Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Another blood lab question for Tara

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Another blood lab question for Tara

    None of my docs can seem to answer this, but nutrition isn't their thing so I was hoping you might know?

    In a recent blood test, my alpha-1 globulins, beta globulins and gamma globulins were all low. This was a followup test to check a general low globulin level the month before. The albumin levels were normal on all tests. They ran more tests to look for an m-spike, but didn't find one. Then the gammas all came back normal on the next test.

    Could this still indicate a nutritional deficiency of some kind or fluctuations in intake? The docs all seem to think not, but the blood specialist said maybe not enough fruits and veggies. I can't seem to find any solid info online.
    It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

    #2
    Originally posted by lusciousleaves View Post
    None of my docs can seem to answer this, but nutrition isn't their thing so I was hoping you might know?

    In a recent blood test, my alpha-1 globulins, beta globulins and gamma globulins were all low. This was a followup test to check a general low globulin level the month before. The albumin levels were normal on all tests. They ran more tests to look for an m-spike, but didn't find one. Then the gammas all came back normal on the next test.

    Could this still indicate a nutritional deficiency of some kind or fluctuations in intake? The docs all seem to think not, but the blood specialist said maybe not enough fruits and veggies. I can't seem to find any solid info online.
    Could this still indicate a nutritional deficiency of some kind or fluctuations in intake?

    That would be impossible to pinpoint; that it is a result of nutritional deficiencies.....

    caveot... You have to eat protein, digest it, absorb it and produce the "by-products" globulins but their fluctuation is associated with so many other situations: infection, auto-immune conditions, medications and liver function....

    IMO the statement your not getting enough fruits and veggies is frankly lame. Sorry, I just don't get that statement?
    (except everyone needs more veggies and a little fruit)

    Are you getting beta-interferon injections?
    So then they are measuring your levels....
    NutritionTara
    Eat better, feel better and be richer for it.

    Comment


      #3
      Thank you, Tara. I'm not taking anything, as I'm still in limbo. They found my liver enzymes were elevated when I visited the ER for severe diaphragm spasms. Ran all kinds of GI tests, nothing showed up. Liver looks normal on MRI, no gallstones, etc.

      On followup, the liver enzymes were normal again, but the globulins were low. Then they did an SPEP and found the immunoglobulins were low along with the alpha 1 fraction and the beta fraction. I noticed these also carry some dietary fats, and my cholesterol counts are almost always around 100 or less total. I have long standing gall bladder inflammation, and they removed it last spring. So I was thinking maybe a fat absorption problem? I don't know, as it's all getting deeper than the information I can find. I felt her reason was a little lame, too.

      My anion gap often shows up normal, too. I thought it all more points toward a possible blood disorder, but if there is anything nutritionally going on in the meantime I could try, I'm game.

      Is this something a dietician could help with? Or is it getting too specialized? I guess that's my question.
      It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

      Comment


        #4
        Oops, sorry. I'm repeating myself. Was in a hurry. :-P I know they were looking for other signs of the "omas," but my quantitative immunoglobs came back normal on the last test, so the pursuit was dropped. This makes me wonder if it's dietary.
        It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

        Comment


          #5
          Sheesh, I found another mistake in my post. Anion gap shows up low - from 4 to the lower end of normal, like 8 or so, but never higher than that. With that and the low immunos, plus the neuro stuff, I can see why GP wanted me to see a hematologist. But she's sending me back to GP after the quantitative immunos came back normal on retest.

          I guess it's a watch and wait again. Just wondered if there might be something I can do in the meantime to try and get those levels up. I do often feel better (less brain fog) the day after taking fish oils at night. Not sure what else to think. They say my protein intake is good or the albumin would be low, too.
          It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

          Comment


            #6
            I guess I can forget about the fat absorption thing, too. My blood lipid profiles came back perfectly normal. In fact, higher than they've ever been, but still well within the normal range.
            It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

            Comment


              #7
              I know you are asking your questions of Tara because of her dietary expertise. I want to throw something in here.
              I see that you feel a difference when you take 'fish oil' at night before bed. What dosages are you taking ? Do you realize that 20 grams daily is recommended by Dr Jelinek.
              If you take 1 standard capsule daily, that's about 1 gram, typically. So adjust accordingly, gradually and see how much of a difference you feel. Good luck

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by lusciousleaves View Post
                Thank you, Tara. I'm not taking anything, as I'm still in limbo. They found my liver enzymes were elevated when I visited the ER for severe diaphragm spasms. Ran all kinds of GI tests, nothing showed up. Liver looks normal on MRI, no gallstones, etc.

                On followup, the liver enzymes were normal again, but the globulins were low. Then they did an SPEP and found the immunoglobulins were low along with the alpha 1 fraction and the beta fraction. I noticed these also carry some dietary fats, and my cholesterol counts are almost always around 100 or less total. I have long standing gall bladder inflammation, and they removed it last spring. So I was thinking maybe a fat absorption problem? I don't know, as it's all getting deeper than the information I can find. I felt her reason was a little lame, too.

                My anion gap often shows up normal, too. I thought it all more points toward a possible blood disorder, but if there is anything nutritionally going on in the meantime I could try, I'm game.

                Is this something a dietician could help with? Or is it getting too specialized? I guess that's my question.
                I highlighted that statement!!!
                Ok, IMO - taking out the gallbladder and not recommending replacing your diet with bile salts is malpractice.
                Strong statement, I know....

                Remember gang its not only what you eat but what you digest and absorb!

                Removed Gallbladder

                The pH of bile coming from the GB is alkalin. The pH of bile coming from the liver is acidic. Completely different.

                Bile is like soap, it emulsifies fats, breaks em up....
                When you have fat in a meal it signals the GB to release bile and break up the dietary fats so they can be absorbed.

                Without a GB, the liver is dripping acidic bile all the time.

                You now have to supplement bile salts with meals containing fats. PERIOD!
                I use Standard Process* -cholacol, you probably can get bile salts at the health food store.
                Take it before meals......


                I clean up GBs all the time.
                In fact that is where I start.

                Many colleagues start with cleansing the liver. Wrong.
                You have to open the GB so the liver can freely give its "garbage" to the GB to be released into the intestines and pooped out, (basically)


                I've had dozens and dozens of elevated liver enzyme patients and 80% can be reduced by just working on the GB.

                I've saved hundreds of GBs....

                *disclaimer: I have no monetary connection with Standard Process.
                NutritionTara
                Eat better, feel better and be richer for it.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Wow. I've never heard there was a pH change in bile between the gall bladder and the liver. Would the higher cholesterol levels indicate I'm absorbing fats better than before they took it out? I have a feeling it wasn't functioning for many, many years. It was chronically inflamed and scarred down to my liver when the surgeon went to remove it.

                  I will definitely check out the bile salts.

                  Jerry, I'm taking 1200 mg right now of fish oils. They're horse pills. I can't imagine taking 10 or more of these a day.
                  It's not fatigue. It's a Superwoman hangover.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    yea, the liver makes the bile and the GB holds and concentrates it. Then releases bile on Q.

                    Plus the Liver will drip bile all the time...which is wrong as well.

                    Just think about it....to emulsify fats the pH needs to be alkilne...like soap

                    and No, higher cholesterol levels indicate things are worse.

                    I lowered many cholesterol levels in the 90s before statin drugs by improving GB/ liver function.
                    NutritionTara
                    Eat better, feel better and be richer for it.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Tara

                      You were talking about improving the gallbladder functions. What do you do to do that?

                      Sara

                      Comment

                      Working...
                      X