A theory of diagnosis for orthomolecular medicine

Abstract

It is assumed that most diseases arise from multiple causes, and that diseases have the characteristics of polythetic classes. The signs and symptoms of clinically-apparent disease are epiphenomena, or emergent properties from the interaction among multiple biochemical etiologic factors, intrinsic and acquired. Each individual carries a unique set of intrinsic biochemical defects that are subsets of diseases to which he is predisposed. He acquires additional defects throughout life. Such biochemical defects can be detected by laboratory testing.Clinically-apparent diseases are sets consisting of multiple laboratory-test anomalies associated with clinical signs and symptoms. Smaller sets are formed by laboratory-test anomalies pertaining to the functional state of major organ systems, without localizing signs and symptoms. The latter sets are termed preclinical disease. Small sets of laboratory-test anomalies, reflecting mainly intrinsic (genetic) defects, represent potential disease. Under appropriate conditions, elements can be added to or subtracted from the sets, so that diseases may evolve to a more advanced stage or regress under therapy. Ideally, sets of biochemical anomalies should be identified at an early stage, before expansion of the sets eventuates in clinically-apparent disease.