Within 24 hours I became quite proficient with my new laptop. I only resisted my husband's offer of a mouse. After learning to use the touch pad on my new laptop, I didn't want to get dependent on external 'gadgets'. I'm still missing the 'backspace' key which is inconveniently placed on this tiny laptop. Maybe they assume my typing skills are so good that I seldom need to backspace. LOL I am proficient at typing, but this new, tinier keyboard takes some adjustment. My next learning project is Windows Office 2010. I had a much older version on my old desktop. Actually everything on that desktop was very old (and very slow).
In other news I passed the 3 week mark on T3 only therapy. I'm still feeling very well (warm, energetic and 'regular'). I tried reducing my afternoon dose from 12.5 mcg to 10 mcg, but I really noticed the difference. I don't feel as energetic 3 hours after that lower dose. Or maybe I'm fighting another cold. I'll eliminate that with a bedtime dose of arabinogalactin. I can go to bed with a cold and wake up healthy after taking that.
I'm still awaiting response from the minister who oversees groups at my church. I emailed her that I wanted to start a gluten intolerance/celiac disease support group at my church almost 3 weeks ago. Last Sunday I spoke to her in person reiterating what I said in my email. However, I didn't hear from her again this week. Oh well, I have plenty of clothing alterations to keep me busy (not to mention yardwork when the weather is warmer) until I get the go ahead for my group from the church.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
2-1/2 Weeks on T3 Only
Although I've read that most people need 8 weeks of T3 only therapy to clear the T4 from their bodies, I feel better after only 2-1/2 weeks. I suspect changing from 2 divided doses to 3 divided doses has helped most. I used to get an afternoon low energy, even though I took T4 upon my doc's suggestion, to prevent those energy crashes. Not only did T4 not keep my energy and body temperature level, but also I seemed to need more and more T3 to cope with hypo symptoms all the time I took T4. Now I have leveled off with a dose of 37.5mcg T3 in 3 divided doses.
Best of all I recently ordered and received in the mail yesterday a book entitled "Recovering with T3' by Paul Robinson. In that book, the author describes his journey to trying T3 only therapy. Then he details how he used T3 therapy to completely eliminate his hypo symptoms.
In other news, I finally got a lightweight laptop (13.3" screen and 2.4 lbs. with an 8 hour battery life). So I'll be converting what I have on my old desktop computer over to my new laptop in the next several days. Part of me is resisting the change. I've had a desktop computer for many years. My current model is rather slow with weird peculiarities (like getting hung up on one window when it first starts sometimes). A small, lightweight laptop signals the end of an era for me.
I got my first desktop computer back when I was a freelance artist, selling my paintings at arts and craft fairs, galleries, juried shows and special commissions. I really resented the time I had to spend on the computer for my business, because I prefered to paint. However, I couldn't afford a manager. So I had to do my own taxes and other business chores on my computer.
I stopped painting about 10 years ago. At first I missed the arts and crafts fairs, where I had lots of friends who were either other artists or customers. I didn't miss the hassle of setting up my booth for those fairs. I didn't miss hauling paintings to galleries and back home after they didn't sell. I didn't miss the stress of wondering whether my paintings would sell or win prizes at juried shows (which almost guaranteed sales). I didn't miss thinking about painting 24/7.
After I stopped selling paintings, I felt useless, because I wasn't earning money from a job, albeit self-employment for many years. Volunteer work (first leading a ThinWithin group at my church and then leading a celiac disease support group) made me feel more productive. However, complications of celiac disease influenced me to resign from leadership of that second group as I focussed on my own health recovery.
Recently I reached a new level of physical health. So I'm ready to consider volunteer work for my church (possibly leading another celiac disease/gluten intolerance group and/or working with a group which feeds, clothes and provides overnight shelter for homeless women in our area). So a newer, lightweight laptop seems appropriate for this phase of my life. Nevertheless, letting go of old rituals (like turning on my computer when I first get up, because it takes awhile to warm up) makes me feel sad ...
Best of all I recently ordered and received in the mail yesterday a book entitled "Recovering with T3' by Paul Robinson. In that book, the author describes his journey to trying T3 only therapy. Then he details how he used T3 therapy to completely eliminate his hypo symptoms.
In other news, I finally got a lightweight laptop (13.3" screen and 2.4 lbs. with an 8 hour battery life). So I'll be converting what I have on my old desktop computer over to my new laptop in the next several days. Part of me is resisting the change. I've had a desktop computer for many years. My current model is rather slow with weird peculiarities (like getting hung up on one window when it first starts sometimes). A small, lightweight laptop signals the end of an era for me.
I got my first desktop computer back when I was a freelance artist, selling my paintings at arts and craft fairs, galleries, juried shows and special commissions. I really resented the time I had to spend on the computer for my business, because I prefered to paint. However, I couldn't afford a manager. So I had to do my own taxes and other business chores on my computer.
I stopped painting about 10 years ago. At first I missed the arts and crafts fairs, where I had lots of friends who were either other artists or customers. I didn't miss the hassle of setting up my booth for those fairs. I didn't miss hauling paintings to galleries and back home after they didn't sell. I didn't miss the stress of wondering whether my paintings would sell or win prizes at juried shows (which almost guaranteed sales). I didn't miss thinking about painting 24/7.
After I stopped selling paintings, I felt useless, because I wasn't earning money from a job, albeit self-employment for many years. Volunteer work (first leading a ThinWithin group at my church and then leading a celiac disease support group) made me feel more productive. However, complications of celiac disease influenced me to resign from leadership of that second group as I focussed on my own health recovery.
Recently I reached a new level of physical health. So I'm ready to consider volunteer work for my church (possibly leading another celiac disease/gluten intolerance group and/or working with a group which feeds, clothes and provides overnight shelter for homeless women in our area). So a newer, lightweight laptop seems appropriate for this phase of my life. Nevertheless, letting go of old rituals (like turning on my computer when I first get up, because it takes awhile to warm up) makes me feel sad ...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Reverse T3 and T3 Only Therapy
My husband has been taking Naturethroid (so called 'natural') thyroid supplement for about a year. He increased his dose but still has symptoms (extreme afternoon fatigue and brain fog). He resumed using caffeine pills (he hates the taste of coffee) to get through the day. I know his thyroid supplement isn't working for him. However, I also know he had a rather high blood test result for reverse T3.
So I did some research on reverse T3. I learned that disproportionate amounts of reverse T3 can block T3 receptors so that T3 supplements can't treat hypothyroid symptoms. Normally T4 converts into 40% T3 and 60% reverse T3. However, if the proportion of Reverse T3 (RT3) is higher than normal, all that RT3 can block T3 receptors and prevent normal metabolism (energy, body temperature, regularity). So I asked my husband to get another set of thyroid blood tests including his RT3.
He hasn't yet received his RT3 test result. However, my research on RT3 made me wonder if I might have that problem. I learned that treatment for RT3 involved stopping all therapy involving T4 and just using T3. During the past 15 months of my hypothyroid treatment, I initially took T4 only supplements, which did nothing to relieve my hypothyroid symptoms. So I asked for a T3 test, which showed my free T3 was below normal, and then requested a T3 supplement in addition to my T4 supplement.
My initial dose of T3 relieved my hypothyroid symptoms. I was warmer, more energetic and more regular. Then my hypo symptoms returned ... fatigue, feeling cold more often and constipation. So my increased my T3 dose and decreased my T4. That helped to resolved my hypo symptoms. However my next blood test showed my T4 levels were low, which concerned my doc. I asked why worry, because I obviously didn't convert T4 to T3 very easily, which was why I didn't do well on T4 only therapy. My doc explained that I had some T3, although it was very low, which suggested I converted some T4 to T3. (However I've since learned that the thryoid gland does produce a small amount of T3, outside of T4 conversion.)
So I increased my T4 again, while keeping the same T3 dose. Then all my hypothyroid symptoms returned. So I increased my T3 and decreased my T4 (but just took a half dose). Again that combo decreased my hypo symptoms ... for awhile. Then after a few weeks on that dose (25 mcg total daily T3, 50 mcg total T4), I again experienced constant fatigue, chills and constipation. So I slowly increased my T4 to 30 daily and kept my T4 at 25 daily. I had taken divided doses of T3 (early morning and mid afternoon) for almost a year, but was still experiencing afternoon energy crash. When my symptoms returned on 25 T3 and 50 T4, I raised my T3 to 30mcg daily and later to 35mcg daily. I never had any overdose (hyperthyroid) symptoms, but I feared getting those when I was using 30+mcg of T3. So I lowered my T4 to 25mcg. I really doubted it helped much anyway. Again my hypo symptoms disappeared for awhile, but I still had the afternoon energy crash. My doc had told me that T4 would carry me through the day so that I wouldn't get that afternoon slump. So I increased my T4 back to 50mcg and continued the T3 at 35mcg. Again my hypo symptoms returned. I kept thinking I just didn't have a high enough T3 dose, even though lower doses had worked for awhile.
After I read that the treatment for excessive RT3 was taking T3 only, because T4 produced both T3 and reverse T3, I wondered whether I also had an RT3 problem. My doc never tested my RT3. However, my initial free T4 test was normal, but my free T3 test was low even after taking T4 supplements for 3 months. I thought I didn't easily convert T4 to T3. However, my experience showed that every time I took T4 with T3 I had to keep raising the T3 dose. I didn't know whether an RT3 test would be accurate at this point (after 15 months of thyroid supplements).
So I just decided to stop taking T4. I also decided to take my T3 doses 3-4x daily rather than twice daily. The first day of 4 doses was a disaster, because I took my 4th dose too late at night and didn't sleep until 8 hours after I took that last T3 dose. Then I decided I really didn't want a nighttime dose, which could interfere with my sleep. So I started taking 3 even doses of T3 at 7am, 11am and 3pm (4 hours apart). That has worked well for the past 3 days. My energy level is even all day until bedtime when I start feeling sleepy. Then I sleep very soundly all night. Also I've been very regular while taking less magnesium than I previously took. I'm still getting cold sometimes. However the weather did turn really cold and I haven't dress differently for that colder weather. Nevertheless I'll keep using this triple T3 dose approach with no T4.
According to the RT3 literature, after 8-12 weeks I may even need less T3 to prevent hypo symptoms. Whatever ... I'm happy to finally prevent my afternoon energy crash, keep warm and stay regular on the same dose for awhile.
So I did some research on reverse T3. I learned that disproportionate amounts of reverse T3 can block T3 receptors so that T3 supplements can't treat hypothyroid symptoms. Normally T4 converts into 40% T3 and 60% reverse T3. However, if the proportion of Reverse T3 (RT3) is higher than normal, all that RT3 can block T3 receptors and prevent normal metabolism (energy, body temperature, regularity). So I asked my husband to get another set of thyroid blood tests including his RT3.
He hasn't yet received his RT3 test result. However, my research on RT3 made me wonder if I might have that problem. I learned that treatment for RT3 involved stopping all therapy involving T4 and just using T3. During the past 15 months of my hypothyroid treatment, I initially took T4 only supplements, which did nothing to relieve my hypothyroid symptoms. So I asked for a T3 test, which showed my free T3 was below normal, and then requested a T3 supplement in addition to my T4 supplement.
My initial dose of T3 relieved my hypothyroid symptoms. I was warmer, more energetic and more regular. Then my hypo symptoms returned ... fatigue, feeling cold more often and constipation. So my increased my T3 dose and decreased my T4. That helped to resolved my hypo symptoms. However my next blood test showed my T4 levels were low, which concerned my doc. I asked why worry, because I obviously didn't convert T4 to T3 very easily, which was why I didn't do well on T4 only therapy. My doc explained that I had some T3, although it was very low, which suggested I converted some T4 to T3. (However I've since learned that the thryoid gland does produce a small amount of T3, outside of T4 conversion.)
So I increased my T4 again, while keeping the same T3 dose. Then all my hypothyroid symptoms returned. So I increased my T3 and decreased my T4 (but just took a half dose). Again that combo decreased my hypo symptoms ... for awhile. Then after a few weeks on that dose (25 mcg total daily T3, 50 mcg total T4), I again experienced constant fatigue, chills and constipation. So I slowly increased my T4 to 30 daily and kept my T4 at 25 daily. I had taken divided doses of T3 (early morning and mid afternoon) for almost a year, but was still experiencing afternoon energy crash. When my symptoms returned on 25 T3 and 50 T4, I raised my T3 to 30mcg daily and later to 35mcg daily. I never had any overdose (hyperthyroid) symptoms, but I feared getting those when I was using 30+mcg of T3. So I lowered my T4 to 25mcg. I really doubted it helped much anyway. Again my hypo symptoms disappeared for awhile, but I still had the afternoon energy crash. My doc had told me that T4 would carry me through the day so that I wouldn't get that afternoon slump. So I increased my T4 back to 50mcg and continued the T3 at 35mcg. Again my hypo symptoms returned. I kept thinking I just didn't have a high enough T3 dose, even though lower doses had worked for awhile.
After I read that the treatment for excessive RT3 was taking T3 only, because T4 produced both T3 and reverse T3, I wondered whether I also had an RT3 problem. My doc never tested my RT3. However, my initial free T4 test was normal, but my free T3 test was low even after taking T4 supplements for 3 months. I thought I didn't easily convert T4 to T3. However, my experience showed that every time I took T4 with T3 I had to keep raising the T3 dose. I didn't know whether an RT3 test would be accurate at this point (after 15 months of thyroid supplements).
So I just decided to stop taking T4. I also decided to take my T3 doses 3-4x daily rather than twice daily. The first day of 4 doses was a disaster, because I took my 4th dose too late at night and didn't sleep until 8 hours after I took that last T3 dose. Then I decided I really didn't want a nighttime dose, which could interfere with my sleep. So I started taking 3 even doses of T3 at 7am, 11am and 3pm (4 hours apart). That has worked well for the past 3 days. My energy level is even all day until bedtime when I start feeling sleepy. Then I sleep very soundly all night. Also I've been very regular while taking less magnesium than I previously took. I'm still getting cold sometimes. However the weather did turn really cold and I haven't dress differently for that colder weather. Nevertheless I'll keep using this triple T3 dose approach with no T4.
According to the RT3 literature, after 8-12 weeks I may even need less T3 to prevent hypo symptoms. Whatever ... I'm happy to finally prevent my afternoon energy crash, keep warm and stay regular on the same dose for awhile.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
DHEA Side Effects and CD Group
I've been on sublingual DHEA for one month now. Immediately I noticed I stopped getting cold symptoms. I haven't had one cold during the past month. So DHEA seems to improve my immunity. Just as I heard/read DHEA can cause oilier skin and hair. However, I haven't gotten acne (other than one strange bump on my upper chest/bottom of my neck). Nevertheless, that's all good for me, because I've had dry skin and hair all my life (perhaps because of hypothyroidism).
I'll stay on my current 0.25ml (2.5mg) daily dose of DHEA for at least 3 more months. (I love the cherry flavor! LOL) I'll also love not having to take a daily dose of arabinogalactin (prebiotic powder) to relieve cold symptoms. Amazingly my husband brought home (from the office) a cold, which I didn't get. I gave him some arabinogalactin powder and he recovered within 24 hours from severe cold symptoms. That arabinogalactin is great stuff, but it does cause gas and bloating (like most prebiotics) every time I take it. I need the extra oil in my hair and skin (which DHEA causes), but I won't increase the dose, because I don't want to have to wash my hair everyday.
I've decided to start a gluten intolerance/celiac disease awareness group at my church. I know there are other members with gluten intolerance (or celiac disease), because they offer gluten free communion bread. I had to negotiate with the worship team leader to get some gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar free communion wafers so that I could participate. I haven't had the 'bread' part of communion since I was diagnosed with celiac disease (and then those other 6 allergens) in 2004. I actually served communion at our previous church, so that I would have to obviously pass up communion bread. Nobody ever notices what the servers do, unless they have a special ceremony for servers, which happened once, much to my embarassment. A fellow server just couldn't understand why I couldn't take the gluten containing communion bread no matter what I said. SIGH
Anyway I feel well enough (and motivated enough) to share my experience and knowledge about gluten intolerance (and related food allergies) with a small (hopefully) group at my church. I don't want to talk about food allergies so much, because there's a huge controversy about whether delayed reaction (IgG or IgA mediated) allergies are 'real' allergies, compared to immediage reaction (anaphylactic or IgE mediated) allergies. I know that they are all caused by immune reactions, which tells me they're allergies, not intolerances, which are caused by missing enzymes (like lactose intolerance). However, I know many people believe their (rather uninformed) doctors' opinions. Also they have been tested with some rather questionable allergy tests (saliva or skin) and are convinced they have many allergies. I don't know why someone would want to restrict themselves based on questionable test results. 7 food restrictions are plenty for me!
Nevertheless, I want to get some end of the year and new year chores done, before I take on leading another group. So I may wait another month to start the group.
I'll stay on my current 0.25ml (2.5mg) daily dose of DHEA for at least 3 more months. (I love the cherry flavor! LOL) I'll also love not having to take a daily dose of arabinogalactin (prebiotic powder) to relieve cold symptoms. Amazingly my husband brought home (from the office) a cold, which I didn't get. I gave him some arabinogalactin powder and he recovered within 24 hours from severe cold symptoms. That arabinogalactin is great stuff, but it does cause gas and bloating (like most prebiotics) every time I take it. I need the extra oil in my hair and skin (which DHEA causes), but I won't increase the dose, because I don't want to have to wash my hair everyday.
I've decided to start a gluten intolerance/celiac disease awareness group at my church. I know there are other members with gluten intolerance (or celiac disease), because they offer gluten free communion bread. I had to negotiate with the worship team leader to get some gluten, dairy, egg, soy, cane sugar free communion wafers so that I could participate. I haven't had the 'bread' part of communion since I was diagnosed with celiac disease (and then those other 6 allergens) in 2004. I actually served communion at our previous church, so that I would have to obviously pass up communion bread. Nobody ever notices what the servers do, unless they have a special ceremony for servers, which happened once, much to my embarassment. A fellow server just couldn't understand why I couldn't take the gluten containing communion bread no matter what I said. SIGH
Anyway I feel well enough (and motivated enough) to share my experience and knowledge about gluten intolerance (and related food allergies) with a small (hopefully) group at my church. I don't want to talk about food allergies so much, because there's a huge controversy about whether delayed reaction (IgG or IgA mediated) allergies are 'real' allergies, compared to immediage reaction (anaphylactic or IgE mediated) allergies. I know that they are all caused by immune reactions, which tells me they're allergies, not intolerances, which are caused by missing enzymes (like lactose intolerance). However, I know many people believe their (rather uninformed) doctors' opinions. Also they have been tested with some rather questionable allergy tests (saliva or skin) and are convinced they have many allergies. I don't know why someone would want to restrict themselves based on questionable test results. 7 food restrictions are plenty for me!
Nevertheless, I want to get some end of the year and new year chores done, before I take on leading another group. So I may wait another month to start the group.
Friday, December 23, 2011
N-Teleopeptide Test Results
My doc requested one more test during my last visit. She (and my HMO PC) had previously requested that I take a bone density scan. I didn't want a test to tell me what I already knew ... that I lost bone (actually height) during those years my PCP and many other misdiagnosed my celiac symptoms as IBS and/or an eating disorder. My naturopath believed I might still be losing bone, because I was past menopause and never took any hormone replacement. I told her I consume calcium rich foods, take daily vitamin D and magnesium, do weight bearing exercise and lift weights daily. So I'm doing everything I can to keep my bones strong, short of taking HRT. My ND told me I could take the N-Teleopeptite test, which would indicate whether I'm losing excessive calcium or bone ingredients through my urine. I thought that was much easier than subjecting myself to unnecessary radiation (via bone density scan). So I agreed, order the test from my HMO lab and did the test.
Amazingly (to my ND) my results were mid normal range, which says I'm not excreting bone. Whatever I'm doing seems to be working. I believe the eating gluten (which blocked calcium absorption) and having low stomach acid prevented calcium, magnesium and vitamin D absorption. Once I resolved all that (stopped eating gluten and starting taking betaine HCl), I stopped whatever bone loss I experienced during my years of undiagnosed celiac disease.
Anyway, I'm glad my results were normal. I hope that my ND won't need any more tests to show I don't need HRT. If my HMO PCP pesters me again about getting a bone scan, I'll refer her to my N-Teleopeptide test results, which are in my HMO medical file.
Amazingly (to my ND) my results were mid normal range, which says I'm not excreting bone. Whatever I'm doing seems to be working. I believe the eating gluten (which blocked calcium absorption) and having low stomach acid prevented calcium, magnesium and vitamin D absorption. Once I resolved all that (stopped eating gluten and starting taking betaine HCl), I stopped whatever bone loss I experienced during my years of undiagnosed celiac disease.
Anyway, I'm glad my results were normal. I hope that my ND won't need any more tests to show I don't need HRT. If my HMO PCP pesters me again about getting a bone scan, I'll refer her to my N-Teleopeptide test results, which are in my HMO medical file.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Eating Disorder or Gastrointestinal Disorder
I just posted a comment on a blog in response to a 'guest post' by an eating disorder specialist. She recognized that food allergies may play a role in eating disorders, but she focussed on the emotional consequences of those food allergies, which she presumed cause the emotional/mental eating disorder. Nowhere did she consider that PAIN, DISCOMFORT or INDIGESTION could influence 'eating disorder' habits. Of course most ED specialists say that those symptoms are caused by ED habits. I think the causes of gastro symptoms PRECEDED ED habit, that ED habits are a solution, albeit ineffective solution, to gastrointestinal problems which cause those symptoms. Here's what I said in my comment:
Like "IBS" terms like anorexia, bulimia, etc. are just labels for sets of symptoms. Like "IBS" those labels do nothing to explain cause or suggest effective treatment. Like "IBS" those terms allow medical 'experts' who can't explain the cause of anorexia, bulimia, etc. to suggest that those are 'mental/emotional' diseases. Like "IBS" that 'mental/emotional' explanation does nothing to treat physical causes of those symptoms.
When I had 'eating disorder' symptoms, I talked to my traditional physician, who suggested I see a therapist. So I told my therapist that eating caused me pain and bloating, that vomiting relieved the pain and constant reflux after meals, and that I never felt physically satisfied no matter how much I ate, although I felt painfully full after eating even small amounts. That therapist told me to talk to my doctor. My doctor gave me the 'IBS' label. My therapist gave me the "anorexia/bulimia" label. Neither of those labels explained the causes of my symptoms or suggested an effective treatment.
26 years later I learned I had celiac disease and 6 other delayed reaction food allergies. Eating any of those allergens caused me cramping pain, bloating and nausea.
Abstaining from the allergens didn't eliminate the overly full feeling after eating small amounts or resolve the reflux. After more tests I learned that I had hypochloridia and needed supplemental betaine hydrochloride to digest normally (as well as absorb nutrients). Taking those supplements with meals allowed me to feel satisfied (rather than painfully full, but dissatisfied) after meals. My bloating also completely disapppeared. I was the same size before and after eating.
Finally I learned that my symptoms of fatigue and low core body temperature (as well as irregularity) were caused by autoimmune Hashimoto's hypothyroidism NOT low body weight (or anorexia as I had been previously told).
Today I weigh about the same as I weighed in my 20s when I was told I had anorexia. I eat anything I want EXCEPT my food allergens, and feel satisfied but not painfully full after eating. I'm warm, energetic and 'regular'.
I also wonder how many others who were given the 'eating disorder' really have gastrointestinal disorders, like celiac disease or food allergies, or even hypochloridia or hypothyroidism. I wonder how many therapists even consider physical causes for symptoms included in the eating disorders label.
Like "IBS" terms like anorexia, bulimia, etc. are just labels for sets of symptoms. Like "IBS" those labels do nothing to explain cause or suggest effective treatment. Like "IBS" those terms allow medical 'experts' who can't explain the cause of anorexia, bulimia, etc. to suggest that those are 'mental/emotional' diseases. Like "IBS" that 'mental/emotional' explanation does nothing to treat physical causes of those symptoms.
When I had 'eating disorder' symptoms, I talked to my traditional physician, who suggested I see a therapist. So I told my therapist that eating caused me pain and bloating, that vomiting relieved the pain and constant reflux after meals, and that I never felt physically satisfied no matter how much I ate, although I felt painfully full after eating even small amounts. That therapist told me to talk to my doctor. My doctor gave me the 'IBS' label. My therapist gave me the "anorexia/bulimia" label. Neither of those labels explained the causes of my symptoms or suggested an effective treatment.
26 years later I learned I had celiac disease and 6 other delayed reaction food allergies. Eating any of those allergens caused me cramping pain, bloating and nausea.
Abstaining from the allergens didn't eliminate the overly full feeling after eating small amounts or resolve the reflux. After more tests I learned that I had hypochloridia and needed supplemental betaine hydrochloride to digest normally (as well as absorb nutrients). Taking those supplements with meals allowed me to feel satisfied (rather than painfully full, but dissatisfied) after meals. My bloating also completely disapppeared. I was the same size before and after eating.
Finally I learned that my symptoms of fatigue and low core body temperature (as well as irregularity) were caused by autoimmune Hashimoto's hypothyroidism NOT low body weight (or anorexia as I had been previously told).
Today I weigh about the same as I weighed in my 20s when I was told I had anorexia. I eat anything I want EXCEPT my food allergens, and feel satisfied but not painfully full after eating. I'm warm, energetic and 'regular'.
I also wonder how many others who were given the 'eating disorder' really have gastrointestinal disorders, like celiac disease or food allergies, or even hypochloridia or hypothyroidism. I wonder how many therapists even consider physical causes for symptoms included in the eating disorders label.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Soyed By Labelling Error
A week ago I bought a deli item at my local, organic grocery coop. I've eaten their other deli items,which were labeled free of my allergies, and never had reactions. However a week ago, I saw an item which was originally free of soy (tamari or gluten free soy sauce). However, the deli began adding tamari to their recipe and correctly labeled that ingredient on their ingredients card. So I didn't eat it as long as I saw soy on the label. Nevertheless, during my last visit I saw that item with ingredients free of soy. I read the label twice and asked my husband to verify that he didn't see soy either. Then I asked the deli counter person if the label was correct and she said it was. So I bought a pound of the vegan rice casserole and mixed it with a few other vegies and sunflower seeds for 2 meals' worth.
As I ate some that night, I felt the need to recheck the label on the carton. To my horror, soy (tamari) was plainly listed in the 2nd line of the ingredients. I was absolutely certain that the deli case label had omitted the soy ingredient. So I called the deli department of that deli. The person who answered the phone said the they always use tamari in that recipe. Then I asked why that ingredient wasn't included in the deli counter label. The person in the deli department checked the counter label and sure enough that sign had omitted tamari (soy). Of course I learned all that AFTER I had eaten about 1/3-1/2 cup of the soy laced casserole.
Next I talked to the manager who told me to come in the next day so that they could refund my money. She also wanted to offer me a gift certificate to compensate me for the pain and suffering I would endure, because I'm very allergic to soy. I was so angry at the point that I asked her if chewing and swallowing the gift certificate was supposed to relieve my pain. GRRRRR!!! My husband later told me that the gift certificate was all they could offer me. I told him that made THEM feel better, but not me. What I needed was a guarantee that their labels would always be accurate. Instead I decided that I will never again buy food from their deli department.
One week later I'm still suffering soy reaction symptoms. For the first few days I had more and more cramping intestinal pain and bloating. By the 5th day I had loose stools which turned into outright diarrhea for the past 2 days preceded by excruciating gut cramps and bloating each night. This was my first soy consumption incident in about 5 years or so. The longer someone abstains from a delayed reaction allergen (soy is an IgA mediated allergen for me), the stronger (more intense) and longer lasting reaction symptoms will be. That's exactly what I've experienced. I've been reacting to soy for over a week now. I hope it ends soon. I used to spend 5-7 days reacting to soy. The past 2 days (6 and 7) were the worst. Usually my symptoms are most intense in the middle of the reaction period and then taper off toward the end. So I may spend the next few days still reacting. I hope not!!
The good news is the DHEA seems to be working to improve my immunity (or all the T-cells activated by soy are attacking cold viruses LOL). I've had less sleep lately (because cramping gut pain keeps me awake), but I haven't had any cold symptoms, despite being out in public, touching and possibly picking up germs, for the past week. I'm still taking a tiny bit of arabinogalactin (less than one teaspoonful each night), but that amount previously did not prevent cold symptoms. Also my hair doesn't seem to get so dry between shampoo/conditioning treatments.
I've developed a rhythm to taking my daily sublingual DHEA dose each morning. I wait about 15-30 minutes after taking my thyroid supplements so that I'm fully alert to measure out the 2.5 mcg dose in the oral hypo. After taking that dose I wait 10-15 minutes until I no longer taste the cherry flavored solution (under my tongue) before drink or eat anything. So I know I have absorbed as much as possible.
I hope I can enjoy my improved immunity after I stop reacting to the soy. SIGH
As I ate some that night, I felt the need to recheck the label on the carton. To my horror, soy (tamari) was plainly listed in the 2nd line of the ingredients. I was absolutely certain that the deli case label had omitted the soy ingredient. So I called the deli department of that deli. The person who answered the phone said the they always use tamari in that recipe. Then I asked why that ingredient wasn't included in the deli counter label. The person in the deli department checked the counter label and sure enough that sign had omitted tamari (soy). Of course I learned all that AFTER I had eaten about 1/3-1/2 cup of the soy laced casserole.
Next I talked to the manager who told me to come in the next day so that they could refund my money. She also wanted to offer me a gift certificate to compensate me for the pain and suffering I would endure, because I'm very allergic to soy. I was so angry at the point that I asked her if chewing and swallowing the gift certificate was supposed to relieve my pain. GRRRRR!!! My husband later told me that the gift certificate was all they could offer me. I told him that made THEM feel better, but not me. What I needed was a guarantee that their labels would always be accurate. Instead I decided that I will never again buy food from their deli department.
One week later I'm still suffering soy reaction symptoms. For the first few days I had more and more cramping intestinal pain and bloating. By the 5th day I had loose stools which turned into outright diarrhea for the past 2 days preceded by excruciating gut cramps and bloating each night. This was my first soy consumption incident in about 5 years or so. The longer someone abstains from a delayed reaction allergen (soy is an IgA mediated allergen for me), the stronger (more intense) and longer lasting reaction symptoms will be. That's exactly what I've experienced. I've been reacting to soy for over a week now. I hope it ends soon. I used to spend 5-7 days reacting to soy. The past 2 days (6 and 7) were the worst. Usually my symptoms are most intense in the middle of the reaction period and then taper off toward the end. So I may spend the next few days still reacting. I hope not!!
The good news is the DHEA seems to be working to improve my immunity (or all the T-cells activated by soy are attacking cold viruses LOL). I've had less sleep lately (because cramping gut pain keeps me awake), but I haven't had any cold symptoms, despite being out in public, touching and possibly picking up germs, for the past week. I'm still taking a tiny bit of arabinogalactin (less than one teaspoonful each night), but that amount previously did not prevent cold symptoms. Also my hair doesn't seem to get so dry between shampoo/conditioning treatments.
I've developed a rhythm to taking my daily sublingual DHEA dose each morning. I wait about 15-30 minutes after taking my thyroid supplements so that I'm fully alert to measure out the 2.5 mcg dose in the oral hypo. After taking that dose I wait 10-15 minutes until I no longer taste the cherry flavored solution (under my tongue) before drink or eat anything. So I know I have absorbed as much as possible.
I hope I can enjoy my improved immunity after I stop reacting to the soy. SIGH
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