Yes it is very expensive and that is one of the problems with having this illness. We all keep trying different things to try and feel better but end up just wasting our money.
One thing that Nutrichem found that my other docs hadn't was a high level of gluten antibodies. I had the standard blood and urine test done first which showed I had abnormal gut flora. This led to another test for gluten antibodies in the stool in which I scored a high amount. I took this to my GP who ordered a Celiac Panel, something she never wanted to do before. I tested positive for the anti-gluten antibody but not the other Celiac antibody. I then was sent for an upper GI scope and biopsies to see if I actually had Celiac Disease. My biopsies were negative but since I still have antibodies to gluten the gastroenterologist said to avoid wheat but not as strictly as if I had Celiac . The bottom line is that by cutting out wheat I might start to feel better- not cured- after a while. Avoiding anything that stresses the body and leads to inflammation and increased immune response could potentially improve some symptoms.
The other good thing about having the Nutrichem testing done was that it confirmed that I have a lot of abnormal biochemistry. I take the vitamin formula from them and even if I don't feel better at least I can think that perhaps it is correcting some nutrient deficiencies that could be harming or aging my body. I, like many people with ME/CFS have a low level of antioxidants which can really damage a lot of things in the body. Basically I am rusting away. By taking antioxidant supplements perhaps I can fix or stop some of this rusting, even if I don't actually feel better.
Have you followed the Richvank threads about how important the TYPE of Vit. you take is? I haven't got my brain around it all yet since it is very complicated but that could explain why the vitamin supplements many of us take aren't doing anything. My next step, once I have the energy, is to take this information from Richvank to Nutrichem and see what they think.
Yes this was my thinking too; if I have deficiencies at least I can now try to correct them re my test results. It's not a cure and I certainly wasn't expecting one from taking supplements but at least I can continure to work on it without thinking I'm just blowing in the wind.
I went to see a virologist to get my immune panel done and when I mentioned how sick my gut was he tested me for h.pylori and I was positive so he treated me for this and my gut problems went away after so many years of feeling sick. So sometimes we can find things just by mentioning them because we have so many other things going on- it makes their heads spin lol.
My doctor wanted me be tested by Enterolab in the US for gluten sensitivities but I decided to try the gluten free diet instead of paying for the test. The gluten free diet was actually easier than I thought it would be because there are so many alternatives in healthfood stores now. I didn't feel any better after one year but my digestion did improve. I think we have to heal our gut in order to move on so I think you should try this and see.
I am familiar with Rich's protocol and I brought it to my doctor to look it over since he is into this stuff. I take folonic acid and methyl B12 with a few other things but the one thing that helped me in a noticeable way was Magnesium injections 3x/week and fish oils.