A lecture by Dr Gary Deed- 24 October 1998. Reprinted from Q'ld ME Quarterly, Feb 1999


Dr Deed stated that the Newcastle testing was particularly important, as each patient was different. The tests were needed to "map out" the treatment plan. If the physician was merely responding to symptoms he or she was "flying blind". Dr Deed felt that any persistent fatigue state should be tested, even those under six months, and especially where glandular fever appeared to be involved.

He stated that there appeared to be many risk factors involved with CFS/ME. Common ones included: hyperlax joints, the narcolepsy gene, lactose intolerance, sinusitis, bowel problems (such as bloating), Gilbert's Syndrome and liver problems upon testing.

Where patients presented with postural low blood pressure - Neurally Mediated Hypotension (NMH) - he thought it was appropriate to check for heart problems using Holter Monitoring as per Dr Lerner's papers. Further, he stated that a nasal swab for Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) should be performed. The Newcastle researchers had found that this bug seemed to be much more active in CFS/ME patients in producing a potent "delta" toxin. The production of this toxin was particularly associated with dermatitis, headaches and joint pains.

Dr Deed noted that CNS may be present even if the nasal swab were negative - in one nasal swab negative patient he subsequently performed a groin swab which was positive. While he didn't believe that CNS caused CFS/ME, it certainly wouldn't be helping. He used antibiotics to kill the CNS, but noted that there may be an initial worsening of symptoms. The CNS seemed to "fight back" with a greater production of the toxin.

The Urine Test
In relation to the urine test, Dr Deed stated that the first five metabolites on the analysis sheet (ethanolamine, serine, alanine, glycine and B-alanine) gave an indication of whether there were any gut problems. The next few metabolites indicated if there were problems with the muscles. Metabolite 12 (CFSUM1) was the delta toxin produced by the CNS. Metabolites UM13, UM13A and UM14 indicated if there were problems with infection. If UM15 was high, it correlated with depression. Dr Deed couldn't recall, but either UM15A or UM15B correlated with obsessive compulsive disorder.

If metabolite 18 (phenylalanine) was low, the patient had a difficulty with pain. If metabolite 19 (ornithine) or metabolite 25 (hippuric acid) were high, it was not a good idea to attempt amino acid supplementation, as this may make the patient depressed. A high metabolite 20 (glutamic acid) was associated with foggy thinking. Where metabolite 21 (lysine) was high, Dr Deed tested the patient's reaction to dairy products and looked for the presence of kidney stones.

Where metabolites 22 (tyrosine), 23 (1-methyl-histidine) and 24 (3-methyl-histidine) were high, this reflected muscle fatigue. These substances should only be high after exercise, not first thing in the morning when the urine for the test was collected. The high methyl-histidines indicated that muscle breakdown was occurring. Metabolite 26 (aconitic acid) was an indicator of whether energy usage was normal.

Metabolite 26A (citric acid) was involved in the basic energy pathway for cellular energy. If it was high the pathway was not producing much energy. Metabolites UM27 and UM28 were elevated if a chronic infection was involved.

The Faecal Test
If there was a gut problem, Dr Deed would order the faecal test. He stated that the gut contained about 50% of the immune system cells. About 1.2kg of bacteria inhabited the intestines - many species of bacteria were involved. If there was a disturbance in this system there may be immune problems as well as digestion problems. In treating any gut problem there may be initial adverse side-effects.

The Blood Test
The blood test looks at the blood lipid profile. Amongst other lipid data the test looks at the levels of the unsaturated fatty acids omega 9, omega 7, omega 6 and omega 3. Dr Deed stated that the omega 9, omega 7 and omega 3 fatty acids governed inflammation and pain. Omega 9, which is found in meat, dairy foods and certain processed foods, sharpened the pain/inflammation response, while omega 6 and omega 3 promoted healing. Omega 6 could be found in evening primrose oil and omega 3 could be found in fish and linseed oil.

Reprinted from Emerge, Winter 1999