Dearest Visionary... 💫

Welcome back to our weekly edition of Friday Field Notes.

As we enter the month of May—recognized as Lyme Disease Awareness Month—we turn our focus to a critical yet often overlooked piece of the conversation: reliable testing. 

This week inside our Doctor of Functional Medicine program, we explore how Lyme disease is identified—and why many conventional methods fall short.

Conventional screening methods, such as the Western Blot, can miss Lyme disease 30% of the time or more, leaving many individuals without answers despite persistent symptoms.

Within the functional and holistic space, we take a deeper approach—utilizing advanced testing methods that look beyond surface-level markers and, in some cases, down to the DNA level.

Equally important is working with a Lyme-literate practitioner—someone who understands the complexity of tick-borne illness, co-infections, and the limitations of standard diagnostics. This piece alone can make all the difference in both identification and recovery.

In our Doctor of Functional Medicine program, we guide students in understanding advanced functional testing methods used to uncover hidden imbalances and pathogens—while interpreting findings through a root-cause lens.

When we test more precisely, we can support more effectively.

Read on to explore three advanced testing options. 👇🏼

🕷️ Ticknology

Sometimes, the most valuable information comes from the source itself. 

• Direct tick analysis — Ticknology tests the tick itself for Borrelia (Lyme) and common co-infections
• Comprehensive panel — Screens for multiple pathogens carried by ticks, not just Lyme
• Early insight — Provides information soon after a bite, before symptoms may appear
• Informed next steps — Helps guide more proactive decisions following exposure
• Source-specific clarity — Identifies what pathogens may have been present in the tick itself, helping guide treatment options

Tick bite? Get insight. 💪

🧪 IGeneX

When symptoms are present, more sensitive blood testing becomes essential. This is the gold-standard test in the holistic world.

• Advanced antibody testing — IGeneX uses expanded criteria beyond standard labs to detect Lyme
• Co-infection screening — Includes testing for common co-infections like Babesia and Bartonella
• Improved sensitivity — Designed to detect cases often missed by conventional methods
• Clinical correlation — Results are best interpreted alongside symptoms and practitioner insight
• Whole-picture approach — Supports a more complete understanding of what’s happening internally

🌱 Buhner Protocol for Lyme

🧬 DNA ConneXions

Looking deeper—down to the genetic material itself.

• DNA-based detection — Identifies microbial DNA associated with Lyme and co-infections
• Non-invasive sample — Uses a urine sample for collection
• Direct evidence — Detects the presence of organisms rather than relying solely on immune response
• Broad pathogen panel — Screens for multiple tick-borne infections simultaneously
• Precision insight — Offers a deeper layer of confirmation in complex or chronic cases

🤍 Lyme is not always easy to detect—but that does not mean it is not present. When we look deeper, test more precisely, and work with the right practitioner, clarity becomes possible.

If you feel aligned with a root-cause, investigative approach to chronic illness, explore the Doctor of Functional Medicine today—and continue asking better questions.

🎧 Stay Tuned...

Next week, we’ll cover a surprise topic.

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Disclaimers & Fine Print: None of the content in this email (or anywhere from Rockwell) should be taken as medical advice, and should not be used to treat, diagnose, prescribe, or cure. Always do your own research, use common sense, and take full responsibility for what you decide to do with the info shared here.