-
Folate & Zinc
-
17 Replies
-
Hey ,
Thank you for posting your lab results! Right now I will highlight just a few points, but I will respond in more detail.
Zinc
The serum zinc markers in your lab results were slightly elevated above normal and the RBC Zinc is high normal. Usually, this doesn’t happen with consuming foods alone. Although there can be other reasons why serum zinc gets elevated, a common reason for elevations are supplements. High doses of zinc can cause symptoms like pain in the stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you aren’t on any supplements, inhalation of vapours (e.g. during welding, plating, etc.) can lead to toxicity as well.Vitamin D
Are you on any vitamin D supplements? Your vitamin D levels are low on your test results. If you are supplementing with vitamin D, it looks like it doesn’t get absorbed.Serum Folate vs RBC Folate
It looks like your red blood cells are built with enough folate. Your total amount of red blood cells increased a little bit as well, which is good news since your test result from last year showed that the number of red blood cells was borderline low.The serum folate looks still low, this can be because the body quickly consumes the folate. Another reason could be your folate intake is still not enough. Usually, I would recommend my clients to go a little higher in folate in this case.
Homocysteine
Lab results show also a lowering in homocysteine. Although we aren’t in the ideal zone, I think a little congratulations are in its place! Again we need B vitamins to lower homocysteine. Folate and B6 both play a role. B6 also plays a role in bile production. Having them both enough in the diet is important.Low free T3
The test does show a low T3. For sure that a lowered iron plays a role still. Kidney and liver health can also play a role here since these organs are key players in T4 to T3 conversion.Elevations in Bilirubin
I believe you already talked with Bernadette about poor bile flow or bile production. Bilirubin is a waste product from dead red blood cells. It gets mostly removed through bile and is the reason why your stool turns dark. Elevations in bilirubin can also cause the urine to be unusually dark yellow. Since Bernadette gave you already some tips here, I won’t. It is however something you would like to recheck in a while.Elevations in HDL
Elevations in HDL are another clue to sluggish bile production. The liver breaks down HDL and removes it through the bile. Optimizing bile production and flow will probably lower HDL.There is more to say about these labs, but perhaps you could share first with us which supplements you currently are using. This will help us guide you better!
-
Hey ,
A lot of the results confirm already what we know. For example, we see elevations in eosinophils and basophils which is indirect evidence for elevations in histamine. Basophils also protect against bacterial, fungal, viral and parasites and could be elevated by these pathogens.
Kidney function
The eGFR, a marker used to evaluate kidney function, is a little low on your lab results. This can indicate you were dehydrated at the moment of blood draw. But there is a pattern of elevated markers (uric acid, fructosamine, Anion gap) that might indicate your kidneys are struggling.Asking your doctor to measure proteins in the urine can help you to exclude that your kidney health is impaired.
There might be other reasons why these markers could be elevated. Fructosamine for example can be a reflection of the amount of sugar your body has seen in the last 2 weeks. It would be helpful to know if you struggled with foods.
An anion gap can also be elevated because of dehydration – or it could indicate the pH of your blood is a little more on the acid side. For the right interpretation, it is important to trace back your steps around the time of blood draw. Do you know if you were dehydrated back there?
Assessing blood values is complex without knowing the circumstances. I would like to give you more targeted advice, but having more details about sleep, current diet, current supplements, medications and changes in symptoms would be of much value here
I hope this makes sense!
-
Hi B. & Daniel,
Does Circle not automatically save? Reason for asking, I lost my previous response as I accidentally clicked away to a different part of the screen and noticed the entire response which I had typed before wasn’t there when I came back to it. I had to retype again. Oh well, c’est la vie.
-
Magnesium
RBC is on the low side. Yesterday I started Liquid Magnesium Nano Minerals – Upgraded Formulas® following a HTMA test and I haven’t yet started but will do this as well Upgraded Charge Optimal Electrolyte Blend – Upgraded Formulas®Oh, just realised. The Upgraded Magnesium supplement contains fulvic acid and sorbic acid.
Is there an alternative option?
[Naveed Aslam 19.9.22 HTMA Test Results.pdf]Zinc
I’ve been taking Zinc L Carnosine by Zinc Carnosine – Integrative Therapeutics | Amrita Nutrition. Is it best to stop it for now?I understand there is a Zinc to Copper correlation, where too much Zinc can lower Copper. In my case, should I supplement Copper? If yes, any recommendations please?
Vitamin D
I take Vitamin D by Bio-ADEK-Mulsion®- Biotics Research | Amrita Nutrition.It also has Vitamins A and E. Should I just take vitamins D and K now?
The reason for the low level could be two folds;
1. I forget to take it on a regular basis
2. Fat malabsorption due to the bile sluggishnessSerum Folate vs RBC Folate
Please can you recommend an alternative to this which I currently take;
B Complex Liquid | MetabolicsMy GP will only prescribe Folic Acid which I understand is in synthetic form. So, this is no good.
Homocysteine
I’m happy this marker has come down. The hospital reading from blood withdrawal on 9th February was 6.6umol/l.Low free T3
Firstly, may I ask if I have Graves or Hashimotos as this was also one of the reasons for doing a full thyroid panel.What can I do to bring the low thyroid issue back to normal? To be honest, as there is so much going on, my priority is supporting the gut and await GI map result to see if H. Pylori is still there. It will be as I’ve been focussed on gut healing only.
Elevations in Bilirubin
My stool is light brown or pale and urine is almost clear. Yes, you’re right B has made a number of recommendations.Do you think the bile issue could be the reason my Vitamin D reading is low?
Elevations in HDL
Both HDL and LDL are high. I’m not having any fatty foods. Could the elevated readings go back to the gall bladderbile issue?Kidney function
Yes, at the time of the blood withdrawal and every blood withdrawal in February, I’ve been dehydrated. Drinking water is my downfall due to constantly feeling full.Asking your doctor to measure proteins in the urine can help you to exclude that your kidney health is impaired.
I had an initial consultation last Monday with a urologist as I’ve been frequently going to the washroom over the past year or so.
He seems to think it could be due to my bloatingconstipation. I also did mention to him that I have histamine issues. He did say , it could also be due to this and MCAS. After my consultation, I had a urine and blood test for HBA1C and ultrasound scan. The radiographer said after the scan, nothing to worry about. I’m meeting the urologist on 6.3.23 to discuss all my tests. Having said this, here are my urine and HBA1C test results.
[Naveed Aslam 27.2.23 Haemoglobin A1C.pdf][Naveed Aslam 27.2.23 Urine Analysis & Culture Test Results.pdf]
Elevated Histamine
Histamine increase is as a result of elevated Basophils and eosinophils. Interesting. I’ve stopped all high histamine foods.Regarding high uric acid, fructosamine and Anion gap. I have sugar craving and resort to processed sugar foods due to the restrictive diet and feeling hungry as a result. Another reason is down what to eat which isn’t going to cause stomach pain.
Supplements
1. Zinc L Carnosine
2. DGL
3. Slippery elm powder
4. Marshmallow root powder
5. Bio-ADEK-Mulsion®- Biotics Research | Amrita Nutrition
6. Life & Soul Pure Omega-3 150ml: The Natural Dispensary
7. IgG Select – 75g – Moss Nutrition | Amrita Nutrition. Stopped taking it due to not feeling good. Maybe due to weak stomach.
8. GI Relief – 180 Capsules – Thorne | Amrita Nutrition. Stopped taking it due to not feeling good. Maybe due to weak stomach.
9. Mastic Gum 120’s: The Natural Dispensary. Stopped taking it due to not feeling good. Maybe due to weak stomach.
10. l-Glutamine Powder – 227g – Pure Encapsulations | Amrita Nutrition
11. Vitamin C – Any recommendation which is easy on the stomach in liquid form.
12. Low Calcium – Any thoughts on this and other minerals which are low. Do you think I would need a multivitamin supplement?Medicine
1. Famotidine
2. Prucalopride
3. Sucralafate
4. Nortriptyline
5. CetirizineSleep
Sleep around midnight despite finished eating around 7.00pm. It’s due to heavy feeling in the stomach, heartburn and reflux. If I eat, I get hunger pains and acidity during the night.Diet
Meals are the same on a daily basisBreakfast turn Lunch
Millet flakes or Quinoa porridge in coconut milk.Evening meal
Any combination of the following vegetables – courgettes and pak choi are base, but the I switch between carrots or turnips. Meat wise, chicken or fish with white jasmine rice. If I don’t have rice, I’m in pain when the food enters the stomach. Maybe the rice is soft.[IMG-6064.jpg]
[IMG-6086 (1).jpg]
4.3.23
Evening meal with jasmine rice. Just finished eating. Very full and uncomfortable. Heart burn and reflux after an hour.
[6728452C-6F25-4FB6-BC0F-0F102BC45D23.jpeg][EB62C3A7-C26A-4400-ACA1-99B3FED3A2C6.jpeg] -
Hey ,
Thank you for sharing all this detailed information! It will take some time to analyze this all, but here are already some important key points:
Vitamin D
To raise vitamin D from your levels, you will need a dose that is higher. The Biotics ADEK-Mulsion is a great supplement, but it won’t bring your vitamin D levels up when they are down since there is only 10 mcg of vitamin D in it. This handout is all about vitamin D and how to raise it. I recommend you check this out! I usually recommend my clients to use dosages of 50 mcg (or 2000 IU) daily for 2-3 months, then retest and adjust the dosage if this is necessary.A low vitamin D level can contribute to low calcium levels and needs to be addressed.
Vitamin D is very important to the immune system. It regulates about 5% of your genes which is a lot. And a lot of those genes are involved with the immune system and regulating inflammation!
It does however require magnesium to be activated.
Magnesium
When you still experience constipation, my preference goes for magnesium citrate or a mix that contains a good amount of magnesium citrate. Because magnesium is not particularly tasteful, most liquid forms contain some form of sweetness (fructose/xylitol or natural flavours). If liquid magnesium is something you like to try because it is easier for your stomach you could make it yourself by mixing some magnesium powder in water or some kind of liquid with more flavour.Zinc
Personally, I would leave out the zinc supplements for a few days and see if some symptoms you are experiencing get less. Let us know the results! I didn’t take a look at your medicines yet, but perhaps some zinc is hidden in there. If these supplements are all supplements you take, it makes me wonder if there aren’t other zinc sources in your environment (I mentioned this earlier, but other examples of zinc compounds are zinc oxide and zinc sulfide.Zinc oxide is used to make various products including make-up and prescription drugs. Checking the ingredients of your drugs could be a good idea. Zinc sulfide can be found in x-ray equipment and different kinds of paints. I don’t know if you work with paint, but I am just mentioning it.
Free T3
As long as you are low in iron, a low T3 is not a weird outcome since iron is needed for T3 production. Once iron levels are restored, I would recheck free T3.Iron, oxygen and why an iron deficiency can have a lot of impacts.
As I mentioned earlier, 70% of your iron is used to build hemoglobin for red blood cells.No hemoglobin = no oxygen transport
No oxygen transport means your altering your cell’s metabolism. The powerhouses of your cell (the mitochondria) are using a lot of oxygen to produce energy. Actually, they are a huge reason why we need to breathe.
With anemia, not all cells are getting oxygen optimally. This in theory causes mitochondrial dysfunction because they need oxygen. It are the mitochondria that play a huge role in programmed cell death.
I know we talked a lot about iron. I just wanted to stress how important iron is for healing. Optimizing red blood cell function is a benefit to all cells in your body.
Calcium
Calcium is found in lots of foods. Green vegetables, seeds, lentils, beans, almonds, amaranth, GMO-free organic soybeans… Lots of options. I usually recommend my clients that are low on vitamin D to choose calcium-rich foods while optimizing for vitamin D first. Retest calcium with vitamin D 2-3 months later.The new labs
These labs look great! Proteins are negative in the urine. Do you know if it was measured with a urine dip stick or a quantitive determination of micro-albumin? Micro-albumin is a very small protein and is more indicative for small damage on the kidney.I think these are the most important basics to focus on. I will respond in more detail later.
-
Hi Daniel,
Sorry I’ve been incognito today.
Urine Test
Regarding the urine test, I’m not sure how they tested it after I provided the sample. I did notice, my urine is acidic which means by body is bound to be in acidiosis (is this such as word?).I do have microscopic blood in my urine which has been there for many years and being monitored. It isn’t causing any issues that I notice. Having said this, I’m meeting the urologist tomorrow for a follow up appointment to discuss all this test and ultrasound scan.
Zinc
Sure, I’ll stop for now. -
I’ll continue to update in stages Daniel.
On a separate note, I’ve been refluxing during the night alot. My throat is hurting and worried about stomach.
I don’t know if it’s the iberogast (contains alcohol), the Magnesium chloride with fulvic acid and scorbic acid which it contains or the food which was turnips, pak choi, Courgettes, chicken thigh with jasmine rice. Could be do many factors.
-
Daniel hello,
Would you be able to recommend liquid form of vitamin D?
B complex which you recommend in liquid ideal or other forms.
Not tried these.
B12 Energy Plus – 30 Patches – PatchMD | Amrita NutritionI’ve received the magnesium citrate and it’s irritating the stomach lining.
Calcium recommendation as well please.
I’ve tried these in the past, but hasn’t helped.
MultiVitamin Plus – 30 Patches – PatchMD | Amrita Nutrition -
With vitamin D I usually recommend my clients to use the liquid vitamin D/K2 from Thorne.
To give you better advice on the B supplements, could you tell me which supplement you used?
With calcium, I personally would focus on foods, but if that is tricky I often recommend calcium chelates like calcium malate. In your specific case, I wouldn’t recommend avoiding calcium citrate.
Calcium supplements can contribute to constipation, so go slow and easy there.
Calcium malate from design for health or Dicalcium Malate from Thorne is 2 excellent choices. I wouldn’t consume more than 500-600 mg of calcium from supplements though.
For some reason, I can’t find the ingredient list of the B12 product you mentioned. Methylcobalamin and Adenosylcobalamin are often the ingredients I like to see in a supplement. Perhaps you can share with me what the label says?
-
Hi Daniel,
B Complex
I currently use this liquid form B complex.https://www.metabolics.com/b-complex-liquid.html
If I need to go on a higher dosage than this but still easy in the stomach, it would be good.
Calcium
I have pak choi, the only greens on a daily basis. I can’t tolerate kale and Spinach is high in histamine.I was having tofu as it contains alot of calcium, but again histamine liberators.
I’ve tried almond milk in the recent past, but reacted badly due to not realising it’s high in histamine. I use to.be able to tolerate before as it was the only milk I had when my digestive issues started 6 years ago.
Vitamin D
I normally take it away from food in the morning or can I take it with as well?Magnesium
I’ve just bought Epsom salts from Amazon which is Magnesium sulphate. Is this OK?I also had Magnesium Chloride from some time ago in spray form.
Can I use both?
-
Hey ,
I would stay with this B complex. With my clients, I would recommend to ad a liquid folate product so you can finetune serum levels. For example Super Liquid Folate from Designs for Health. It also contains a little bit of vitamin B12.
Vitamin D is fat-soluble and gets even better absorbed with food. I would definitely recommend combining all fat-soluble vitamins with foods that contain a little bit of fat.
Epsom salts can be used as a source of magnesium. I personally don’t recommend them often because of 2 reasons:
• If you like to use Epsom salt in baths, you need to do this consistently. I find that most of my clients don’t stay consistent with this method.
• Magnesium Sulphate is also used as a supplement. It has a more laxative effect and we aren’t exactly sure how well magnesium sulphate is absorbed in the gut.A well-absorbable alternative for magnesium is magnesium glycinate. Did you try this form of magnesium?
If you are low on calcium and vitamin D, raising vitamin D could impact calcium absorption already a lot raising your serum levels. If you like to use supplements temporarily (since vitamin D isn’t raised in a few days), you could add a supplement, and see how it makes you feel.
Just go low and slow since calcium can cause constipation.
I hope these tips help you!
-
Hi Daniel,
Super liquid Folate by designs for health isn’t available here. Any other recommendations?
Also, did you want to double the dosage of folate as metbolics have 400mcg?
-
Sorry, I forgot to mention! I would start with half a dose extra and see how you feel first!
-
hello. Amrita or Natural dispensary don’t do super liquid Folate. If I go down the capsulegel route, which one shall I try?
-
Hi B. and Daniel,
Just for my peace of mind, I wanted to check with you, I don’t have Hashimotos or Graves. Am I correct based on the attached full thyroid panel results.
Also, is my selenium OK?
Log in to reply.
