Hi HW,
yep have had B12 levels checked ..roughly about 350 I think..realise that this is not the best test and that homocysteine and MMa tests are better but my doc thinks my B12 levels are fine and does not want to check these further.It is hard to get any further tests done here in Ireland without an obvious problem showing in your blood.
Hi Right,
It's a shame that docs make that assumption since the B12 serum test alone can be actually dangerous in letting B12 deficiency go undiagnosed. From the "Could it be B-12" book:
Serum Vitamin B12 test can give false-negative results (elevated serum B12 levels in the presence of deficiency) in patients with the following conditions:
-active liver disease (hepatitis, alcoholism)
-transcobalamin II deficiency
-intestinal bacterial overgrowth
-myeloproliferative disorders
-chloral hydrate medication
-lymphoma
It "can give false-positive results (low serum B12 levels in the absence of deficiency) in patients with the following conditions:
-folate deficiency
-pregnancy (although we question the validity of this finding, because it is possible that B12 deficiencuy in underrecognized in pregnanacy
-multiple myeloma
-excessive vit. C intake
-transcobalamin I deficiency.
I find it particularly disconcerting re the problem on intestinal bacterial growth which many CFS patients might have. In addition, the urine MMA adjusts for hypovolemina/dehydration which can be a problem in CFS.
Can you get a copy of the book "Could it Be B12" to show to your doc? Do you think it would help? I understand the frustration of not being able to just ask for what you believe you need. I am not sure how much of these tests will be paid for by my insurance, but I decided to get them since I have some symptoms of B12 deficiency and trying to correct those doesn't seem to be horribly expensive.
I'm not sure of any tests for magnesium other than possible private labs ? What test did you do to check this?
Unfortunately, Right, you would probably have to get a request from a private lab. As far as I know, this test is only offered in the US from a lab in Oregon. If you google EXAtest you will get information on them. The serum magnesium test is bascially useless, and the EXAtest was highly recommended in all 3 books that I read on magnesium. Taking magnesium has been a game changer for me. But I also need to say that I believe that I have had a magnesium deficiency for possibly 3 decades - long before I got CFS. Supplementing can be a little tricky given all the different brands out there and the fact that if you have a major magnesium deficiency it can take up to 1 year to correct if you are doing it with oral supplements. Still, I believe it is worth it.
From the book that Rich recommends entitled "7-Day Detox Miracle" (yeah, stupid name, but a good book) has the following to say re magnesium:
"Magnesium is the number-one mineral deficiency we see in our clinic. Such deficiencies are so common that we put all our patients on magnesium supplementation. The mineral is used in the treatment of asthma, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and PMS. The body uses it in more than three hundred enzyme reactions, generating energy and driving the detoxification machinery of enzymes".
I tried a magnesium iv before which totally floored me ..I was terribly flushed,sweating and felt terrible for a week after..left me too scared to try another iv...Recently started to supplement with magnesium which I though was helping untill this recent flare -up.My symptoms do seem to cycle which has me thinking possible lyme but my Elisa test which I know is unreliable was neg and having failed to tolerate a few days of cipro antibiotics for possible gastro infection ..I'm not sure if antibiotics are the answer..
The neuro I am supposed to see has an interest in peripheral neuropathy so hopefully he will order the proper B12 tests ..not sure though how long it will be before I get to see him as I am still awaiting an appointment..
I am sure the IV reaction was very scary!! For me personally, I never went with IV's or injections because I am so sensitive to everything under the sun and have to start slowly. Also, when I first started taking mg I had no idea of what an impact it was going to have on me. As far as starting to supplement orally recently, keep in mind that it can take a while before it has an impact - up to a whole year if you are really deficient.
Lyme disease is obviously a difficult and complicated issue. Keep asking for tests for that if you think it might be a factor for you. I have been tested several times for lyme (most recently by Dr. Lerner) and am always negative - altho that is not a guarantee that you don't have it. :-(
As you already know, the peripheral neuropathy is a symptoms of B12 deficiency, so maybe the neuro will in fact order the tests that you need. You might need to be off of the supplements when you take the test to get an accurate reading. Good luck with getting an appointment in the not too distant future!
Good luck with your results - hopefully they will give you a treatment direction !
Nev
Thank you very much, I am hoping to be deficient in B12 and potassium so I will have something else to work on.:Retro smile: The EXAtest test for minerals other than magnesium.
One more comment on magnesium - it is contraindicated in the following:
-kidney disease
-myasthenia gravis
-extremely low heart rate
-bowel obstruction
In addition, please check out any allopathic meds you might be on for possible interactions. Magnesium can make some meds more effective and others less effective.
Good Luck!!
HW