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Eelevated neopterin - marker of immune system activation

adreno

PR activist
Messages
4,841
Really? How do you know that? Isn't it possibly an autoimmune reaction; a dysregulated immune system?
 

nanonug

Senior Member
Messages
1,709
Location
Virginia, USA
Isn't it possibly an autoimmune reaction; a dysregulated immune system?

Yes, in that case "something" would be my own tissues.

The job now is to identify the root cause. Once it is found, and hopefully corrected, neopterin levels should come down. Basically, while neopterin is high, I will continue to look for the problem. Once neopterin comes down, I will know that I not only found it but that it has been dealt with successfully.

By the way, for those in the United States, Labcorp also offers serum and urine neopterin testing.
 

adreno

PR activist
Messages
4,841
If course, there is always the possibility that autoimmune disorders will turn out to be caused by pathogens. There are indications of this in some diseases already, but I believe it's too preliminary to draw any conclusions.

How will you search for the root cause? Test for every pathogen known to man?
 

nanonug

Senior Member
Messages
1,709
Location
Virginia, USA
How will you search for the root cause? Test for every pathogen known to man?

Given my current gastrointestinal issues, I am now going to do the GI Effects Complete Profile test to see if something comes up. If nothing comes up, I will then schedule an appointment with an infectious specialist. I may end up asking for "empirical" treatment eventually. In this case, the idea is to try some antibiotics and/or some antivirals and see what happens.
 

xks201

Senior Member
Messages
740
Have you tried any minerals like calcium or tested your saliva and urine PH? Just curious.
 

nanonug

Senior Member
Messages
1,709
Location
Virginia, USA
Have you tried any minerals like calcium or tested your saliva and urine PH? Just curious.

Calcium is not so good for men but I did try it but doesn't do anything for me. Also, I never measured either saliva or urine pH. Any particular reason you ask?
 

triffid113

Day of the Square Peg
Messages
829
Location
Michigan
Oh. I just ordered taht biopterin test for my Dad since I have 3 genetic defects limiting biopterin ad he prolly does too...he's in dialysis now and not doing well. However the chances are good that although he is genetically low in biopterin, he may also have an infection going on -- it is very common in institutionalized elderly people (he is in rehab). I hope this test wont be a waste of time-?