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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TrishP on November 8, 2006, at 6:32:33
I went to a new doctor yesterday to get a fresh opinion. He said I was a slow metabolizer which was why I was experiencing so many side effects on such low doses of meds.
When I was younger I could take much higher doses of meds for a long time and not have side effects.
What would cause me to be a "slow metabolizer"? Is my liver overworked or over-fat?
Is it my age? (38 - not that old!)
Is it because I had a hysterectomy and am taking estrogen?
Was I born a slow metabolizer or is it just part of the aging process?
Is there anything I can do to speed up my slow metabolism?
Posted by Racer on November 8, 2006, at 10:58:50
In reply to Cause of slow metabolizer?, posted by TrishP on November 8, 2006, at 6:32:33
It's not that your metabolism is slow, it's that your metabolization of medications is slow. That's the first thing. The two are not necessarily related.
As for why you're metabolizing medications slowly, that's usually genetic. It's got to do with certain specific enzymes in your liver. How much of those enzymes you have, how efficient they are at breaking down the medications, those are what control how rapidly you metabolize medications. It's possible, of course, that your metabolization of meds has changed over time, but I'm betting that the reasons you're having more trouble now than you did at earlier times in your life are more likely not related to metabolization speed. My guess, after reading your posts here, is that you're more aware of problems now -- from experience, of course -- and less tolerant of them. It could actually be that simple.
I hope that's helpful, at least the part about metabolization of drugs. For what it's worth, sometimes it's the rapid metabolizers who have trouble with meds, other times it's the slow ones. Depends on the med, and how it's metabolized.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on November 8, 2006, at 11:05:24
In reply to Re: Cause of slow metabolizer?, posted by Racer on November 8, 2006, at 10:58:50
Now I'm totally confused. I was thinking that aging of the liver or liver dysfunctions would cause the slow metabolism of meds. Love Phillipa
Posted by TrishP on November 8, 2006, at 13:07:05
In reply to Re: Cause of slow metabolizer?, posted by Racer on November 8, 2006, at 10:58:50
Thanks Racer! Very interesting. I was thinking it was somehow my fault.
This new doctor I saw wants to start meds off very slow and low dose.
Posted by yxibow on November 12, 2006, at 3:26:54
In reply to Re: Cause of slow metabolizer?, posted by Racer on November 8, 2006, at 10:58:50
> It's not that your metabolism is slow, it's that your metabolization of medications is slow. That's the first thing. The two are not necessarily related.
>
> As for why you're metabolizing medications slowly, that's usually genetic. It's got to do with certain specific enzymes in your liver.Correct.... and certain people have genetic difficulties at specific CYP450 cytochromes in the liver.
How much of those enzymes you have, how efficient they are at breaking down the medications, those are what control how rapidly you metabolize medications. It's possible, of course, that your metabolization of meds has changed over time, but I'm betting that the reasons you're having more trouble now than you did at earlier times in your life are more likely not related to metabolization speed. My guess, after reading your posts here, is that you're more aware of problems now -- from experience, of course -- and less tolerant of them.
Somatiform awareness is not uncommon. That is one possible angle.
It could actually be that simple.
>
> I hope that's helpful, at least the part about metabolization of drugs. For what it's worth, sometimes it's the rapid metabolizers who have trouble with medsI'm not sure if I have trouble and its never been genetically tested but I think I am a rapid metabolizer of some medications..
, other times it's the slow ones. Depends on the med, and how it's metabolized.
>
> Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
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