Organic Acids Test Explained: Gut Bacteria, Yeast & Brain Health with William Shaw, PhD

Told your labs are normal, but you know something isn't right? Biochemist William Shaw, PhD, explains what a simple urine test, the organic acids test (OAT), can show about your gut, your nutrient status and your brain chemistry. Dr. Deb Muth, ND, WHNP, ARNP, BAAHP, MSNH, MSH, talks with Dr. Shaw, founder of the Great Plains Laboratory (now Mosaic Diagnostics). He shares how one family with severe autism and unexplained muscle weakness, and a shopping bag full of frozen urine samples, led him to microbial compounds other experts told him to ignore. That work led to HPHPA, a Clostridia-related marker, and shaped his view that the gut is central to brain health. In this episode: • How a thyroid-testing puzzle at the CDC started Dr. Shaw's career • Why he built the OAT to measure far more than known genetic disorders • How HPHPA may disrupt the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine • Why yeast and Clostridia may need to be treated at the same time • A simple tool he uses for die-off (Herxheimer) reactions • His concerns about glyphosate, and AI-guided laser weeding as a chemical-free alternative • His hypothesis linking acetaminophen, Clostridia and autoimmunity (this research is still developing, and an association is not proof of cause) The views shared are the guest's own. Talk with your provider before changing any medication, especially during pregnancy or for a child. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Can a urine test reveal hidden health clues? 00:50 Symptoms are messengers 01:15 Meet William Shaw, PhD 02:50 How Dr. Shaw got started 03:20 A thyroid-testing discovery at the CDC 05:30 The neighbor, the kidneys and niacin 09:40 How autism research led to a microbial discovery 13:40 Finding HPHPA, a Clostridia marker 16:35 Why yeast and Clostridia may need to be treated together 17:40 A simple tool for die-off reactions 18:20 How the organic acids test was developed 19:55 Does every high marker matter? HPHPA and neurotransmitters 21:40 How gut microbes may affect the brain 22:35 Gut microbes and neurological conditions 24:30 Why testing matters when the gut won't balance 25:30 Glyphosate, dysbiosis and chronic disease 27:25 Laser weeding: a chemical-free alternative 29:55 Why clearing glyphosate takes time 31:45 Dr. Shaw's acetaminophen research 33:15 His autoimmunity hypothesis 37:55 The "perfect storm": Clostridia and acetaminophen 39:40 Pain relief in pregnancy and for babies: Dr. Shaw's view 42:05 What keeps him motivated: a toxic metals story 46:05 If he could change one thing in healthcare 46:50 How to find Dr. Shaw and the IMMH conference 49:15 Closing thoughts 🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS 📍 Book in Wisconsin: TEXT 262-522-8640 to book with Serenity Healthcare Center · serenityhealthcarecenter.com 🌎 Out-of-state telehealth: elliemd.com/DrDebMuth 💊 Supplements: us.fullscript.com/welcome/serenity 📱 Venaari, 24/7 access to Dr. Deb's protocols: app.venaari.com 📘 Seen At Last by Dr. Deb Muth: https://amzn.to/4dkvOeG + https://bit.ly/SeenAtLastWomensMovement 📸 Instagram: @letstalkwellnessnow 👨‍🔬 CONNECT WITH WILLIAM SHAW, PhD 🌐 williamshawphd.org 🎟️ IMMH conference (in person and virtual): IMMH.org ⭐ If this episode helped, subscribe and leave a rating. It helps the next person who's been dismissed find this show. 💬 Have you had an organic acids test? Tell us what you learned in the comments. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. #OrganicAcidsTest #GutBrainConnection #FunctionalMedicine #GutHealth #LetsTalkWellnessNow