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Nutritional deficiency

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micall44853
micall44853

I just had (another) biopsy to see if I have Lichen Sclerosis and the result is negative although, as I already knew, the biopsy is not conclusive whether positive or negative. (For sure I have every single symptom and the entire health history associated with LS.)

But the dermatologist said the lab report had concluded that I had a "nutritional deficiency". This dermatologist happens to also be a clinical dietician, and she strongly believes in the connection between diet and health/illness. Even so, she said this was something she had never seen before.

Logic/common sense says to me the skin can reveal a lot about the human condition, but that would be something she should know as a dietician and a dermatologist if the skin could tell something about a person's diet or nutritional health.

Which leads to the question of whether there is something unique about genital skin, in my case the prepuce. I did not ask her whether that conclusion might have been reached if the biopsy was done someplace else.

She also did not know if there would be a connection between this "nutritional deficiency" and my LS, if I have it..

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest micall44853

    Posted

    I am convinced after 30+ years of study, that what you eat becomes your body, even the little things you don't realize. The literature suggests but does not confirm that certain foods cause redness and inflammation. Have you tried eliminating sugar, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes) wheat...Alcohol?

    Yes, there is something unique about genital skin and turns out that most dermatologists seem not to know how to deal with these problems. At least I haven't found any here. My research indicates stress exacerbates LS, if that's what you have. How long has this gone on?

    • micall44853
      micall44853 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you for your feedback. I am very mindful of health and diet, which means no alcohol, wheat or potatoes,m and very little sugar. I do eat tomatoes, however, and spinach, which I saw on the list of foods to avoid with LS.

      I've had mixed opinions when it comes to LS. I believe I totally match the symptoms and the health history associated with LS, and I sort of feel that if there is really no way to confirm or to eliminate the problem, I might as well assume I have it.

      I had a telemedicine visit and the MD asked for pictures but wasn't sure -- but also had no other explanations.

      Not sure what a picture can mean anyway. I know a number of people post here but I'm sort of embarrassed.

      Thank you again for taking the time to write.

    • Guest
      Guest micall44853

      Posted

      I don't blame you for the embarrassment. On the request for pictures, was this a general doc or a gyno doc? You need to actually be seen. With all the precautions being taken it's hard to understand why doctors can't see patients in need. A biopsy would help confirm but they can be false negative or positive. It's just one more tool. Coconut oil helps and there's things one can mix in like a drop of castor oil or calendula, or frankincense or even Vit E. You didn't say how long this has gone on and whether you have the characteristic white spots? Can you sit down without pain? Usually a lab report to test for nutritional deficiencies does not come from a gyno office but from an internal medicine or GP office. What exact test was run that came back marked "Nurtitional Deficiency?" Feel free to PM.

    • micall44853
      micall44853

      Posted

      Thank you again for your time and insights. I realize that most on this forum do not have a profile, but I chose to be clear so that no one feels misled by my posts (very few) and my comments (even fewer). I try to be gender neutral ("prepuce" can be male or female). In the US awareness levels of LS are very low, even among doctors. Only a few went past obvious conclusions (irritation, rash etc.) and most prescribed treatments with those conditions in mind. But in some instances I have found MDs who know of LS, but it is mainly among women patients so I wind up seeing gyns.

      I've had problems here for years, but LS has surfaced only recently for me, and I seem to match all of the published symptoms and medical history. And yes I am depressed at times, and yes the pain is fairly constant, although I suspect more focused. The gyn's request for photos was mainly over a severe flare up with multiple symptoms, some of which might be LS, others not.

      The biopsy was done by a dermatologist who pointed out the nutritional deficiency finding, but that's all the lab report said and even though she is also a clinical dietitian she had no idea how to interpret. But the test itself was on a biopsy taken from the prepuce and analyzed. I'll try to paste in the report in another post.

      As for sitting down, well, yes there is discomfort but for different anatomical reasons!

      All in all I have concluded that the issues for women are much more significant than mine and I empathize with all of you. I may just have a little bit of what you experience but enough to appreciate how serious it can be to for you. I'm grateful to be allowed to read and post here. I have found no other source of information and positive support. Thank all of you.

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