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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 b2chica on July 2, 2015, at 15:46:26
by the way, i had blood work done the other day and just got results back.
it seems everything is in normal range except for my Vitamin D levels.
i thought for sure it would be B-12 (or i guess i was hoping it would have been).my T is now suggesting i get genetic testing done... might help determine some things. but i don't know what it can help.
I'm sure i've heard this mentioned here before...
can anyone give insight to how it helps?
Posted by Chris O on July 4, 2015, at 10:58:40
In reply to bloodwork, posted by b2chica on July 2, 2015, at 15:46:26
b2chica:
Read your post above. Totally empathize with your struggle and not wanting to go on. Even though I think are symptoms may be a bit different (I primarily struggle with anxiety), I rarely have the energy to do anything each day. Kudos to you for taking care of your kids, though.
In regards to the Vitamin D thing, mine has tested low five years in a row (it's always in the 20s), and I am outside a lot in sunny southern California. The only thing my doctor suggests is to take D3 supplements, which, to my knowledge, do not seem to help very much. Maybe the genetic testing is a good idea. I found this article on WebMD that suggested certain gene variants naturally lead to vitamin D insufficiency in some people. I certainly feel sh*tty enough that I want my state of shiftiness linked to some palpable cause in my body. Anyway, good luck.
Chris
Posted by SLS on July 4, 2015, at 14:03:29
In reply to Re: bloodwork » b2chica, posted by Chris O on July 4, 2015, at 10:58:40
It was recommended to me that I take 50,000 IU a week of D3 for low levels that were determined by a simple blood test.
Some genetic tests can be ridiculously expensive. What is it that is to be tested? Sometimes, certain variants of liver enzymes (cytochrome P450) metabolize drugs at different rates. I'm wondering if this is an issue.
Testing for the promoter gene that codes for the serotonin transporter (site of action of SRIs) can influence what drugs are chosen to treat depression. This remains controversial, though. At the very least, it might indicate how early in treatment a response occurs.
For the responsivity to serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the possible transporter allele (gene variants) combinations (genotypes) look like this:
L = Long allele = Rapid activity
S = Short allele = Reduced activityL+L = Rapid and robust response to SRIs
L+S = Intermediate responsivity to SRIs
S+S = Much reduced responsivity to SRIsS+S is the least common genotype in the general population. For people who are TRD posting on Psycho-Babble, I wonder if S+S isn't more common. Perhaps the addition of a tricyclic like nortriptyline would be a better choice in these cases.
* I would really like to know what tests you are supposed to have.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on July 6, 2015, at 9:38:56
In reply to bloodwork, posted by b2chica on July 2, 2015, at 15:46:26
The millions of us from the chronic Lyme camp recognize the low D as a very significant clue. Highly significant. As a matter of fact, it is more reliable in diagnosis than is the lyme test itself.
I'm not saying there is lyme. But I am saying that your low D is strongly consistent with an unknown unsuspected stealth chronic infection. That infection is obviously impacting the brain, or else you wouldn't be here. There are a dozen or so bacteria that could do this, the yeast/fungus Candida can do that, some viruses can.
In any case, in camps that deal with this sort of thing, low D is not a mystery, but rather a super strong clue with high reliability.
In the meantime, definitely begin D intake to get levels back up. Some critics believe supplemented D would just provide more fuel to the infection and things get worse. Not true. The body desperately needs D for many different functions. The body and mind are greatly weakened without it. Osteoporosis if it hasn't already happened is just around the corner. Increased D will tend to feed the suspected infection more, but because the body is made so much stronger, the benefits over ride the risks.
With this new strong clue, the game changed overnight. Now it is no longer a psychiatry game. It becomes an anti-infection game. When that game is won, the psychiatry part of it automatically disappears on its own. For me that was 3 years of multiple antibiotics and herbs....for someone else maybe 3 months to 9 months....common. I was particularly bad, infected for over 25 years with misdiagnosis by multiple MDs and specialists, and of course psychiatrists don't know anything about this even though they should be experts on it.
My diagnosis wasn't looking rock solid....lots of clues and hints and suggestions, but nothing solid, until the low D came in....that was a major turning point in terms of proper diagnosis after years of erroneously calling it psychiatric.
And we all wonder why the psych meds hardly ever seem to work great.
Posted by b2chica on July 7, 2015, at 12:11:09
In reply to Re: bloodwork » Chris O, posted by SLS on July 4, 2015, at 14:03:29
Hi Scott, regarding the genetic testing i'm not for sure what she called it... but i think it basically looks at B-12 levels...
as for the bloodworm, all came back ok except a little low on vitamin D. it included:
CBC, CMP, T3, (thyroid), B-12, D levels, and some cholesterol and glucose tests.
This is the end of the thread.
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