FAQ's

Go to the Labs and Assessments page and select the test and consultation service you would like to receive. You will receive a link to complete and online questionnaire. You will then get a test form to take to Lab Corp and your urine kryptopyrrole test kit will come to you by mail. Once tests and the questionnaire are complete you will receive results. If a consultation and assessment are also ordered these will be sent via secure email and a time will be made available to talk with the physician as a follow-up to the report.

Genetic tests are not used. The protocol taught by Dr Walsh utilizes histamine for determining methylation status and other biotypes are determined according the panel made available on this website.

Consultation and Assessments are available for persons who already have labs, as long as they were completed in the past 3-4 months. Consultation fee is a bit higher, due to the extra time involved. Sometimes tests may have to be repeated if they were drawn by a less reliable source or appear ambiguous. 

Second Opinion Physician does not bill insurance at this time. However upon request a statement will be provided with CPT codes and fees spent for the labs and consultation. Sometimes insurance or private funds will apply this to your deductible or reimburse for the services.

The <a href="https://secondopinionphysician.com/2015/04/19/five-biotypes-of-depression/">5 Biotypes of Depression</a> is a term developed by Dr Walsh of the Walsh Institute to describe the primary biochemical classifications of mood and behavior disorders. When a practitioner knows one's biotype, then a specific nutrient strategy can be applied to the treatment strategy.

The key underlying factors influencing one's mood and behavior are the 1) the epigenetic (methylation) influences upon neurotransmitter activity and, 2) nutrition and the ability for key biochemical processes to take place and, 3) oxidative stress, an important indicator of need for nutrient and lifestyle management.

Your biotype will be determined by the results of the labs. For a full set of the Walsh Biotype we recommend doing the <a href="https://www.secondopinionphysician.com/product/comprehensive-biotype-panel/">Comprehensive Biotype Panel</a> with Consultation. If you are just looking to determine if you have one or another Biotype imbalance, consider ordering one of the following. Overmethylation or Undermethylation biotypes are determined by a <a href="https://www.secondopinionphysician.com/product/histamine-determination-blood/">whole blood histamine test</a>. Copper Overload requires copper, ceruloplasmin and zinc tests or the combo Copper Overload <a href="https://www.secondopinionphysician.com/product/copper-overload-biotype/">test panel</a>. For kryptopyrroles order the <a href="https://www.secondopinionphysician.com/product/urine-pyrrole-test/">Pyrrole Urine Test</a>.

Methylation is a term that describes the status of DNA activity in the production of proteins, enzymes and immune globulins. Overmethylators tend to have an underactive DNA 'transcription' process, whereas undermethylators have an overactivity of cellular function. 

As an example, individuals with overmethylation and overmethylation can experience mood disorders. Overmethylators issues arise from overactive serotonin and dopamine activity, while undermethylators it is due to an under active neurotransmitter activity. Addressing this imbalance is a major consideration in nutrient therapy. This is why treatment must be individualized.

Second Opinion Physician is independent from the non-profit Walsh Research Institute.

You may purchase supplements from any reputable source. Dosages and ingredients are provided with Assessment reports. To simplify the process of purchasing supplements online Second Opinion Physician has set up a website offering the top professional brands. It is called Biotype Nutrients. Supplements are categorized according to one's "biotype", a classification system developed by Dr Walsh.

If you are interested in a complete Walsh Panel with interpretation and supplement recommendations by the SOP Doctor then you'll want to order the "Lab Panel - Comprehensive Biotype". Be sure to select option "Diagnostic Test with Consult and Detailed Report".

The initial Comprehensive Biotype Panel includes tests that do not necessarily have to be repeated.  If any of the following labs were out of balance then you may wish to repeat in 3-6 months. This includes one or more of the individual biotype lab tests such as vitamin D, homocysteine, copper, ceruloplasmin and zinc. Histamine and pyrroles do not have to be repeated unless we are uncertain about the results due to test handling or concurrent use of medicines or supplements. If you would like support in Assessing these results, consider options Diagnostic Test with Consult or if you've had a previous SOP Assessment/Report, you may like to have a Consult and Prior Report Update.