Sorry Lou Ann that I confused the issue, but glad Tex cleared it up. I took too much Betaine and it caused burning. I just drank a little baking soda in water and it fixed it immediately. I took 3 days worth I believe and it fixed it...
Like Tex said, use it only for a big protein meal.
Thyroid issues
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That's an interesting observation because I agree that one would think that your cholesterol level should have increased in response to a decreased statin dose.Lou Ann wrote:AND it makes me wonder because my cardiologist cut me from 20 to 10 and all my numbers stayed the same.....hmmmm
That brings back some memories. I noticed that when I first started taking the statin (because of a second TIA in May, 2010), my total cholesterol level went way down (like from 220-something to 140-something in about 6 weeks.
Around 145 is the most dangerous level for total cholesterol (as far as overall mortality risk is concerned), so that worried me a lot. But I noticed that as the months went by, my cholesterol level climbed back up to the 190–200 range after about 6 more months. Come to think of it, when I stopped taking it, I don't recall any significant changes in my test results, either.Apparently the body has a way of compensating. That was over 5 years ago and my cholesterol level didn't significantly change after that until last year. I've noticed that in the past year (since I've corrected my magnesium deficiency) my cholesterol level has increased by about 20 points. Because correcting a magnesium deficiency is a good thing (as far as overall health is concerned), I have to conclude that the increase in my cholesterol level must be a good thing, also. I note that about half that increase was in my HDL — it increased by about a third.
And looking back and considering what I've learned since then, I have a hunch that those 2 TIAs were probably caused by a chronic magnesium deficiency, because none of the tests, including brain scans, offered any clues as to why they occurred.
The neurologist ordered tests for virtually everything — everything except magnesium, that is.
No one ordered a magnesium test.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.
It really made me pause to think if I really need it at all...I asked if I could try 5mg and it was a quick NO from the doctor...he said once your on, your not going off. 
I had no idea if your number was to low it was dangerous...
The magnesium sure was a big help to so many of your problems...that is an amazing thing...and seems like such a simple non expensive fix for people...if only doctors would think outside the box.
I had no idea if your number was to low it was dangerous...
The magnesium sure was a big help to so many of your problems...that is an amazing thing...and seems like such a simple non expensive fix for people...if only doctors would think outside the box.
Liability lawsuits keep doctors from thinking outside the box, unfortunately. As long as they follow accepted practices, if a patient dies, it's just unfortunate. If they deviate from the rules though, and something goes wrong — they're hung.
Here are some links to articles assessing the relative risks of low cholesterol levels in various situations. In general, the risk is the most significant in high-stress situations, such as trauma or major surgery. You'll note that most studies are done with older subjects because death must occur before the researchers can complete their data collection, unfortunately.
Low preoperative cholesterol level is a risk factor of sepsis and poor clinical outcome in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Serum cholesterol levels and in-hospital mortality in the elderly
Cholesterol as risk factor for mortality in elderly women.
High cholesterol may protect against infections and atherosclerosis
Tex
Here are some links to articles assessing the relative risks of low cholesterol levels in various situations. In general, the risk is the most significant in high-stress situations, such as trauma or major surgery. You'll note that most studies are done with older subjects because death must occur before the researchers can complete their data collection, unfortunately.
Low preoperative cholesterol level is a risk factor of sepsis and poor clinical outcome in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Serum cholesterol levels and in-hospital mortality in the elderly
Cholesterol as risk factor for mortality in elderly women.
High cholesterol may protect against infections and atherosclerosis
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.
Just to chime in here ... I'm another one who was on a statin for over 20 years (and was also told it was for life). I tapered off it and have been statin-free for almost a year. My cholesterol numbers have gone up, but none of my doctors have been alarmed enough to put me back on (and I wouldn't do it if they did). I'm staying the course for correcting my magnesium deficiency and since statins do have a negative relationship with mc, those are the tools in my toolbelt should the issue come up.
Agree with everything said! I, too, wish I'd had the knowledge to say "no" to all the prescription meds I was given and took for decades. How can the body do what it's trying to do when we keep interfering with these powerful meds? Plus, without the true coordination of care, not only do the meds interfere with the body trying to compensate, they also can interfere with each other.
~ Holly
Apparently the body has a way of compensating.
Agree with everything said! I, too, wish I'd had the knowledge to say "no" to all the prescription meds I was given and took for decades. How can the body do what it's trying to do when we keep interfering with these powerful meds? Plus, without the true coordination of care, not only do the meds interfere with the body trying to compensate, they also can interfere with each other.
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Holly wrote:How can the body do what it's trying to do when we keep interfering with these powerful meds? Plus, without the true coordination of care, not only do the meds interfere with the body trying to compensate, they also can interfere with each other.
Excellent points. Many medications are labeled to be used for a few weeks (such as PPIs), and yet doctors prescribe them for years. Our poor immune system (and any other organs that happen to be affected) don't know what to do, and eventually they lose some of their ability to function and they may even stop trying (as in the case of the affect of corticosteroids on adrenal glands).
And most specialists focus only on the issue that they are treating and tend to ignore everything else. They expect the patient's PCP to coordinate everything, but the problem is that the specialists are supposed to be the experts who understand the drugs they prescribe, and many PCPs are hesitant to overrule them (for one thing they don't crave having a specialist chewing on their butt and accusing them of interfering with a treatment). Because of this disconnect, if a pharmacist (or the patient) doesn't catch risky drug interaction possibilities, no one will catch them.
And then there are the doctors who, when a patient complains about a side effect of a drug, prescribe another drug to mask the side effects of the first one rather than to recommend that the patient stop taking the first drug.
I have to say that has never happened to me, but apparently it happens, if half the stories I've heard about that practice are true.That said, it's not easy for doctors to win in this debate, because when it comes to prescribing drugs, they're damned if they do, and damned if they don't.
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.
Tex,
When I went to my cardiologist I asked her about the RGB magnesium test that she had a confused look on her face.....maybe I am asking the wrong type of doctor? She did give me a slip for just a test but from what I could understand from the paper it just said magnesium….. is that a worthless test to have? Thank you!
I might have more luck with my endocrinologist next week.
Lou Ann
When I went to my cardiologist I asked her about the RGB magnesium test that she had a confused look on her face.....maybe I am asking the wrong type of doctor? She did give me a slip for just a test but from what I could understand from the paper it just said magnesium….. is that a worthless test to have? Thank you!
I might have more luck with my endocrinologist next week.
Lou Ann
Lou Ann,
Unfortunately most doctors know so little about magnesium that they are only aware of the serum test. But the serum test will only show a deficiency if your body is almost completely out of magnesium.
It's better than nothing, but that's about all.
Tex
Unfortunately most doctors know so little about magnesium that they are only aware of the serum test. But the serum test will only show a deficiency if your body is almost completely out of magnesium.
It's better than nothing, but that's about all.
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.
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Gabes-Apg
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Lou Ann
with this type of stuff - your best indicator is 'listen to your body'
the only truly accurate test is muscle sample testing (which mainstream medicine do not do)
your body needs at least 350-400mg magnesium per day.
if you are drinking coffee, detoxing toxins, taking medications etc then you will need at least 500mg per day
if you have less than 350mg and you get magnesium deficiency symptoms, you need to increase it.
with this type of stuff - your best indicator is 'listen to your body'
the only truly accurate test is muscle sample testing (which mainstream medicine do not do)
your body needs at least 350-400mg magnesium per day.
if you are drinking coffee, detoxing toxins, taking medications etc then you will need at least 500mg per day
if you have less than 350mg and you get magnesium deficiency symptoms, you need to increase it.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Lou Ann,
If your lab uses the same "normal" range as the one my doctor/clinic/hospital uses, that result is OK. The normal range at my hospital is 1.8–2.4 mg/dL. When my magnesium deficiency became so bad (a year and a half ago) that I couldn't eat breakfast, which prompted me to go to the ER, my magnesium test result was 1.7 mg/dL. Since I've increased my magnesium supplementation to correct the problem, my test result has consistently been 2.2 mg/dL on a couple of tests since then.
I take 500 mg of magnesium per day — 300 mg after breakfast, and 100 mg after lunch and another 100 mg after an afternoon snack.
Tex
If your lab uses the same "normal" range as the one my doctor/clinic/hospital uses, that result is OK. The normal range at my hospital is 1.8–2.4 mg/dL. When my magnesium deficiency became so bad (a year and a half ago) that I couldn't eat breakfast, which prompted me to go to the ER, my magnesium test result was 1.7 mg/dL. Since I've increased my magnesium supplementation to correct the problem, my test result has consistently been 2.2 mg/dL on a couple of tests since then.
I take 500 mg of magnesium per day — 300 mg after breakfast, and 100 mg after lunch and another 100 mg after an afternoon snack.
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.
Thank you Gabes!
Tex,
My hospital is about the same range. 1.8- 2.6, so I guess I'll be ok with the 2.1.....I've only been doing topical mag for a while because of the D with the oral. I will still run all this buy my first visit with the endocrinologist next week....this will be my millionth doc That will look at me like I had five heads...
Thanks!
Lou Ann
Tex,
My hospital is about the same range. 1.8- 2.6, so I guess I'll be ok with the 2.1.....I've only been doing topical mag for a while because of the D with the oral. I will still run all this buy my first visit with the endocrinologist next week....this will be my millionth doc That will look at me like I had five heads...
Thanks!
Lou Ann
I'm totally frustrated.....went to the endocrinologist today....said the thyroid nodule and cyst were way to small to even biopsy right now.....good news to me....hair loss, weird feeling in neck and burning tongue were pushed aside issues...especially the tongue....I think this might be the eighth doctor that looked at me like I have five heads for even saying my tongue has been hot for years....anyway, she caught a look of a high fasting blood sugar from last year and ordered me, literally 20 blood tests, urine tests, etc....... told me to only take vitamin D and calcium as far as supplements......my last A-1 C was down to 5.2 from 6.1...... Why is she worried about diabetes? I am done over thinking about it...it's all driving me nuts....i seriously doubt I need anything she's ordering....that was a rant.....sorry.
Lou Ann
Lou Ann
and of course no calcium supplements if you get some from your diet......