbers and global burden on health care budgets, it’s clear that earlier diagnosis and preventative approaches are needed.

Join us as we uncover diagnostic early indicators of metabolic syndrome and more overt disease processes including insulin resistance, diabetes and PCOS. Understand the pathophysiology and clinical presentations as the pertain to androgens and differ among the sexes. Review clinical cases from presentation through diagnosis and treatment, taking away clinical pearls ready to implement in your practice Monday Morning.

Clinical Issues involving steroidal hormones will be covered in three ½ hour segments:

 Methodology of measurement will be discussed detailing the strengths and weaknesses of currently used laboratory measures

 The biochemistry of the steroidal cascade of the sexual and adrenal hormones, their precursor substances, and their metabolites will be discussed. Important factors affect modulatory enzymes and the management of precursors and metabolites will be illustrated.

 Three cases involving modulation of steroidal hormones including all intake parameters, laboratory assessments, and treatment follow-up will be covered

Selected attendees and patients (both diabetic and non-diabetic) are connected to a continuous glucose monitoring system for 72 or more hours. Real-time glucose numbers will be transmitted and interesting highlights of the glucose data and dietary diaries are analyzed during the presentation. Relevant patient data from Dr. Chapman's diabetes-focused practice are also presented. Dr. Chapman also discusses the clinical utility of CGMS (continuous glucose monitoring system) in the naturopathic primary care setting in prevention and treatment of both autoimmune and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical relevance will include cost, safety, CGMS initiation, dietary analysis, prevention of hypoglycemia, medication adjustments, and reduced hospital interventions. Audience participation will be implemented through questions and case studies

The presentation on CGMS will be followed by a more general discussion on autoimmune diabetes management with Julie Verfuth, ND. Drs. Chapman and Verfurth discuss various approaches to optimal glucose management.

While autoimmune thyroid conditions are common, few doctors understand or respect the intimate relationship between this condition and chronic pain. Common conditions that are treated as purely musculoskeletal conditions often have a hormonal component and often this link ultimately finds it’s root cause in an autoimmune condition.

Pharmaceutical interventions such as thyroid replacement hormone can often be a quick and effective treatment choice for many musculoskeletal conditions that could otherwise go on inappropriately diagnosed and treated as strictly biomechanics in nature.

Research into the role of the microbiome in autoimmune disease has advanced rapidly in recent years, implicating microbiome-immune system interactions as critical factors may promote the development of autoimmunity. Microbial dysbiosis may lead to decreased immune tolerance and increased inflammatory activity, both of which are thought to be essential features of many autoimmune diseases. In addition, certain normal (commensal) microbes and pathogens can promote autoimmune reactivity via specific mechanisms, such as molecular mimicry and protein modification.

Current understanding of the role of microbiome-immune interactions will be discussed in the context of specific autoimmune diseases. Clinical applicability of the information presented will be illustrated through examples of functional testing results (including microbiome, immune and genomic tests), and microbiome-based therapeutic approaches. We will conclude with a brief discussion of the prospects for a paradigm shift in the understanding – and treatment - of autoimmune diseases.