Archer--
 

--a serum and urine electrophoresis is the immunoglobulin test; it should also be done with an enumeration of IgA, IgG, and IgM and a test for cryoglobulins.

@ Archer.... have you tried soaking your feet in epsom salts --with warm (not hot) water?

This can open up the circulation faster than oral supplements for some people. When the circulation is poor, blood is not getting to the feet, and whatever supplement you are using is just not
getting in. Once you "get ahead" of the problem, it will become easier. You may be able to drop the soaks, as the magnesium does it job orally more efficiently.

I found an interesting PDF the other day on epsom salts, --more details on how to do them:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post864114-32.html

Dear Mrs. D,
I am sorry if my question may not be related to neuropathy. But I dont know where else to pose this question.

As you may know I dont have my thyroid gland anymore. I was told that if one has had a total thyroidectomy, the dosage of the Synthroid should be at least at the minimum of .100mcg. However, in my case, when I have .100mcg, my TSH would be so low. In fact, my doctor has been trying to find the right dosage for me. Currently I am on .75mcg for 6 days and .35mcg. for 1 day. My test for thyroid antibodies is normal. I am wondering why my body requires only a low dosage of thyroid hormone when I dont have my gland. Could there be any other issue/s that my doctor might have missed that may have effect on my neuropathy?

Thank you so much for your patience.

There can be thyroid tissue in other parts of the body.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15744160

and this:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3197173/

This tissue could be active and responding to pituitary signals.

Supplements stressing kidney and liver?
 

I believe that our nerves need as much help as possible from the supplements. I am taking a lot of supplements, based on the lists I found on this thread. But, I am concerned about the effects of these supplements to our kidney and liver.

What is your advise to protect our liver and kidney? Has there been any one who posted about stressing kidney or liver?

Thank you very much.

The only supplement I believe you need to watch is magnesium.
Magnesium does NOT cause kidney problems but if you have those already, the elimination will be slowed for magnesium.

CoQ-10 has been suggested for kidney failure in fact.

Lipoic acid has been shown to be not a factor for people with reduced kidney functions:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15703366
Appears to be tolerated well.

Carnitine has been suggested for people with low kidney functions because the kidney is where this is made for the body in fact. So carnitine may be low in patients with kidney damage.

The water soluble vitamins, B's and C predominately, are excreted by the kidney but I have not seen any papers showing they cause kidney disease.

Supplements basically do not hold toxicity for the liver, because they are used as such by the body for all the various tasks needed. They are not drugs.

Some minerals in high dose, like chromium, etc may become toxic when misused. Here is a general article about toxicity:
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedic...neral+Toxicity

At the levels we use here on this forum, effects on liver and kidney are basically not a serious issue. Only for those who already have severe kidney damage, do clearance rates become important to attend to.

However, some drugs used to treat PN may be toxic....
Cymbalta for one can damage the liver severely..and there have been deaths from this. This drug is too new to appear on
this list. But Cymbalta now has a warning about liver damage:
http://www.rxlist.com/cymbalta-drug.htm


Alcohol may affect the liver. This is very common.
Here is a listing of drugs that can damage the liver:
http://www.hepcnet.net/drugsandliverdamage.html
Notice Tylenol (acetaminophen) and aspirin are listed.

Vit A (retinol) and in high doses only that has potential.
Also high dose nicotinic acid (Niacin)--which is used for lipid control as a drug.

Anyone who takes lots of supplements should be evaluated at least yearly in a check up with blood chemistries, just to be sure both the liver and kidneys are working properly. This is a good idea for everyone, to have a good chemistry screening with the annual check up regardless of supplement use.

As always, thank you very much for your comprehensive reply. I could not thank you enough for all your valuable feedback. I am grateful.

When you said in one of your posts to check on my kidney - well, I did - and I was told that it was normal. I forgot to have my liver function test. But I had it last May 2011 and was normal. Thank God!

So you are all set to go! ;)

Yes, Mrs. D. In fact, I am taking now all (or should I say) most of your recommended supplements.

I have always been taking Vit E, C, Calcium, Omega 3,6,9 and Multivitamin.

I started last February the VitB12 (methyl) after reading your supplements thread. Then, I started taking the Co-Q10. Last week, I started on Benfotiamine. I could not start the R-Lipoic earlier than I would have wanted because of my thyroid function. But yesterday, I ordered online the R-Lipoic and and Acetyl L-Carnitine.

I am also soaking my feet in warm water with magnesium at night.

I stopped the Selenium and Glucosamine.

Btw Mrs.D, my wounds from the skin biopsy are healing well. I did not take antibiotic. I just clean the surrounding areas with alcohol.
As of last week, my TSH is still high. So, my Synthroid has been adjusted to .75mcg for 6 days and .35mcg on Sunday. Oh well, I am reporting to you my update. I feel confident knowing you and this community are around to help us in going through this journey of making life more tolerable and feeling hopeful.

Are you sure you are not a doctor?!? :wink:

^^mrsD is better than a doctor. Who ever gets a straight answer from a doctor? :winky: