Hi Marsha,
The other ingredients were cellulose, gelatin,silica and vegetable stearates. So I didn't see a problem there.
I've been anemic for decades and could never tolerate iron pills either. I finally got iron infusions a few years ago and tolerated that well. No doctor ever even tried to determine why I was anemic. I also was vit. b12 deficient and have read that the two deficiencies (iron and B12) are the ones associated with low stomach acid.
My naturopath is trying to help me with this problem I have with being unable to tolerate anything taken by mouth. She is using a compounding pharmacy to provide me with some vitamins transdermally. So far I seem to tolerate them just fine.
I have an appointment with the original Doctor next Thursday. The thing I love about my naturopath is she gets the fact that my body is sensitive to medicine and natural supplements taken orally...where as I'm not sure this new doctor does...will try to communicate to him and see how it goes. The one interesting thing about his practice is they give IV treatments of minerals and amino acids. So, I want to learn more about this.
I bought some greens this morning so I may try the bitters approach. I'll let you know how it goes.
Love,
Cristi
Acid Test
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Cristi,
You mentioned that you have been anemic for decades, and are deficient in vitamin B12. That sounds like pernicious anemia. Have you ever been tested for that. IOW, is your stomach unable to produce intrisic factor? That would explain a lot of things that are causing problems for you.
Love,
Tex
You mentioned that you have been anemic for decades, and are deficient in vitamin B12. That sounds like pernicious anemia. Have you ever been tested for that. IOW, is your stomach unable to produce intrisic factor? That would explain a lot of things that are causing problems for you.
Love,
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,
I did ask my doctor about that at the time I was getting infusions because I had found that info on the web and he said no. I don't know how he knew this . He is not my doctor anymore so I'm not sure how I would find out now what he was basing his opinion on. Do you know how they would test for this?
Love,
Cristi
I did ask my doctor about that at the time I was getting infusions because I had found that info on the web and he said no. I don't know how he knew this . He is not my doctor anymore so I'm not sure how I would find out now what he was basing his opinion on. Do you know how they would test for this?
Love,
Cristi
Cristi,
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 000569.htm
I assume you realize that your white blood count may well be elevated due to the inflammation in your GI tract, so that could confound the CBC white cell count as an indicator of pernicious anemia.
I think the Schilling test is probably the most commonly used method for diagnosis. Here's how the Schilling Test is done:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003572.htm
Weren't you having problems with elevated heart rate a while back, or am I thinking of someone else? That's also a symptom of pernicious anemia. Also, was it you who's blood test showed large-sized red blood cells, or was that someone else?
Love,
Tex
From:Tests that may indicate pernicious anemia include:
* CBC results that show low hematocrit and hemoglobin with elevated MCV (low red blood cell count with large-sized red blood cells)
* CBC showing low white blood count and low platelets
* low reticulocyte count
* bone marrow examination (only needed if diagnosis is unclear)
* serum LDH
* below normal serum vitamin B-12 level
* Schilling test
* measurement of serum holotranscobalamin II
* measurment of methylmalonic acid (MMA)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 000569.htm
I assume you realize that your white blood count may well be elevated due to the inflammation in your GI tract, so that could confound the CBC white cell count as an indicator of pernicious anemia.
I think the Schilling test is probably the most commonly used method for diagnosis. Here's how the Schilling Test is done:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003572.htm
Weren't you having problems with elevated heart rate a while back, or am I thinking of someone else? That's also a symptom of pernicious anemia. Also, was it you who's blood test showed large-sized red blood cells, or was that someone else?
Love,
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,
I may have mentioned that my dad had the enlarged red blood cells recently. I gave him B-12 injections until it returned to normal. This, of course, was pernicious anemia, and he was very sick.
I, on the other hand, was B-12 deficient due to malabsorption from the gluten damage to the gut.
I had neuro effects from this which is possible in anyone with a B-12 level lower than 400, so best to supplement, even if the sheet says normal low is 200.
I take the sublingual tablets that also contain folate and a very small amount of vit c. This is under the Biochem label in a very small bottle that's carried by Whole Foods, and is free of common allergens, but be sure to check the label.
It's in the METHYL form as opposed to the CYANO form, and since it goes directly into your blood stream, I believe, it shouldn't be a problem for your digestive system to handle since it's bypassing it.
The methyl form will get into your cells when the cyano form won't.
It's important to take both of these B-vits together as one will mask the other for testing purposes, if not.
I've also read that B-6 is needed with it, so I take one of those every now and then.
Duty calls, bye, luce
I may have mentioned that my dad had the enlarged red blood cells recently. I gave him B-12 injections until it returned to normal. This, of course, was pernicious anemia, and he was very sick.
I, on the other hand, was B-12 deficient due to malabsorption from the gluten damage to the gut.
I had neuro effects from this which is possible in anyone with a B-12 level lower than 400, so best to supplement, even if the sheet says normal low is 200.
I take the sublingual tablets that also contain folate and a very small amount of vit c. This is under the Biochem label in a very small bottle that's carried by Whole Foods, and is free of common allergens, but be sure to check the label.
It's in the METHYL form as opposed to the CYANO form, and since it goes directly into your blood stream, I believe, it shouldn't be a problem for your digestive system to handle since it's bypassing it.
The methyl form will get into your cells when the cyano form won't.
It's important to take both of these B-vits together as one will mask the other for testing purposes, if not.
I've also read that B-6 is needed with it, so I take one of those every now and then.
Duty calls, bye, luce
Hi Tex,
I am the one having problems with a racing heart...although when I was being treated with the iron infusions and B12 several years ago and pre MC I was not having the racing heart ...just fatigue and shortness of breath.
I certainly didn't have any special tests for this condition, although I do remember asking about it and my Doc said I didn't have it. I only hope that he could make that determination with the results of blood tests....he did those for general reasons. I have had a million blood tests lately...but I am not sure they would look for it unless specifically asked to.
Well, I will definitely follow up on this...didn't realize it was associated with autoimmune diseases either. Thanks fot the heads up, Tex.
Love,
Cristi
I am the one having problems with a racing heart...although when I was being treated with the iron infusions and B12 several years ago and pre MC I was not having the racing heart ...just fatigue and shortness of breath.
I certainly didn't have any special tests for this condition, although I do remember asking about it and my Doc said I didn't have it. I only hope that he could make that determination with the results of blood tests....he did those for general reasons. I have had a million blood tests lately...but I am not sure they would look for it unless specifically asked to.
Well, I will definitely follow up on this...didn't realize it was associated with autoimmune diseases either. Thanks fot the heads up, Tex.
Love,
Cristi
Cristi,
Do you happen to know if your average red blood cell size is normal?
Some other things that your doctor might do would be to check for the presence of intrinsic factor antibodies and parietal cell antibodies. These antibodies in the blood may mean that they're destroying the intrinsic factor or parietal cells.
Also, if you have pernicious anemia, your CBC might show elevated levels of bilirubin, and potassium, and a lower than normal level of cholestrol.
Here's a write up on a brand new test for pernicious anemia, but it may not be available yet:
http://www.llnl.gov/pao/news/news_relea ... 04-02.html
Love,
Tex
Do you happen to know if your average red blood cell size is normal?
Some other things that your doctor might do would be to check for the presence of intrinsic factor antibodies and parietal cell antibodies. These antibodies in the blood may mean that they're destroying the intrinsic factor or parietal cells.
Also, if you have pernicious anemia, your CBC might show elevated levels of bilirubin, and potassium, and a lower than normal level of cholestrol.
Here's a write up on a brand new test for pernicious anemia, but it may not be available yet:
http://www.llnl.gov/pao/news/news_relea ... 04-02.html
Love,
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 all,
Know what, I think it would be alot simplier to just have everyone over the age of 60 take a sublingual methyl cobalamine with folate according to some specified regimen, and let it go at that.
I'm concerned that with folate/folic acid fortifying so many things (not necessarily for those abstaining from gluten, however, that's a different problem), B-12 deficiencies will be hidden until they are very serious.
If people take these supplements regularly, this could put an end to lots of pernicious anemia. My dad died about 13 months after his was discovered of a massive heart attack, apparently. Pernicious anemia can kill you.
Yours, Luce
Know what, I think it would be alot simplier to just have everyone over the age of 60 take a sublingual methyl cobalamine with folate according to some specified regimen, and let it go at that.
I'm concerned that with folate/folic acid fortifying so many things (not necessarily for those abstaining from gluten, however, that's a different problem), B-12 deficiencies will be hidden until they are very serious.
If people take these supplements regularly, this could put an end to lots of pernicious anemia. My dad died about 13 months after his was discovered of a massive heart attack, apparently. Pernicious anemia can kill you.
Yours, Luce
Cristi,
Did you come across this site while researching pernicious anemia? It has a very good discussion on the disease:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/At ... anemia.jsp
Incidentally, the article states that if you have pernicious anemia, you will always have to receive your B12 by injection. That's no longer true. The sublingual lozenges apparently do the job, if used properly, and they're much more economical, (and less painful than injections, obviously). The point is, though, if you have pernicious anemia, your small intestine is totally unable to absorb any B12, so getting it from the food you eat is not an option.
You know, it just occured to me that you seem to have a general problem with your parietal cells. They are responsible for producing stomach acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor. This could be a problem caused by bacterial overgrowth in your stomach, interferring with the normal functioning of your parietal cells. I'm not saying this is the case, I'm just thinking out loud here. If that were the case, then you might not actually have pernicious anemia, you might just have a shortage of intrinsic factor, due to bacteria inferring with the normal operation of your parietal cells.
Love,
Tex
Did you come across this site while researching pernicious anemia? It has a very good discussion on the disease:
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/At ... anemia.jsp
Incidentally, the article states that if you have pernicious anemia, you will always have to receive your B12 by injection. That's no longer true. The sublingual lozenges apparently do the job, if used properly, and they're much more economical, (and less painful than injections, obviously). The point is, though, if you have pernicious anemia, your small intestine is totally unable to absorb any B12, so getting it from the food you eat is not an option.
You know, it just occured to me that you seem to have a general problem with your parietal cells. They are responsible for producing stomach acid, pepsin, and intrinsic factor. This could be a problem caused by bacterial overgrowth in your stomach, interferring with the normal functioning of your parietal cells. I'm not saying this is the case, I'm just thinking out loud here. If that were the case, then you might not actually have pernicious anemia, you might just have a shortage of intrinsic factor, due to bacteria inferring with the normal operation of your parietal cells.
Love,
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.
-
artteacher
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 pm
.
Hi Cristi,
Like Lucy, I take a sublingual B12 in the methylcobalomine form. It's not a magic bullet solving everything (like I always hope) but it does help my energy level, and D (to a degree). And I only take it once a week now. For a while I took it every day, but it doesn't seem to be necessary now. And it doesn't upset my stomach. But it makes a difference what brand I use, because some of them are sweetened with mallitol and sorbitol or have dextrins in them that seem to be a problem.
One thing that might be a problem for you is sulfites: gelatin is high enough in it that someone who is really sensitive would notice it. I can't take any pills in gelatin capsule form. Don't take my word as gospel on this, because I don't know for sure that it's the sulfites/geletin, I just know I haven't been able to take any suppliment in a gelcap.
Keep us informed - I think it's so nice that you have such an involved naturopath!!!!
Love, Marsha
Like Lucy, I take a sublingual B12 in the methylcobalomine form. It's not a magic bullet solving everything (like I always hope) but it does help my energy level, and D (to a degree). And I only take it once a week now. For a while I took it every day, but it doesn't seem to be necessary now. And it doesn't upset my stomach. But it makes a difference what brand I use, because some of them are sweetened with mallitol and sorbitol or have dextrins in them that seem to be a problem.
One thing that might be a problem for you is sulfites: gelatin is high enough in it that someone who is really sensitive would notice it. I can't take any pills in gelatin capsule form. Don't take my word as gospel on this, because I don't know for sure that it's the sulfites/geletin, I just know I haven't been able to take any suppliment in a gelcap.
Keep us informed - I think it's so nice that you have such an involved naturopath!!!!
Love, Marsha
Hi Marsha,
That's interesting about the gelatin. What is the brand name of the B12 that you take? What other suppliments do you find helpful? My naturopath has been very helpful to me...providing emotional support as well as trying to get some of my meds in transdermal creams. I would highly recommend her.
Love,
Cristi
That's interesting about the gelatin. What is the brand name of the B12 that you take? What other suppliments do you find helpful? My naturopath has been very helpful to me...providing emotional support as well as trying to get some of my meds in transdermal creams. I would highly recommend her.
Love,
Cristi