I have lurked and read on this board for years. My husband is finally at a point of aggressively treating his PN.

He is 41, about 50 lbs. overweight, supposedly not diabetic, though I am fairly certain he is at least prediabetic. He has been dealing with his PN for over 10 years. Mostly his feet. He has high triglycerides.

He treats with low dose Percocet, which we would like to stop.

I am getting ready to tell his doctor what labs I want done...I am tired of their way...now it's my turn to try to be an advocate for his health. he has been a big soda drinker, which he has stopped in the last few weeks.

What labs would you suggest ordering. I am definitely doing B-12 and Vit. D. I want to get a closer look at his blood glucose issues? What else do I want for a baseline before I figure out a supplement regimen?

Any help and input is appreciated!

Thanks!
Carrie

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

High triglycerides should be attacked first off, with fish oil, or krill oil. Get those down. They thicken the blood and impair circulation in the hands and feet. Fish oil will also help with inflammation if there is any.

At least 3 fish oil a day, or two Krill oil to start.

High triglycerides imply high sugar or carb intake. So watching carb intake may help as well.

It would be useful to have baseline of B12 and Vit D. Also A1C level and fasting morning glucose. You could also have other nutrients measured, B1, B6, vit E, etc. We just had a poster here with low E...who is now improving. Vit E is in nuts and some veggies, and people who do not eat whole foods, may get low in it. High sugar and carb diets deplete B1.

If he is having muscle problems, twitching, cramps, I'd consider magnesium supplements too. Magnesium testing is not very reliable unless one is really really low or very very high. The mid -
"normal" range does not reveal what the body needs.
So using a chelate or SlowMag at 1/2 the RDA level for magnesium which for males is about 400mg a day elemental, may be helpful too.

People who consume alot of sugar will have LOWS as it crashes. These are bad for nerves, and usually not considered. Doctors typically only look at highs.

Great advice from Mrs. D as usual. Sugar levels and diet have to be watched. The sugar/carbs do affect the triglycerides, etc. I found that out. Mine are good now with my good diet. Before stopping sugar and bad carbs, my levels would not budge. Sugar is so bad for every part of the body and nerves for sure.

A1C, B12, Vit.D testing are all important. After eating foods that are nutritious foods for a while and taking the supplements needed, he can retest and see good results.

So many things we can do without meds.