My Pain Management Dr. is doing a study because he is finding over and over and over that his chronic pain patients have vitamin deficiencies.

I just had routine blood work done, and on a whim he added the vitamin levels. My B6 level was UNDETECTABLE. Which is really not good. He actually called me at home at 6:30 at night when he got the results.

Needless to say I'm starting on a supplement, but he also said that it COULD possibly improve my symptoms once the levels get settled. Could get worse first () but maybe some improvement after.

But the big takeaway is, its worth asking to have your vitamin levels checked. Its a simple blood test.
Rebecca

I get yearly blood checks because of the medication! It's not a luxury.

I take a simple 100% of almost everything (70% iron) multivitamin, and calcium and vitamin D3; all of the vitamins are there, and have been doing that since I was long term on Neurontin. Anti-seizure meds are notorious for draining you of certain vitamins (especially B vitamins). Google it sometime! Very useful info!

My bloodwork always comes back fine (in that sense), so...

I'm glad they discovered it when they did!

Hi Becca. My dr found out through routine bloodwork that my Vitamin D level was very low. About a 9 when it should be about a 30-50. Not sure of the exact numbers right now. My memory is not too good these days. I started taking vitamin d with calicium (for my osteopnia (bone thinning) in my hips and after about a year my vit d level is now up to about a 48! My dr told me that I had to get my vit d leve up before my calcium supplements would take full effect in trying to prevent any more bone thinning. I get bloodwork done every year too because of my rsd and other health issues. Thanks for the great post and reminder to me that I am due for bloodwork and need to call my dr soon. Take care.

This may be of interest: About Morley Robbins