Ok. So, I get the call today (Tuesday) to set up my appointment- My blood and urine labs have come back. I'm like..."Great! When can I come in?" As I'm ready to grab my hoodie and run out the door, she says, "Next Tuesday." Are you serious? You are talking to the girl who snooped for her Christmas presents well into her teens... Possibly even later than that, but "teens" sounds better... I have been a pro detective in my day. They have the results of my blood, and I am so extremely curious!! After a tiny bit of prodding, I got myself an appointment this coming Thursday at 2pm. That's still 2 days away.
What is my hemoglobin a1c? How's my cholesterol and/or triglycerides since I now eat butter by the chunk, bacon by the slab, and coconut oil by the spoonful? Is my Iron level close to normal now that I've stopped eating the gut damaging gluten and still take supplemental iron occasionally (which can now be absorbed)? Is my TSH still within normal limits with this big diet change?
*Sigh*
If those labs were hidden in this house somewhere...rest assured I wouldn't be waiting until Thursday.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Move over, Anthrax
Prior to starting this treatment plan, Dr. Matthews required a meeting that also included my better half. He said it was because my partner had to know what was going to be involved in the 6 month course. No doubt that it's better to have both spouses on board with such a lifestyle change...the drop out rate is higher when one spouse doesn't understand the importance of the necessary tweeks. It's good to be married to Anthony and have such incredibly willing kids. Being alone in this would be tough. I'm pretty sure I was ahead of the curve because I had already eliminated gluten and dairy. The rest of the peeps in the house also had nixed gluten and had almost entirely eliminated dairy- except for a week when Anthony picked up some raw milk in South Carolina and "sampled" a gallon and a half of it. Yeah- they all enjoyed that week. But I wasn't comfortable continuing it until we knew what was ok and what wasn't in this whole autoimmune thing. The kids have half my genetic makeup, so I'm looking out for their health too. (I'll describe my close family's health in another post someday.)
It was during this meeting he spoke to us about the cost of treatment ($5200) and what was included. Anthony felt we didn't have a choice but to give it a try.
When the meeting was over, we went home to figure out our finances. It is frustrating to know I am doing my best to stay as healthy as possible and prevent myself from becomming a statistic, yet insurance wouldn't recognize something like this. To be clear, I said "frustrated"...not "surprised."
A little over a week later, I met with Dr. Matthews to get started. He sent me home with some lab orders for LabCorp and some mail-away lab kits. Once the results trickled in, I would be started on my personalized journey.
The labs he needed from me were from my blood, saliva, stool, and urine. I was wondering if my earwax was feeling left out. Oh well...If it's going to help me get to my goal...bring it on. I got the stool sample out of the way quickly. The test was for bacteria, yeast, and parasites I believe. It was quite interesting- a little spork attached to the inside of the specimen lid for your convenience. How very thoughtful. I'm glad Anthony worked late that night. Nurse or not, yuck is still yuck. Privacy has it's perks in times like these.
The next morning came quickly, and as usual, I was starving. But wait! First I had to spit into this vial as much saliva I could muster...about 4 mls were needed. I couldn't even brush my teeth 1st. It took like 15 minutes. Then I headed out the door for some fasting labs at LabCorp. They drew 5 tubes of blood and took a urine sample there. I couldn't wait to get home to EAT!!! I had to do 3 more saliva tests throughout the day. Unfortunately, because of them, I couldn't have a drop of coffee, tea, chocolate, cruciferous veggies, onions or garlic all day. The saliva tests were timed- morning, noon, afternoon, and midnight. They were checking my cortisol levels throughout the day as well as antibodies to eggs (Please God let that be negative), dairy, gliadin (gluten), and soy. There was a 5th saliva sample too- but that one you actually pour a little from your noon and afternoon ones into the vial. That one was for hormones (FSH and LH). It was a very long day. I couldn't eat for 60 mins prior to giving the sample. And since I tend to graze all day, I was irritable. Plus...did I mention I couldn't have coffee?
So, FedEx came to our house pick up the stool sample that day, and the saliva was sent via USPS the next day. It's just kind of weird to think that there's stuff like that being sent in the mail. Move over Anthrax?! ...At least the people receiving my samples are expecting them. Comforting.
I expect to hear from Dr. Matthews office in the next day or two because I'm sure my blood and urine tests are back. I'm looking forward to my results and new instructions...Mostly.
It was during this meeting he spoke to us about the cost of treatment ($5200) and what was included. Anthony felt we didn't have a choice but to give it a try.
When the meeting was over, we went home to figure out our finances. It is frustrating to know I am doing my best to stay as healthy as possible and prevent myself from becomming a statistic, yet insurance wouldn't recognize something like this. To be clear, I said "frustrated"...not "surprised."
A little over a week later, I met with Dr. Matthews to get started. He sent me home with some lab orders for LabCorp and some mail-away lab kits. Once the results trickled in, I would be started on my personalized journey.
The labs he needed from me were from my blood, saliva, stool, and urine. I was wondering if my earwax was feeling left out. Oh well...If it's going to help me get to my goal...bring it on. I got the stool sample out of the way quickly. The test was for bacteria, yeast, and parasites I believe. It was quite interesting- a little spork attached to the inside of the specimen lid for your convenience. How very thoughtful. I'm glad Anthony worked late that night. Nurse or not, yuck is still yuck. Privacy has it's perks in times like these.
The next morning came quickly, and as usual, I was starving. But wait! First I had to spit into this vial as much saliva I could muster...about 4 mls were needed. I couldn't even brush my teeth 1st. It took like 15 minutes. Then I headed out the door for some fasting labs at LabCorp. They drew 5 tubes of blood and took a urine sample there. I couldn't wait to get home to EAT!!! I had to do 3 more saliva tests throughout the day. Unfortunately, because of them, I couldn't have a drop of coffee, tea, chocolate, cruciferous veggies, onions or garlic all day. The saliva tests were timed- morning, noon, afternoon, and midnight. They were checking my cortisol levels throughout the day as well as antibodies to eggs (Please God let that be negative), dairy, gliadin (gluten), and soy. There was a 5th saliva sample too- but that one you actually pour a little from your noon and afternoon ones into the vial. That one was for hormones (FSH and LH). It was a very long day. I couldn't eat for 60 mins prior to giving the sample. And since I tend to graze all day, I was irritable. Plus...did I mention I couldn't have coffee?
So, FedEx came to our house pick up the stool sample that day, and the saliva was sent via USPS the next day. It's just kind of weird to think that there's stuff like that being sent in the mail. Move over Anthrax?! ...At least the people receiving my samples are expecting them. Comforting.
I expect to hear from Dr. Matthews office in the next day or two because I'm sure my blood and urine tests are back. I'm looking forward to my results and new instructions...Mostly.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
In the Beginning...
Welcome! This is the start of my Autoimmune Hypothyroid (Hashimoto's) journey. I didn't realize that so many people I knew also had benign (and sometimes whacked-out) thyroid symptoms -until I started talking about my own. I had been writting a little on my Facebook page, but was encouraged by my techno-savvy, way awesome husband, to start a blog instead. Reason being- not only to document this journey of mine for me, but to see if anyone else out there could benefit from my story.
First off, let me play a somewhat lengthy catch up.
It was December of 2004. I was 29 years old, and I went for a physical with a new MD. I can't exactly remember why he checked me for hypothyroid. It was probably just the benign symptoms like cold hands/feet, tiredness, dry skin, hair falling out in the shower, and constipation. He probably had to probe and ask me specific questions related to each of those complaints, because I wouldn't have brought any of those itsy-bitsy pesky symptoms to his attention on my own. (I'm a nurse, OK? I don't go to the doctor unless I'm on death's door. I am a pro at self-diagnosing, ignoring, then moving on.)
Well, my labs came back in a few days. Boy was I healthy, I was impressed! What wonderful blood I had. It must've been all that healthy cereal like Total Raisin Bran, Cheerios (and Lucky Charms, too :)... I ate numerous times a day. The only 2 things that were off were my Hemoglobin (11.7. Normal 12-15) and my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). My TSH was nice and high at 16 (should be below 3.5 in someone who is truly healthy). I was officially diagnosed with hypothyroid. I wasn't shocked...my mom also had the same diagnosis. I was given a script for Synthroid (I go generic, so it was Levothyroxine). We did not treat the low hemoglobin. It was considered "borderline anemia" by my PMD.
Three months later, in March of 2005, I went to a repeat visit to see if my dose for Levothyroxine was good. My PMD decided to also check my thyroid antibodies. He said it was a good idea to know if I had "Autoimmune Hypothyroid," or "Hashimoto's." That way, he'd be prepared for other autoimmune diseases as they rear their heads. "Like diabetes," he said. I sat there and adamantly told him, "No, not me. I'm not going to get diabetes. I mean, I'm healthy, can't you see?" I just was like, "Give me my hypothyroid pill, I'll be ok. No one in my family history has diabetes, I'm not overweight, and I'm not worried." I was OK with my hypothyroid. It just meant I had to take a pill, right? Even as a nurse, I had no idea what an autoimmune diagnosis really meant. My doctor probably wanted to shake me. He was trying to explain autoimmunity, but I wasn't listening. I truly didn't care what lab he wanted, or what it showed. I was FINE.
Well, there were 2 different antibodies checked- (even though only one has to be positive) Antithyroglobulin Antibody and Thyroid Perioxidase Antibody (TPO Ab). My Antithyroglobulin one was negative, but my TPO Ab was 5057 (Normal at this lab was 0-60). It was a no-brainer. I had Hashimoto's. What did that mean for my medical treatment? What changed in my life right after being told I had Autoimmune Hypothyroid? What did my doctor tell me I had to do different? Not a darn thing. He just had prepared himself to be on the lookout for my demise...essentially. I simply continued on my Levothyroxine at 100 mcg per day. (Well...if truth be told, mostly daily. I hated pills.) I lived in ignorant bliss.
Fast forward a few years. My TSHs were usually within normal limits. However, looking back, I never got over being cold, having dry skin, my hair still fell out, and occasionally I was still constipated. Now why do you think that is? Hmmm...
April 2008, probably while chomping on my 3rd cup of ice that day, I was informed a new lab popped out of range- my Iron level. My MD had done an Iron profile, because he wanted to know more than just my hemoglobin. At this point, my Iron was 19. (Normal for this lab was 42-145.) Wow, did I become anemic. "Easy explanation," I thought to myself. "I have bad menstrual cycles." Well, at the risk of losing all credibility, and this will sound completely crazy, I was SO addicted to chewing ice I didn't WANT to improve my iron. I WANTED to chew ice!! (See, once my iron levels improve, I would no longer crave ice.) Besides, I didn't FEEL like my iron was that low. I functioned fine. Sure, I slept till almost noon most days, but come-on, I worked 2 days a week from 3p-3a. I mean, that's just like night shift! (I can explain everything away, I told you...)
It just kept getting better. (And by that, I mean worse.) In 2009, my Iron had dropped from 19 to 11. I promised my MD I'd take some Ferrous Fumerate. ...At least I had it in the cabinet... I'd take it here and there, but I really blew that promise. God bless my husband, children, and my co-workers, who had to sit next to me as I was chomp chomp chomping away on my Sonic ice in my Route 44 size cups. (No lie- it had increased to like 4 of those per DAY.)
Around this time, my Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching husband, Anthony, started to talk of this "thing" called CrossFit. Soon after, he went to a CrossFit Nutrition Seminar instructed by Robb Wolf. Life would never be the same.
At this point, I must tell you how I had been living. There were usually 12 boxes of various cereals in my pantry, fast food galore, if it's frozen-in-a-box-and-easy-to-heat-up...it's for me. Oh- and don't forget candybars. I loooove me some candybars. Limited Edition Triple Chocolate Twix's to be specific. Exercise? Me? No way man- I was allergic to that. I hadn't exercised since 1997, and that was for like 4 months. Well, to be most accurate, on a whim in 2007 or 08 I paid $124 for 6 months of a gym membership and went ONCE. But, I totally prided myself in the fact I drank only water and coffee (no sodas and such) and my kids didn't get alot of sugar (compared to other friends, that is.) I wasn't overweight (5' 8" 125ish lbs) and I didn't look bad...but I sometimes got winded going up the stairs. I hardly ever got sick, yet I was not healthy.
Early 2010, Anthony had won Charlotte's 2010 Best of the Best Nutrition Coach. Maybe it was time for me to hop on board the "Health Train." In April 2010, I decided (that's really key) I was going to actually become healthy and see about this new-to-me lifestyle called CrossFit. The problem was, I got winded super easy. "I won't be good at CrossFit unless I overcome my anemia," I thought to myself. So, a multivitamin and Ferrous Fumerate tablet became a daily part of my life. Amazingly, after 5 days of taking them, I no longer had to go to Sonic for a couple bags of ice. I didn't even think about it- I didn't even miss it! I no longer needed to sleep till noon. At 9am, I was feeling like I was SuperWoman. "I am a CrossFitter, and I love it!"
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my body was still wreaking havoc. I was feeling so wonderful no longer being dreadfully anemic, I didn't realize what else was happening under my nose. I had recently been hearing the words "autoimmunity," and "gluten" in the same conversations. Now, gluten was already making an exit from our lives. Anthony had learned so much when he went to Robb Wolf's seminar. He found out what it did to our bodies, and how people can have completely different symptoms from it. We just hadn't lived it out 100% yet. We finally emptied any and all gluten from our home over about 2-3 months (May through July). July 31st 2010 was the last time I knowingly ate gluten. It was my 35th Birthday Girl's Night Out, and it was the dessert after a paleo dinner that did me in (Big surprise).
..But now it's into August and September...and all this recent talk about autoimmunity... it was bringing up a distant memory. I hadn't thought about Hashimoto's in YEARS. In fact, I litterally forgot I was diagnosed with the autoimmune component, and had to review my labs to assure he did in fact, diagnose me with it. Sure enough, there was the note he wrote me on my lab print-out, and my 5057 number circled and highlighted. Anthony called in to one of Robb Wolf's radioblog episodes to ask about Hashimoto's and diet recommendations. Those recommendations included: Being gluten free- check. Dairy free (unless it's butter from grass fed cows)- check. Egg free- Uh...don't mess with my eggs, Robb. According to Robb's advice, I was doing pretty good. I was taking my Fish oils and probiotics. We used coconut oil regulary. Robb told him about someone named "Dr. K." He mentioned that Dr. K was also on a previous episode and we should listen to it. Anthony downloaded it to my iPod. I had no earthly idea how much I did NOT know about my condition. I listened to it more than once. One particular time in September, I was in the dentist's chair. I was beginning to feel hopeless. That feeling of, "Where am I going to find a Doctor who is up on this stuff like this super-smart neuro endocrine immunologist chiropractor Dr. Kharraizian person?" Which MD would I see when there is no script preventing future autoimmunity- no pill I can take to prevent rhumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, alzheimers, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc. Was I just a ticking timebomb? THEN:
Still in the Dentist's office, up on the TV, was a local Chiropractor who had a Thyroid Treatment Program he was advocating. I was intrigued so I called the number. I asked the staff pointed questions I had learned from Dr.K's interview on my iPod. Turned out, Dr. Matthews had been "trained under" Dr. K! I was ecstatic! My hopeless state immediately turned to hope. (Sidebar: Just prior to this, I sustained an injury in which I started to see a Chiropractor. I only recently understand that Chiropractic care is truly beneficial. Prior to this, I didn't understand the practice, and thought it was plain weird. I was medically trained, and sometimes you've gotta unlearn what you once thought was true. Now I can say with certainty that my chiropractor helped me where massage or therapy wouldn't cut it at all. End sidebar.) Dr. Matthews also treats patients in the Duke research study called the MURDOCK study. That itself is interesting, and I hope they expand their study to include Hashimoto's treatment.
At the end of September, I met with Dr. Matthews and got an order for my Antibody levels to be checked again...to get an idea of where I was now. No, I have no idea what has happened to my levels in between 2005 and now. All I know is that my TPO Ab went from 5057 to 583, and my Antithyroglobulin Ab went from being negative to 546. I was super excited at the improvement in my TPO Ab- I know it's improved. But the other one...what happened? Did it also increase to high levels like the other one during those 5 years? Or did that just start? At this point, after reading Dr. Kharraizain's book, remembering all sorts of symptoms I had that I "explained away," and as I put my lifestory together in hindsight...I believe that 2004/05 was the beginning of my problem...and it got worse while I sat back and ignored it. The important thing is what was on the page before me was a very active autoimmune attack against my own body. Stop the Madness!! How can I tell my cells to stop the homicide? I already stopped giving them things to attack that look so similar to my thyroid hormone.... I hadn't had gluten in 2 months. (The less gluten there is to attack, the less antibodies are active, and the less they attack me.)
Back to Dr. Matthews and the Thyroid Treatment Plan he offers. It's a 6 month plan complete with supplements, labwork, meal plans, you name it. I would meet with him 22 times. If my labs didn't go where we needed them to start heading in the 1st 60 days, a refund of what hadn't been paid out for tests and such would be given back to me. The cost was $5200. I had 2 choices. Sit around and wait for my potential future scripts: Insulin for diabetes, anti-inflamatories for arthritis, pain pills for fibromyalgia, and memory pills for Alzheimers (etc.)...or try something unconventional and quite different than what I was trained for. Alternative medicine. Natural products. Paleo-esque foods. Vitamins. Fish oils ...All in an attempt to make those antibodies go essentially dormant. To find and remove the other triggers besides gluten. To snap my body back into place. To let me continue my life in a state of health. We didn't have $5200 lying around. It was not going to be covered by insurance- except for possibly some lab tests. It was steep for us, but the alternative was much more costly.
Well, that's where the beginning part of the story ends, and the 6 month journey of the unknown starts.
First off, let me play a somewhat lengthy catch up.
It was December of 2004. I was 29 years old, and I went for a physical with a new MD. I can't exactly remember why he checked me for hypothyroid. It was probably just the benign symptoms like cold hands/feet, tiredness, dry skin, hair falling out in the shower, and constipation. He probably had to probe and ask me specific questions related to each of those complaints, because I wouldn't have brought any of those itsy-bitsy pesky symptoms to his attention on my own. (I'm a nurse, OK? I don't go to the doctor unless I'm on death's door. I am a pro at self-diagnosing, ignoring, then moving on.)
Well, my labs came back in a few days. Boy was I healthy, I was impressed! What wonderful blood I had. It must've been all that healthy cereal like Total Raisin Bran, Cheerios (and Lucky Charms, too :)... I ate numerous times a day. The only 2 things that were off were my Hemoglobin (11.7. Normal 12-15) and my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). My TSH was nice and high at 16 (should be below 3.5 in someone who is truly healthy). I was officially diagnosed with hypothyroid. I wasn't shocked...my mom also had the same diagnosis. I was given a script for Synthroid (I go generic, so it was Levothyroxine). We did not treat the low hemoglobin. It was considered "borderline anemia" by my PMD.
Three months later, in March of 2005, I went to a repeat visit to see if my dose for Levothyroxine was good. My PMD decided to also check my thyroid antibodies. He said it was a good idea to know if I had "Autoimmune Hypothyroid," or "Hashimoto's." That way, he'd be prepared for other autoimmune diseases as they rear their heads. "Like diabetes," he said. I sat there and adamantly told him, "No, not me. I'm not going to get diabetes. I mean, I'm healthy, can't you see?" I just was like, "Give me my hypothyroid pill, I'll be ok. No one in my family history has diabetes, I'm not overweight, and I'm not worried." I was OK with my hypothyroid. It just meant I had to take a pill, right? Even as a nurse, I had no idea what an autoimmune diagnosis really meant. My doctor probably wanted to shake me. He was trying to explain autoimmunity, but I wasn't listening. I truly didn't care what lab he wanted, or what it showed. I was FINE.
Well, there were 2 different antibodies checked- (even though only one has to be positive) Antithyroglobulin Antibody and Thyroid Perioxidase Antibody (TPO Ab). My Antithyroglobulin one was negative, but my TPO Ab was 5057 (Normal at this lab was 0-60). It was a no-brainer. I had Hashimoto's. What did that mean for my medical treatment? What changed in my life right after being told I had Autoimmune Hypothyroid? What did my doctor tell me I had to do different? Not a darn thing. He just had prepared himself to be on the lookout for my demise...essentially. I simply continued on my Levothyroxine at 100 mcg per day. (Well...if truth be told, mostly daily. I hated pills.) I lived in ignorant bliss.
Fast forward a few years. My TSHs were usually within normal limits. However, looking back, I never got over being cold, having dry skin, my hair still fell out, and occasionally I was still constipated. Now why do you think that is? Hmmm...
April 2008, probably while chomping on my 3rd cup of ice that day, I was informed a new lab popped out of range- my Iron level. My MD had done an Iron profile, because he wanted to know more than just my hemoglobin. At this point, my Iron was 19. (Normal for this lab was 42-145.) Wow, did I become anemic. "Easy explanation," I thought to myself. "I have bad menstrual cycles." Well, at the risk of losing all credibility, and this will sound completely crazy, I was SO addicted to chewing ice I didn't WANT to improve my iron. I WANTED to chew ice!! (See, once my iron levels improve, I would no longer crave ice.) Besides, I didn't FEEL like my iron was that low. I functioned fine. Sure, I slept till almost noon most days, but come-on, I worked 2 days a week from 3p-3a. I mean, that's just like night shift! (I can explain everything away, I told you...)
It just kept getting better. (And by that, I mean worse.) In 2009, my Iron had dropped from 19 to 11. I promised my MD I'd take some Ferrous Fumerate. ...At least I had it in the cabinet... I'd take it here and there, but I really blew that promise. God bless my husband, children, and my co-workers, who had to sit next to me as I was chomp chomp chomping away on my Sonic ice in my Route 44 size cups. (No lie- it had increased to like 4 of those per DAY.)
Around this time, my Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching husband, Anthony, started to talk of this "thing" called CrossFit. Soon after, he went to a CrossFit Nutrition Seminar instructed by Robb Wolf. Life would never be the same.
At this point, I must tell you how I had been living. There were usually 12 boxes of various cereals in my pantry, fast food galore, if it's frozen-in-a-box-and-easy-to-heat-up...it's for me. Oh- and don't forget candybars. I loooove me some candybars. Limited Edition Triple Chocolate Twix's to be specific. Exercise? Me? No way man- I was allergic to that. I hadn't exercised since 1997, and that was for like 4 months. Well, to be most accurate, on a whim in 2007 or 08 I paid $124 for 6 months of a gym membership and went ONCE. But, I totally prided myself in the fact I drank only water and coffee (no sodas and such) and my kids didn't get alot of sugar (compared to other friends, that is.) I wasn't overweight (5' 8" 125ish lbs) and I didn't look bad...but I sometimes got winded going up the stairs. I hardly ever got sick, yet I was not healthy.
Early 2010, Anthony had won Charlotte's 2010 Best of the Best Nutrition Coach. Maybe it was time for me to hop on board the "Health Train." In April 2010, I decided (that's really key) I was going to actually become healthy and see about this new-to-me lifestyle called CrossFit. The problem was, I got winded super easy. "I won't be good at CrossFit unless I overcome my anemia," I thought to myself. So, a multivitamin and Ferrous Fumerate tablet became a daily part of my life. Amazingly, after 5 days of taking them, I no longer had to go to Sonic for a couple bags of ice. I didn't even think about it- I didn't even miss it! I no longer needed to sleep till noon. At 9am, I was feeling like I was SuperWoman. "I am a CrossFitter, and I love it!"
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, my body was still wreaking havoc. I was feeling so wonderful no longer being dreadfully anemic, I didn't realize what else was happening under my nose. I had recently been hearing the words "autoimmunity," and "gluten" in the same conversations. Now, gluten was already making an exit from our lives. Anthony had learned so much when he went to Robb Wolf's seminar. He found out what it did to our bodies, and how people can have completely different symptoms from it. We just hadn't lived it out 100% yet. We finally emptied any and all gluten from our home over about 2-3 months (May through July). July 31st 2010 was the last time I knowingly ate gluten. It was my 35th Birthday Girl's Night Out, and it was the dessert after a paleo dinner that did me in (Big surprise).
..But now it's into August and September...and all this recent talk about autoimmunity... it was bringing up a distant memory. I hadn't thought about Hashimoto's in YEARS. In fact, I litterally forgot I was diagnosed with the autoimmune component, and had to review my labs to assure he did in fact, diagnose me with it. Sure enough, there was the note he wrote me on my lab print-out, and my 5057 number circled and highlighted. Anthony called in to one of Robb Wolf's radioblog episodes to ask about Hashimoto's and diet recommendations. Those recommendations included: Being gluten free- check. Dairy free (unless it's butter from grass fed cows)- check. Egg free- Uh...don't mess with my eggs, Robb. According to Robb's advice, I was doing pretty good. I was taking my Fish oils and probiotics. We used coconut oil regulary. Robb told him about someone named "Dr. K." He mentioned that Dr. K was also on a previous episode and we should listen to it. Anthony downloaded it to my iPod. I had no earthly idea how much I did NOT know about my condition. I listened to it more than once. One particular time in September, I was in the dentist's chair. I was beginning to feel hopeless. That feeling of, "Where am I going to find a Doctor who is up on this stuff like this super-smart neuro endocrine immunologist chiropractor Dr. Kharraizian person?" Which MD would I see when there is no script preventing future autoimmunity- no pill I can take to prevent rhumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, alzheimers, lupus, multiple sclerosis, etc. Was I just a ticking timebomb? THEN:
Still in the Dentist's office, up on the TV, was a local Chiropractor who had a Thyroid Treatment Program he was advocating. I was intrigued so I called the number. I asked the staff pointed questions I had learned from Dr.K's interview on my iPod. Turned out, Dr. Matthews had been "trained under" Dr. K! I was ecstatic! My hopeless state immediately turned to hope. (Sidebar: Just prior to this, I sustained an injury in which I started to see a Chiropractor. I only recently understand that Chiropractic care is truly beneficial. Prior to this, I didn't understand the practice, and thought it was plain weird. I was medically trained, and sometimes you've gotta unlearn what you once thought was true. Now I can say with certainty that my chiropractor helped me where massage or therapy wouldn't cut it at all. End sidebar.) Dr. Matthews also treats patients in the Duke research study called the MURDOCK study. That itself is interesting, and I hope they expand their study to include Hashimoto's treatment.
At the end of September, I met with Dr. Matthews and got an order for my Antibody levels to be checked again...to get an idea of where I was now. No, I have no idea what has happened to my levels in between 2005 and now. All I know is that my TPO Ab went from 5057 to 583, and my Antithyroglobulin Ab went from being negative to 546. I was super excited at the improvement in my TPO Ab- I know it's improved. But the other one...what happened? Did it also increase to high levels like the other one during those 5 years? Or did that just start? At this point, after reading Dr. Kharraizain's book, remembering all sorts of symptoms I had that I "explained away," and as I put my lifestory together in hindsight...I believe that 2004/05 was the beginning of my problem...and it got worse while I sat back and ignored it. The important thing is what was on the page before me was a very active autoimmune attack against my own body. Stop the Madness!! How can I tell my cells to stop the homicide? I already stopped giving them things to attack that look so similar to my thyroid hormone.... I hadn't had gluten in 2 months. (The less gluten there is to attack, the less antibodies are active, and the less they attack me.)
Back to Dr. Matthews and the Thyroid Treatment Plan he offers. It's a 6 month plan complete with supplements, labwork, meal plans, you name it. I would meet with him 22 times. If my labs didn't go where we needed them to start heading in the 1st 60 days, a refund of what hadn't been paid out for tests and such would be given back to me. The cost was $5200. I had 2 choices. Sit around and wait for my potential future scripts: Insulin for diabetes, anti-inflamatories for arthritis, pain pills for fibromyalgia, and memory pills for Alzheimers (etc.)...or try something unconventional and quite different than what I was trained for. Alternative medicine. Natural products. Paleo-esque foods. Vitamins. Fish oils ...All in an attempt to make those antibodies go essentially dormant. To find and remove the other triggers besides gluten. To snap my body back into place. To let me continue my life in a state of health. We didn't have $5200 lying around. It was not going to be covered by insurance- except for possibly some lab tests. It was steep for us, but the alternative was much more costly.
Well, that's where the beginning part of the story ends, and the 6 month journey of the unknown starts.
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