Thank you Gabes, I didn't think it was a good sign.
I will look into the urine test.
I appreciate it!
Lou Ann
Thyroid issues
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Dear Lou Ann:
My thoughts are with you. Everyone here is right; many of us have thyroid and/or other auto-immune conditions. Getting the right doctors to look at the right things to get a right diagnosis and right treatment plan is EXTREMELY difficult and only adds fuel to the fire by being more stressful.
Just wanted to share with you that I also have thyroid issues, including auto-immune Hashimoto's. While I am on medication (in my case, bovine glandular from my naturopath, even though I also see an endocrinologist), some symptoms (cold hands and feet) have improved, along with my lab numbers, while other symptoms (severe hair loss, weight gain, anxiety and depression) have worsened.
It becomes quite challenging when facing some of these things - not only do we have to learn how to eat differently but in many cases our fragile egos have to take even more of a beating! It is really hard. I'm getting ready to start wearing wigs again, something that up to now I've really hated doing. Am trying to put a more positive spin on it ... sometimes I dream of living in the 17th and 18th centuries when everyone wore wigs!!!!!
Anyway ... we can share everything here, find support and encouragement without judgement, and it sometimes just helps to know that we are not alone in these struggles.
Questions that we wish our medical professionals could answer for us ... such as, "is it magnesium deficiency? is it a thyroid issue? what thyroid medication is best? what supplements are best?" ... seem to be best answered by members here sharing their experiences, and ultimately, by us finding the courage to try to find what works best for us. We are all unique. Jari's experience with stress is something I've also dealt with; and having MC plus related issues is certainly hugely stressful even on its own.
Finding a balance between keeping stress reduced, while still maintaining a "joie de vivre" is something many of us are working on daily. Wishing you all the best!
~ Holly
My thoughts are with you. Everyone here is right; many of us have thyroid and/or other auto-immune conditions. Getting the right doctors to look at the right things to get a right diagnosis and right treatment plan is EXTREMELY difficult and only adds fuel to the fire by being more stressful.
Just wanted to share with you that I also have thyroid issues, including auto-immune Hashimoto's. While I am on medication (in my case, bovine glandular from my naturopath, even though I also see an endocrinologist), some symptoms (cold hands and feet) have improved, along with my lab numbers, while other symptoms (severe hair loss, weight gain, anxiety and depression) have worsened.
It becomes quite challenging when facing some of these things - not only do we have to learn how to eat differently but in many cases our fragile egos have to take even more of a beating! It is really hard. I'm getting ready to start wearing wigs again, something that up to now I've really hated doing. Am trying to put a more positive spin on it ... sometimes I dream of living in the 17th and 18th centuries when everyone wore wigs!!!!!
Anyway ... we can share everything here, find support and encouragement without judgement, and it sometimes just helps to know that we are not alone in these struggles.
Questions that we wish our medical professionals could answer for us ... such as, "is it magnesium deficiency? is it a thyroid issue? what thyroid medication is best? what supplements are best?" ... seem to be best answered by members here sharing their experiences, and ultimately, by us finding the courage to try to find what works best for us. We are all unique. Jari's experience with stress is something I've also dealt with; and having MC plus related issues is certainly hugely stressful even on its own.
Finding a balance between keeping stress reduced, while still maintaining a "joie de vivre" is something many of us are working on daily. Wishing you all the best!
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Have you tried Armour?Holly wrote:Just wanted to share with you that I also have thyroid issues, including auto-immune Hashimoto's. While I am on medication (in my case, bovine glandular from my naturopath, even though I also see an endocrinologist), some symptoms (cold hands and feet) have improved, along with my lab numbers, while other symptoms (severe hair loss, weight gain, anxiety and depression) have worsened.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Tex,
Armour (NatureThyroid) was the first thyroid medication I was put on by my first naturopath. I'm not sure we ever found the right dosage. This was almost a year ago now. I believe some symptoms improved, however, my MC was coming on strong at that time and it took months to figure that out. My regular MD decided that NatureThyroid might be contributing to the auto-immune response (due to similarity of porcine tissue to human tissue) so decided to change me to synthetic thyroid meds, which I took for another several months. I definitely felt worse on those, and when I started with my second naturopath, she suggested the bovine (beef) glandular. It's more difficult to regulate the dose. This was before my EnteroLabs, which showed that I am more sensitive to beef than pork (not sure if this matters), but am sensitive to both.
I'm not sure what the answer is to thyroid medication for me. I know from initial testing that I had the rT3 (reverse T3, where my body puts T3 into storage where it's not usable and doesn't convert it to usable T4) thing going on, but none of my doctors (including the 1st naturopath who ordered the test) ever wanted to discuss that condition or what to do about it. My TSH has fluctuated quite a bit in the past year and gone from almost 4 down to 1 and is now under 3, with T3 and T4 levels currently within normal, and antibodies just over 100 currently (which is alot, but 1/3 of what they were when I started). Any advice is welcome! Am always so happy to hear when people have their thyroid systems functioning well!
~ Holly
Armour (NatureThyroid) was the first thyroid medication I was put on by my first naturopath. I'm not sure we ever found the right dosage. This was almost a year ago now. I believe some symptoms improved, however, my MC was coming on strong at that time and it took months to figure that out. My regular MD decided that NatureThyroid might be contributing to the auto-immune response (due to similarity of porcine tissue to human tissue) so decided to change me to synthetic thyroid meds, which I took for another several months. I definitely felt worse on those, and when I started with my second naturopath, she suggested the bovine (beef) glandular. It's more difficult to regulate the dose. This was before my EnteroLabs, which showed that I am more sensitive to beef than pork (not sure if this matters), but am sensitive to both.
I'm not sure what the answer is to thyroid medication for me. I know from initial testing that I had the rT3 (reverse T3, where my body puts T3 into storage where it's not usable and doesn't convert it to usable T4) thing going on, but none of my doctors (including the 1st naturopath who ordered the test) ever wanted to discuss that condition or what to do about it. My TSH has fluctuated quite a bit in the past year and gone from almost 4 down to 1 and is now under 3, with T3 and T4 levels currently within normal, and antibodies just over 100 currently (which is alot, but 1/3 of what they were when I started). Any advice is welcome! Am always so happy to hear when people have their thyroid systems functioning well!
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
It's claimed that most patients who are treating hypothyroidism do best when their TSH is around 1.0. However, I notice that my results have always been above or below that. It's normally above, in the 1.5–2.5 range, but as my magnesium deficiency became severe, my TSH steadily declined until it finally reached 0.07, at which point we cut my dose of Armour in half. A few months after that I finally figured out and corrected my magnesium deficiency.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you Holly!
I am trying to find an endocrinologist now.... Someone suggests a name you Google them and reviews are horrible.... What a chore! I really want someone to"listen"..... Hard to come by these days.
Tex, my last two TSH numbers were 2.170 and 1.660.....the nodule and cyst are small so I'm not sure if the strange feeling in my throat and hair loss is even related to the thyroid, according to my pcp many many people have nodules and cysts and have a perfectly fine functioning thyroid. I'm wondering if I need to see an ENT for the throat deal, even though I've had an endoscopy in April for my reflux....but I'm not sure if they look at your whole throat or go straight for the esophagus and stomach. And could reflux make your throat feel like there's a lump in it? Nothing is getting stuck or it's not sore, just that lumpy feeling.
Sorry if none of that makes sense, I'm confused!
Thanks everyone!
I am trying to find an endocrinologist now.... Someone suggests a name you Google them and reviews are horrible.... What a chore! I really want someone to"listen"..... Hard to come by these days.
Tex, my last two TSH numbers were 2.170 and 1.660.....the nodule and cyst are small so I'm not sure if the strange feeling in my throat and hair loss is even related to the thyroid, according to my pcp many many people have nodules and cysts and have a perfectly fine functioning thyroid. I'm wondering if I need to see an ENT for the throat deal, even though I've had an endoscopy in April for my reflux....but I'm not sure if they look at your whole throat or go straight for the esophagus and stomach. And could reflux make your throat feel like there's a lump in it? Nothing is getting stuck or it's not sore, just that lumpy feeling.
Sorry if none of that makes sense, I'm confused!
Thanks everyone!
Hi Lou Ann!
I agree! Finding a good doctor (let alone several, which those of us here need) is a huge problem in this country. While having access to the Internet is a phenomenal tool, I do feel that people are more likely to post something they are unhappy about, rather than post a positive review, whether it be about a doctor, a product, a restaurant, or whatever.
I live in a very small county and doctors are extremely limited, let alone specialists. So they are potentially very valuable to us! Perhaps it might help to call the office and speak with the receptionist or medical assistant? I've found that most of the time, when you ask questions about the doctor's "bedside manner" or "willingness to listen" (and not about the doctor's credibility or credentials), the staff will usually be pretty forthcoming.
Wishing you all the best! Please keep us posted!
~ Holly
I agree! Finding a good doctor (let alone several, which those of us here need) is a huge problem in this country. While having access to the Internet is a phenomenal tool, I do feel that people are more likely to post something they are unhappy about, rather than post a positive review, whether it be about a doctor, a product, a restaurant, or whatever.
I live in a very small county and doctors are extremely limited, let alone specialists. So they are potentially very valuable to us! Perhaps it might help to call the office and speak with the receptionist or medical assistant? I've found that most of the time, when you ask questions about the doctor's "bedside manner" or "willingness to listen" (and not about the doctor's credibility or credentials), the staff will usually be pretty forthcoming.
Wishing you all the best! Please keep us posted!
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Lou Ann,
Your PCP is right — most thyroid nodules are benign.
Try this home remedy to see if it resolves the symptoms:
The problem with a hiatal hernia is due to a portion of the top of the stomach protruding through the hole where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm. Try drinking a glass of warm water (to relax the muscles and to add some weight to your stomach), and then stand on your tiptoes and suddenly drop your body by dropping your heels to the floor. The inertia of the sudden stop will usually pull the stomach back down, and resolve the problem. If it doesn't work the first time you try it, try again. Of course, this works best on a carpet or soft rug, rather than a hard floor. If you do it on a hard floor, be careful not to hit your heels too hard on the floor, since that could cause a possibly injury to your heels.
Tex
Your PCP is right — most thyroid nodules are benign.
Yes, but that feeling can also be caused by a hiatal hernia.Lou Ann wrote:And could reflux make your throat feel like there's a lump in it? Nothing is getting stuck or it's not sore, just that lumpy feeling.
Try this home remedy to see if it resolves the symptoms:
The problem with a hiatal hernia is due to a portion of the top of the stomach protruding through the hole where the esophagus passes through the diaphragm. Try drinking a glass of warm water (to relax the muscles and to add some weight to your stomach), and then stand on your tiptoes and suddenly drop your body by dropping your heels to the floor. The inertia of the sudden stop will usually pull the stomach back down, and resolve the problem. If it doesn't work the first time you try it, try again. Of course, this works best on a carpet or soft rug, rather than a hard floor. If you do it on a hard floor, be careful not to hit your heels too hard on the floor, since that could cause a possibly injury to your heels.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The Z line is the line where the cells of the stomach mucosal lining (which are columnar) transition to the cells that line the esophagus (which are squamous). It's thought that an irregular Z line suggests a risk of Barrett's esophagus, but the percentage that are associated with the development of Barrett's is actually quite low. But that was the reason for the biopsy, just to be on the safe side. A negative biopsy rules out Barrett's.
But the endoscopy report should have noted a hiatal hernia if one was present, unless they missed it.
Tex
But the endoscopy report should have noted a hiatal hernia if one was present, unless they missed it.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I appreciate the compliment, but way back in high school I realized that I probably didn't want to have to deal with the level of stress that most doctors have to deal with, so I decided against med school. 
Unfortunately stress apparently caught up with me anyway, but at least I managed to postpone it for a few decades. 
You're very welcome,
Tex
Unfortunately stress apparently caught up with me anyway, but at least I managed to postpone it for a few decades. You're very welcome,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I also want to thank you, Tex, for all your amazing knowledge and the endless time you put in to researching and sharing so much incredible information for the benefit of everyone! You are so much appreciated and valued!
~ Holly
~ Holly
2015 Hashimoto's, MTHFR
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
2016 LMC, Malabsorption
2017 Lymphocytic Dermatologic Vasculitis
"I strive to live in my heart, not in my head!"
Well thank you too, Holly. I appreciate your kind words. But be careful because that could make my head swell and then I might start thinking that I actually know what I'm doing.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Lou Ann,
Several months ago I had that lumpy throat feeling. I actually thought I was having an allergy to foods and wound up at the Er. I went through a lot of allergy testing. But I discovered (with Tex's help) that I didn't have enough acid to digest foods properly. I took Betaine for a couple of days and felt a lot better. That was back in Oct of last year. I have minimal problems now, but I chew gum after I eat. It really helps. Is the lump in your throat gone in the morning, or constant? If it comes and goes, it would seem possible that it might be food related. You could also try drinking Apple cider vinegar to see if that helps.
You are probably aware that Dr Dean has thyroid supplements too. Don't know anything about them, but it seems that they help a lot of people.
You take care and Holly too! Hope you get some relief soon!!
Several months ago I had that lumpy throat feeling. I actually thought I was having an allergy to foods and wound up at the Er. I went through a lot of allergy testing. But I discovered (with Tex's help) that I didn't have enough acid to digest foods properly. I took Betaine for a couple of days and felt a lot better. That was back in Oct of last year. I have minimal problems now, but I chew gum after I eat. It really helps. Is the lump in your throat gone in the morning, or constant? If it comes and goes, it would seem possible that it might be food related. You could also try drinking Apple cider vinegar to see if that helps.
You are probably aware that Dr Dean has thyroid supplements too. Don't know anything about them, but it seems that they help a lot of people.
You take care and Holly too! Hope you get some relief soon!!
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC