Re: Ketosis question- Theresa

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

My labs (organic acid labs) showed Acetoacetic at a level of (53)

(range is 5 or less) and Hydroxybutyric is (36) and (range is 10 or

less). The interpretation of the levels indicated KETOSIS.

When my doctor went over the labs with me, she said it meant that my

muscles were breaking down. My arms have been really achey (I'm

used to my legs hurting, but not my arms) and asked if it was

related to the ketosis problem, but she wasn't sure.

I did call Mayo yesterday and I can't get my appointment moved up

and the doctor there won't treat me until I become a patient. I was

told that I should have the referring doctor treat me if I was

having a problem before my visit. (Referrring doctor won't treat me

because she doen't want to mess with any tests that the new doctor

may order).

I thought about the test strips. I'll probably do that. From what

I read - I think I should be eating a lot of carbs, but I'm not sure

in this situation if it's going to do much for me, if I don't

correct the carnitine deficiency.

I'm a little confused about you not being about to produce ketones.

Does that mean that you are IN Ketosis also - or the opposite?

Thanks for your help.

Maggie

> > Hi,

> > I'm wondering if anybody else here is having problems with

> ketosis.

> > Because of my carnitine deficiency (I'm not taking supplements)

I

> am

> > experiencing ketosis and was told my muscles are breaking down.

> >

> > I'm wondering how worried I should be about this (panicked, or

just

> > concerned). I will see a doc at Mayo in a couple of weeks - and

my

> > other doctor doesn't want me to start any supplements just in

case

> I

> > need to have some tests run there.

> >

> > I know it can be a dangerous thing depending on how deficient I

am

> > (the numbers seemed high to me).

> >

> > Maggie

[Guest guest]

Maggie, how are you functioning in general? Are you experiencing

other problems besides muscle pain?

People with carnitine deficiency are generally not able to produce

ketones, which is the exact opposite of ketosis. Ketosis is the

burning of fat for energy, in the absence of carbohydrates. People

with carnitine deficiency cannot adequately metabolize fat, and in

the absence of carbohydrates will become both hypoglycemic and

hypoketotic.

This link (http://www.emedicine.com/ped/byname/carnitine-

deficiency.htm) might shed some more light on the subject for you. I

wonder if your carnitine deficiency isn't secondary to another type

of metabolic disorder.

Theresa

> > > Hi,

> > > I'm wondering if anybody else here is having problems with

> > ketosis.

> > > Because of my carnitine deficiency (I'm not taking supplements)

> I

> > am

> > > experiencing ketosis and was told my muscles are breaking down.

> > >

> > > I'm wondering how worried I should be about this (panicked, or

> just

> > > concerned). I will see a doc at Mayo in a couple of weeks -

and

> my

> > > other doctor doesn't want me to start any supplements just in

> case

> > I

> > > need to have some tests run there.

> > >

> > > I know it can be a dangerous thing depending on how deficient I

> am

> > > (the numbers seemed high to me).

> > >

> > > Maggie

[Guest guest]

Theresa,

That's interesting. I'm not sure what to think. The first two

carnitine labs that I had showed a severe deficiency. Another

follow up lab showed I was within normal range. I'm waiting on a

third one which was done at the same time I had the labs indicating

ketosis.

My symptoms - besides muscle pain include severe fatigue, exercise

intolerance, tachyacardia, air hunger and occasional nausea.

(BTW, I couldn't get the link to work - so I'll try a manual search

on the topic). Thanks.

Maggie

> > > > Hi,

> > > > I'm wondering if anybody else here is having problems with

> > > ketosis.

> > > > Because of my carnitine deficiency (I'm not taking

supplements)

> > I

> > > am

> > > > experiencing ketosis and was told my muscles are breaking

down.

> > > >

> > > > I'm wondering how worried I should be about this (panicked,

or

> > just

> > > > concerned). I will see a doc at Mayo in a couple of weeks -

> and

> > my

> > > > other doctor doesn't want me to start any supplements just

in

> > case

> > > I

> > > > need to have some tests run there.

> > > >

> > > > I know it can be a dangerous thing depending on how

deficient I

> > am

> > > > (the numbers seemed high to me).

> > > >

> > > > Maggie

[Guest guest]

I guess remember that a deficiency in carnitine (or anything for that

matter) at one particular time may be a symptom more than a

condition. Sounds like it will be good to follow up with a

specialist who will help clarify the situation.

I would recommend the ketone urine sticks to see if you're spilling

ketones, they are easy to use, and I don't think they're too

expensive. You may even be able to convince your GP to run a quick

urinalysis for you to see if you're spilling ketones.

Take care,

RH

> > > > > Hi,

> > > > > I'm wondering if anybody else here is having problems with

> > > > ketosis.

> > > > > Because of my carnitine deficiency (I'm not taking

> supplements)

> > > I

> > > > am

> > > > > experiencing ketosis and was told my muscles are breaking

> down.

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm wondering how worried I should be about this (panicked,

> or

> > > just

> > > > > concerned). I will see a doc at Mayo in a couple of weeks -

> > and

> > > my

> > > > > other doctor doesn't want me to start any supplements just

> in

> > > case

> > > > I

> > > > > need to have some tests run there.

> > > > >

> > > > > I know it can be a dangerous thing depending on how

> deficient I

> > > am

> > > > > (the numbers seemed high to me).

> > > > >

> > > > > Maggie