Hello there everyone. I haven't posted much here, and it's been a while since my last post. Some background: I'm 24 years old. I've had MC symptoms since I was born and was diagnosed at 17 with lymphocytic colitis. My symptoms have gradually become worse over the last ~5 years but still tolerable without needing to use steroids or medications.
Recently over the last few months I've had lots of twitching and muscle cramps, fatigue. Especially after exercising or heavy lifting, working around the house, holding a baby for a few minutes, etc. A particular part of my thigh twitches all the time. My doctor's office tested me for a bunch of things including electrolytes, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, CBC, CK. The only abnormal result was a positive ANA (antinuclear antibodies) test which the NP who reviewed my results said could be just from the colitis. Have any of you had this tested before for similar symptoms or other reasons? I'm just not sure what to make of it. The NP is going to refer me to a rheumatologist and a neurologist, though I'm going to have an appointment with my regular PMD as well to see if they think this is necessary or just overkill.
I'd appreciate any input from anyone. Thanks!
Sarah
Positive ANA (antinuclear antibodies) Test ??
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Hi Sarah,
I doubt that a positive ANA result is relevant at this point. The twitches are almost surely a result of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. The liver can store enough B-12 to last for about 5 years, in most cases. Eventually though, the malabsorption issues caused by MC will deplete many vitamins and minerals, including B-12. Additionally, many of us (at least half of us) have methylation issues. The methylation process is rather complex, but it's a vital body function because one of the things it accomplishes is to convert the inactive forms of the vitamins we ingest into the active forms so that our body can use them. If our body can't properly convert them, the vitamin levels in our bodies will test normal to very high, but our bodies will be starving for the active forms of those vitamins.
The normal (inexpensive) oral form of supplemental B-12 is cyanocobalamin. It might or might not work for you. If you want to get rid of those twitches in a hurry, try the active form of oral B-12, methylcoblamin. Many of us take a product from Thorne Laboratories for this purpose because it contains several related vitamins that we tend to be deficient in, and they're all in the active form. It's known as Methyl-Guard. In fact, many of us (who have known methylation issues) take Methyl-Guard Plus, because it's twice as potent. I've taken it for over 10 years now. I had a prescription for Metanx, but Metanx eventually became so expensive that I switched to Methyl Guard Plus because it's equivalent, and it requires no prescription.
If a B-12 deficiency isn't the problem, it might be a magnesium deficiency. MC also depletes magnesium, so we all need to take a magnesium supplement.
I hope this resolves your problem.
Tex
I doubt that a positive ANA result is relevant at this point. The twitches are almost surely a result of a vitamin B-12 deficiency. The liver can store enough B-12 to last for about 5 years, in most cases. Eventually though, the malabsorption issues caused by MC will deplete many vitamins and minerals, including B-12. Additionally, many of us (at least half of us) have methylation issues. The methylation process is rather complex, but it's a vital body function because one of the things it accomplishes is to convert the inactive forms of the vitamins we ingest into the active forms so that our body can use them. If our body can't properly convert them, the vitamin levels in our bodies will test normal to very high, but our bodies will be starving for the active forms of those vitamins.
The normal (inexpensive) oral form of supplemental B-12 is cyanocobalamin. It might or might not work for you. If you want to get rid of those twitches in a hurry, try the active form of oral B-12, methylcoblamin. Many of us take a product from Thorne Laboratories for this purpose because it contains several related vitamins that we tend to be deficient in, and they're all in the active form. It's known as Methyl-Guard. In fact, many of us (who have known methylation issues) take Methyl-Guard Plus, because it's twice as potent. I've taken it for over 10 years now. I had a prescription for Metanx, but Metanx eventually became so expensive that I switched to Methyl Guard Plus because it's equivalent, and it requires no prescription.
If a B-12 deficiency isn't the problem, it might be a magnesium deficiency. MC also depletes magnesium, so we all need to take a magnesium supplement.
I hope this resolves your problem.
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.
Hi Tex! Thanks for the response.
My magnesium was within the normal range, but I don't know what the value was. My regular bloodwork from almost 2 years ago did have a slightly low B12. At that time my doctor offered to prescribe me B12 injections x1 a month, but I kept forgetting to go in for them, so I started taking 1,000 mcg of B12 gummies as cyanocobalamin. I'll definitely bring that up at my next appointment or try the methylcoblamin. Again, thank you!
My magnesium was within the normal range, but I don't know what the value was. My regular bloodwork from almost 2 years ago did have a slightly low B12. At that time my doctor offered to prescribe me B12 injections x1 a month, but I kept forgetting to go in for them, so I started taking 1,000 mcg of B12 gummies as cyanocobalamin. I'll definitely bring that up at my next appointment or try the methylcoblamin. Again, thank you!
If that was the magnesium test that doctors usually order (a serum magnesium test), it's of very little value because only about 1 % of the body's magnesium is in the blood, and that level is automatically regulated in the normal range (because magnesium is an electrolyte). Request the RBC (Red Blood Cell) magnesium test next time. It's much, much more accurate.
Tex
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.