Quote:
Originally Posted by lesley21
I am 53 years old, I have had blood tests done, B12 is fine, but will ask about glusoce tests for diabetis, I am looking into vitaims to help so see what I can find. the only real test that has been done is the nerve conduction study. and he said from that I had small fibre peripheral neuropathy. thanks for your interest.
Lesley21
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Hi Lesley
I live in Sydney and have small fibre peripheral neuropathy (sensory only). My B12 was tested and was also fine, but I am 99.99% certain that my PN was caused by a B12 deficiency. The numerous neurologists I saw could not find a cause and, apart from one young registrar at the RPA hospital in Sydney, all laughed off my B12 suggestions. Blood tests for B12 are
very unreliable. People with high readings can be deficient and people with low readings can be OK. The best way I know to test for B12 deficiency is to have blood tests done for methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (HCY)
before you start taking any B12 supplements. A high MMA is quite specific for B12 deficiency, and HCY may be high as well unless you have been taking folic acid (many breakfast cereals have folic acid added). Your GP can arrange those tests for you. You may not have B12 deficiency, but if you do it is really important to start on B12 supplements as soon as possible to limit the damage to your nerves. You can get B12 (1000 micrograms cyanocobalamin) made by Nature's Own from Woolies and Coles. A different form of B12 called methylcobalamin is better but is unobtainable at reasonable price in Australia. I get methylcobamamin (5000 micrograms) made by Jarrow from
www.iherb.com. That is the form recommended by many on this forum. Buy only 1 or 2 bottles at a time or else the very helpful Australian customs may not let it in. I also take a few other supplements, and my PN has improved a lot. I can tell you what else I take if you are interested.
You will find lots of useful info on this forum so take some time to read it all.
I hope this helps
Martin