Aa
What is wrong with me??
I am an active 36 year old female with 3 children (12, 8, and 7). I feel like I am dying--like my body is giving out one piece at a time. I have had an enlarged thyroid since approximately 2009. I have always had bowel trouble and depression. I had my gall bladder removed when I was 18. I haven't felt "well" for 10 years or more, but I essentially attributed it to being a busy mom with little kids and little sleep. However, beginning in the fall of 2010, things started getting markedly worse. Hair loss, incredible fatigue (debilitating), edema, and hard to get rid of frequent upper respiratory infections. My doctor ran a ton of blood work and everything came out normal. After months of fatigue, they finally agreed to put me on a low dose of synthroid and all of my thyroid blood work is normal except that it continues to be enlarged. For the past year and a half I have struggled with feeling like my body is turning on itself. Over the past two years, I have steadily acquired "new symptoms" or worsening of symptoms like joint knee pain, headaches, and increasing abdominal pains. But all of my blood work always comes back normal. But then, in December 2012, I woke up one morning and my ankles and face were swollen so big, that I called my doctor immediately who told me to go to the ER. From December 2012, I have undergone an EKG, an Echo, a CAT scan and x-ray of my lungs, and a TON of blood work. Everything always comes back normal!! No heart problems, nothing on the lung scans, no diabetes, no RA factor, nothing. But I am feeling worse and worse by the week. They did a sleep apnea test and it was barely noticeable but I voluntarily chose a C-pap just in case. I have been on the c-pap for a month and even though I am less sleepy during the day, I still feel AWFUL. I thought that maybe I have some infectious disease or something but my white blood cell count is normal. I still have lots of inflammation despite being on a diuretic since December. The latest symptom is that I went to my dentist for a routine check up two days ago, and my upper gums are very inflamed without explanation. My teeth are perfectly fine and I haven't ever had this issue before. I am really starting to get scared that I won't last another year like this. I have an appointment with a rheumatoligist and a gasterointerologist. I have my own law practice and I don't have time to be going to a million doctors who usually end up saying the same thing: lots of inflammation which is indicative of something but no explanation for why. I am racking my brain on a daily basis-- parasites? bacterial infection? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Sounds like me - chronic inflammatory disease of the blood vessels. I had to do a major overhaul of my life to get some relief. I slowed down with guided imagery techniques on CDs from the Amer Chronic Pain Association. Then I improved my body function by getting completely off most grains and getting the meds, herbs & supplements necessary to help each body system work better. I partnered with Drs and a Chiropractor (one that does not use manipulation). The right rheumatologist was more helpful for me than any gastroent. - for some reason, he just never got it.
Those "normal" thyroid labs. Ahh the joys of undertreatment. Oh and don't forget - top three deficiency states with hypothyroidism - vitamin D, iron and vitamin B12.
Hi nhsgrace.
Wow! You sure are on a very challenging Path.
When adequate Thyroid Hormone Supplementation is taken ( natural vs synthetic is BETTER - my opinion ) by gradually increasing the dose to shut off the natural production by the thyroid gland, it fools the immune system that there's no more issue, thus stopping the antibody activity ( the so-called autoimmune reaction) and the goiter enlargement.
Close monitoring of your thyroid hormone levels and adjusting the Synthroid is very important!
Selenium supplementation, has helped many hypothyroid sufferers and also very low carb diets.
One thing to rule out is iodine deficiency, as it's necessary for the synthesis of Thyroid Hormones.
And one more thing to note: There's a possibility that Synthroid is putting too much strain on your adrenals.
Adrenal dysfunction MUST be addressed first before thyroid dysfunction
is addressed! Do you see an Endo for this?
Look into Gliadin test (urine), by Cyrex labs. They test 12 forms-not just the alpha ordered by most doctors- of gliadins regarding gluten intolerance (not necessarily just digestive).
Now they can also test which part of the body is affected.
Most hypothyroid sufferers have gluten intolerance and don't even know it!
The gluten molecules-mainly from gmo grains- resemble the TPO(Thyroid Peroxidase - an enzyme necessary for the signalling Thyroid hormone production) molecules and thus the immune system in its response against gluten, attacks the TPO in the Thyroid also!
This would possibly explain the continued issues and the enlarged thyroid.
Why are you on diuretics? I don't see the connection with reducing inflammation. Prolonged use may not serve you well at all!
Swelling is one of the body's natural responses to inflammatory and infectious conditions. Why kill the messenger? (if this is the reason for the diuretics) The cause is still there.
Conscious deep breathing, physical activity, massage/body brushing
will help with lymphatic function and reduce the swelling.
A possible underlying cause is increased intestinal and blood vessel wall permeability.
I suspect that malarbsoption issues, improperly digested macronutrients and Leaky Gut Syndome (intestinal permeability)create an environment that is conducive to the manifestation of many conditions including
possibly thyroid disorders, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis etc.
There's a simple urine test available for Leaky Gut Syndrome: mannitol/lactulose test.
Have you done a complete nutritional panel for deficiencies, including
tissue mineral analysis (blood tests are not very indicative as minerals stay more or less constant in the blood) ?
And have you been tested for Candida?
To test: leave a tall glass of water by your night-table. Upon waking up spit generously into the glass.
After 20 minutes if spit becomes long & stringy, or
sinks to the bottom of the glass, you probably have candida (yeast infection).
Sinking spit is worse than stringy and floating, I believe. Do a YouTube search for more details.
To remedy:
a.Coconut oil (extra virgin organic) in place of cooking oils 2T daily, work up to 4T daily
in 2-3 weeks. Greatest antifungal-much better than ANY anti-fungal drug! I've seen the studies.
(I have studied 3 books on the benefits of coconut oil)
b. Anti-candida diet. Avoid sugars(including artificial)
carbs, alcohol, fermented foods, dairy (some people are OK with yogurt).
c. High quality prebiotics and probiotics.
I have taken the Progressive Nutritionals HCP®Synbiotic kit, which I found to be one of the best ones on the market. This is made in Canada.
d. Lower stress levels! Stress and yeast infections (candida)
go hand in hand (stress on its own is a factor that
may contribute to the development and exasperation of you condition).
Consider "Oil Pulling" using extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO)
for your inflamed gums and general oral health.
It involves swishing vigorously for 20 minutes, first thing thing in the morning, using 1t of EVCO and then spitting it out and rinsing real good.
I had this issue a number of years ago. Within a week of oil pulling, I noticed a remarkable improvement!
One final suspicion would be an underlying difficult to detect pathogenic infection like Mycoplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borellia, Ehrlichia etc.
Some are known as tick-borne, however, they can be also spread through bodily fluids from other people or pets.
There are not many doctors trained in this field, and testing for these pathogens is notoriously complex, so standard blood tests won't show anything. No wonder you can't make sense of what is going on with your health, should this be the case.
I have covered some things that you have done already and some other things that you or your doctor may not be familiar with.
If you need more details on any of the aforementioned suggestions, let me know. You may pm me directly , if you prefer.
This is not a intended as a substitute for medical advice.
Best wishes!
Niko
Wow! You sure are on a very challenging Path.
When adequate Thyroid Hormone Supplementation is taken ( natural vs synthetic is BETTER - my opinion ) by gradually increasing the dose to shut off the natural production by the thyroid gland, it fools the immune system that there's no more issue, thus stopping the antibody activity ( the so-called autoimmune reaction) and the goiter enlargement.
Close monitoring of your thyroid hormone levels and adjusting the Synthroid is very important!
Selenium supplementation, has helped many hypothyroid sufferers and also very low carb diets.
One thing to rule out is iodine deficiency, as it's necessary for the synthesis of Thyroid Hormones.
And one more thing to note: There's a possibility that Synthroid is putting too much strain on your adrenals.
Adrenal dysfunction MUST be addressed first before thyroid dysfunction
is addressed! Do you see an Endo for this?
Look into Gliadin test (urine), by Cyrex labs. They test 12 forms-not just the alpha ordered by most doctors- of gliadins regarding gluten intolerance (not necessarily just digestive).
Now they can also test which part of the body is affected.
Most hypothyroid sufferers have gluten intolerance and don't even know it!
The gluten molecules-mainly from gmo grains- resemble the TPO(Thyroid Peroxidase - an enzyme necessary for the signalling Thyroid hormone production) molecules and thus the immune system in its response against gluten, attacks the TPO in the Thyroid also!
This would possibly explain the continued issues and the enlarged thyroid.
Why are you on diuretics? I don't see the connection with reducing inflammation. Prolonged use may not serve you well at all!
Swelling is one of the body's natural responses to inflammatory and infectious conditions. Why kill the messenger? (if this is the reason for the diuretics) The cause is still there.
Conscious deep breathing, physical activity, massage/body brushing
will help with lymphatic function and reduce the swelling.
A possible underlying cause is increased intestinal and blood vessel wall permeability.
I suspect that malarbsoption issues, improperly digested macronutrients and Leaky Gut Syndome (intestinal permeability)create an environment that is conducive to the manifestation of many conditions including
possibly thyroid disorders, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis etc.
There's a simple urine test available for Leaky Gut Syndrome: mannitol/lactulose test.
Have you done a complete nutritional panel for deficiencies, including
tissue mineral analysis (blood tests are not very indicative as minerals stay more or less constant in the blood) ?
And have you been tested for Candida?
To test: leave a tall glass of water by your night-table. Upon waking up spit generously into the glass.
After 20 minutes if spit becomes long & stringy, or
sinks to the bottom of the glass, you probably have candida (yeast infection).
Sinking spit is worse than stringy and floating, I believe. Do a YouTube search for more details.
To remedy:
a.Coconut oil (extra virgin organic) in place of cooking oils 2T daily, work up to 4T daily
in 2-3 weeks. Greatest antifungal-much better than ANY anti-fungal drug! I've seen the studies.
(I have studied 3 books on the benefits of coconut oil)
b. Anti-candida diet. Avoid sugars(including artificial)
carbs, alcohol, fermented foods, dairy (some people are OK with yogurt).
c. High quality prebiotics and probiotics.
I have taken the Progressive Nutritionals HCP®Synbiotic kit, which I found to be one of the best ones on the market. This is made in Canada.
d. Lower stress levels! Stress and yeast infections (candida)
go hand in hand (stress on its own is a factor that
may contribute to the development and exasperation of you condition).
Consider "Oil Pulling" using extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO)
for your inflamed gums and general oral health.
It involves swishing vigorously for 20 minutes, first thing thing in the morning, using 1t of EVCO and then spitting it out and rinsing real good.
I had this issue a number of years ago. Within a week of oil pulling, I noticed a remarkable improvement!
One final suspicion would be an underlying difficult to detect pathogenic infection like Mycoplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Borellia, Ehrlichia etc.
Some are known as tick-borne, however, they can be also spread through bodily fluids from other people or pets.
There are not many doctors trained in this field, and testing for these pathogens is notoriously complex, so standard blood tests won't show anything. No wonder you can't make sense of what is going on with your health, should this be the case.
I have covered some things that you have done already and some other things that you or your doctor may not be familiar with.
If you need more details on any of the aforementioned suggestions, let me know. You may pm me directly , if you prefer.
This is not a intended as a substitute for medical advice.
Best wishes!
Niko
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