I'm Not Hypothyroid... Right?

[moosemalibu]

OK.. so I went to my PCP on Friday because I had some tests done that were indicating I had a very low metabolism.  It was so hard to get my doctor to agree to do the tests I wanted her to do. She reluctantly (I won't be sad to leave her in the new year since Obamacare discontinued my insurance - have a new one) ordered TSH, FT4 and the thyroid antibody test. She also finally agreed to check my Vitamin D level. 

 

 

FreeT4- 1.2 (reference range 0.8-1.8 ng/dL)

TSH - 1.51 (reference range 0.34 -4.82 IU/L)

Thyroglobulin antibody-  <20 (reference range <20 IU/mL)

 

Vitamin D - 27 (reference range 30-100 ng/dL)

 

She prescribed a vitamin D supplement. I haven't gotten to the pharmacy yet to pick it up.

 

I do want to vent about the appointment. I was wrapping up all kinds of things I needed to get done so I could have all my regular items up to date with my new insurance - TDAP vaccine, pap smear, plus the thyroid check and vitamin levels.

 

She asked me during the pap smear, feet up in the stirrups, "What I don't understand is why the symptoms started all of a sudden. Did [your GI doctor] tell you why that was?"

 

BIG SIGH. I explained to her that no one was born with celiac disease - they have to have the gene, they must be eating gluten, and then some environmental factor triggers it. But you would think that she would research this disease now that she has a patient with it. I understand the fact that PCP's dont know a lot about all the diseases out there. There are a ton of diseases for them to know. But once you diagnose one in a patient.. and you wonder about it... why wouldn't you research it further?????!!!!      

 

She drives me crazy. And when I asked for the "thyroid panel" she said I needed a reason for it because otherwise insurance may not cover it. Excuse me... family history (mom and grandmother have hypothyroid) and my celiac disease pretty must makes me a candidate for screening - plus chronic fatigue. Sigh. I was disappointed.

[cyclinglady]

That's good news!  You don't have Hashi's and your not hypothyroid.  You're pretty young, right?  My thyroid didn't start acting up until I was in my mid 30's.  So, continue to keep an eye on it.  My doc caught it by just feeling my thyroid (nodules).  I didn't think I had any hypo symptoms, but did notice a dramatic difference when I started a tiny dose of Armour in an attempt to bring down my antibodies (over 4,000).  

 

Your Vit. D was low.  I get a big bottle of Vit. D at Costco (2,000 i.u./day), plus more with my calcium supplement.  It should be cheaper than getting it through the pharmacy and paying a co-pay.  

 

Give yourself some time to heal.  I understand wanting to get back into the "game" fast, I miss riding my road bike (though I did dream that I rode that stupid comfort bike 100 miles easily the other night!) 

 

Yes, doctors should research, but let's face it, they have a ton of patients and not enough time.  I have found that by communicating via email/patent portal, the practice/doctors react much faster!  My request is in WRITING and they must respond!  Yes, someone will probably hack the account and steal my medical history files (already a victim of identity theft), but right now, it's worth the risk!

[moosemalibu]

That's good news!  You don't have Hashi's and your not hypothyroid.  You're pretty young, right?  My thyroid didn't start acting up until I was in my mid 30's.  So, continue to keep an eye on it.  My doc caught it by just feeling my thyroid (nodules).  I didn't think I had any hypo symptoms, but did notice a dramatic difference when I started a tiny dose of Armour in an attempt to bring down my antibodies (over 4,000).  

 

Your Vit. D was low.  I get a big bottle of Vit. D at Costco (2,000 i.u./day), plus more with my calcium supplement.  It should be cheaper than getting it through the pharmacy and paying a co-pay.  

 

Give yourself some time to heal.  I understand wanting to get back into the "game" fast, I miss riding my road bike (though I did dream that I rode that stupid comfort bike 100 miles easily the other night!) 

 

Yes, doctors should research, but let's face it, they have a ton of patients and not enough time.  I have found that by communicating via email/patent portal, the practice/doctors react much faster!  My request is in WRITING and they must respond!  Yes, someone will probably hack the account and steal my medical history files (already a victim of identity theft), but right now, it's worth the risk!

 

Yeah... I'm 28. I will continue to screen as I get older. I'm happy to not have it, that is for sure.

 

You definitely read me right. I want to be back in the game and push myself. I still am having diarrhea - is this normal just being a month or so out from eating gluten? I take psyllium which manages it well but if I don't take it I am all bad. I am going to eliminate oats after discussing it on the board. I'm going to finish what I have since I'm not made of money and I've already thrown out/donated a bunch of food, cooking supplies to begin with. 

 

I am lifting 5-6 days a week again, doing high intensity interval cardiovascular training 3x a week. I just love it. I am eating pretty much with muscle gain and fat loss goals. I know my body is dealing with healing... I know that exercising supposedly shunts blood away from the gut as the sympathatic/parasympathetic response. But I am able to do it and I enjoy it. It also helps me mentally/emotionally because I am prone to depression.

 

I remember after having my knee surgeries I would dream of sitting cross legged, running, basically doing things to use my leg. It was so real feeling. Then I would wake up and remember that I was still in my immobilizer. The mind is funny...

 

And I guess I am asking too much from my doctor... I'll get over it. haha

[cyclinglady]

Just freeze the oats. I have not been able to eat them yet.

Diarrhea at just a month seems normal. Again, more time is needed.

I think your doing too much. If you had just given birth, would you still be pushing so hard? At the expense of your baby? If you were under going cancer treatment? Your healing might take longer at the rate you are pushing yourself. You will get back into the game! A nice walk or gentle swim will help lift your spirits.

As a Mom and an athlete, I urge you to think about why your need to work out so much and hard when you have just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I would hate to have you develop another one by simply over-taxing your body.

Sorry for the lecture. I do not mean to offend.

[IrishHeart]

You are not hypothyroid. Yaay! 

If you were, BTW, you would have chronic C, not D.

If you continue to have D, take Culturelle dairy free probiotics with Lactobacillis GG.

Scientifically proven to aid in relieving D. My own GI doc recommended it.

 

Please stop pushing yourself right now. Your body is rebooting itself, so to speak. 

I understand your desire to train and exercise, I really do, but it may be a bit much right now.

 

As for doing it to balance depression, the good news is, the depression was probably from malabsorption & seratonin disruption from the celiac and the vit D deficiency, so this will help with that aspect as well.

You're going to be okay...it all just takes time. Hang in there!

 

Don't get mad at me,  but in defense of your doctor, her question was not totally out of line. She asked "What I don't understand is why the symptoms started all of a sudden. Did [your GI doctor] tell you why that was?"

 

 

That's a legitimate question, sweets. They can develop suddenly and she is interested in what the trigger may have been.

 

PCP doctors are ill-informed about celiac. If you find her to be annoyingly in the dark, please consider my experience.

I went to my PCP guy for 12 years, and he symptom-treated or sent me to dozens of specialists. I went downhill further and further and by the time I was Dxed...something I had to figure out myself and bring back to him--- he was stunned. He never put 2 and 2 and 2 together. He almost fainted when I told him.

 

The kicker? He has 3 children with celiac. But his excuse was "I did not know how it could manifest in adults".. 

 

He's lucky I did not strangle him.

 

You're doing fine...take your Vitamin D and the probiotic so you can stop that big D. 

Hang in there!

[moosemalibu]

Just freeze the oats. I have not been able to eat them yet.

Diarrhea at just a month seems normal. Again, more time is needed.

I think your doing too much. If you had just given birth, would you still be pushing so hard? At the expense of your baby? If you were under going cancer treatment? Your healing might take longer at the rate you are pushing yourself. You will get back into the game! A nice walk or gentle swim will help lift your spirits.

As a Mom and an athlete, I urge you to think about why your need to work out so much and hard when you have just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I would hate to have you develop another one by simply over-taxing your body.

Sorry for the lecture. I do not mean to offend.

Oats are in the freezer. Thanks for the tip! I never thought of doing that. Duh!

 

As for the lecture... I honestly do not mind it at all. I tell myself that I am probably doing too much and it's delaying the healing process... but it's hard to reconcile that with my goals. I am really, really trying to listen to my body. I rest when I feel like I need to rest. I indulge a bit when I think I need to eat more. But I totally get it. I think inside, I really know that I need to take it easy. Baby steps. But hearing it from others that have gone through the same process makes it easier to validate. Because my mom, my boyfriend, my trainer, they can tell me things that I need to do and I may just brush it off. But when you guys say I need to relax... it makes it more real. 

 

You are not hypothyroid. Yaay! 

If you were, BTW, you would have chronic C, not D.

If you continue to have D, take Culturelle dairy free probiotics with Lactobacillis GG.

Scientifically proven to aid in relieving D. My own GI doc recommended it.

 

Please stop pushing yourself right now. Your body is rebooting itself, so to speak. 

I understand your desire to train and exercise, I really do, but it may be a bit much right now.

 

As for doing it to balance depression, the good news is, the depression was probably from malabsorption & seratonin disruption from the celiac and the vit D deficiency, so this will help with that aspect as well.

You're going to be okay...it all just takes time. Hang in there!

 

Don't get mad at me,  but in defense of your doctor, her question was not totally out of line. She asked "What I don't understand is why the symptoms started all of a sudden. Did [your GI doctor] tell you why that was?"

 

 

That's a legitimate question, sweets. They can develop suddenly and she is interested in what the trigger may have been.

 

PCP doctors are ill-informed about celiac. If you find her to be annoyingly in the dark, please consider my experience.

I went to my PCP guy for 12 years, and he symptom-treated or sent me to dozens of specialists. I went downhill further and further and by the time I was Dxed...something I had to figure out myself and bring back to him--- he was stunned. He never put 2 and 2 and 2 together. He almost fainted when I told him.

 

The kicker? He has 3 children with celiac. But his excuse was "I did not know how it could manifest in adults".. 

 

He's lucky I did not strangle him.

 

You're doing fine...take your Vitamin D and the probiotic so you can stop that big D. 

Hang in there!

 

 

I did not know about the C versus D in hypothyroidism. I'll file that away for the future. I am taking the probiotics. I actually need to go buy more. Thanks for the reminder! I am the worst at taking pills though. I have an IUD because I cannot trust myself with birth control pills. 

 

As far as depression goes -- I do understand that the seratonin cycle occurs mostly in the gut and that is probably a huge component to it. But I also have a somewhat unhealthy body image. I have never had an eating disorder but since I've started working out and eating whole foods and less processed food it has helped my body image. I think if I am going to be obsessed about something, working out and eating right can't be the worst vice to have, right? When I have a new personal record in an lift exercise it really makes me feel accomplished. I love setting goals with the weights and surpassing them. When I took 3 weeks off from the gym during the gluten challenge I lost a lot of my strength. It was enormously hard to acknowledge. My stamina was gone for cardio exercise. 3 weeks to not be in the gym is a very, very long time for me. It doesn't help that my goal is fitness competition. Setting aside my fitness goals is  hard.  But I do hear you. I do. And I will try to take it easy in the gym. Perhaps the cardiovascular exercise can be changed. 

 

And I guess I am one of the luckier here on the board that got diagnosed young. But I credit myself and my trainer for that one. I asked for the blood test (not really understanding Celiac at all.. but it started the testing). My personal trainer actually told me to get it checked. I'll try to be more patient. It's not my strong suit. 

 

Thank you both for your advice/lecture/tough love/mentorship/friendship. It means a lot that I can come here and have a place to vent, to cry, to share my story with. Sometimes it seems like such a selfish disease. 

[IrishHeart]

Healing from celiac is the mother of all exercises in patience, IMHO.

I had to wait 2 years before even setting foot in a gym (my muscles were deeply impacted by malabsorption)

and I spent 3 days a week with a physical therapist and a massage therapist.

I had to do some pretty grueling pelvic floor PT.

 

so yes, you have youth and enthusiasm and an already fit body on your side!

Be good to yourself---in all ways. You deserve it!

 

Hang in there, cookie....you're going to be okay!.

[moosemalibu]

Healing from celiac is the mother of all exercises in patience, IMHO.

I had to wait 2 years before even setting foot in a gym (my muscles were deeply impacted by malabsorption)

and I spent 3 days a week with a physical therapist and a massage therapist.

I had to do some pretty grueling pelvic floor PT.

 

so yes, you have youth and enthusiasm and an already fit body on your side!

Be good to yourself---in all ways. You deserve it!

 

Hang in there, cookie....you're going to be okay!.

 

 

Thanks Irish!! I should appreciate all that I have in my favor instead of what I have against it. I had to be in physical therapy for my knee for a year. I totally understand the frustration of that. That in and of itself was a trying time. It is easy to forget how I had to relearn to walk. How quickly one forgets these things... 

 

What exercises did they have you doing for your pelvic floor, just out of curiosity? I think that is an essential strength that everyone should work on maintaining.

[IrishHeart]

Thanks Irish!! I should appreciate all that I have in my favor instead of what I have against it. I had to be in physical therapy for my knee for a year. I totally understand the frustration of that. That in and of itself was a trying time. It is easy to forget how I had to relearn to walk. How quickly one forgets these things... 

 

What exercises did they have you doing for your pelvic floor, just out of curiosity? I think that is an essential strength that everyone should work on maintaining.

 

 

This book by Amy Stein pretty much explains what my DPT Lynda taught me. But she also worked on some rather sensitive spots as well. (ugh) 

It was not fun, but it got me mobile once more. I could barely walk or sit at one point without terrible pain.. 

 

Open Original Shared Link

[eers03]

Your workout routine is quite amazing for being one month into a gluten-free diet.  Your vitamin D is low.  With your intense regimen I would take a calcium supplement that includes vitamin D in the capsule, a 2 for 1 if you will.

 

Also, make sure you are getting adequate carbs.  If fat loss and muscle is your goal, my guess is that you are not.  

 

Good luck!

[pricklypear1971]

Sorry to tell you this, but you were not adequately tested for thyroid disease. Your doctor did not run free t3 or reverse t3. T3 is made from converting t4...but if your thyroid isn't working properly, well, chances are it won't be converting properly. So, next time add free t3, and reverse t3. If reverse t3 is high, that's another sign your body isn't utilizing thyroid hormone properly. You always want free hormones to be mid to upper level of range. You are at 1.2 of t4, which is barely less than mid. This may be optimal for you, or it may not.

In short, keep screening and find a doctor who will trial you for thyroid disease even if your labs are "normal", if you want to try hormone therapy. It is not uncommon for labs to not reflect how your thyroid is behaving.

All that said, so many celiac symptoms overlap with hypothyroidism that it is dizzying. Quite frankly, all the more reason to try hormone therapy if you feel you hit a wall with your celiac recovery (which can take years, unfortunately).

[moosemalibu]

Your workout routine is quite amazing for being one month into a gluten-free diet.  Your vitamin D is low.  With your intense regimen I would take a calcium supplement that includes vitamin D in the capsule, a 2 for 1 if you will.

 

Also, make sure you are getting adequate carbs.  If fat loss and muscle is your goal, my guess is that you are not.  

 

Good luck!

 

I do it because I love it. My carbs are actually almost 60% of my diet. Contrary to what most people think, carbs are essential for strength and muscle growth. I'm very low in fat but high in carb and protein.

 

Thanks for the supplement advice - I'll check into some safe brands. Do you have a recommendations?

[moosemalibu]

Sorry to tell you this, but you were not adequately tested for thyroid disease. Your doctor did not run free t3 or reverse t3. T3 is made from converting t4...but if your thyroid isn't working properly, well, chances are it won't be converting properly. So, next time add free t3, and reverse t3. If reverse t3 is high, that's another sign your body isn't utilizing thyroid hormone properly. You always want free hormones to be mid to upper level of range. You are at 1.2 of t4, which is barely less than mid. This may be optimal for you, or it may not.

In short, keep screening and find a doctor who will trial you for thyroid disease even if your labs are "normal", if you want to try hormone therapy. It is not uncommon for labs to not reflect how your thyroid is behaving.

All that said, so many celiac symptoms overlap with hypothyroidism that it is dizzying. Quite frankly, all the more reason to try hormone therapy if you feel you hit a wall with your celiac recovery (which can take years, unfortunately).

 

When I asked for the full Thyroid Panel my doctor kept saying I don't need it and my insurance won't pay for it (I call bullshat on that) but yeah - she wouldn't order it. So I got stuck with the 3 tests she did run. I'll consider getting screened again when I go to the UC Davis Med Center next year when my insurance changes. 

[moosemalibu]

This book by Amy Stein pretty much explains what my DPT Lynda taught me. But she also worked on some rather sensitive spots as well. (ugh) 

It was not fun, but it got me mobile once more. I could barely walk or sit at one point without terrible pain.. 

 

Open Original Shared Link

Thanks for sharing Irish! I'll look into that book. Your first book recommendation  ( Real Life with Celiac Disease) was a big help.

[NoGlutenCooties]

Moose - I understand the want - and need - to exercise and push yourself but I must echo what others are saying and kindly advise you to slow it down.  Your body needs whatever nutrients it can absorb right now to facilitate the healing process.  If you use up your nutrients working out, trying to build muscle, etc. you are likely to take much longer to heal and to not see the full results of your workouts either.

[moosemalibu]

I have heard you all loud and clear. Today I started the process of canceling my personal training. I have resolved to stop cardio while I am having diarrhea. I am going to lift but lift lighter just so I keep my muscle memory. I will try not to be so intense about the gym. Baby steps.

 

Thank you all for your strong words of wisdom.

[IrishHeart]

DON'T FORGET!!

 

 take Culturelle dairy free probiotics with Lactobacillis GG.

Scientifically proven to aid in relieving D. My own GI doc recommended it.

[Gemini]

It's nice to see someone actually take the advice given to get themsleves on the road to real recovery!  Good job, moosemalibu.  You will be back to your usual hard work-outs down the road, have no fear!

[moosemalibu]

 

DON'T FORGET!!

 

 take Culturelle dairy free probiotics with Lactobacillis GG.

Scientifically proven to aid in relieving D. My own GI doc recommended it.

 

 

Irish I went to Wal-Mart yesterday and picked it up!! I promise!! I stood in line while some middle aged man with his 10 year old daughter tried to hit on me. I was wearing a safety orange sweater and a camo ball cap and a sour expression. I was in no mood for his antics. He soon left the line for another.  Wonder why? 

[moosemalibu]

It's nice to see someone actually take the advice given to get themsleves on the road to real recovery!  Good job, moosemalibu.  You will be back to your usual hard work-outs down the road, have no fear!

 

I am stubborn - but I'd like to think I'm not dumb. I have my moments though!   Thanks Gemini!

[IrishHeart]

Gem and I think "stubborn, but not stupid"  is a positive celiac trait.

 

Must be a day for pickups. Can you imagine an old romeo talking me up on the beach?

 

I do not look like you, babes..(well, sorta...25 years ago LOL)

 

and I not a young babe anymore, but there he was this morning,

chatting my ear off. Asking where I came from and all....

Hilarious! 

 

Geez, I'm trying to get my rays and Vit D and read my book, dude..... SHOO!

[moosemalibu]

Gem and I think "stubborn, but not stupid"  is a positive celiac trait.

 

Must be a day for pickups. Can you imagine an old romeo talking me up on the beach?

 

I do not look like you, babes..(well, sorta...25 years ago LOL)

 

and I not a young babe anymore, but there he was this morning,

chatting my ear off. Asking where I came from and all....

Hilarious! 

 

Geez, I'm trying to get my rays and Vit D and read my book, dude..... SHOO!

 

We Celiac's must be luring them in somehow. Men must secretly be loving the toot-scented pheromones we put out. LOL 

[IrishHeart]

We Celiac's must be luring them in somehow. Men must secretly be loving the toot-scented pheromones we put out. LOL 

 

Oh, I am sure that's part of it.