Deficiencies (testing)

General health and lifestyle
1

I have annual labs done and just went thru my 2014 labs, which included  Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium, DHEA and all the regulars MD's do on the annuals.

Since I've renewed my interest in Vit B6 which can addresses so many issues including arthritis, carpel tunnel, moods, asthma and more....

I've read a lot of the carpel tunnel improvements with B6 dosing.

I have a book I'm re-reading but am planning I THINK to go in for a B6 blood work.....I've never had this tested and a friend had all nutrients tested 4 yrs ago and she came  up with severe B6 deficiency.   She deals with chronic fatigue in the form of ME....

Anyway, no matter how great we think  our foods are doing the jobs, I don't believe that....

Now what I'm finding more, is the best form of B6 is P5P as it is coenzymed and by passes the liver and no toxity with this form.   

So anyway, think on this one as we are want improved health and improved joints for sure.....joy

2

I find any quantity of B vits makes me hyper. So much so, that I experimented with individual Bs.  B1 particularly plays havoc, and B6 seems to have no other effect than making me twitchy.  If I go on a combined formula I don't sleep.  Know thyself!  B12 also makes me hyper.  It maybe something to do with that stimulatory effect.  Yeast extract, rich in B1, can have the same effect, with very little consumed.  I have to be very careful as I  have learned to my peril.... I wouldn't sleep if I took any Bs at night, although I see that melatonin often has an appreciable amount of B6, for why, I can't remember.  I appreciate all the benefits of Bs incl B6, but I believe doseage to be crucial.  We are some us not built like lumberjacks, but can wear children's clothes for example.  The vet weighs the animal before adiminstering!

3

You are right Joy.  

4

Just remember, B6 doesn't work alone.  You need to take it with B12 and Folate.  Make sure you are not MTHFR+ as you will need certain types of B vitamins, like Methyl form of B12, Folate instead of folic acid.  Look up Dr. Lynch regarding MTHFR.  In regards to my previous post on Colloidal Silver first aid gel, it is true what happened to me.  Colloidal Silver needs to be in nano form to be absorbed.  I do take it my mouth, but NOT the first aid gel.  It acts like an antibiotic and works better and is much more safer than any antibiotic.  You can only turn "blue" if you are using it in VERY LARGE doses and it is not in nano form.  There are no studies because they are not allowed by the FDA because it can not be patented, they don't fund natural products either like they do "Chemicals."  I didn't reply to her response because it's useless.  People who are completely "medical" don't believe in or use or support anything that works naturally and doesn't hurt the body.  I just don't respond to people like that.  It's funny how when you talk about an alternative product, they lash out at you, but you can't/don't do that when they tell you to use a poison like "clob."

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I definitely hear you on this one!  I'm glad that you shared your experience with us!  --Suzanne

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I have no hyper issues with the B's.... and I do take folate and methyl B12 and take a homocysteine formula that contains all these including TMG to bring down elevated homocysteine levels,,,,my doc has more concerns about homo vs cholesterol.....

I take usually 2000mcg of Methyl B12 daily in the formula and alone.

The reason this B6 has gotten to me is the arthritis issues... 

The author of the book  I own talks about his theory on arthritis and it's related to B6 deficiency and synovial fluids depleting our joints.

I posted his words I think in the Rose Hips post I have here......

I've been reading a lot of reviews on P5P and some with the MTHFR issue do well on the P5P ...

7

I believe too one has to take Magnesium which I've done for years for the B6 to be effective...

I hear you on the completely medical issue....

I remember some yrs ago when I was picking  up my Armour thyroid, a person ahead of me was picking up their allergy drug.....I want to scream to them:   get on grape seed extract, my alllergy and sinus issues are history".....so many do not know the value of grape seed extract, 19+ yrs for me on this antioxidant.  

Years ago too, a man in our health food store saw me checking out with soymilk and he went into a rant about soy....then I did all my homework and found how much damage I was doing to myself and the thyroid and so much fatigue with that cwap.....  Joy

8

Another B vitamin I went BACK on is Pantothenic Acid B5 and here are symptoms of B5 deficiency:

It is rare for anyone to be deficient in vitamin B5. Symptoms of a vitamin B5 deficiency may include fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections.   I'm wondering how "rare" it is.... 

I can vow for a few of the above and some yrs ago there was a woman consultant at a health food store here in CA who was called the Pantothenic Queen as she wrote on higher dosing of B5.    My friend who shops at that store told me about the "queen of B5".

Think I'll get blood done on both B5 and B6 when I go.   

 

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Thanks for sharing, Joy!  --Suzanne

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About colloidal silver... I have been taking 10ml every day for the past year.... even though I am on immune suppressants for RA and am therefore extra vulnerable to diseases, everyone around me caught flu and or serious colds this year but – touch wood – not me.

11

I'm having some trouble posting but wanted to say I posted a very informative post on the Chronic fatigue area last night on low potassium and Fatigue...

I've questioned potassium for years and my levels come in on the low end and a friend who deals with CFS teaches me a lot about extra intake of potassium for better energy overall.....and I don't mean tons of bananas or OJ....

I'll post more later on the potassium if anyone is interested.....J

12

Thank you Joy and all the other positive feeds on alternate medication. 

Will look into all this info. Very good stuff. 

Wilma. 

13

My extreme pleasure to share with others on keeping as healthy as we can and growing older has a major role on our health and we have to replace what we are losing in our bodies.....aging changes and IF one wants quality in these later years, then support is needed...and I don't mean the drugs.....

Before I came here I was on an FM/CFS group run by a alternative medicine company so it was exciting sharing with each for many years, but I was ready to move on and share with others...lovie healing...J

I have and had many friend who have helped me, we help each other.... 

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Hi Joy--Oh, I didn't realize that you had that history with FM/CFS. Would you be willing to share a bit with us about your journey?  I just replied to another post today with someone who shared some of those symptoms on the autoimmune thread.  --Suzanne

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Suzanne, I'll be as brief as I can be....

In 1991, I was 53 and started to think my thyroid was sluggish, I was seeing an internist and for 10 long years he kept saying  you are "normal"....and writing scripts for anti depressants.  Depression was my major issue...

I had no clue back then what I know now....takes a history of stuff doesn't it.

Then in 1999, I was working at what I believed was going to be my last job and then retirement.....I was abrupty let go at age 61 and my body went into a trauma, emotional trauma which can cause Fibro, emotional or physical as I've read and heard over the years.  That's when I believe the FM hit me.    

Now years later, I "kinda" believe if I had been on thyroid support this trauma would not have been so devestating....my thyroid was weak and needed help.

That same year I saw another endo md and he said right away, your thyroid is fine, you have FM......  No labs no nothing, just touched my thyroid area and then told me about all the tender spots...

So now I have this FM label.....do I have it for not....I think I do to some degree.....

But also believe the Grape Seed Extract has saved me a LOT, I've never been sick sick with the FM, some pain yes, but not like so many I read and  hear from.

So finally in 2002, I was talking to my osteopath about the thyroid and he "knew" and called in for Armour, no labs nothing and in 4 days on Armour, the depression lifted....

So, it's been a road and I do deal with  OA and the messy hip job but never really get sick.....aging yes, and messy lower back and the surgery mess.....but that's really it.

I so believe the FM stuff is so connected to a thyroid that does not get supported....so many suffer and don't know it as their docs say they are "normal"....that normal mantra.....  Do you deal with Fibro...it's pretty much a nerve disorder I believe....I take a lot of calming supps to keep calm, when I feel a stress, I feel it in my muscles and sore areas of body.  Joy  

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HI Joy,

Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your history.  It's always helpful to know more about how and why choices were made for healing. Sorry to hear about your messy hip surgery. I've come to believe that we stand almost as good a chance of being messed up by conventional medical care as being healed. 

I was diagnosed with CFS as a young adult (I'm now 58) after years of undiagnosed celiac disease. I finally read about an autoimmune gluten intolerance when I was 35 and stopped wheat, and it was like someone turned a faucet off--within three days my severe bowel symptoms were gone. It was considered a rare disorder back then, and two huge GI workups missed it. I was sick almost my entire life, and had fevers of unknown origins for years, as well as a LOT of other symptoms, some of which were due to malabsorption and severe nutritional deficiencies. That's one reason I believe in vitamins and minerals now--I know what life is like with severe deficiencies!

Unfortunately, for the last several years I've had other autoimmune problems and multiple food/medication allergies and sensitivites, as well as brain fog, fatigue, and lots of autoimmune antibodies (though my Hashimoto's is now in remission). I've been doing an autoimmune paleo diet for a number of years, with some improvements, but not well, yet. Still searching, but limited in what I can ingest due to all of my sensitivites. I think that due to celiac disease and lots and lots of antibiotics over the years that I have a disrupted microbiome. Both my kids have developed celiac disease and one also has Hashi's.

Well, that's a bit of my story. Thanks for sharing some of yours! I appreciate all of your discussions!  

--Suzanne

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My dear friend is challenged with CFS  (ME) horrible malaise and crashing episodes after a little bit extra activity.....

She works like a beaver to find healings for her.....she helps me and believes extra potassium  . helps her a lot, extra folate and she follows a protocol on a CFS board she is a member of.    She has tried SO MUCH over her life and this stuff seems to be a bear.....she has a good diet etc....and now helps her sister with RA..

Grape Seed Extract would be great addition....I've never had a fog issue....but mine is not CFS,   j

18

I am about to take the SpectraCell blood test next week...it checks all vitamins and minerals in our body....thank goodness medicare pays for it.....small wonder.....

I'll send you a PM on where my friend spends a lot of time re: CFS issues....  J

You could have low end potassium readings on your labs too....V8 juice has large amount of potassium in it.   Read about low potassium and fatigue and energy.   J

19

I had a spectraCell blood test a few years ago. Interesting test. The physician said that he had never seen it come back with such good results as mine (I had a slight deficiency on one vitamin with adequate amounts on everything else tested). I had been supplementing for quite a while before I took the test. It will be interesting what you find on your results, Joy. I suspect that you also are already aware enough to be covering all of your bases, too!

20

Thanks for the suggestions--I will look into them.  I'm not sure whether I could tolerate the grape seed extract because one of my food sensitivities is grapes, though. But GSE and potassium sounds like it has been very helpful to you.