Protease?

I was told I have a protease (enzyme that digests protein) deficiency. But if it's a deficiency, is there anyway to fix it? Or can it be fixed? I've tried to look it up, but I still don't understand it very well.

Hmmm, I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your question, but didn't whomever told you that you have this deficiency tell you how to "fix" it? Sounds "interesting" ...

I was told by the doctor and they basically said "live with it"... But I don't really want to, I don't want to have more things I can't eat.

And Thank you for replying. 

That's very strange. So, I wonder if that meant that there is no cure or remedy. Are you supposed to eat no protein then? Because I don't believe that's possible. What were you told to stay away from? I'm going to look in my anatomy book -- not sure if it speaks of this though ...

He said to avoid animal fats as much as possible. I went in because I was having problem with pork. But also I'm lactose Intolerant, but I've tried the stuff they have for that, but I still had problems.

Kinda hoping he was new and only assumed it.

Well, you probably should talk to another doctor -- sort of a "second opinion" if you will and/or talk to a nutritionist. I looked in my book and there are about eight proteases listed. Are you "deficient" meaning you don't have any at all (not sure if that's possible) or just missing some?

Are you following the directions for the lactose tablets? I would think they should work. I always think when people have problems with them, it's because they're not using them properly. All it is, is an enzyme that you're missing that helps you to digest the dairy. UNLESS ... your Protease situation is causing problems with the supplement -- don't know if that's possible though.

Ok, I just did some Googling and I am getting the impression that there IS some kind of supplement you can take that either contains Protease or is Protease. I think you said you already did some research and didn't understand what you read. I just googled "Protease Deficiency" and looked at the first couple of hits. I understood it ok, but I'm not sure how old you are.

Be aware that some of the sites might be selling enzymes and could be biased. I would read a lot before I decided to make a purchase. And talk to a nutritionist for sure! They could help!!

http://www.enzymes.com/protease_deficiency.ht ml

http://www.enzymeessentials.com/HTML/protease .html

Ok, thank you very much, and I will seek someone else asap. It's not the first time it's happened with me and doctors.

I've read the directions to have one a meal, but that didn't work. Then saw on the bottle that it suggested to take two if it persisted and tried, but ended up reguritating for about an hour.

I added a few things/changed a few things on my last post, so you might want to read it over.

Sure, no problem! Doctors can be confusing or unhelpful sometimes. I've found that you pretty much have to do most your OWN research and just use the doctors as a guide. Do you see a male or female doc? I would suggest a female since you are female. Sometimes women understand women better.

Also, I've never read the instructions on those Lactose supps -- do you take it WITH a meal or BEFORE? Maybe that makes a difference? Might have to keep trying different things until you find the right balance. Yogurt shouldn't bother you. Also, what about that Lactaid milk? Try that?

I've gone through about 6 kinds so far, the one a day are a little better, and all of them said take with first bite. I've had yogurt, but they've all been low-fat.

I've tried lactaid milk, only vanilla though because I dont really like chocolate and they don't have plain at the stores here. Maybe it's something else that they all have in common in them? I especially can't eat pork because it won't digest at all.

Btw, I'm 16.

I agree about getting a second opinion.  I have been "anemic" most of my life, and after getting blood work done last year found out it is not because I don't get enough iron, but because my body isn't producing the proteins to absorb the iron.  The doctor told me I couldn't do anything about it.  Wrong!  I went to a second doctor who prescribed a supplement type of medication  for me, and it worked!  My iron levels went up incredibly quickly- I went from severely anemic to normal iron levels in less than 2 months!  Sometimes, doctors don't know everything that's available because there is so much out there, so you need that second opinion. 

I hope everything works out for you!

Thank you, personally, I think I might just be allergic to pork and maybe a somewhat severe lactose intolerance or just allergic to it. But not allergic to it as one thing.

Hi! You said you were 16. Are your parents helping you with this? It sounds like you really could use their help. I also googled protease deficiency and didnt find it that hard to understand. It can be a very serious medical problem. You need protein to survive. Protease is an enzyme that digests protein. Please do not buy this over the internet. You can get a prescription for it. You dont know what your getting on the internet.

Having said that, I want to tell you, if that is what your doctor said to you, you need to find another doctor. He would not know you have an enzyme definciency without doing a blood test. The comment about not getting enough information from your dr. and needing to research on your own is not true. Your dr. needs to takes the time to explain to you or your parent. Your dr.'s nurse should also be able to explain to you. I am a nurse so I know what I am talking about. Patient teaching is stressed more than anything else in nursing school. If your dr. does not take the time to teach you about any condition that you may have, he is not much of a dr. Remember, he is working for YOU. You are paying his wage. You deserve a thorough answer to any question you might have.

Thanks, for some reason it seems I get the new-recruit doctors for some reason. But I did some reading and I guess I should see a doctor, allergist and nutritionist.. or can a doctor also be an allergist?

I dont know where you live, but dont you have a regular family dr? It would really help if you could find someone you are comfortable with and is familiar with you. Yes, an allergy specialist would also be a dr. (at least where I live)  a nutritionist probably could help you and recommend a good diet. They are not drs. However, an enzyme deficiency is not an allergy.

I am curious if your deficiency has been confirmed with a blood test.

I live near Salem, Oregon. But we can't currently afford a family doctor. The Doctor though did some odd thing with my mouth and a swab and asked for my symptoms.

Though, I heard there's a skin test they can do for allergies... but um... will it hurt?

no, it doesn't hurt too badly, they scratch your back in several places and place common allergens on bandaids. It is not bad, just a little uncomfortable.

Ok, that's good to hear, I don't really like pain that much (don't think many do). I was thinking of having that done when I do get to see them.

You can buy protease USP commercially. Brewers use it to reduce "chill haze" in beer.

Chill haze? Sorry, I'm not that familiar with the names of the symptoms from alcohol, and only have had sake.

Anyway, so if bought like that and put in small amounts or however needed. Would I be able to see if it helps any? We have a Costco here, think they might have some, dunno.

The only reference I found to "protease deficiency" was on sites that are trying to sell supplements to correct it. I don't consider those credible sources and I would be very skeptical of their dire warnings about its seriousness.

WebMD, Medscape and PubMed had nothing about "protease deficiency" although they had a great deal of information about "protease inhibitors" -- medications to reduce the activity of protease in the body.

I agree that you need better information and a clearer explanation from your doctor.

Hey, keyeno, hang in there.  I am sorry to say that I can't share the optimism about doctors, etc.  My approach is that every individual has to take responsibility for his or her own health.  A doctor is someone with a specialized education and maybe even some talent that can help.

You are taking responsibility but you should not be afraid to check with multiple doctor's.  Of course, that may be confusing.  I once checked with 6 different doctors on a medical problem.  Three said to have my daughter's tonsils removed.  The other three said don't have them removed -- it won't help.  We ended up doing nothing and the problem went away.  More to the point, my daughter has been struggling with ITP for the past ten years.  Twice she has been told to have her spleen removed and twice she has refused.  The spleen removal is no more than 50% effective but it is 100% guaranteed to leave you without a spleen, which is a relatively important organ.

At any rate, she started up with a new doctor last year because she had relocated.  This doctor put her on a new treatment which has kept her platellets up for the past 6 months. 

Bottom line, keep looking and in the meantime do what you can.  You are a very healthy young woman with some inconvenient health issues.  A lot of people are in that boat and refuse to let that stop them from having a great life.