I visited my ND today to discuss my latest blood test results. She wasn't concerned about my low WBC because it was still in the normal range. She did suggest that I get another CBC after 3 months, to check whether my wbc is still in range. We both decided against LDN, because it exacerbates the effect of thyroid supplements. Finding an effective thyroid dose took me a year. So I don't want to mess with that. However, she agreed that I could take IAG (arabinogalactans) again to fight and prevent colds. I've had 2 colds since returning from Maui in late October and might be getting my husband's cold, which he got from a coworker. I gave him a dose of IAG as soon as I got home, because hesbeen home sick for the past 2 days.
After looking at my toenails, my doc suspected I may need to continue treatment for 6 months. She previously recommended treating my chronic toenail fungus with oil of geranium mixed with DMSO 2x daily for 3 months. However, considering I had that problem for many years, 6 months of treatmet is more realistic. SIGH
The really good news was my blood pressure (120/75), pulse (85) and temperature (98.8). Those were my first really normal readings ever. However, I suspect those were a tad inflated because I had just eaten lunch before my appointment. Nevertheless, those reading show that my thyroid supplement is finally the right amount and type (T3 only) to resolved my hypothyroid symptoms.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Blood Test Results
I received my lab test results. My vitamin D3 level decreased a bit, but is still within the 'normal range' according to the lab range. However, I know that's not optimal and could explain my frequent respiratory infections (2 colds in the last month). So I increased my daily supplements from 1000 to 2000mg of D3.
My CBC had few surprises. Everything was normal, except my WBC, which dropped even more during the past year, and my MCHC which slipped below normal again. My WBC level was right at the bottom of the normal range.
The surprise was the TB blood test (IGRA or interferon gamma release assay). That was negative for the tb bacteria. I was surprised that I could get a negative blood test result after getting 2 positive skin tests as a child and another positive blood test when I was in my early 20s. However, I'm happy that I won't have to take long term antibiotics (6-9 months) to treat latent tb. Also I can't explain my low WBC with latent tb. However, I did take vancomycin (to treat c-diff) for several months. Vancomycin can sometimes cause neutropenia (low neutrophils) which lowers the WBC. I never had low WBC until after I took Vancomycin for an extended period. Nevertheless, I don't understand why my WBC would continue to drop 3 years after I took vanco and also was treated with LDN (to raise WBC) for several months. I need to talk to my ND about my decreasing WBC.
My CBC had few surprises. Everything was normal, except my WBC, which dropped even more during the past year, and my MCHC which slipped below normal again. My WBC level was right at the bottom of the normal range.
The surprise was the TB blood test (IGRA or interferon gamma release assay). That was negative for the tb bacteria. I was surprised that I could get a negative blood test result after getting 2 positive skin tests as a child and another positive blood test when I was in my early 20s. However, I'm happy that I won't have to take long term antibiotics (6-9 months) to treat latent tb. Also I can't explain my low WBC with latent tb. However, I did take vancomycin (to treat c-diff) for several months. Vancomycin can sometimes cause neutropenia (low neutrophils) which lowers the WBC. I never had low WBC until after I took Vancomycin for an extended period. Nevertheless, I don't understand why my WBC would continue to drop 3 years after I took vanco and also was treated with LDN (to raise WBC) for several months. I need to talk to my ND about my decreasing WBC.
Monday, November 5, 2012
November Update
Several months have past since my last blog. So I'll try to update all the issues I mentioned in previous blog posts:
Since early August I've taken the same thyroid supplement dose (55mg of liothyronine or T3) daily in 4 divided doses (17.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5). I previously thought 4 divided doses would be challenging. However, I actually felt better with doses spaced every 3-4 hours during the day. My energy and mental focus were more stable with 4 doses, than 3 doses, which I tried a few times at the 55mg dose. I have experienced no hypothyroid symptoms since I stabilized at that dose over the past 3 months. Best of all, I have normal energy, body temperature and regularity every day. Finally!!
On Labor Day I bought new car after keeping my old Toyota Van for almost 25 years. My husband actually wanted to sell his 1990 Plymouth Voyager and get a smaller communter car. He assumed I always wanted to keep my van, which I used for my watercolor painting business (a/c fairs, juried show and gallery deliveries, hauling supplies, etc.) for 15 years. However, prior to getting the van, I owned/loved my Mazda GLC, but lost it in a divorce settlement after 10 years. So after my husband looked at and didn't like his first 2 choices (Toyota Prius and Honda Fit), I suggested we look at Mazda 2's. I told him that I would trade in my van, if we got the right car (what I really wanted LOL). Long story short: We bought a new red Mazda 2 together (each of us paid 1/2). We advertised my van online and heard from a buyer the next day. Within 24 hours I sold the van. However, my husband wasn't sure he wanted to sell his older car. He also saw how much I loved the new car. I decided to pay him back what he paid for the Mazda so that I would own it outright. I drive it at least 3x a week, compared to maybe driving my van once a month after I retired from my watercolor business about 10 years ago. It's so nice to have a small car that fits me (I'm only 5'3.5" and about 100#), rather than a big van.
After year of attending (and even joining) a local church, which had Baptist roots, but purported to be a 'community' church with no denomination, I tired of the constant shame and sin focussed sermons. We also served every Sunday cleaning up the sanctuary as well as attending a membership class, but still didn't know many people or feel even slightly connected. My husband tired of hearing my dissatisfaction with the church's consistently negativemessage, which differed from what I had recently read (books by Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, the Dalai Lama and others). So we agreed to try Seattle Unity after a long absence from Unity. (We were married by a Unity minister on Maui and then attended Bellevue Unity for a year before moving twice and ending up at a Seattle church for many years before trying a more local church.) I was sooo impressed by the love and acceptance I felt from Unity members on the first Sunday. I was also interested in the many activities offered during the week. We tried a midweek service, which I loved. However, I was more impressed with a study group for A Course in Miracles. I read that book (669 pages of heavy text) in 2 months and now continue to attend the study group once a week. Briefly, ACIM changed me emotionally, spiritually and somewhat physically.
In October we again flew to Maui (7th? trip) and stayed for a week, which was not long enough to really unwind and enjoy. We had to follow a schedule to do everything we wanted to do in a week. We even skipped a few favorite activities. We did see Ulalena (musical about the origin and history of Maui). After a week however, I was happy to return home to my new car and ACIM group. (I brought macadamia nuts for all the members!)
Unfortunately I also brought back a bad cold (despite taking DHEA every day) from Maui. After we returned (and I was very sick), my husband read an article which explained latent tb (which I've had since childhood). Although the tb bacteria doesn't infect the lungs in latent tb, the bacteria are alive and multiplying. Only because macrophages and white blood cells surround and keep tb bacteria in check, tb is considered 'latent'. However, I've had low white blood cell counts for the past several (4?) year, despite my ND's efforts to improve my immunity through increased vitamin D, thyroid supplements, betaine hydrochloride supplements (for digestion), DHEA supplementation and even 3 months of low dose naltrexone (LDN), which was the only treatment that actually raised my WBC count from 3.0 (below normal) to 6.2 (mid normal range. However after 3 months w/o LDN, my WBC dropped back to 4.2. That was a year ago. So I asked my doc to order another WBC and a TB blood test. (I had positive skin tests during childhood, after I was exposed to my aunt's active TB.) I had the blood draw for those tests just this morning. So I won't know the results for a week.
Our garden is almost finished for the season. We still have some grapes, brocolli, carrots and leeks. I'd like to resume sewing. I still have fabric and lots ideas. However, I want to clean up the flower and garden beds before the weather turns too cold and rainy which may happen next weekend. Since I mentioned an unresolved issue (TB and CBC tests), I'll most likely post again this month or next month. I can't imagine posting more often than once a month though. I'm just too busy living to have time to post.
Since early August I've taken the same thyroid supplement dose (55mg of liothyronine or T3) daily in 4 divided doses (17.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5). I previously thought 4 divided doses would be challenging. However, I actually felt better with doses spaced every 3-4 hours during the day. My energy and mental focus were more stable with 4 doses, than 3 doses, which I tried a few times at the 55mg dose. I have experienced no hypothyroid symptoms since I stabilized at that dose over the past 3 months. Best of all, I have normal energy, body temperature and regularity every day. Finally!!
On Labor Day I bought new car after keeping my old Toyota Van for almost 25 years. My husband actually wanted to sell his 1990 Plymouth Voyager and get a smaller communter car. He assumed I always wanted to keep my van, which I used for my watercolor painting business (a/c fairs, juried show and gallery deliveries, hauling supplies, etc.) for 15 years. However, prior to getting the van, I owned/loved my Mazda GLC, but lost it in a divorce settlement after 10 years. So after my husband looked at and didn't like his first 2 choices (Toyota Prius and Honda Fit), I suggested we look at Mazda 2's. I told him that I would trade in my van, if we got the right car (what I really wanted LOL). Long story short: We bought a new red Mazda 2 together (each of us paid 1/2). We advertised my van online and heard from a buyer the next day. Within 24 hours I sold the van. However, my husband wasn't sure he wanted to sell his older car. He also saw how much I loved the new car. I decided to pay him back what he paid for the Mazda so that I would own it outright. I drive it at least 3x a week, compared to maybe driving my van once a month after I retired from my watercolor business about 10 years ago. It's so nice to have a small car that fits me (I'm only 5'3.5" and about 100#), rather than a big van.
After year of attending (and even joining) a local church, which had Baptist roots, but purported to be a 'community' church with no denomination, I tired of the constant shame and sin focussed sermons. We also served every Sunday cleaning up the sanctuary as well as attending a membership class, but still didn't know many people or feel even slightly connected. My husband tired of hearing my dissatisfaction with the church's consistently negativemessage, which differed from what I had recently read (books by Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, the Dalai Lama and others). So we agreed to try Seattle Unity after a long absence from Unity. (We were married by a Unity minister on Maui and then attended Bellevue Unity for a year before moving twice and ending up at a Seattle church for many years before trying a more local church.) I was sooo impressed by the love and acceptance I felt from Unity members on the first Sunday. I was also interested in the many activities offered during the week. We tried a midweek service, which I loved. However, I was more impressed with a study group for A Course in Miracles. I read that book (669 pages of heavy text) in 2 months and now continue to attend the study group once a week. Briefly, ACIM changed me emotionally, spiritually and somewhat physically.
In October we again flew to Maui (7th? trip) and stayed for a week, which was not long enough to really unwind and enjoy. We had to follow a schedule to do everything we wanted to do in a week. We even skipped a few favorite activities. We did see Ulalena (musical about the origin and history of Maui). After a week however, I was happy to return home to my new car and ACIM group. (I brought macadamia nuts for all the members!)
Unfortunately I also brought back a bad cold (despite taking DHEA every day) from Maui. After we returned (and I was very sick), my husband read an article which explained latent tb (which I've had since childhood). Although the tb bacteria doesn't infect the lungs in latent tb, the bacteria are alive and multiplying. Only because macrophages and white blood cells surround and keep tb bacteria in check, tb is considered 'latent'. However, I've had low white blood cell counts for the past several (4?) year, despite my ND's efforts to improve my immunity through increased vitamin D, thyroid supplements, betaine hydrochloride supplements (for digestion), DHEA supplementation and even 3 months of low dose naltrexone (LDN), which was the only treatment that actually raised my WBC count from 3.0 (below normal) to 6.2 (mid normal range. However after 3 months w/o LDN, my WBC dropped back to 4.2. That was a year ago. So I asked my doc to order another WBC and a TB blood test. (I had positive skin tests during childhood, after I was exposed to my aunt's active TB.) I had the blood draw for those tests just this morning. So I won't know the results for a week.
Our garden is almost finished for the season. We still have some grapes, brocolli, carrots and leeks. I'd like to resume sewing. I still have fabric and lots ideas. However, I want to clean up the flower and garden beds before the weather turns too cold and rainy which may happen next weekend. Since I mentioned an unresolved issue (TB and CBC tests), I'll most likely post again this month or next month. I can't imagine posting more often than once a month though. I'm just too busy living to have time to post.
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