Moving From Understanding to Identification

In Lesson 2.1, you learned about the 7 root causes in depth. You read about the patterns, the symptoms, the timelines. You probably recognized yourself in several of them.

Now it's time to be systematic and precise about identifying YOUR specific root cause(s).

This lesson introduces a comprehensive assessment tool that moves beyond general understanding to specific identification.

Why This Assessment Is Different From Lesson 1.4

In Module 1, Lesson 1.4, you completed an assessment to get a first indication of your root cause(s). That was valuable for moving from the concept to initial recognition.

This assessment in Lesson 2.2 is deeper. It's designed to:

• Refine your understanding based on the detailed patterns you learned in Lesson 2.1
• Identify not just your primary cause, but secondary and tertiary patterns with clarity
• Help you understand your inflammation "profile" (e.g., "Gut-Primary + Cortisol-Secondary")
• Give you confidence in your diagnosis so you can move forward with conviction

How to Use This Assessment

Before you start:

• Review Lesson 2.1 again if any of the 7 types felt unclear
• Think about your symptom patterns and timeline
• Be honest about your life circumstances (stress, diet, exposures)

As you take the assessment:

• Answer based on your current situation (not "someday when I'm healthier")
• Don't overthink your answers
• Your gut feeling about what resonates is often accurate
• There are no "wrong" answers

After you complete it:

• Calculate your scores carefully
• Note your top 3 types (primary, secondary, tertiary)
• Review what your specific profile means
• Use this information to shape your personalized protocol

The Assessment Structure

The full assessment is in the Resources Tab. It contains:

• 7 sections (one for each root cause type)
• 60+ questions designed to identify patterns specific to each type
• Scoring system that calculates primary, secondary, and tertiary causes
• Interpretation guide helping you understand what your results mean

Each question is rated on a 0-4 scale, allowing for nuance in your responses.

What Your Results Will Show

Your Primary Root Cause (Highest Score)

This is the mechanism most actively driving your inflammation right now. This is where your protocol should focus initially.

Your primary cause will likely show:

• Highest score (typically 20-32 points out of 32)
• Strongest pattern recognition when reading Lesson 2.1
• Most obvious symptom-cause connection
• Clearest timeline

Your Secondary Root Cause (If Present)

This type also needs addressing, but often improves naturally as you address the primary cause. Secondary causes typically score in the 15-25 range.

For example:

• If your primary is Cortisol and secondary is Sugar: addressing stress often improves blood sugar naturally
• If your primary is Gut and secondary is Deficiency: healing the gut improves nutrient absorption naturally
• If your primary is Toxin and secondary is Cortisol: removing the toxin exposure allows nervous system to recover

Your Tertiary Root Cause (If Present)

This represents a lower-priority pattern. Tertiary causes typically score below 15.

Address this only AFTER you've made significant progress with your primary and secondary causes (usually 2-3 months in).

Understanding Your Inflammation Profile

Your assessment results create your inflammation profile. This is your personalized inflammation signature.

Example Profiles:

Profile A: "Gut-Primary + Cortisol-Secondary"

• Gut-Driven: 28 points (primary)
• Cortisol-Driven: 22 points (secondary)
• All others: 8-12 points

What this means: Your main issue is gut dysbiosis/leaky gut, but you're also dealing with stress-induced inflammation. The stress is likely making the gut worse, and the gut damage is contributing to overall inflammation.

Protocol sequence:

1. Start with gut healing (elimination protocol, probiotics, L-glutamine)
2. Layer in stress management after 2-3 weeks (meditation, sleep optimization)
3. As gut heals and stress reduces, both improve together

Timeline: Expect initial gut improvement in 2-4 weeks; significant improvement by 3-6 months

Profile B: "Cortisol-Primary + Sugar-Secondary + Deficiency-Tertiary"

• Cortisol-Driven: 26 points (primary)
• Sugar-Driven: 18 points (secondary)
• Deficiency-Driven: 14 points (tertiary)
• All others: 6-10 points

What this means: Your core issue is stress dysregulation. This is driving poor eating patterns (causing blood sugar dysregulation) and stress is depleting nutrients (creating deficiencies).

Protocol sequence:

1. Start with stress management and sleep optimization (weeks 1-12)
2. Add blood sugar stabilization support after 2-3 weeks (balanced meals, consistent timing)
3. Add targeted micronutrient supplementation after 4-6 weeks
4. As cortisol stabilizes, blood sugar naturally improves; nutritional status recovers

Timeline: Expect initial improvement in 1-3 weeks; significant improvement by 8-12 weeks

Profile C: "Autoimmune-Primary + Gut-Secondary + Deficiency-Tertiary"

• Autoimmune-Driven: 30 points (primary)
• Gut-Driven: 20 points (secondary)
• Deficiency-Driven: 16 points (tertiary)
• All others: 5-8 points

What this means: You have autoimmune disease, which is often rooted in gut dysbiosis and nutrient deficiencies. All three need addressing, but the autoimmune response must be your primary focus.

Protocol sequence:

1. Implement specialized protocol (often AIP) to reduce immune triggers (weeks 1-6)
2. Layer in gut healing as elimination protocol is established (weeks 2-3)
3. Add targeted micronutrient support after 3-4 weeks
4. Maintain comprehensive support throughout

Timeline: Expect symptom improvement in 6 weeks; significant clinical remission by 6-12 weeks

Common Assessment Patterns and What They Mean

Pattern 1: Clear Primary, Minimal Secondary/Tertiary

Scores: Primary 25+, Secondary 12-15, Tertiary <10

What it means: You have a dominant single root cause. This is good—your protocol can be focused and simple.

Your approach: Address the primary cause fully before worrying about secondary issues.

Pattern 2: Strong Primary + Moderate Secondary

Scores: Primary 22-28, Secondary 16-22, Tertiary <12

What it means: You have a primary driver with a meaningful secondary pattern. They're likely interconnected.

Your approach: Start with primary; layer in secondary support after 2-3 weeks of primary protocol.

Pattern 3: Multiple Types with Similar Scores

Scores: Several types scoring 16-22

What it means: You have multiple interrelated root causes with roughly equal impact.

Your approach: This can feel overwhelming, but often addressing one helps others. Identify which type has the clearest starting point (often the one with the most obvious immediate trigger) and begin there.

Pattern 4: Balanced Across Several Types

Scores: Three or more types scoring 12-18

What it means: Your inflammation picture is complex with multiple contributing factors.

Your approach: This requires professional guidance. Consider working with a practitioner to clarify priorities. Start with the type that feels most actionable first.

Pattern 5: Very High Scores Across Multiple Types

Scores: Multiple types scoring 24+

What it means: Your inflammatory burden is significant. You have multiple active root causes.

Your approach: This definitely warrants professional support. A practitioner can help you sequence appropriately. Start with the type that:

• Has the clearest starting intervention
• Affects your daily life most significantly
• You feel most confident addressing

Important Notes About This Assessment

This Is Not a Medical Diagnosis

This assessment is a self-evaluation tool designed to clarify patterns and guide your personalized approach. It is not a medical diagnosis.

If you have diagnosed medical conditions (thyroid disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, etc.), continue working with your healthcare provider. Use this assessment to supplement, not replace, professional medical guidance.

You Can Take It Multiple Times

Your root cause profile may change as you heal. You might take this assessment:

• Month 1: Establish baseline
• Month 3: After initial protocol implementation, see if scores shift
• Month 6+: Track how your profile evolves as you heal

As your primary cause improves, secondary issues may become more apparent. This is normal and expected.

Your Assessment Results Are Confidential

This assessment is for you alone. Your results guide your personal protocol and help you work effectively with any practitioners you consult.

Trust Your Body's Feedback

Your assessment results are a guide, but your body's feedback is equally important. If something feels off about your interpretation, dig deeper. Consider:

• Working with a practitioner for clarity
• Re-reading the detailed descriptions in Lesson 2.1
• Reviewing your assessment answers to see if a different pattern emerges

What Your Profile Guide Tells You

Once you've identified your profile (e.g., "Gut-Primary + Cortisol-Secondary"), the Profile Guide in the Resources Tab will tell you:

• What this combination means (how these types interact in your body)
• Why this combination is common (the interconnection between these types)
• Protocol sequence (what to address first, second, third)
• Timeline expectations (realistic timeline for your specific profile)
• Potential challenges (what obstacles you might face with this combination)
• Key success factors (what matters most for YOUR specific profile)

The Assessment Is Your Jumping-Off Point

This assessment isn't the end of identification—it's the beginning.

Your assessment results tell you WHAT your root causes are. The next lessons (2.3-2.6) will tell you HOW to address them, HOW to track progress, and HOW to create a realistic, sustainable protocol.

Key Takeaways from Lesson 2.2

1. This comprehensive assessment refines your understanding of your root cause(s) beyond Module 1's initial identification
2. Your results create your inflammation "profile" (e.g., Gut-Primary + Cortisol-Secondary)
3. Most people have 1 primary, 1-2 secondary, and possibly 1 tertiary root cause
4. Clear primary + minimal secondary is ideal (simple, focused protocol)
5. Multiple similar scores means complex interconnection (requires thoughtful sequencing)
6. Your profile can evolve as you heal (reassess every 3 months)
7. Assessment results guide your protocol, but your body's feedback is equally important

What's Next?

In Lesson 2.3, you'll learn about the Primary vs. Secondary Cause Matrix—a strategic framework for understanding how your specific combination of root causes interact, and how to sequence your protocols.

But first, complete the comprehensive assessment in the Resources Tab to identify your specific profile.