Things Are Not Always What They Seem

My labs are back, and I've started on my 3 week cleansing and detoxification program. It has been an interesting few days! This little regimen is a bit tough for me. But, before I go into detail about the discipline I am conjuring up, I'm going to attempt to explain the results of my bloodwork first. I say that because even though most of my labs appear to be within "normal" limits, a much more narrow control of them is necessary for my health. I was surprised to find out that there are many (not all) lab reference ranges out there that change with the "averages" of the most recent patients that had that blood test done. Although not an accurate analogy, it still reminds me of how women's jeans have appeared to change their sizing over the years.

Glucose, glucose, glucose...how you confuse me. Two weeks ago I bought a glucometer to check my sugars at home. Except for twice at 96 and 99, they were always over 100. The highest was 154. It didn't matter if it was 1st thing in the morning, or 2 hours after I ate- it was over 100. I was VERY surprised to see 83 listed on my lab results. Even though the reference range for this says 65-99, Dr. Matthews said that he would almost consider me borderline hypoglycemic. Now...how can I be sure that wasn't a fluke? Well, let's look at the Hemoglobin A1c. This value shows your glucose control over the past 3 months. My result was 5.4%. That looks fine according to the reference range (4.8-5.6) and according to Dr. Matthews, however, less than 5 is optimal according to some other sources. So, all that said, I'm not really sure where I fit in with my glucose levels- but I'm willing to bet in the end, hindsight will be 20/20.

On to my protein and albumin. Again, both appear to be wonderfully perfect. Total serum protein is 6.7 (6.0-8.5)- but he would like that to be >7; and my serum albumin is 4.5 (3.5-5.5) and he would like that to be >5. He says the numbers in my blood suggest hypochlorhydria (not enough acid in my stomach). Another lab value that suggests this is my neutrophil count. My result was 70 (40-74%) and he would like it to be <60. Being that 70 is on the higher side of normal, he suspects I may have a bacterial infection in my gut...which can be due to the hypochlorhydria. We do not have that result yet, but it would be cool if he guessed correctly! (Well...sort of.) For a well written article (that doesn't take forever to read) on the thyroid-gut connection, look here.

How 'bout my iron?!? Whoot whoot!! My iron has come from 13 (45-145) in April 2010 to a whopping 98 (35-155)!! (See how those reference ranges are different?) And that's with only taking an iron supplement for about 30 days straight back in April, then probably twice a week for another month, to then maybe once a week. (Keep in mind I had removed gluten so I'm absorbing much better these days!)

Let's talk lipids. Many people hear that I'm eating butter, bacon, coconut oil and the like, and assume my triglycerides and cholesterol are going to skyrocket. However, since I've removed gluten, decreased grains to almost non-existent (I indulge in rice with sushi and a rare piece of gluten free pizza), and artificial or processed junk foods (aka too many carbs), quite the opposite is happening. It is high insulin levels that lead to high triglycerides and such, and you can read about it all in Robb Wolf's Book.

Let's Compare:
In 2004:
Total Cholesterol- 178 (0-200)
Triglycerides-  96 (<150)
HDL Cholesterol- 71 (>39)
VLDL Cholesterol- 19 (0-40)
LDL Cholesterol- 88 (0-99)
Total Chol/HDL ratio- 2.5

Now:
Total Cholesterol- 142 (100-199)
Triglycerides- 46 (0-149)
HDL Cholesterol- 65 (>39)
VLDL Cholesterol- 9 (5-40)
LDL Cholesterol- 68 (0-99)
Total Chol/HDL ratio- 2.2 (0.0-4.4)
LDL/HDL ratio- 1.0 (0.0-3.2)
C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac- 0.20 (0.00-3.00)

Sha-bang! Well, almost. He would like to see my Total Cholesterol >150 and my HDL <60. He mentioned that my HDL result suggests inflammation.
Another lab that suggests I'm inflamed is my Homocystine Plasma level. While also appearing normal (I sense a theme here) at 6.2 (0.0-15.0), Dr. Matthews wants it less than 5. I don't know much about that specific lab value yet.

Then comes the thyroid. I am baffled. I thought for sure it would be low, low, low. After all, am I not Mrs. Absorption now?! Plus, my autoimmunity has improved, too. Alas, my TSH is 6.16 (0.450-4.5...but the Endocrine Society agrees that anything over 3.5 should be considered hypothyroid). Just in April it was 1.76 (0.350-4.5). And yes, I have taken my 100 mcg Levothyroxine daily. I'm not sure what gives here, but it sure is fishy to me. Is it because Hashi's goes back and forth, waxes and wanes? Dr. Matthews said not to worry. As we go through this process, it will improve. I am maintaining on my usual 100 mcg at this point. The comforting fact is that I'm not such a weenie after all. My CrossFit WODs were becoming extra-special taxing, and I was manytimes wanting to quit in the middle. I always pushed through, however ugly it got, and finished...because I couldn't be THAT GIRL. Believe me when I say I can't wait for my TSH to improve.

Vitamin D. For shame. I am low in this prohormone as well. A mere 27.1 (32-100). The goal is >40. I questioned this goal because I thought people with Hashi's or autoimmunity want a nice high level. We unfortunately didn't have enough time to dive into that one...(I ended up meeting with him for an entire hour) but I'm sure it will be brought up again in the future. I'd like to know how long sun exposure lasts in the body. I mean- How long can your body maintain Vit D levels after Summer turns to Fall, and you are no longer at the pool everyday? In April it was 36 (30-89). -And that's before pool season. It would have been cool to know what my Vit D level was in the summer months. Nonetheless, I truly wish my Vit D level was spot on, because, well...uh, hold on...I'll tell you that one later.

On to the saliva tests. According to my Adrenal Stress Index, my cortisol load is 56 (23-42). Only once throughout the day was I within range...and that was around noon. Otherwise, I'm all jacked up. My DHEA Pooled value is 3 (3-10 mcg/ml) so I'm in the Maladapted Phase I. My Total Salivary SIgA is <5 (25-60) which is obviously depressed. To take the totality of all that...and to put it in layman's terms, I'm stressed, and my stress coping abilities are lacking. Potentially another reason my workouts were suffering. ...um...or maybe I should say I was suffering during my workouts...
All of the tests for antibodies to egg, soy, and dairy are NEGATIVE! YeeHaw! Now, to be fair, I haven't had much soy or dairy at all in the last few months, so they could be falsely negative. Honestly, as much as I eat those things, it wouldn't be missed too much anyway. But the eggs! I ate plenty of eggs, pretty much on a daily basis- so if it was negative...it was negative! Bring on the eggs!!!
My antibodies to gliadin (gluten) were 3 (<13). That's considered negative, but again, I haven't had it in months. He said that sometimes he has people eat gluten prior to testing to show a positive antibody on paper, but personally I didn't need proof. I very much get-it. Gluten is bad for human consumption, plus I have Hashi's. I won't eat it anymore.
Lastly, the hormone tests. All were fine, except for the Free Testosterone. Wha...? It's 43 (10-38). My MD checked my blood Testosterone level way back in 2007 and it was fine at 29.5 (10-70). I was now having images of a mustache and a hairy chest...but he said it was probably related to my blood sugars. Really? Well...let's fix that, then.

So, that's it. Those are my labs minus the stool test as it's not resulted yet. I was going to continue this post to include my 1st treatment supplements and diet plan, but it's gotten a bit lengthy. I'll do us all a favor and write about that hopefully tomorrow as I drink my new, temporary, morning fix.