A case of pseudo-carcinoid. (2010) Stiles et al. (ME/CFS patient.)

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A case of pseudo-carcinoid

A 31-year-old Caucasian male with chronic fatigue syndrome and additional symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhoea, was referred by his neuro-gastroenterologist for investigation of possible carcinoid tumour after finding a raised 24 h urinary 5HIAA level – 220 μmol/24 h (normal range <50 μmol/24 h).

A detailed history revealed that the patient had become disillusioned with conventional medical therapy for his Chronic Fatigue and had seen a nutritionist in the alternative healthcare sector.

He had been ‘prescribed’ a large number of nutritional supplements.

One of these supplements was ‘5HTP’.

https://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0021/ea0021p55

It doesn't say if his pain and diarrhea resolved when he stopped the 5HTP though, but it's a reminder of how supplements can affect test results, and possibly make symptoms worse.