Copper is Low!
 

I spoke to my new neuro yesterday and found out my copper is low. The only info I know of that could make someone be low in copper is malabsorption.
I went gluten free 4 months ago when this SMF attacked me full force and have been ever since. I'm waiting to see if things improve.

Anyway,
My only abnormal blood results are:

high monocytes in CSF
high lymphocytes in CSF
mean cell volume high
low ferritin
low myoglubin
low copper
elevated B-6 (do not eat fortified food or take that supp)

Any of that mean anything to you experienced PNers?
The doc isn't convinced the copper is causing my PN and autonomic problems, but then, he is the one who decided to check it when he looked at my other results..... so ???? He said it would be safe to take 2mg a day

Do you take a PPI for stomach issues, like reflux? They are known to cause problems with copper absorption.

On the other hand, if your autonomic issues include GI problems, you may have gastroparesis, which typically includes absorption problems as well.

Your are low in iron stores as well, so you seem to have an absorption problem.

Copper deficiency can certainly cause PN...but you need to know why your copper is low.

No, I don't take that stuff.
My autonomic problems are dizziness, vision problems, low blood pressure, body temp control, confusion, sweating... things of that nature.
What are the GI problems associated? I don't think I have problems with that.

Low copper occurs in MS too. Copper is used by the body to keep the discs healthy, so is needed to keep your spine mobile and in good working order.

High cells in CSF is found in MS.
Other conditions with elevated white cells in CSF might be:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003428.htm

high MCV suggests you have low B12 --it may not be real low yet, but it is low enough to supplement and this value elevated may precede much lower numbers. Best to catch it now.

I think you should next get MRI of the brain and upper spine if you have not already.

Some people just have low acid in the stomach... usually this happens to aging people. It is called achlorhyria. Low acid results in poor absorption of B12, folate, iron, zinc, magnesium, calicum, and some trace metals with ++ cations.

When I was diagnosed, I was immediately referred to a GI doc and I didn't think I had GI problems. Turned out I did, and they are worse now. I have also gone gluten free. I had my genome run and I am 3 times more likely to have Celiac Disease. I was told my antibodies for that are negative, but, given my genetic risk profile, I went gluten free.

GI issues for me are early saiety, post prandial hypotension, (leaving me sick after I eat) heartburn bloating, burping, swallowing issues and constipation.

Sounds like gastroparesis from your AAG...have you had an empty study done to check your GI motility?

Thanks Mrs. D
I did have complete spinal MRI and brain. Everything was normal except:
C spine disc herniations at c5-6 and c6-7, straightening of the normal lordosis.

L spine disc desiccation at L-4-5 and L5-S1 (Mild left neural foramina narrowing) L-4-5 concentric disc bulge and bilateral facet hypertrophy and annular fissure. Straightening of the normal lordosis.

NY Columbia spine surgeon and other neurologists told me that my neck problems, pain, scalene+ trap spasms, shoulder pain, all kinds of gnawing electrical activity, twitches, elbow and arm pain..... are not due to these discs. They say that it has to due with autoimmune process/ neuropathy disorder-idiopathic SFN, but have no answers. The spine surgeon said to keep going to docs till I get one that wants to figure this out.

From what I read, I have so many of the symptoms of herniated discs in addition of course to all of the neuropathy. My local upstate orthopedist thinks I should give it more time. He says if the pain in my arms, shoulders, and neck is due to the discs it could take 18 months. From what I was told at first that it was 6-8 weeks.

Treatment with copper should be done with doctor's supervision.

Typically 2mg a day is what is suggested.
Treating with copper may affect zinc levels. So having a zinc/copper ratio done is advised. I would not supplement by yourself with this mineral... get the doctor to supervise you.

This is a good monograph on copper... please read it carefully.

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/copper/

Grains of salt
 

Hello Healthgirl, I read one of those You-Tube or video ads that said anyone with PN should be on Zinc. So I get to the store and buy some. Had Neuro visit about 2 weeks later and she asked how long I had been taking the Zinc. I said 2 weeks and she told me to stop it. Too much zinc can drive down your Copper. I don't know symptoms of low Copper and it may just be essential for healing but the intent of this reply is to warn about the abundance of info out there that desperate people(me) have acesss to. I will have to give an extra vial of blood at my next Endo visit to run a Copper test as there was not enough sample on last visit. As far as I can recall, I cannot remember any conflicting info from Neurotalk. Some other adjectives, yes, but not conflicting. Good Luck, Ken in Texas.

common deficiencies in young women:
 

This is an interesting article:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25401503

This is really interesting about copper. I can't believe after being through so many doctors for the past 5 months no one thought to look for this until this new doc. The info is out there. I guess it's just too new.

Get your copper checked!

I've only been taking the 2mg that my dr. told me to take for about 18 days, and I don't have any good news yet. I feel like there is some hope though.

http://www.docguide.com/copper-defic...-presented-ens

Absorption of copper may be blocked by common drugs used to treat heartburn. Because the use of these is increasing daily as formerly RX drugs go OTC... we may see the "rare" copper deficiency become more common. A telltale sign of this deficiency is anemia that does not respond to iron alone.