Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Cardiomyopathy and carnitine levels
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Cardiomyopathy and carnitine levels
by laramark, Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
My cardiologist check carnitine levels as part of the lab test for mild nonischemic cardiomyopathy (EF 45%). I am 45 years old and have not other major problem except irritable bowel.
The free carnitine was 40 (limits 35-67), carnitine esters 1 (limits 3.8-19) and total 41 (limits 42 to 81).
Does that mean I am not getting enough carnitine in diet or my body does not make enough carnitine?
Any other explanations?
Would you suggest carnitine supplements?
Thanks
The free carnitine was 40 (limits 35-67), carnitine esters 1 (limits 3.8-19) and total 41 (limits 42 to 81).
Does that mean I am not getting enough carnitine in diet or my body does not make enough carnitine?
Any other explanations?
Would you suggest carnitine supplements?
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-bkj, Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
laramark,
Thanks for the post.
There are associations with micronutrient deficiencies and inherited childhood cardiomyopathies. In the adult, these associations are more unclear. Some physicians think that supplementing those nutrients in patients deficient may help improve myocardial function. There isn't a lot of evidence one way or the other.
I tend not to prescribe supplements without evidence, especially in patients who already are on a lot of medicines. I would hate for someone not to take a medicine that had definite benefit because they were on a large number of opther unproven meds.
I do not stop patients from taking supplements, but tend to caution them that there is also a possibility that supplements could also lead to negative consequences or side effects.
good luck
Thanks for the post.
There are associations with micronutrient deficiencies and inherited childhood cardiomyopathies. In the adult, these associations are more unclear. Some physicians think that supplementing those nutrients in patients deficient may help improve myocardial function. There isn't a lot of evidence one way or the other.
I tend not to prescribe supplements without evidence, especially in patients who already are on a lot of medicines. I would hate for someone not to take a medicine that had definite benefit because they were on a large number of opther unproven meds.
I do not stop patients from taking supplements, but tend to caution them that there is also a possibility that supplements could also lead to negative consequences or side effects.
good luck
Member Comments (2)
by PikaPika88, Jun 18, 2007 12:00AM
My brother when 3 has heart sound murmur. The doc asked my mum gave him a lot of scotch emulsion (a kind of fish oil). Now he is 40. He never suffer any heart problem or palp or abnormal heart sound!
