Improving LABS

[merryBe]

most of you know I relapsed and that my labs shot up from the 30's to the 250 range.

here are my latest labs and how I got them there:

Alt 57  (down from 250)

ast 30  (down from 180)

iron 47  (down from 400)

ammonia 22  (down from 125)


method.s...

for alt/ast= discontinued every drug I could including all the helper drugs I was put on during chemo

for inflammation which also causes cell death=included several natural anti-inflammatories, melatonin curcurmin, milk thistle and more

to reduce and maintain low iron=included iron binding lactoferrin nd calcium, reduced red meat and acidic elements when eating heme foods

for ammonia level= lower protein serving sizes and increased fiber in diet

So far so good!!!   Only thing still needs improving is my platelet level, still low at 109, but other than that,
there are ways to improve things.

My thanks to all the forum members who contributed to my understanding of how to achieve better liver health.
It is wonderful to get this news today!!

I've a lot to be Merry for!!

mb

[merryBe]

try this

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-294-QUERCETIN.aspx?activeIngredientId=294&activeIngredientName=QUERCETIN&source=2

then try this;
http://www.supplementfacts.com/BioflavonoidsBookS8.htm


I think it's valid to try as many antioxidants as can safely be administered.
Where we differ, is one has to look objectively at Mayo info, web MD, and pubmed research because there are contraindictions for some bioflavoids, chiefly those that have drug interactions and those that help iron to absorb.

Like I said, I'm using several antiinflammatory agents now, but I keep my vit C and acidic intake separate from all else in an effort to not add iron while I'm trying to avoid oxidative stress.

think of it this way...the main object of antiinflammatory agents is to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress right? Yes if some of the antiinflammatory agents are acidic, they lay down more iron, which increases oxidative stress and ergo this is counter intuitive. On the one hand, some studies show that inflammation is reduced, yet this is chiefly due to O-methalation changes, but then, more iron long term will cancel that out...the more iron molecules laid down, the worse the oxidation becomes. Ergo my reasoning is to find agents that reduce inflammation without the iron overload backlash....and citrus oils don't fir that bill.

Plus ephedra?  who on earth would want to add that as a liver patient?
Depession is a major issue with hcv, and ephedrine is speed which can massively effect that....in a not so good way.

Bali:
you might want to add a calcium with D supplement as well as the lactoferrin...calcium binds iron, it's cheaper than the lacto even. Just be sure and eat fiber or take a fiber tab...as calcium can slow down bowels.
Also, don't eat vinegar, oranges or tomatoes with your protein meals, eat them separately, or in salads. Have a salad meal sometimes. I cut meat down to once a day and not much. I wouldn't use caffienated tea, the alkaloids will mess up the chemistry and increase your metabolism.

[nygirl7]

believe me, I had about 12 theories....and yes...they don't diagnose...."

Merrygirl I have to say when it comes to theories you are the QUEEN!  :)  

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier so I could say something - it's good to see that in the midst of all of your problems (which just about are including everything known to man now I don't know HOW you deal with it all!!!) that you are having good results!  Just goes to show when you stop and think.....voila.......there you go, success!!!!!!!!!!

[merryBe]

yes, I thought of that too, the melatonin....read up on it....believe me, I had about 12 theories....and yes...they don't diagnose....or when they do it's absurd....like my GP thought it was vertigo causing everything...yeah right....

it is seizures...trembing quivering uncontrolably...feels like someone loaded me up with mexican jumping beans...flesh all in uncontrolable tick mode..

thing is, it was sudden onset, after a PT session....made me think adrenals, or growth on spine, thyroid, parathyroid, hypothalamus etc etc//

rules out MEL. doen't seem to change things...but have lowered back to 1 mg to be on the safe side.

parathyroid ok calcium level is 10.
thyroid is right on the dot.
haven't done a cortisol test yet but will soon....no doc wants to...they won't do ANYTHING anymore that isn't their specialty...so now I've go to go to the endo to get that checked...sheesh.

I suspect the Rx's because all 3 are listed as causing tremors during withdrawal from long use.  the benzo's especially (ativan) but AMBIEN is also a benzo cousin, and the remeron is a tetracyclic....they all mess up the GABA and other receptors.

Somewhere I read you actually lose the receptors over time, not just the chemicals...that's because we are flooding out brains with the helper chemicals...so the brain figures it doesn't need as many receptors...then you withdraw them and suddenly everything is out of whack...the brain forgot how much dopamine, seretonin, Gaba norephinephrine etc to make.

the thing is, staying on those drugs can ALSO CAUSE permanent seizures.
ost literature says it takes 7 to 10 years to start having seizures....
BUT for those of us taking 3 drugs, not one, that time could be much shorter...
ergo I was anxious to get off these things before they permanently messed with me...

plus having a compromised liver means it all could happen sooner due to clearance issues.
I'm wary of all the citrus bioflavoid type solutions only because again, clearance is the issue. Also citrus products do increase iron absorption.
I only use decaffienated green tea, and not everyday. I use more on days where we have heme meals. Example beef stew, corned beef. etc...that's the time to take the lactoferrin or grren tea, or calcium...or all 3 even.

plus, looking at the drop in alts I got should be proof that this crud is not good for us.
I got 90% of the drop before adding the bulk of naturals to my tx, so that tells the tale that the pharmceuticals are dangerous..I'd take them again to get through treatment, but getting off them after tx is equally important..IMHO.

[mikesimon]

That's all very interesting.
Mike

[CoWriter]

"ended up with sudden onset essential body wide tremors"
-----------------
Tremors remind me of seizures....as in the kind that can be caused by melatonin.


"The Mayo Clinic has found that melatonin may increase the risk of seizure or cause confusion in some users."

http://www.ehow.com/how_4868735_use-melatonin-sleep-better.html


"at first the docs thought this was vertigo, then parkinsons, but now they are beginning to agree with me that it is a withdrawal response to discontinuing so many mind altering drugs"
------------------
That's the problem with your doctors.  They always end up agreeing with whatever you say....LOL


"tachacardia (heart palpataions), tremors, headaches etcetc etc."
------------------
Melatonin is a powerful hormone....as powerful as steroids....which means that it can also affect glucose/insulin levels, thyroid and growth hormone.

From the NIH......

"low doses of melatonin have reduced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare provider, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Hormonal effects are reported, including decreases or increases in levels of luteinizing hormone, progesterone, estradiol, thyroid hormone (T4 and T3), growth hormone"

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-melatonin.html


"the tremors were so bad I only slept 2 hours a night for about 10 weeks"
----------------
Bad tremors at night.....and when do you take the melatonin?  At night.


"usually these settle down in a few months"
----------------
Wait, don't tell me!  I know the answer to this one!

Because in a few months you will have developed resistance to the melatonin?

I missed you.  You keep me sharp.

Co

[Lindaz]

I hope everything goes well for you MB and your bloods are all in the healthy range.......take care xx