This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

A friend recommended I get my vitamin d and zinc checked out through the life extension foundation's blood tests. I'm a bit skeptical going through them, but since I have horrible insurance this could be a viable option to keep my blood in line (apparently they have a deal with LabCorp for free blood draws). Has anyone had any experience with this, good or bad?

Thanks!

i have no idea about life extension, sorry

here in canada, there is provincial coverage, and in this province, if you want anything done that isn't covered, you go to a naturopathic doctor or anyone that can write a lab requisition, and pay them to write it for you, and then you pay the lab to run the test.

not sure how it goes in colorado.. sorry

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my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Yah, the US system doesn't make it easy. I go through an HMO and the doctor isn't always up for a lot of tests. Last time I went to a GP for a simple Vitamin D test and lectured me how vitamin D deficiency is very common in all people and therefore is unlikely to be involved in MS. This was a year ago! I ended up selling him on writing me a script, but it took some effort.

So anyway, I'd rather avoid the doctor completely so he doesn't make me feel like an idiot for wanting all these simple tests that should be mandatory as far as I'm concerned. I mean, what could I be thinking... wanting to know whether I have nutritional deficiencies...?!

you could see if you could call one of these folks
http://www.coloradond.org/findnd.htm
and see if they'll do lab reqs for you. i have had one test done through an ND before. it was okay but recommended weird stuff and she successfully sold me a bottle of castor oil (which i never used)...
she did not really get my approach, i don't think that the idea of measuring nutritional indicators really meshed with her concept of holistic.

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com