For doctors and healthcare professionals
Referring a patient to a nutrition specialist
Nutrition often falls outside the appointment, even though it affects treatment outcomes. Here is what happens to a patient after a referral.
Online · 50-60 minutes · Latvian, Russian, English
What happens to the patient you refer
The consultation does not overlap with your work and does not replace your follow-up. Therapy, diagnosis and prescriptions remain yours.
What the consultation covers
- dietary history, routine, meal structure, dietary restrictions and intolerances
- adequacy of protein, micronutrients and fluids in the patient's actual diet
- interpretation of available lab results within a nutrition specialist's scope
- review of medications and supplements from a nutritional perspective, including possible interactions with the diet
- written recommendations and a basic meal example that works in the patient's ordinary week
What remains with you
- the diagnosis and its revision
- prescribing, changing and stopping medication
- ordering and interpreting imaging and laboratory investigations
- management of coexisting conditions
If questions requiring your decision arise while reviewing the diet, the patient receives them clearly phrased to raise at the next appointment.
Feedback
How information is shared back is agreed individually, taking the patient's consent into account.
The most common reasons for referral
GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy
Nutrition with reduced appetite, protein adequacy, preserving muscle mass, gastrointestinal tolerability, nutrition at the end of therapy.
Perimenopause and menopause
Changes in body composition and lipid profile, requirements for protein, calcium and vitamin D.
Metabolic syndrome and lipid metabolism disorders
Dietary adjustment as part of prevention, assessed alongside other risk markers.
Gastrointestinal conditions
How symptoms relate to diet and routine, the limits and risks of elimination diets.
Excess body weight and obesity
Assessment of the actual diet and routine, and a strategy that can be sustained beyond a few weeks.
Self-imposed dietary restrictions
Patients who have already excluded food groups without indications and need an assessment of deficiency risks.
Professional context
Clinical practice and professional community
Nutrition specialist at Rīgas 1. slimnīca, board member of Latvijas Gastrointestinālo slimību asociācija, apmācīttiesīga ārstniecības persona (healthcare professional with the right to provide training).
Research
PhD candidate in Food Science. Publications in Nutrients on the lipid profile of perimenopausal women in Latvia and on human milk oligosaccharides.
All publicationsTeaching and work with medical audiences
More than 150 lectures and workshops for doctors, healthcare professionals and general audiences. Host of the Rīgas 1. slimnīca podcast 'Veselības kods' (2024-2025).
Podcast episode on gastroenterology
A conversation with gastroenterologist and endoscopy specialist Dr Ilze Kikuste: the state cancer screening programme, myths around colonoscopy, and what actually happens during the procedure.
Listen on SpotifyRefer a patient
Fill in the form and I will contact you within 2-3 business days to agree on the communication channel and how information will be shared. The patient books the consultation themselves, noting your surname in the request.
Lectures for medical teams
Lectures and educational programmes for doctors, nurses and pharmacists within professional training and conferences. Formats: in-person lecture, webinar, conference talk.
More for organisationsA nutrition specialist's consultation does not replace diagnosis, prescription of medication or treatment. Decisions on diagnosis and therapy are made by the treating doctor.