Hi, I'm planning on eventually doing a series of antibody tests for things like EBV, CMV, HSV, HHV 6, Coxsackie B, Rubella, candida, toxoplasma, mycoplasma, and various Lyme tests.
I'm also looking at doing a few Elispot tests with Infectolab, which to my limited knowledge is based on stimulating T cells rather than looking for antibodies. PCR tests might also be on the menu as well, as I've read they are good for picking up a select few pathogens. The list is quite long and expensive so I'll be doing these in small chunks.
My question is: Will vitamin D supplementation affect the results in any predictable way? My best guess, and pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong, would be that PCR tests would become less sensitive as the viral load is partially kept in check by vitamin D.
But would antibody or Elispot tests benefit or suffer from vitamin D supplementation, if my goal is to actually detect the pathogen through testing?
I had initially thought yes, since I figured the immune system would be pushed into taking action, but it looks like these studies here are suggesting the opposite?
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108041/
2) https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/141/4/692/4630635 (similar to #1 but without MS)
3) https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/75266 (Suggesting it would hamper Elispot testing due to reducing the synthesis of interferon? Really not sure tbh)
As for the possible mechanism of decreasing antibody titers, I figured it might just be the same as the one I mentioned for PCR (I.E antibodies might rise initially, but eventually it just keeps the pathogen in check, thus there's no longer a need for intense antibody or cytokine response). But study #1 seems to be suggesting this is not the mechanism, or at least not the full story. And as for Elispot, study #3 looks concerning to me.
In any case, whatever the mechanism may be, I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to offer me some guidance on whether or not I should halt my vitamin D supplementation, and wait maybe 2-3 weeks, if not longer (I.E months), before getting these tests?
Or conversely, am I better off continuing to supplement vitamin D?
And as a broader question, what about other vitamins like C?
The reason why I'm asking is because my vitamin D levels are normally very low (found through blood testing), and I've only been able to get them to normal levels by taking 3000IU for vitamin D per day.
Am I overthinking this issue? I would just like to avoid spending a whole lot of money for inaccurate test results.
Thanks for reading everyone!
I'm also looking at doing a few Elispot tests with Infectolab, which to my limited knowledge is based on stimulating T cells rather than looking for antibodies. PCR tests might also be on the menu as well, as I've read they are good for picking up a select few pathogens. The list is quite long and expensive so I'll be doing these in small chunks.
My question is: Will vitamin D supplementation affect the results in any predictable way? My best guess, and pardon my ignorance if I'm wrong, would be that PCR tests would become less sensitive as the viral load is partially kept in check by vitamin D.
But would antibody or Elispot tests benefit or suffer from vitamin D supplementation, if my goal is to actually detect the pathogen through testing?
I had initially thought yes, since I figured the immune system would be pushed into taking action, but it looks like these studies here are suggesting the opposite?
1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6108041/
2) https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/141/4/692/4630635 (similar to #1 but without MS)
3) https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/75266 (Suggesting it would hamper Elispot testing due to reducing the synthesis of interferon? Really not sure tbh)
As for the possible mechanism of decreasing antibody titers, I figured it might just be the same as the one I mentioned for PCR (I.E antibodies might rise initially, but eventually it just keeps the pathogen in check, thus there's no longer a need for intense antibody or cytokine response). But study #1 seems to be suggesting this is not the mechanism, or at least not the full story. And as for Elispot, study #3 looks concerning to me.
In any case, whatever the mechanism may be, I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to offer me some guidance on whether or not I should halt my vitamin D supplementation, and wait maybe 2-3 weeks, if not longer (I.E months), before getting these tests?
Or conversely, am I better off continuing to supplement vitamin D?
And as a broader question, what about other vitamins like C?
The reason why I'm asking is because my vitamin D levels are normally very low (found through blood testing), and I've only been able to get them to normal levels by taking 3000IU for vitamin D per day.
Am I overthinking this issue? I would just like to avoid spending a whole lot of money for inaccurate test results.
Thanks for reading everyone!
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