Altitude and blood flow

A forum to discuss Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency and its relationship to Multiple Sclerosis.
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Zeureka
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Post by Zeureka »

Bethr wrote:Zeureka, that's exactly what happened to me, I had my one and only lesion when my Transferrin Saturation was high, well actually the month after the blood test I got to see why I was so fatigued and sleepy.
I don't recognise the word Sideremia, is that ferritin? If it is, mine was never above 175, yet I am iron overloaded.
In Italy for iron they check Sideremia and Ferritina:

- "Sideremia" found English translation = concentration of iron in blood serum. So had high iron blood serum levels!
- In contrast my "Ferritina" levels were relatively low/normal: 54,63 ng/ml (women reference value 10-160 ng/ml)

In Italian they distinguish both terms as follows: La sideremia è la concentrazione di ferro nel sangue, la ferritina rappresenta i depositi di ferro dell'organismo (sideremia = indicator for blood concentration, ferritina = indicator for deposits in the organism).
But still do not really understand the difference :roll:
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Bethr
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Post by Bethr »

Another interesting one to tie it in.
If you have the Iron-overloading C282Y gene you are more likely to develop MS at a younger age. I'd say because you loaded iron younger.
Neurosci Lett. 2005 Aug 5;383(3):301-4.

Mutations in the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) and multiple sclerosis.
Ristić S, Lovrecić L, Brajenović-Milić B, Starcević-Cizmarević N, Jazbec SS, Sepcić J, Kapović M, Peterlin B.

Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. smiljana.ristic@mamed.medri.hr

In the present study we have investigated whether HFE gene polymorphism may play a role in the disease process of Croatian and Slovenian MS patients and their potential genetic susceptibility to MS. We genotyped 314 MS patients and 400 healthy controls for the C282Y and H63D mutations by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Our results showed no significant differences in the distribution of the two mutations between MS patients and controls, suggesting that HFE polymorphisms do not contribute to the susceptibility to MS. Also, there was no significant correlation between HFE polymorphism and the disease progression index. However, we observed that MS patients carrying the mutant C282Y allele exhibited earlier onset of disease symptom relative to other genotypes, but it warrants further study in a larger series of MS patients.

PMID: 15955425 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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vg440
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Altitude and blood flow

Post by vg440 »

That is really interesting Bethr!

I've heard of women with ms going into remission during pregnancy and often wondered why?
Is it same?

Seriously have to investigate phlebotomy and very interested in watching your updates!
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vg440
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Altitude and blood flow

Post by vg440 »

Bethr,

The more I look into your improvement with Phlebotomy combined with..
iron overload and ccsvi, and the relief and usage of iron at altitude..

Could it really be that simple?
Sometimes the solution is right under our noses and this combined knowledge of testimonials has one common contributing factor..
IRON!!

But what are these forearm marks you refer to?
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Bethr
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Post by Bethr »

I'm sure it's not that simple :lol: . Maybe I have some other problem that makes it stand out on me. I have appointments with the hemotologist and the nuerologist coming up soon, they may shed some light on it. For some reason it was really obvious to me as whenever I had blood loss I felt much better, and didn't sleep on those days, the bigger the loss the better I felt.
I can't seem to find any pics of the pigmentation on arms, but the women at this link has it on her face. Mine is similar, a patchy tan, with a slightly different colour than your usual tan, it has a slight grey tinge to it.
My brother has it on his forearms, so do I.

http://www.blisstree.com/articles/mirac ... -shift-28/

Hers was mistaken for pregnancy mask.
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jimmylegs
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Post by jimmylegs »

zinc deficiency and hyperpigmentation are known to be connected. as well as zinc and iron regulation.

found an abstract on zinc deficiency and three kinds of cutaneous signs in adults, including hyperpigmentation - anyone here speak hungarian and have full access to this journal??

Orv Hetil. 2004 May 9;145(19):1007-10.
[Cutaneous symptoms of zinc deficiency in adults]
[Article in Hungarian]
Malabsorption is frequently accompanied by skin symptoms, which are the most likely first manifestation of the disease. Skin lesions are mainly due to the deficiency of zinc, different vitamins, minerals, essential aminoacids, and other nutrients. The present paper demonstrates 3 patients with different types of skin symptoms primarily related to zinc deficiency, which occur in gastrointestinal diseases and alcohol abuse (acrodermatitis enteropathica, eczema craquele, hyperpigmentation).

melasma (pregnancy mask) could be connected to zinc also. pregnancy is a big zinc drain for moms.

bethr i must have already asked you if you know your zinc level, or are planning on having it looked at?

JL
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Bethr
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Post by Bethr »

I'll ask about it Jimmylegs, when I get to the specialists.
I don't take pills or vitamins at all, never have. No prescribed drugs, painkillers, nothing. I'd rather keep myself ala naturelle, until I get tested.

No doubt the public system will eventually get me my appointments.
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jimmylegs
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Post by jimmylegs »

hi b, yea i felt that way too until ms taught me i was doing it wrong.. when i finally did tests the levels were bad.. i still played games.. until i really crashed then i started getting serious with testing.. multiple deficiencies.. tried low level supplements and realized how ineffective they can be.. have spent 4 years learning the intricacies... lots more to learn in future!
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Bethr
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Post by Bethr »

Hi Jimmy, I now know that I have PCT (porphyria Cutanea Tarda) in a deadly combination with iron loading Hemochromatosis (I have one gene C282Y). I will load iron whilst being in the acceptable range, so no doctor will pick up on it.

We'll see soon, but I should have elevated zinc levels.

PCT can give you lesions and some symptoms similar to MS.
The iron overload makes you fatigued and stiffens your joints.
It comes in "attacks" similar to MS.
I don't have MS, neither does my sister who was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago.

Both PCT and hemochromatosis are treated by phlebotomy, diet and careful monitoring, with phlebs as needed.
The outlook is great so long as you know you have it!
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jimmylegs
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Post by jimmylegs »

hey there, that is great that you have figured out what you're dealing with! i dug up some abstracts on PCT and possibly relevant/related stuff:
Ascorbic acid deficiency in porphyria cutanea tarda1
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, Volume 130, Issue 2, Pages 197-201
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), the most common form of porphyria, is manifested as skin photosensitivity caused by excess hepatic production of uroporphyrin and heptacarboxylporphyrin. In experimental animal models, ascorbic acid modulates chemically induced uroporphyrin accumulation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ascorbic acid is decreased in the plasma of patients with PCT. Plasma was obtained after an overnight fast from 21 PCT patients, 16 of whom were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and from a separate group of 9 patients with HCV infection but not PCT. Thirteen PCT patients were studied when they had active disease and 8 after treatment-induced Plasma ascorbic acid was low (<23 μmmol/L) in 11 (85%) of the 13 untreated PCT patients and deficient (<11 μmol/L) in 8 (62%). Two patients with normal ascorbic acid levels (45 and 62 μmol/L) had consumed multivitamins. In 2 patients with deficient ascorbic acid, plasma levels returned to normal after phlebotomy treatment. Of the 8 patients studied during remission, 4 had normal ascorbic acid values and 4 were deficient (5 to 8 μmol/L). Plasma ascorbic acid values were normal for all patients who had HCV but no PCT. These data suggest that plasma ascorbic acid concentrations are commonly low in PCT, but this decrease is unrelated to HCV infection. Ascorbic acid deficiency may be one of the factors that contributes to the pathogenesis of PCT.
so i wonder about that deficiency/causal notion .. maybe it's just that the high iron in your system causes a drain on ascorbic acid in the body? i think that could be more likely seeing that phlebotomy helps normalize the serum ascorbic acid without any supplements.
Low vitamin E content in plasma of patients with alcoholic liver disease, hemochromatosis and wilson's disease
Journal of Hepatology, Volume 20, Issue 1, Pages 41-46
Abstract
The RRR-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) content in plasma from 46 patients with liver diseases and 23 healthy controls was determined by high performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. Patients were divided into three groups: alcoholic liver diseases (n=17; group A), hemochromatosis (n=17; group B) and Wilson's disease (n=12; group C). Lipid-standardized alpha-tocopherol levels were determined to neutralize differences due to hyperlipemia. The ratio of serum vitamin E to serum lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids) was highest in healthy controls and in patients in group A with cirrhosis and normal transaminases and bilirubin. Patients in group A with acute or chronic ethanol intoxication and high bilirubin levels had a 37% lower lipid-standardized vitamin E level than controls. Patients in group B with hemochromatosis, showing high serum iron (>180 μg/dl), a low free iron binding capacity (<8 μmol/l) and high ferritin-levels (<450 μg/l), had a 34% lower vitamin E/lipid ratio than healthy controls. No significant lowering of the vitamin E/lipid ratio was observed in the other patients in group B. A significant decrease (37%) in the vitamin E/lipid ratio was only detectable in patients with Wilson's disease (group C) showing high free serum copper (>10 μg/dl). The data support a role for free radicals in the pathogenesis of active liver diseases.
Supplemental therapy in isolated vitamin E deficiency improves the peripheral neuropathy and prevents the progression of ataxia
Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Volume 156, Issue 2, Pages 177-179
Abstract
A 24-year-old male, who suffered since childhood from a progressive form of ataxia associated with peripheral neuropathy, was found severely deficient in serum vitamin E. He walked with bilateral aid and presented severe dysmetria of the limbs and dysarthric speech; muscular strength and trophism were slightly diminished in the distal muscles of four limbs and there was hypotonia of the arms; he presented absent deep tendon reflexes, bilateral Babinski's sign, reduced proprioception at four limbs, pes cavus and fasciculations of the tongue. Intestinal fat malabsorption and other gastrointestinal or haematological conditions associated with deficiency of this vitamin were ruled out. In this patient, after 2 years of a daily supplement of high doses of vitamin E, a further progression of the disease was not observed and, moreover, the neurophysiological characteristics of his neuropathy appeared clearly improved. A longitudinal evaluation of serum vitamin E levels showed values in the normal range after 13 months of therapy. The patient had molecular genetic analysis of chromosome 8 and was found homozygous for the unusual mutation 513insTT in the α-tocopherol transfer protein gene.
Quad Sclavo Diagn. 1982 Sep;18(3):249-57.
[Zinc and porphyria cutanea tarda]
[Article in Italian]
In 30 patients affected by Porphyria Cutanea Tarda we determined: plasmatic, erythrocytary and urinary zinc (by atomic absorption spectrophotometry); total porphyrins in plasma and in urines, coproporphyrins and protoporphyrins in erythrocytes (by spectrophotometric methods); haptoglobin, hemopexin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and albumin (by immunological methods). The results obtained were compared with those of normal subjects. In addition, the variables under consideration were statistically analyzed to bring out possible correlations (both simple and partial). The most interesting result (besides the documentation of an increase in the urinary and plasmatic zinc in porphyric patients) was the finding of correlations between plasmatic zinc, plasmatic porphyrins and alpha 2-macroglobulin.
Clin Sci (Lond). 1983 Oct;65(4):423-8.
Decreased liver delta-aminolaevulinate dehydratase activity in porphyria cutanea tarda and in alcoholism.

delta-Aminolaevulinate dehydratase activity was measured in liver biopsy specimens from 13 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda, 13 alcoholics and 10 control subjects. The mean enzyme activities in liver of porphyria cutanea tarda and alcoholics were 34% (P less than 0.001) and 49% (P less than 0.001) respectively of the control level. Heat treatment of liver supernatant caused slight inhibition of the enzyme activity in porphyria cutanea tarda and in controls. Addition of Zn2+ to liver supernatants slightly increased the enzyme activity in both porphyria cutanea tarda and controls. The addition of liver supernatant from the porphyria cutanea tarda to purified bovine delta-aminolaevulinate dehydratase did not result in suppression of the enzyme activity. The apparent Km value of delta-aminolaevulinate dehydratase was 4.3 X 10(-4) mol/l for porphyria cutanea tarda livers and 3.3 X 10(-4) mol/l for control livers. The difference between the two was not significant.
Arch Dermatol Res. 1979 Oct;266(2):121-6.
Study of erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in porphyria cutanea tarda.

The erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity was studied in porphyria cutanea tarda patients, compared to healthy controls, in an attempt to resolve the contradictions in the relevant literature data. In an in vitro experimental system, a study was also made of how the erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity varies on the action of the activators -SH and Zn2+. It was found that, compared to the healthy controls, the erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity of porphyria cutanea tarda patients is significantly decreased, but it is restored to the original activity level on the addition of -SH and Zn2+. Since there is a general -SH requirement of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, the most obvious explanation for the decrease of the activity in the case of the patients is the shift of the natural redox systems of the erythrocytes, and the decrease of the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio
Biochemical and Molecular Actions of Nutrients
A High Fat Diet Inhibits Delta-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase and Increases Lipid Peroxidation in Mice (Mus musculus)
Vanderlei Folmer, Júlio C. M. Soares, Diogo Gabriel and João B. T. Rocha2

The aim of this study was examine the effects of high starch (HS) vs. high fat (HF) feeding on blood glycated hemoglobin (GHbA1c) level, thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBA-RS) concentration and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (-ALA-D) activity in mice. The GHbA1c level was significantly higher in mice fed the HF diet compared with those fed the HS diet. Hepatic, renal, and cerebral TBA-RS concentrations in mice fed the HF diet were significantly greater than in mice fed the HS diet. In addition, positive correlations were found between the GHbA1c and TBA-RS levels for hepatic (P < 0.05; r = 0.46), renal (P < 0.003; r = 0.65), and cerebral (P < 0.001; r = 0.69) tissues. The d-ALA-D hepatic, renal and cerebral activities of mice fed the HF diet were significantly lower than those of mice fed the HS diet. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between the GHbA1c level and -ALA-D activity in hepatic (P < 0.001; r = -0.77), renal (P < 0.007; r = -0.60), and cerebral (P < 0.007; r = -0.60) tissues. The results of this study indicate that consumption of a high fat diet promotes oxidative stress related to hyperglycemia, which in turn can stimulate glycation of proteins leading to d-ALA-D inhibition in mice.
if zinc is elevated, may need to keep an eye on your copper status..
Copper deficiency myelopathy produces a clinical picture like subacute combined degeneration

Background: Copper deficiency in ruminants is known to cause an ataxic myelopathy. Copper deficiency as a cause of progressive myelopathy in adults is underrecognized.

Objective: To describe the clinical, biochemical, electrophysiologic, and imaging characteristics in 13 patients with myelopathy associated with copper deficiency.

Methods: The records of patients with a copper deficiency–associated myelopathy were reviewed. Clinical characteristics, laboratory investigations, and responses to therapeutic intervention were summarized.

Results: Thirteen such patients were found, 11 of them in a 15-month period. All patients presented with prominent gait difficulty, reflecting a sensory ataxia due to dorsal column dysfunction and lower limb spasticity. All patients had polyneuropathy. A high or high-normal serum zinc level was seen in 7 of the 11 patients for whom this information was available. Somatosensory evoked potential studies done in eight patients showed impaired conduction in central proprioceptive pathways. Dorsal column signal change on spine MRI was present in three patients. An initial clue to the diagnosis was a very low ceruloplasmin level; further tests of copper metabolism excluded Wilson disease. The cause remained unexplained in most patients. Oral copper supplementation restored normal or near-normal copper levels in 7 of the 12 patients in whom adequate follow-up data were available; parenteral supplementation restored normal level in 3 further patients. Copper supplementation prevented further neurologic deterioration, but the degree of actual improvement was variable.

Conclusions: Unrecognized copper deficiency appears to be a common cause of idiopathic myelopathy in adults. The clinical picture bears striking similarities to the syndrome of subacute combined degeneration associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Early recognition and copper supplementation may prevent neurologic deterioration.
i can't find out why the zinc would be elevated.. i'm curious if it's somewhat similar to the hypercalcemia seen in excess vit d3.. but anyway, just a bunch of stuff to read :)
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jimmylegs
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Post by jimmylegs »

answered this from a search on use of my name and did not pay attention to what forum it was in.. i don't even know where to locate talk on hemochromatosis and PCT on this site :

to bring it back to CCSVI, in non-hemochromatotic (is that a word?? lol) MS patients, i would NOT expect the zinc level to be high. it would be interesting to hear your test results.
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Bethr
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Update

Post by Bethr »

I thought I'd drag this one out again, as I now have another tie-in.
I've done phlebotomy to reduce my iron levels, which are quite good now, and I'm feeling progressively better with each big blood draw, blood test and with menstruation.

On my latest CBC blood test it has shown up Polycythemia, which is of course what happens to blood at altitude, it thickens, too many red blood cells. I don't live at altitude!

The main trestment for Polycythemia is phlebotomy!
So I may be suffering some type of hypoxia? Genetic/acquired?

I'm up for further blood tests in a few weeks, and it will be very interesting to see the tie in.
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Re: Update

Post by Cece »

Bethr wrote:On my latest CBC blood test it has shown up Polycythemia, which is of course what happens to blood at altitude, it thickens, too many red blood cells. I don't live at altitude!

The main trestment for Polycythemia is phlebotomy!
So I may be suffering some type of hypoxia? Genetic/acquired?
Interesting, I wonder if this is true for others here as well. I am not familiar with polycythemia but I fully believe that CCSVI is causing hypoxia in the CNS.
"However, the truth in science ultimately emerges, although sometimes it takes a very long time," Arthur Silverstein, Autoimmunity: A History of the Early Struggle for Recognition
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jerkbutt
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Good Question

Post by jerkbutt »

My Wife Girlfreind Had a brain meltdown on the way from San jose UsAirways after her 2nd stent,which was to be a checkup,This Dr,Dake @@@@@@ -Guinea Pig Surgery,How Vascular Surgeons and Neu Docs are conecected is beyond me.Go for it Dr.Dake ,Let the Blood flow.
theskyking
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Re: Altitude and blood flow

Post by theskyking »

I'm bringing this topic back up. I have kind of the opposite experience. I live at 6500 feet and my symptoms are better at sea level. What gives?
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