In the absence of gastric parietal cell or intrinsic factor antibodies, gastroenterology consultation and other diagnostic tests (eg, endoscopy) may be necessary to determine the cause of cobalamin deficiency if a clear and sufficient explanation is not readily evident from the patient's history (eg, a long history of adherence to a vegan diet, nitrous oxide exposure in surgery or recreationally, history of fish tapeworm infection, or a history of bariatric surgery, gastrectomy, or surgical resection of the terminal ileum)
Brecka repeatedly emphasizes that it should be approached carefully and ideally under medical guidance
This multi-level regulation keeps glutamate within its tight physiologic range. Excess causes excitotoxic neuronal death (as in stroke), while deficiency impairs learning and memory
That makes it impossible to determine whether the medications themselves are driving the improvements or whether those changes are happening because of downstream effects, such as weight loss, better blood sugar control, or changes in daily life