I don't believe that carnitine, or lipoic acid will show up on testing.
(unless carnitine levels are ordered, which they are not typically).

B12 will show false elevations, so stopping that for 3 or more days is advised. You should have some stored by now, and not suffer this hiatus.

Magnesium levels have a large middle area of "normal", but I would still take that to see if you are edging into "high" with your supplements. That would be useful to know. So if you want that result, keep taking what you are taking for magnesium.

B-complex will read on blood testing. So stopping that would be a good idea for several days. B6 is stored for several days and not all excreted quickly. The benfotiamine is also stored, but it might be in tissues and not the blood.

What tests are you planning on having? Iodine of course could affect the thyroid panel in some way.
Typically high vit C should be avoided, as it can affect some blood work results. I'd stop that for at least 3 days.

You will want a renal panel, to check your kidneys. That is important.

Oh, I hope this post came earlier before my annual physical exam. I should have stopped the Vit C. I am taking Vit C at 500mg a day.

However, since yesterday, I am taking 1000mg a day because I developed.
cancker sores

Thank you Mrs.D. Everyday, there is always something new that I learn from this forum.

Here is a link with all the potential problems...of high dose Vit C and tests/drugs.

http://www.mountainmistbotanicals.co...terference.htm

500mg might not be high enough... I don't know where the cut off is for it. The glucose testing is the most sensitive I believe.

This link clarifies Vit C and B12 interaction as not accurate with follow up testing:
from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...ns/vitaminB12/

This is a new doctor, but their usual tests include a kidney panel, potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc. And a urine test.

The additional tests I will request are for Vitamins B1, B6, B12, D. Also test for uric acid (because of the d-ribose I'm taking).

What else do you recommend?

Sounds like a good beginning. I would assume they do liver panel too?

Some potassium may test high if the sample lyses (bursts) the red cells. This happened to me last time, because they used a butterfly thin needle to get my small vein. Doctors know about this though. It is very common to have factitious highs in potassium. Just warning you on that one.

Yes, I think they do liver as well. It's an annual physical kind of thing.

I'm glad I can keep taking the magnesium, although it hasn't been working all that well lately on the foot cramps. I guess I'll stop the multi-vitamin, too.

Thanks, mrsD!

I would really get your test results to see if you had B12 done.
It is not included in a regular testing panel, and needs to be ordered separately. Then as if that isn't enough, doctors don't always interpret the results correctly. You should be at 400 or above. So you need to press for the numerical results.

Continuing to drink with PN is problematic. I would try to stop.
here is a link to a discussion where alcohol is discussed:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread104096.html
I would start at 300mg of Benfotiamine a day. And since you
are skirting that diabetes label, you might improve with 100mg of Lipoic acid Stabilized daily too. (Doctor's Best for both of these, and available on Amazon now.)

There is some evidence that Biotin helps with blood sugar as well. 5mg a day at a different time from the lipoic is inexpensive and worth trying. Puritan's Pride has this at very reasonable prices.

Question: The label on my Doctor's Best Benfotiamine says to take it with or without food. Which is correct?

Thanks!

It is well absorbed either way.

Mrs. D....
I have been taking Doctors Best Benfotiamine 150mg's dailly (3 a day)

Also, been taking Source Naturals Methylcobalamin Vit B-12 1mg (2 a day

as well as Doctor's Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid (1 a day) (like you, more than 1 makes me a bit too anxious).

I take 3,000 IU's Vit. D3 daily (per doctor)

I felt my PN; especially the burning feet and ankles was a little less and had more energy than previously. (I have been on all the above for at least 5 months.)

The past few weeks have noticed my legs and groin have developed, at times, an ache, which is hard to describe. I think it might be muscle pain, not sure. This is making my walking more difficult. This is not every day; but a few times a week. There are times it improves during the day. This pain is something new and different, but is quite painful and am starting to worry my ability to walk is being compromised. I do use a cane for balance when going out. In the house, do not use the can as much because of short distances.

I do take meds daily for Edema of feet and legs; which seem to keep the swelling pretty much under control. Nothing has changed in this area so I do not think this has anything to do with the aching legs and groin.

Really would appreciate your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Gerry