Surgery places significant demands on the body. Blood loss, fluid shifts, inflammation, certain medication, and the healing process can affect nutritional status and electrolyte balance. Certain medications given to induce sleep and during surgery also contribute to mineral imbalances and deficiencies.
Minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc, and iron play important roles in nerve function, energy production, immune function, and tissue repair. During and postoperative weight gain, swelling, inflammation, fatigue, cognitive issues, heart palpitations, etc. are typically seen when minerals are depleted. Once the depleted minerals are identified and mineral status is reestablished to optimal levels, these symptoms begin to disappear.
Why consider hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA)?
Bloodwork is a snapshot of what is happening in the body at the time of blood drawl. Blood is constantly trying to equalize and therefore mineral levels are not always accurate in the blood. Understanding mineral imbalances through tissue provides a much broader picture of what is and has been happening within the body.
An HTMA test (hair tissue mineral analysis) measures mineral concentrations in the hair and offers a different perspective to explore mineral patterns over a three-month period. Many conventional medical practices do not routinely use HTMA testing because it is more commonly associated with functional and integrative wellness approaches. Insurance companies typically do not reimburse for this functional test.
Consider HTMA before and after surgery
A preoperative test can establish a baseline, while follow-up testing may help evaluate changes in hair mineral measurements. Combined with previous lab work, dietary and/or supplemental assessment, and medication review, this information may help guide individualized plans.
My story
I know this all too well. My story begins with being born without cartilage in one knee. I spent 45 years trying to cope with the pain. Once I hit 45, and even though it is much younger than surgeon’s like, I had a total knee replacement. During recovery, my mineral balance became very unstable and weight gain was drastically seen and felt. It took several months to reestablish an optimal mineral baseline and detox harmful heavy metals that I was exposed to with the surgery. As of the time of writing this article, I am 4 months post-op. The more mineral balancing I have (using minerals I specifically need based on my HTMA test), the more weight loss I see. If the surgery could have been prevented, I most definitely would have chosen a different route; however, because I can now be active for the first time in my life, I can work on other aspects of my health along with maintaining good mineral balance.
Have you had your mineral levels checked? Have you had heavy metal toxicities examined in your body? One test checks for it all. Get your HTMA test today! www.theweeddoc.net
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