I have not updated about my journey to Better Health since March and you probably wondered if I careened into a ditch somewhere and got forever lost. Well, I haven't got lost and I am still on the road, even down 2 more #'s, but I have been sabotaged by this companion that was traveling with me. He has been very influential in my life and sometimes he treats me good and other times he is a menace. He has caused me to divert my full attention from Diet Highway 101 to the paralleling route of Highway Metabolism. My companion's name is Thyroid and I knew it was time for me to get at the bottom of our relationship and find out why he has to be so disagreeable.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after our first child, Ben, was born in 1989. Read the beginning of the story here. At the end of that post in Feb. 2011, my med dose was being decreased. Over the next year, they went up again. So, I was back on the roller coaster and becoming increasingly frustrated. I made an appt. with a specialist, who charged me hundreds of $'s to not tell me anything I didn't already know! Plus, he didn't really care what I had to say, HE was the Dr. and HE knows me better than I know myself - NOT! Back to family Dr., who changed my meds once more and than informed me that I really do need to see a specialist. I cannot describe how totally exasperated I felt. Is there really nobody out there that knows to do anything different than keep putting a band aide on this problem, plus care what their patients have to say? All blood tests that I had done this year so far, have come back with me being borderline hyper, which means I needed my meds reduced. My exercise regiment ended, for I was once again having chest and shoulder pain and when I would do any exercising I thought my heart would be beat out of my chest. I realized that for me to find answers and help, I would need to do it myself, which I should have done years ago. So, I turned to Google, books from the library, and any other info that I can get my hands on. I spent days sitting at the computer desperately searching for answers that many other's seemed to be looking for, too. One day, God whispered in my ear that I should seek help from a mid-wife. Would a mid-wife understand hormones better? Be more open to other options? I contacted one locally and to make a long story short, they can do my blood work, order tests that I want, order the dose that I know I need, and they are excited to learn right along with me. They are accountable to a med. Dr., who is VERY willing to listen to his patients and take their suggestions to heart. Exciting!! Through my research, I learned of other blood work that Dr's. should also take when the thyroid function is in question, but rarely do they order them. It is so much easier to use that band aid instead of fixing the root illness. When the test results came back, they revealed that I have Hashimoto's, which is an auto-immune disease that is caused by allergies, stress, toxins, and a few other things. The disease attacked my thyroid and caused hypothyroidism. One of the symptoms that I have been experiencing for years was the tremendous fluctuation in TSH levels - hypo to hyper - back & forth. Ahhhh....that's me and finally I have an explanation and hopefully a solution. An elimination diet is suggested - gluten, dairy, grain free. Eat lots of veggies, fruit and meat! And make some lifestyle changes. I am still in the learning stage, so I will continue to share info. with you as I learn it.
So, do I still want to lose weight? Absolutely! But, for me to do that, I have to also focus on getting my metabolism to work properly or the journey would be next to impossible. I have new motivation to stay clear from wheat and sugar! And to share my story in hopes of helping others who are also traveling this frustrating road with a companion who is at odds with them, too. I want to encourage you who may be suffering with this to do your research, go to your Dr. and ask for the tests that you want. He may think you are off your rocker, but don't let that intimidate you. And if he does not listen, find someone who will. Also, I am reminded that we have a Great Physician who can heal even the worst disease, who hears all our concerns and who cares greatly for us. My thoughts have been on a certain woman who had suffered for 12 years with bleeding. She made her way through a crowd of people and said "if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole". And Jesus said to her "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole" and she was healed! Matthew 9:20 I love that story and I want that kind of faith, also!
To be continued......
Until next time.......
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