[Megan]

I am wondering how many of the idiopathic PN people here had toxic substances tests done!

My Neuro didn't suggest one at all which is surprising seeing that toxicity is one of the frequently mentioned things that can cause PN. However my Chiropractor suggested having a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis done. I received the results the other day and it is a fascinating document.

Of the Toxic elements tested, only my mercury level was elevated and then not in the toxic zone. However in my Nutrient Element analysis my copper level was way too high and sodium way too low, with a lot of other imbalances in between. The interesting thing they said about having very low sodium levels is that it produces or contributes to hypochlorhydria (a lack of gastric acids in the stomach) which of course in turn diminishes effective absorption of many food nutrients.

Hypochlorhydria also occurs when people take proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium or Omeprazole etc. which of course can contribute to Vit B12 deficiency.

[MelodyL]

Wow, I never heard of a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. Alan (way back before he had the spinal tap that showed protein in his spinal fluid), Alan saw my primary care physician.

My doctor took Alan on as a patient. This was Alan was on the Fentanyl Patch and wanted to detox. He needed a primary care physician and was seeing Dr. Theirl at the time.

I asked the doctor "Shouldn't someone have done a Heavy Metal Test on Alan to see if that's why he has neuropathy?" and the doctor said "you mean, no one ever ordered this test before?" and we said no.

So the doctor started booming orders at the nurse to give Alan a heavy metal tox test. The nurse meekly said "we don't have any of those in this office and he shouted "Then get one".

So the following week, Alan took the test. I wish I could remember how it was done. They did something with Alan's urine, that much I know. Everything came out negative.

I wish I had known about the hair tissue thing way back then. But as I said, he had the spinal tap and they found protein, so he is now on IVIG, which has improved his balance but not the pain.

So we improvise with sponges, and massage.

Melody

[amit]

Very interesting. I assume that all of us have some level of mercury becouse of our teeth condition....But the other things are very interesting. Where and how this test is done? how can one send a hair sample to this test? what is the cost?
Many thanks

[Megan]

Hi Rina,

I only have the Australian contact email and website but you could shoot an email off and tell them where you live and they will advise as to where the best laboratory is for your country/location.

The price was AUD$120 (for practitioner referral) & AUD$140 (self referral).

Their email address is: lab@interclinical.com.au
and their website is: www.interclinical.com.au

[Roxie2007]

HI Megan! Thanks for this info. I'll ask my dr. about it when I go in next time. I don't think he's had any of that type of testing done on me.....but will surely find out.

[mrsD]

There is a poster on our vitamin forum: West1 who had this done, and
is having chelation.
example:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...?t=5569&page=2
post #20 and further on
The tests are only as accurate as the lab doing them. Good labs give good results. I have no idea what is available in Australia.

But then interpreting the test results is also important.
For example a high copper excretion rate into hair, would make me wonder what the blood levels are and what the ZINC levels are. Zinc and copper balance each other and I would wonder if you are LOW in zinc?

[Megan]

My Zinc levels have been very low and only about three + months before the hair analysis was done I took some extra Zinc supplementation, which means the Copper levels probably would have been even higher or off the chart if I hadn't had the Zinc supplement.

As it was, the Zinc was just in range but the ratio analysis of the Zinc/Copper was still askew.

The hair analysis reflected very well some things that I already knew were possible, for example one thing - I have an adrenal gland condition where I lose salt and my salt levels on the hair analysis were absymally low. The analysis also revealed other parameters that I had not investigated previously which were interesting and worth following up.