A Lesson in Lab Tests

Throughout the semester The Wizard (Dr. R) and I have been gradually reducing my medications in an effort to curb my monstrously chronic fatigue and because I've been *knock on wood* healthy for 1.5 years now.

It`s been a bit rocky.  I've been on the same dose of Trazodone since I was 17, and it does not want to go down easy!  I'm starting to feel a bit dejected about the whole thing.  Sometimes I forget how amazing it is that I`m reducing my psychotropics without descending into the seventh level of hell.  I am functional.  But I want to be functional more than 5 hours a day!  I want to have the full life of a 22-year-old.

Last Friday I saw The Wizard with the following demands (put yer hands where I can see 'em!):

1. Give my body more time to adjust to the lower dose of Trazodone before going down again 
2. Swap to reducing Lamictal
3. Order tests to rule out physical causes for fatigue
4. Refer me to a specialist
5. Gimme more journals!  

The Wizard and...I need to think of a nickname for my family doctor...are great sports.  They always make an effort to teach me.  Two appointments ago, The Wiz taught me a little about cytochrome P450, a metabolic pathway for antidepressants.  This appointment I learned about N-acetylcysteine, a supplement that is showing some promise in psychiatric applications.  

I also had a test!  The Wiz got a lab requisition form and asked me what he should order. I got:

• Glucose - blood sugar
• T3 & T4 - thyroid hormones
• Ferritin - iron levels (for anemia)
• CBC - complete blood count

And the more general suggestions of:

• Hormones
• Inflammation 

How cool is that?!  I must bone up on what the rest of the tests measure and why, but first, I have a ton of studying to do.  Exam week approacheth!