MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Hey potty people,

Curious if we have an official guide on what tests to have done across the board. There's an emphasis on which enterolab tests to get, but I would love an official starting guide on what to demand -- *cough* request politely *cough* -- from our doctors as well. Things I've seen discussed that I would never think to ask for are H. Pylori, SIBO, Mast Cells, genetic testing, etc. But also for newbies, which vitamins to have tested for. I know from spending some time here that magnesium and vitamin D are big for us, but I've also found with doctors that unless you give them a specific list of tests you want to have done, you're at the mercy of their expertise, and we all know that's lacking.

Anyway, I'm sure it'd be a bit of work to compile, but could we start a thread (if it doesn't exist already) of the beginner MCer's guide to tests to have done day one in addition to enterolab?

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know how to go about writing a post of that sort, so maybe someone else can do it, but other than magnesium and vitamin D, any other needed tests would have to be determined on an individual basis, due to personal issues. You and your doctor would need to consider whether any additional tests would be needed, because they wouldn't be needed by most of us. The only useful optional tests might be regarding methylation issues, but unless you happen to be lucky enough to locate one of the rare clinicians who is familiar with methylation issues, most doctors wouldn't have the foggiest idea what to do with the results of those tests, and what they meant, after he or she received them.

I apologize for not being more helpful, but for the vast majority of us, once we know what we are dealing with, and successfully bring our MC to remission, any remaining issues should resolve themselves, after our digestive system begins to function properly, again. As long as we eat whole foods, and get adequate protein, there shouldn't be any vitamin or mineral deficiencies in our diet, regardless of how restrictive it might seem, unless we have methylation issues, and those are addressed in the section devoted to methylation issues. But of course this is just my opinion, and someone, even everyone, else's opinion may differ.

So if you, or anyone else would like to start a thread to discuss this, please feel free to do so.

Tex

I have not commented to this question as the system is different in each country.

In Australia patients requesting tests is frowned upon my most GP's.
Even with my medical history of multiple auto immune conditions, there has to be a reason for the doctor to order the Vit D test (possible symptoms of Vit D deficiency)

the other aspect to answering this question is that mainstream tests for things like Magnesium and B12 are not telling the whole story and not overly useful.