Chronic Fatigue, Hypothyroid, Adrenal Fatigue, Folic Acid

socknitster wrote:...not as many neurotransmitters, therefore brain not working so good...

Since we have more neurotransmitters in our gut than our brain, it means the gut (seat of our immune system) isn't working well so no wonder that as your folic acid levels dropped so did the robustness of your immune system.

Greens contain a lot of folates and that's one reason why spinach and broccoli are so heavily recommended. Folates help the production of serotonin. If you do have that genetic malformation, then the low folates affects the level of 'feel good' serotonin which is likely why the omega 3s helped some.

Just read a tidbit for you to also ck out Jen, namely, your zinc levels. Stress depletes zinc. Zinc helps the cells release excess copper...this according to Lawrence Wilson MD copper researcher in Arizona. I've read multiple times that too many of us have too much copper. The zinc-copper ratio was manipulated by the guy (names escapes me at the moment) who coined the term orthomolecular medicine, he was (if memory serves me) the psychiatrist who popularized nutritional treatment of imbalances in the those deemed mentally ill back in the late 60s-70s. Anyway, Wilson says when the cell has too much copper, it triggers fatigue, brain fog, and insomnia. We only need 15 mgm of zinc and taking much more can wreak havoc in the zinc:copper ratio. (Zinc is a blood test, not sure about copper, never had my level cked.)

Are you familiar with the Dr Richard Shames' books? I've heard good things about his "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled?" that you might want to ck out.

s-nitster - - sorry you are feeling so poorly!

If you don't mind a few personal q's, (if so, read no further; and apologies if you posted this info and I scanned right by it). Have you been tested for lymes disease, west nile virus, and mono?

Also, you mentioned some supplements. Have you tried magnesium (e.g. the citrate), fish oils, vitamin d3, and kelp (iodine)? Others?

You mentioned food allergies, have you been tested for sulfate allergy and onion/garlic allergy?

Finally, you have a pretty good machine I believe. What might be your typical AHI?

I would bet that you are compliant xPAP-wise. Your approach seems very systematic (you are not a hypochondriac), and I'm confident that you will eventually solve this mystery.

.

Jen, it's good to read that you're feeling much better! I would be interested to know what the genetic testing reveals.

Hi Jen,

It is frustrating to try to navigate through all the information, supplements, "save yourself" books and somewhat sketchy advice offered by many so-called healthcare "professionals". After suffering similar symptoms, especially the morning routine of waiting for the "spell" to pass so that you can get on with your day I finally found a doctor that seems to understand and is offering me real guidance.

Another day, I'll document my own saga but reading yours, two things you might consider, gluten/dairy intolerance and b12 deficiency! I used to wake up with that "sick" feeling in the morning but since I've given up wheat it's gone. When you are allergic to wheat (very common if you have a scandinavian heritage), the villi in your intestines are impaired:
When damaged and inflamed, the villi are unable to absorb water and nutrients such as vitamins, folic acid, iron and calcium. This causes the coeliac to be susceptible to a variety of other conditions related to malabsorption, including lactose intolerance. Clinical and mucosal recovery after institution of a gluten free diet is objective evidence that the enteropathy is gluten induced. http://www.foodreactions.org/gluten/ There are dozens of sites to reference with information including alternatives to wheat in your diet. I found it difficult for about a week since I love my bread but since then have found gluten free pasta, corn chips and a lot of great substitutes including tasty gluten free bread. Within 2 weeks I noticed a big difference and the moring spells are gone.

Second eureka from my travels - b12 deficiency. This little nugget came from an infomercial I saw in the middle of the night. Great news to find it but frustrating since I was under the care of 6 specialists and being monitored weekly because of the huge amount of iron prescribed in an attempt to cure my serious pernicious anemia. Some people lack "intrinsic factor" which allows you to make use of the b12 you would normally gather from a reasonably healthy diet. We need to take SUBLINGUAL B12 to overcome this genetic roadblock. A trip to the local health food store and about $30 (5000 mg b12) made such a huge difference in how I felt (I was soooooo tired before finding this with my low blood count that carrying my purse to the door was all the exercise I could manage). I can't tell you how annoyed I was in the followup with my internist to hear "oh...I guess that was a good idea...". Oh brother!

The best source for B12 by the way for me has been Swanson.com and after researching several forums (including the pernicious anemia association), I'm using Jarrow's Methyl b12 5000. They don't dissolve under my tongue as quickly as the Superior brand I used to get at Wild Oats (Cyanocobalamin) but some studies report better results. My blood values are good now and it only took a few weeks to feel significantly better.

The b12 lesson prompted me to research and find a doctor who knew hormones and nutrition. I was driving two hours each way to see him at least 3 times a year and paying out of my pocket to visit him. His office did not process insurance and my insurance carrier only paid a portion of his bill but it was worth it. He discovered my thyroid issues, "cured" my fibromyalgia but after 3 years I stopped making progress and wasn't hearing anything new or useful there. When it came time to renew my health agreement, I decided to look closer to home. They were generous with their time, he would take a good hour consult to really hear how I was doing (and I learned a LOT) but it wasn't all good and it was expensive.

I found my new doctor about 40 minutes away. First consult was 2 hours! She took copious notes, reviewed a pre-visit questionnaire and all my labs for the previous 3 years. She changed my thyroid prescription, took me off wheat and dairy and zeroed in on the apnea (never even mentioned by my previous doctor). She has me graph my morning temperature and pulse to fine tune my thyroid prescription (found a nifty little tool on ebay to check my pulse ( [url]http://cgi.ebay.com/3-1-Pulse-Heart-Rat ... 335c50916b [url]). She's eliminated supplements and added others and even calls me to check in. (really!)

My big steps in my recovery plan are: Balance thyroid, Find Issues (gluten intolerance-yes, lactose intolerance-not so much, OSA-definitely) and resolve, balance hormones, then once I can get up off the floor energywise, exercise). She seems to really know her stuff.

I know I'm not an easy patient...after years as an insurance agent, selling medical malpractice for a time, I'm no longer easily impressed with a medical degree. These are hired consultants after all, and I am open to their advice but no longer a true believer. My best strategy has been to take notes during the consult and then create mindmaps on next steps. I keep one on each doctor and then a master one on my overall heath plans. A few years back (another day I'll write the chronicle) I ended up in the ER with great insurance and a complicated collection of symptoms. After 14 hours of diagnostics (I think they ran me through every billable test and machine in the hospital) I had several rounds of test result consultations with a wide crew of specialists.....they never found any one thing seriously wrong - my problems were the collection of minor things wrong from a thoughtless lifestyle of overwork, high stress, fast food, no exercise and triple expresso's. I did get an intense course in how little they write in their charts, how short their memories are and how unlikely it is that they will actually connect up with other doctors in a group consult on a patient's issues. Short of inviting them all to a conference in the same room or even a single phone call, good luck! My solution became the mindmaps. I also found that writing everything out, attaching ALL the test results from EVERYONE, including my observations and questions in writing overcame most doctors' terrible listening skills and biases. Most are great readers though and presenting them with a little "report" HIGHLIGHTED AND ORGANIZED, actually made them much better consultants for me! I hand them the packet, sit silently (SILENTLY, I repeat!) until they look up from the report with a question. If they don't look at the report, I ask them to please take a moment to look at the reports provided for them by Dr. X (my other doctors) and then they usually will take the time to really review what's there. I keep a binder of everything, but leave them full copies of the maps. This works BEAUTIFULLY my friends. Thankfully, I am now graced with two GREAT doctors (internist, opthomologist) and two typical physicians (GP, OBGYN) who simulate "caring" but I can't help feeling like patient #111345,000 with Condition #233434553443443555, only another human speedbump on their path to the end of their day and BMW. They are nice enough people but I wish they could experience what being their patient is like. I'll eventually replace them, probably sooner than later.....

I've moved to a high deductible plan, put the savings in an HSA and really become a tough health consumer. Because of the high deductible, most services are out of pocket and while I do spend a lot on the consults with doctors (current physican does not accept insurance and is $250 a visit), it's been worth it. Still not convinced about the sleep study, I'm going to be creative with my testing but we'll see what the wunder-doc has to say this next visit.

Good luck Jen. It's not always clear what to do, your detective skills will be tested but there will be moments of victory, that will keep you going!

b*8

Just read a tidbit for you to also ck out Jen, namely, your zinc levels. Stress depletes zinc. Zinc helps the cells release excess copper...this according to Lawrence Wilson MD copper researcher in Arizona. I've read multiple times that too many of us have too much copper. The zinc-copper ratio was manipulated by the guy (names escapes me at the moment) who coined the term oromolecular medicine, he was (if memory serves me) the psychiatrist who popularized nutritional treatment of imbalances in the those deemed mentally ill back in the late 60s-70s. Anyway, Wilson says when the cell has too much copper, it triggers fatigue, brain fog, and insomnia. We only need 15 mgm of zinc and taking much more can wreak havoc in the zinc:copper ratio. (Zinc is a blood test, not sure about copper, never had my level cked.)

Are you familiar with the Dr Richard Shames' books? I've heard good things about his "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled?" that you might want to ck out.

Muse, Yes I take some zinc daily as part of a thyroid support formula. And I have the Shames book you mention. I'm about to try the Padma Basic supplement, an ancient Tibeten herbal formula that he mentions is very helpful for people with hypothyroid symptoms/circulation problems.

We have a high intake of greens in our family, so there is no reason to be low in folates. We frequently eat broccoli and spinach and now that it is spring--yummy asparagus! And a couple of months ago I started juicing to improve my nutritional status even more. I juice some form of green along with carrots and apples and citrus every day. My youngest son is extremely picky and won't eat anything healthy but he loves the juice, so it puts my mind at each that he is getting a lot of nutrition that way every day.

Captain_Midnight wrote:s-nitster - - sorry you are feeling so poorly!

If you don't mind a few personal q's, (if so, read no further; and apologies if you posted this info and I scanned right by it). Have you been tested for lymes disease, west nile virus, and mono?

Also, you mentioned some supplements. Have you tried magnesium (e.g. the citrate), fish oils, vitamin d3, and kelp (iodine)? Others?

You mentioned food allergies, have you been tested for sulfate allergy and onion/garlic allergy?

Finally, you have a pretty good machine I believe. What might be your typical AHI?

I would bet that you are compliant xPAP-wise. Your approach seems very systematic (you are not a hypochondriac), and I'm confident that you will eventually solve this mystery.

.

Cpn-M,

I haven't been tested for lyme. If you read up on the testing you will find that it is wrong about 50% of the time. Not worth the time or money. I have discussed it with my docs but they don't seem to think it is the cause. I might pursue it more eventually if all other possiblities run out. West Nile and mono, again no. My hematologist has suggested I might consider going to an infectious disease specialist. I'm still considering it.

I am on a slow release magnesium product made by Jigsaw. All their products are really, really high quality in my opinion. Most of my adult life I have taken calcium citrate and magnesium citrate because I am allergic to milk. I also eat a diet that should be high in magnesium (and everything else). D3 I took all winter--now I just make sure to get some sun about every day.

I've been tested for every allergy under the sun and come up negative for everything on skin tests. However there is a list of foods that I react to almost immediately and I practice avoidance. Milk, soy, pineapple, mango and cantelope. I have spoken with non-allergists about this--my ENT for example, and he says that there is more than one pathway that food allergies can take and they don't always show up on skin tests. I'm usually pretty aware when I develop a new one--I immediately get tingling in the mouth and throat followed in the next few hours with debilitating diarrhea and abdominal cramps and many times I get hayfever symptoms as well--yes, from foods. I also have seasonal allergies which didn't show up on the skin tests. Years ago I tested positive for corn pollen and dust and had the allergy shots but that didn't change anything because food was the real problem. I've never had blood testing for allergies done. No doctor has ever suggested it. My mother is severely allergic to anything sulfa--including garlic though onion doesn't seem to bother her. I don't know any more than that. I may have to look into that. but I've never had one of my typical reactions to these and frequently cook with them.

I am 100% compliant with my bipap and my ahi is always under 5, usually closer to 2. This of course, was the first place I looked when I didn't recover from the flu!

I fear that people might think I am a hypochondriac. I am inordinately interested in anything medical--watching Dr. Oz, reading books, listening to Dr. Radio on my satelite radio. Its because I'm hoping to stumble upon something, the perfect fit for my symptoms. I have always had an incredibly voracious appetite for learning new things. I have many hobbies and many interests ranging from medieval life to knitting, crochet, gardening, pets, the natural world. I am a perpetual student. This has served me well in this battle. Without this craving for knowlegde, I would have been stuck in that debilitated state--no one else was able to help me. I had to help myself. And thank God I am better now--but I am not stopping here. I am going for optimal health now. Getting by is not good enough any more.

bwell,

What a fascinating post you wrote!

I am aware of b12. I've been tested and am in the normal range and I don't have macrocytic anemia (I have intermittant unexplained anemia with high mcv that my hematologist has no idea what to do with and she is a very, very good doctor). B12 was one of the first supplements I tried. I did sublingual tabs just like you mentioned and my M.D. who practices alternative medicine offered me B12 shots. The sublingual tabs, which I took religiously for weeks/months, did nothing for me. There is also b12 in some of the supplements I'm taking. Even if you lack intrinsic factor in your stomach lining, the body is still able to absorb about 1-2% of the b12 you ingest, so if you take enough, you will still get the 1-2 micrograms you need daily. I am still considering the shots--but my energy is actually really good now that I got the folates back up. So, I don't think b12 is the problem. And I've never read of b12 being an issue with muscle/joint pain. Mostly energy.

Celiac has been on my radar for some time. I don't have the classic symptoms of bloating, cramping diarrhea, and foul smelling, light colored stools. No doctor has suggested testing for it. However, about 12 years ago when I was in the early throws of the food allergy/intolerance with IBS symptoms and chronic sinus infections I did have a flexible sigmoidoscopy done with samples taken at that time. The test results showed a higher than normal white count but nothing else. If the villi were damaged from celiac, I am assuming it would have shown up then, but I might be wrong about that. I don't eat much wheat because I eat low glycemic, but I do eat some and I do eat oatmeal for breakfast everyday (old fashioned or steel cut). It might be worth being tested for this BEFORE I go to the trouble and expense of going to the medical geneticist in the nearest big city one hour away. Just to rule it out because I have read that some people are asymptomatic. You would not believe the amount of money I have spent on blood testing alone--even with really good insurance! It is so insane.

I don't know if you are familiar with Dr. Mercola. Someone on this forum got me interested in his daily newsletter. He says NOBODY should eat foods with gluten. He says they are bad for everyone. He is a bit of a shock-doc in my opinion and does do a lot of selling on his website and newsletters, so I don't know if I'm 100% trusting of what he has to say, however he is interesting and thought-provoking to read, as long as you take it with a grain of salt and make your own common-sense decisions.

That is what I'm trying to do. Make common sense decisions about my health. I'm not interested in taking any risks that could hurt more than harm--the idea is to prolong my life and enhance my life so I can be the best mom I can be and be there for my kids when they are older too. It takes a lot of sifting through information, constant cross-checking and confirmation. Most of what I take, and I take a lot of supplements, are chemicals the body is supposed to make itself and simple things like garlic and turmeric and ginger that many people include in their diets.

You are very lucky to have had such good experiences with doctors. I have doctors who really seem to care and others who are super smart, but I haven't found THE DOCTOR who can really help me. Yet.

Some recent research I've done may suggest that even the joint and muscle issues could potentially be from the folate deficiency and possibly even the hypothyroid symtoms. This would be sort of indirectly because folates are involved in other metabolic processes and if they are absent then those metabolic processes come to a halt eventually resulting in these other issues. I'm hoping that they will resolve over time.

Considering the history of neural tube defects and the other issues with folate related conditions that are rampant in one branch of my family, I feel I am on the right track.

socknitster wrote:So, I don't think b12 is the problem. And I've never read of b12 being an issue with muscle/joint pain. Mostly energy.

I started b12 shots hoping they would help with energy and continue taking them because they help with mood and sleep quality. After a few shots I noticed the were more comfortable and asked my doc about that, he said b12 helps the nervous system so it was likely a real change, not just me becoming used to the shots. My b12 absorption issues are probably related to a short digestive system (I have only 6" of colon) and possibly related to changes to the bottom of the small bowel because it has adapted over time to be more colon like.

I did have a flexible sigmoidoscopy done with samples taken at that time. The test results showed a higher than normal white count but nothing else. If the villi were damaged from celiac, I am assuming it would have shown up then, but I might be wrong about that.

I think an endoscopy with biopsies is required to see villi damage from celiac disease. A flexible sigmoidoscopy doesn't look at the entire colon and I am pretty sure the villi damage starts at the top of the small bowel. There are blood tests that are fairly reliable to screen for celiac disease without having an endoscopy, for these tests I think picking the right lab is important. If your diet is low gluten, you may not be eating enough for either the blood tests or biopsies to provide an accurate answer. It has been a few years since I followed celiac disease since my digestive problems are probably not celiac disease and I am not willing to eat enough gluten to get a reliable yes/no answer.

Hey Jen,

Dr. L (wunder-doctor) gave me a basic primer on Gluten Free eating (no wheat, no oats), had me eliminate dairy (almond milk is a great substitute). Before the wheat-fast she did a blood test and then after the fast another. Apparently there is an antibody that will show up if you are gluten intolerant. My tests results were inconclusive but the morning stomach discomfort stopped, skin improved and a few other irritants were gone. I can get away with a little wheat now and again (sandwich) but if I try more too soon, symptoms are immediately back.

I know the tests are worthy but frankly, how you FEEL is the real test.

Regarding a tibetan remedy....you made me remember an earlier round of visits, years ago, I made at a local Tibetan health center. The doctor was GORGEOUS (privately with my friends he was Tibetan Elvis). The office was exotic, smelled fantastic and the treatment consisted of him looking in to my eyes, then holding my hand and taking my pulse in silence for several minutes. Speaking of how Ifelt...well dahling! I could have taken that treatment forever!!!) He would prescribe a little sack of aromatic herbs, like little maltballs, that I tried for a short time. I could never get what the pills were in writing so although I believe they were sincere, the skeptic in me decided that as much as holding his hand was making me feel better, the maltballs were risky. Hmm, maybe I should get the treatment and go non-compliant with the maltballs ....hahahahahaha!

I've wondered at b12 shots. I'm feeling so much better these days because of the cpap machine, I don't think I need to go there. If this continues, and we finally fiddle my estrogen into check, I will have to (I mean be able to)start getting real about getting this hiney moving on my lonely trampoline and treadmill. Build some real endurance and reduce my, well, payload!! Dr. Wunderful says wait till my numbers are better but as I have been feeling so much better, I'm actually wanting to do more (versus EVERYTHING being such a struggle).

I'm on Mercola's list but am offended by the SHOUTING emails and "cpom" : continuous pressure of marketing. All he needs is a horse drawn wagon with Sharkoil on the side. It's a shame because I do think he's got great information to share, just wished he gave his audience more credit and had the courtesy to keep his hawking separate in an online store where, once I respected his opinion, I would gladly shed some dollars. Someone is giving him lousy advice...oh well...nothing a spam blocker can't cure!

My husband is a pretty indestructible guy, low maintenance, only now at 50 getting a muscle pain now and again and my assistant is getting his MBA in Physical Fitness. I try to restrain my whining, posting in my journal everyday - I consider it laundry - to keep my keen interest in my symptoms as private as possible!!! Ha! Ha! I write letters (that I never send) in my journal about health or other adventures (people, places, broken appliances, good, bad, sometimes totally unreasonable diatribes!!) and then move on through my day - little less self-centered and neurotic. Well, at least a little less, really. I haven't take a vote but just like wheat, when I don't journal, I really am more whiny and more likely to inflict a symptom report on some poor friend or family member.

My best friend has agreed to wipe out my hard drive and destroy (unread) all my journals should I check out early, before I've had the good sense to burn them! I have revisited a few older ones and while its a bit daunting how much time has passed since I put a few of my goals down on paper, its really more about the exercise of clearing my mind, thinking it out on paper than having an archive of what bugged me last year...I do write good things down too, but I've got a separate journal of inspiration things that's lived in my briefcase for years now. It's got a myriad of notes about great wine I've had, cool places to visit, poems and pictures from Oprah, etc. etc. I've got pieces of birthday cards, little pictures of my nieces all gluesticked in to the pages, it's not a huge book, Borders leatherbound half page journal but that's the journal that I want people to judge me by after I'm gone!

This forum is a bit of a guilty pleasure in addition to the great information. I can share symptoms and people actually respond with thoughtful advice....what a concept!

Take care Jen. My fabulous husband brought me coffee and you have been my "morning pages" ala http://www.theartistsway.com/tools/the- ... 194b52236c Hope I didn't go too far into the "nether"!!!
b*

bwell wrote:...http://www.theartistsway.com/tools/the- ... 194b52236c

Thanks! This just might help further the recovery of my creativity.

socknitster wrote:We have a high intake of greens in our family, so there is no reason to be low in folates. We frequently eat broccoli and spinach and now that it is spring--yummy asparagus! And a couple of months ago I started juicing to improve my nutritional status even more. I juice some form of green along with carrots and apples and citrus every day. My youngest son is extremely picky and won't eat anything healthy but he loves the juice, so it puts my mind at each that he is getting a lot of nutrition that way every day.

While high intakes of greens are indeed quite healthy for most, you should also keep in mind that most greens are also goitrogens which inhibit the uptake of iodine by the thyroid. Eathing cooked as opposed to raw greens may help reduce the goitrogen effects.

BTW - the thyroid requires both iodine and iodide ... similar but yet different.

Thanks for the interesting and educational thread.

DreamStalker wrote:

socknitster wrote:We have a high intake of greens in our family, so there is no reason to be low in folates. We frequently eat broccoli and spinach and now that it is spring--yummy asparagus! And a couple of months ago I started juicing to improve my nutritional status even more. I juice some form of green along with carrots and apples and citrus every day. My youngest son is extremely picky and won't eat anything healthy but he loves the juice, so it puts my mind at each that he is getting a lot of nutrition that way every day.

While high intakes of greens are indeed quite healthy for most, you should also keep in mind that most greens are also goitrogens which inhibit the uptake of iodine by the thyroid. Eathing cooked as opposed to raw greens may help reduce the goitrogen effects.

BTW - the thyroid requires both iodine and iodide ... similar but yet different.

Thanks for the interesting and educational thread.

Dreamstalker,

I am aware of goiteroigens--you are right about greens. However, I just read a tidbit and I don't know if its true yet (haven't had time to find a way to cross-check the information with somebody I trust) that goiteroigens are only really a problem IF you are low on iodine/iodide. Most people, by the way, have an enzyme that can convert iodide to iodine (or was it the other way around?! sorry my memory is foggy about that particular point). Only about 2% of the population, according to my alternative doctor cannot convert.

By the way, did you know that Fluoridated drinking water may also be a culprit in blocking iodine? As well as the bromine they use as a preservative in bread (which used to be iodine years ago, but I guess bromine is cheaper now.) This is controversial of course but according to my college chemistry class not really out of the realm of common sense. Fluorine, bromine and iodine are all halides on the periodic table of elements and have similar structure and action. As it turns out, we have been living fluoridation free for a couple of years because of the reverse osmosis system I had put on our kitchen tap. We still use regular toothpaste and my son does a fluoride rinse, but I encourage him NOT to swallow very strongly!

When I first discovered that many of my symptoms were hypothryroid symptoms (and those are the main ones that remain now--many of the most bizarre symptoms are gone now), my first "aha moment" was that I probably wasn't getting enough iodine. I mainly used to use kosher and sea salt for cooking--like all the good chefs on tv that I try to emulate! So, I switched to "realsalt" and started taking a short course of iodoral with the idea of replenshing any deficiency. I did full iodoral pills for about 2 months (12.5 iodine/iodide) and then did 1/2 a pill for a few weeks and now I just get the iodine from my multi-mineral and a thyroid support supplement that has kelp. I never saw any improvement from the iodine, so I'm guessing I wasn't as depleted as I thought, or that just was not the main causal agent of my distress.

Cooking the greens does loose a substantial amount of their nutritional value--and I can't get my youngest to eat much more than eggs and bananas and toast anyway, so for now anyway, I'm juicing them. You would be surprised how good fresh juice tastes. Broccoli and cabbage and lettuce are pretty much neutral except for the little "bite" cabbage can have if you get too much of the core in there. When mixed with citrus and pear or apple and a few carrots, you don't really know the greens are there exept for the color! It is very, very satisfying to drink that tall glass of juice, knowing its pure nutrition. It probably has too much sugar. . . but, sigh, you can't have everything!

Fiberfan,

Do you have any idea how much wheat I would need to ingest and for how long before I get the blood test. I'll start eating a piece or two of bread a day for a week and call my doc and see if he will order the test. I shouldn't need to do more than a piece or two of bread a day, do you think?

I'm curious about your screen name! I am a knitter primarily, but I have dabbled in crochet, quilting, rug hooking and many other fibery crafts--just curious what your faves are?

bwell,

I competely agree about Mercola. You hit that nail on the head. Mmmmm wish I had a Tibetan doc like that around here! I wish I had the time/committment to journal. I have tried to several times but I just never stick with it. With two little kids and their constant demands/messes/whatever there never seems like enough hours in the day. Like the mountain of laundry waiting for me to fold right now!

My endo finally called me back and agreed to prescribe levothyroxine and the lowest possible dose to see if it will help my symptoms. I'm thinking its 25 mcg. I start it tomorrow morning. Here's hoping for warmer hands and feet, better circulation, and less swollen tongue!

Thanks everyone!

Jen

bwell,

I wanted to thank you for your explanation of how you handle your medical information. I do something similar, but not as thorough. I may put more time into preparation now thanks to your ideas!

As an aside, I read once that many doctors think that patients who bring with them a list of symptoms and so forth are usually hypochondriacs. I had to laugh when I read that because at that time my brain fog was such that I could barely get out a complete sentence much less a coherent list of symptoms. I HAD to bring a list of symptoms just to get the ball rolling so they didn't have to sit there and watch me stutter for 10 minutes b4 they walked out of the room!

Jen

socknitster wrote:...As well as the bromine they use as a preservative in bread...

Scam as usual, unbromated flour has a longer shelf life. Plus, it tastes a whole lot better...or so I remember, been a long while since I made English muffin-bread or low-sugar cookies. King Arthur unbromated flour comes in many varieties, Kroger's carries it here.

socknitster wrote:Do you have any idea how much wheat I would need to ingest and for how long before I get the blood test. I'll start eating a piece or two of bread a day for a week and call my doc and see if he will order the test. I shouldn't need to do more than a piece or two of bread a day, do you think?

I recommend this FAQ page celiac.com for your question.

I'm curious about your screen name! I am a knitter primarily, but I have dabbled in crochet, quilting, rug hooking and many other fibery crafts--just curious what your faves are?

I don't think I can pick a favorite. I spin, weave, dye, knit, sew and sometimes dabble with surface design, tatting, bobbin lace, and crochet. I tend to do lots of one textile hobby and a bit of the rest with changes in what is the 'lots' hobby. Lately I have been weaving lots.

My endo finally called me back and agreed to prescribe levothyroxine and the lowest possible dose to see if it will help my symptoms. I'm thinking its 25 mcg. I start it tomorrow morning. Here's hoping for warmer hands and feet, better circulation, and less swollen tongue!

Yea! Hopefully you will notice a change in the next month.