Posted by bleauberry on November 29, 2009, at 14:20:30
In reply to Re: Update. Multiple deficiencies. Wow! » Phillipa, posted by delna on November 28, 2009, at 13:49:39
A common underlying cause of low Vit D and iron is an ongoing chronic pathogenic infection. Lyme is just one of a dozen possibilities. This is a new area of discovery and not likely to be known by more than 20% of doctors. Whenever Vit D is really low, the red flag for an unsuspected chronic infection has to be respected. This is espcially highly significant when psychiatric symptoms are part of the clinical picture.
In other words, it's not the low D or low iron causing the fatigue and psych symptoms...it is something else causing them to be low. Both the invader and the low levels are causing symptoms, not one or the other.
Unfortunately there are no accurate ways to test for the various bacterial or parasite infections. Negative results are common, but those patients with negative results go on to improve markedly when treated as if they were infected, on a hunch or based on clinical symptoms. Actually, the diagnosis should be clinical, not lab. But sadly, most doctors...especially the infectious disease specialists...really suck at this stuff.
Blind challenge tests with various antibiotics or herbs are the best way to rule in or rule out a suspect. If infected, you will feel like absolute crap after starting one as the Herxheimer reaction begins.
It only takes a few minutes in the sun to get your daily Vit D, and if you consume dairy products then you get even more. If you take a vitamin, even more. Regardless, Vit D should not be low unless there is a cause. If you are completely housebound with zero sun exposure to skin and zero intake of any foods with Vit D then I could see your D being low. Other than that, it looks more serious.
It should be no surprise that an estimated 30% of chronic psychiatrict symptoms are caused by unsuspected infections. Lyme is probably the most common well known name, but certainly not the only one.
> > you do have some problems. Yes the low B12 can make you tired. The liver is worrisome to me. Please write and please keep updating. Sounds like I don't know what but not mental. Love Phillipa
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> Thanks for the concern, Phillipa
> My physician just called. He said the Vit D3 and Iron levels are so low that they must be what is making me extra tired and unable to tolerate my meds. My Vit B 12 is normal BTW.
> Liver, he was not too worried about. Minor issues only.
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> I am going to see a specialist soon because there is no reason my vitamin/iron levels should have dropped so much. Something must be going on because its not like I have a bad diet. Maybe some infection. I used to work with microbes like exotic parasites and fungi all the time as part of my masters degree. I was really careless in the lab so I wasn't always safe. But that was 10 years ago. Still there could be some hidden infection from then.
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> Anyway,the doctor said that both these deficiencies alone are definitely causing a lot of the fatigue...and when they are fixed I should be better and then only should I add any AD's etc.
> Love
> D
poster:bleauberry
thread:927276
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091127/msgs/927431.html