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Brooke wrote:I wonder how I could get a tissue test.
Your naturopath may be on to something with her explanation about why the B vitamins are at excess levels in the blood. Something is definitely not working correctly for that to happen. Unless you have been taking massive amounts of vitamin B supplements, blood levels should be normal (or low). The fact that the vitamin levels are so high in your blood, suggests that they might be low in your cells (where they are needed).
To be honest, I'm not even sure if tissue tests are commonly available for all of the B vitamins, because they are not commonly requested. Such tests are certainly available for B-12, and there's a link to a lab that offers such tests, below. While the test is referred to as a tissue test, it actually measures methylmalonic acid (MMA) performed on a urine sample. I believe that similar to the EnteroLab tests, you can order a test kit from the lab, yourself.
Dr. Mercola has included some information about this test (and why it's more accurate than blood tests) in his article about brain shrinkage due to vitamin B-12 deficiency:
Incidentally, he's right on target with that article. Too many years of untreated gluten sensitivity left me with brain and central nervous system damage, presumably because of a gluten-induced vitamin B-12 deficiency. I've had a couple of MRIs of my brain that clearly show that it has atrophied (shrunk). Of course the neurologists could not explain why.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I just realized the doctor tested my MMA and it was in the 70s. I guess if that is high you have to worry. I have another question. I get very dizzy after eating and stools are fluffy even though I'm taking Imodium. Are these common MC symptoms?
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
The gurgling (food intolerances), the fluffy/airy stools (gas in the stool), and nausea (histamine issues), are all very common for us, as Leah mentioned.
Have you looked into Enterolab testing? It's a good place to start, because until you get your food sensitivities under control, your gut can't heal. Enterolab was the starting place for me, and I'm very glad I did it, because I was eating chicken every day, trying to heal, until I found out I was having a significant reaction to chicken via the Enterolab testing! I was so surprised by the results!
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
That MMA result is probably not considered to be a sky-high result, but if it's above the normal range listed by the lab, then it indicates a vitamin B-12 deficiency, (rather than an excess amount). A vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause all sorts of serious problems, so it's usually safer to take a supplement (whether we need it or not) than to take a chance on being deficient.
The question about dizziness is a tough one to answer, because yes, sometimes MC can cause those symptoms — however, a few of us (including me) cannot take Imodium because it makes us dizzy. Even half a tablet makes me dizzy.
If the dizziness is not due to the Imodium (IOW, if it occurs with or without the use of Imodium), then it might be associated with your surgery. It's conceivably possible that you might be experiencing a variation of dumping syndrome. That doesn't seem likely, since I assume that your stomach was not directly affected by the surgery, but dumping syndrome results in vasodilation (which can cause reduced BP, which can cause dizziness).
But gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach contents) can also cause dizziness (usually in association with nausea). I'm just guessing here, but I would think that gastroparesis would probably be a common problem following the type of surgery you had to correct a sphincter of oddi dysfunction. The enteric nervous system relies on feedback from various digestive organs to keep everything functioning properly, and with chyme refluxing up the common bile duct, that's going to throw a monkey wrench into the overall operation, because of the corrupted feedback. (But again, I'm just guessing here, and sometimes a little knowledge can be a bad thing.)
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I definitely had extreme dizziness after meals. It took me weeks to figure this out. Grains and starches seem to cause me dizziness. Corn and quoina caused extreme dizziness. Rice and white potato caused dizziness but it was less bad. Eventually my meals were a protein and an overcooked veggie for breakfast,lunch,and snack. I was able to function during the workday then. For dinner I usually had some rice or white potato with my protein and overcooked vegetable. If I got dizzy I was going to bed so no big deal. This was just my experience. But suggests test some foods and see if you can figure anything out. It took me about three months to figure all this out.
Thank you everyone! I feel so blessed to have found this forum, but also feel overwhelmed by all the information and trying to find things in posts. So, I am very grateful you all have been answering my questions. Tex, you are wonderful and your book was incredible. I never thought that the Imodium could cause dizziness but it really could. I thought it was because I was anemic, but had an iron infusion two days ago and though I have more energy, I still have the dizziness. Though I am not diabetic, I do check my blood sugar frequently as I can get hypoglycemic. Suprisingly, since the onset of WD and the other symptoms, my blood sugar has been consistently normal. I just can't wait to have this colonoscopy and find out the biopsy results. I am dreading the prep as I've been living on the Imodium. I finally realized yesterday I can no longer tolerate coffee--even decaf. I am saving my money to get the Enterolab testing. Which one of the panels should I purchase?
Strongly believe I have a form of MC that began to flare December 27, 2013.
44 year old married mom to three sons ages 26, 17, and 2, a 21 year old stepdaughter, and 18 year old stepson. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who is one.
I agree that Panels A and C provide the maximum amount of bang for your buck, for most people.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I had to give up decaf coffee and tea also. I was down to chamomile herbal tea with a little honey. After two years, I can now do some decaf coffee ( with coconut cream). and decaf black tea, but still not too many days in a row. Progress :)
