Replied by Sherri (Seattle) on 12/09/2023
Hello Hazel,
There is a long list of causes for CHF with refractory edema. However, given what you describe, one would definitely need to check out Benfotiamine supplementation or I.V. since a B1 deficiency is a common cause for both conditions.
Thiamine deficiency symptoms include weakened heart muscle and congestive heart failure with edema, tachycardia and enlarged heart.
In addition, long-term use of diuretics is known to produce thiamine deficiency.
In literature, B1 also acts like an active diuretic that lowers the kidney load.
Many heart specialists (especially holistic/orthomolecular) incorporate therapeutic doses of Benfotiamine in their treatment protocols with amazing results.
To have her thiamine levels tested, it is done indirectly by using thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) since there is no direct measurement of thiamine in the body. Otherwise, check with her doctor and include higher doses of daily benfotiamine for quite a while (500 mg/day or more).
Benfotiamine is non toxic and many take it for its many other health benefits.
Benfotiamine is used in treatment protocols for: neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), diabetic vascular complications (neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiac failure), cardiovascular conditions, alchoholism, weight loss, any type of nerve damage, etc...
Thiamine is unique among the B vitamins since it is required in so many critical biological pathways - cellular energy (ATP), heart function, insulin regulation, carbohydrate/fatty acid/amino acid metabolism, CNS function, inflammation, nerve function, etc...
Thiamine is easily depleted in the body. Currently, there is an epidemic of thiamine deficiency in the US due to the typical high carb diet, low vitamin content in food and alcoholism. Hence, many include daily benfotiamine supplementation to ensure adequate thiamine levels since this form of thiamine is highly absorbable.
I hope your mother's condition improves soon.
