Lab Test Results

 

On August 29, I had to go to two different labs for tests.  The first was at the doctor’s office for a re-test of auto-immune issues.  The second was out of pocket at Quest Labs.  Supposedly, the doctor’s lab “could not” do the Cytokine panel.  There were only two related tests available on Request a Test, so I chose Interleukin, which I thought was most likely to reveal something.  Again, based on my symptoms, there MUST be something out there that would test SEVERELY outside the reference range!  Even if my prognosis is poor or uncertain, I would feel vindicated because the test would have explained the reactions to benign vitamins and minerals.  It would have proven that it was not psychological or related to aging.  

Three days later, I received a call from the doctor’s office.  There were no hard numbers available, but the test proved that I do NOT have Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.  I interpret that as good news.  Perhaps a positive test may explain sudden collapses midway through workouts, but I do not believe it explains the sensitivity and extreme reactions to supplements.  Something else must be causing that.

I had to wait another week to get the Cytokine/Interleukin test.  The reference range was 0-5 but it is best to be almost undetectable.  My result was 3.74.  A little on the high side but within the range and once again, it does not explain my symptoms.  I am NOT happy about that, and it was a surprise that it came back normal based on my response to the Cytokine supplement. 

At first, I had limited tolerance to the Cytokine pill.  Though it did shut off the sensitivity, the fatigue set in HARD shortly after taking it and extra pills made it worse.  On the day of the lab test, I felt HORRIBLE without this pill but significantly better after EACH dose.  One pill was no longer enough.  I needed at least three to function.  Thus, it was just like any other new treatment.  I would not be able to run an interval at 12-minute pace without it but on the full dose, I was below 8-minute pace.  As expected, the gap diminished with time and today, I am not as dependent on this pill. 

Plan:

I am going to stay on the Cytokine pills even though the test did not reveal a problem in this area.  I don’t care what the test result says.  I feel much better with it than without it.  I will go off the Taurine and hit the detox and Probiotics hard.  The same plan of attack caused SEVERE sensitivity before I started on the Cytokine treatment.  I needed an exact Cal/Mag ratio as well as a ratio of TRS and Fulvic Acid.  If the sensitivity does not flare up again, it’s a good bet that the Cytokine treatment did the trick. 

I only tested ONE Cytokine marker, not the full panel.  I still believe that if I had tested the whole panel, something would have shown up.  A normal TSH does not necessarily mean healthy thyroid function, nor does blood aldosterone guarantee healthy adrenals.  The same may hold true for Cytokines.  Perhaps blood tests are not accurate, and it must be measured in the urine or saliva.  The most important thing is that I am getting better, but I still want to see something WAY out of range.  Not only would it vindicate me, but it would also give me confirmation that my treatment is on the right path especially if a re-test showed movement in the right direction.    

The PCP told me to see a rheumatologist who would test the whole panel but did not give me a name of a practitioner.  Who knows how long that will take?   I’m not going back to the PCP.  If I continue to improve and avoid the flare ups, I see no reason to see the specialist.  Let’s hope that I am finally done.