Posted by JLx on November 29, 2003, at 17:50:13
In reply to Re: skin lesions » JLx, posted by Larry Hoover on November 29, 2003, at 12:31:25
> > I was just reading this site: http://www.beatcfsandfms.org/html/NaStrategy.html#tyrosine and wonder what to make of the info on it.
> >
> > "Long term use of L-Tyrosine and/or Phenylalanine is not recommended, since these items can increase the risk of skin cancer (Melanoma) if used regularly and in high doses.
>
> That's incorrect. Two molecules of tyrosine are required for the synthesis of each molecule of melanin, but tyrosine supply does not induce melanoma (cancer of the cells which produce melanain in the skin). I see this kind of misreading of science all the time, unfortunately. Oxygen is also required to produce melanin, but I don't see anyone suggesting you quit breathing.Well, that relieves my mind considerably. I would have been really ticked off and disappointed if something that enables me to be less depressed and more functional was also hastening my demise. :)
> > That last comment confuses me. I thought that taking P5P WITH tyrosine was the thing to do to for one thing.
>
> It is.Well, I guess I won't bother reading too much more of that site then!
> > And what about the melanoma risk? This particularly concerns me because I have a skin condition that has changed in the past few months since I've been taking tyrosine....but also newly taking other things as well, so it's hard to pinpoint what may have caused it.
>
> Sun exposure, twenty years ago. Seriously.Yes, I know. I probably did burn this area when I was a young teen.
> Sounds like actinic keratoses. It has a highly variable appearance. Pictures:
>
> http://www.aks.org/diagnosis.html
>
> http://matrix.ucdavis.edu/tumors/tradition/ak-gallery.htmlIt does look like one of those pictures.
> > Of course, I know the sensible thing to do is go to a dermatologist but that would cost about $100 for just the initial visit alone. :(
>
> Regular doctors can diagnose this. Is your life worth $100? I don't mean to be dramatic, but I mean to be dramatic.> My doctor swabs them with liquid nitrogen. There are options (I hope), that are not out of your reach.
You'd probably be shocked at how much that sort of thing actually costs if you had to pay for it.
> > If it's melanoma, which is supposed to be fast growing, it seems like the years that have already passed would somewhat rule it out.
>
> Probably. AK's grow slowly, but can have rapid bursts.Ok. Well, it was the changes and the tyrosine comment on that site that had me more worried, so that's good to know.
> I really hope you see a doctor, for peace of mind. A charity clinic, county hospital, something. I'm a Canuck. I just flash my card....I don't know what it's like to not be permitted health care for financial reasons.
I'll think about it, but so far my experience at being poor in my state is not very encouraging as to services. It's been a low level worry for some time now so I can handle that. It was the changes and now this comment about tyrosine that threw me.
> If you need to talk this out....I'm here.
>
> LarThanks, Larry. You've already been a big help....as usual. :) I was afraid you might tell me to quit taking the tyrosine, so this is good.
JL
poster:JLx
thread:284943
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031122/msgs/285062.html