Jenny (AZ via TX)

Please share your mac n cheese recipe. Thanks.

Maybe someone out there can help me. I have been gluten-free for about 4 months, was diag in Feb with positive bloodwork and positive biopsy. Anyway, I just had some bloodtests done to test thyroid, etc.

Well the test that came back scary are:

CRP - 9.5 H (High cardiovascular risk)

Homocysteine - 5.0 L (5.4-11.9 is normal range)

Lipoprotein (a) - 302 H (<75 is normal range)

I know all of the above have to do with the heart and that CRP can mean infection. Does anyone else have numbers like these?

My cholesterol is good - 195 (<200)

HDL - 54 (>45)

LDL - 126 (<130)

Triglyceride - 89 (<150

Glucose - 88 (65-99)

Vitamin D3 - 44

Vitamin D2 - <4

TSH - 2.02 (.45-4.50)

T4 - 1.2 ( 0.8-1.7)

T3 - 2.5 - (2.0-4.8)

I didn't get a chance to talk to the doctor. It was a new doctor. I waited for an hour! I asked how much longer the doc would be which they didn't know. I told them I wanted my lab results and my co-pay back and I left.

Looking for a new doc now. Anyone that has a good one is Scottsdale/Phoenix, let me know.

I've been gluten-free for about 2 months. I still get headaches, but not as often. I've had maybe 1 or 2 migraines since going gluten-free. Mine headaches alway start above one of my eyebrows and if it goes into a migraine, goes from my eyebrow down the side of my head to my ear. Always the same. They seem to be worse around my period or when barometric pressure changes.

They are, however, better since going gluten-free. So yay for that. Also, I just feel a whole lot better since going gluten-free, just waiting for my energy to return.

I found this great yummy snack at Costco. I was so excited when I picked it up and it actually said Gluten-Free! The name of the manufacturer is Mareblu Naturals. It's also dairy free.

Has any tried any of their other products? Their website listed quite a few products, but the only one I saw at Costco was the CranMango Cashew Crunch.

Very addicting though.

Crystal,

I'm so happy you pushed for the additional tests! You listened to your body and finally got the doc to listen to you. Good for you. Now you know for sure that you were on the right course to begin with.

OK, one more question on this. If I add chicken or ground turkey, does it need to be cooked before adding? Sorry to keep asking, but my cooking skills are minimal. I'm pretty good if I have an exact recipe, but when it comes to adding and substituting things, I'm generally lost. Thanks.

Good news. It's gluten free! I sent an e-mail to the manufacturer Dr. Reddy's regarding my allergy info. I copied this from an e-mail so hope it comes out OK on here. Here is the response:

March 4, 2008

Dear Ms. :

Thank you for your request for information regarding Dr. Reddy

OK, this might be a double post, not sure what I did after I typed my message.

Anyway, thanks for experimenting with the brown rice. I think this will become a weekly dinner in our house. Also, we'll have leftovers since there's only 2 of us. I already have all of the ingredients in the cabinet.

Please keep posting easy recipes. I'm starting to cook more and need more of these easy ones.

I was trying to bring yogurt through security at the Phoenix airport. They confiscated it saying it was a liquid.

Hi Purple,

The recipe sounds great! I would like to substitute brown rice for the white rice to get a little extra fiber. Do you know if I would need more liquid?

Thanks.

Ummm...is your doctor using the "old" TSH guidelines????? They were changed some 5 years ago.

Open Original Shared Link

You are clearly HYPOTHYROID.

And being hypothyroid can lead to all sorts of neurological conditions that mimic MS. ALL of those tests may be a BIG waste when all you need is proper thyroid medication.

I was HYPOTHYROID at 2.8 TSH. And I take Armour which will suppress TSH. I do not feel well unless my TSH is around .03.

The thyroid problem and anemia also tie in with Celiac and gluten sensitivity.

You will need to get your iron stores up so that you can utilize your thyroid medication properly. There is A LOT of fabulous info here:

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

It is up to you if you want to go through with the MRI. But if it were me, I would print out the NEW TSH guidelines and take them to my doctor and ask to be treated. I mean demand to be treated.

Shay, I'm so glad you mentioned the thyroid. Mine too is over 3, but previous dr told me it was normal. I'm going to a new Dr in a couple weeks that is open to the new range so I'm hoping she will give me something. what brand of thyroid meds are you taking? I've heard Armour is good.

Thanks.

Yum, I love cornbread! The recipe looks easy too.

Jessica,

I'm glad you got your results. You are so far ahead of the game than when I found out. At least you know pretty much what you need to do. Also, it is great that you found this forum early on. I didn't find it for a few months. It would have saved me a lot of trial and error. There is so much knowledge on this forum. Keep up the great attitude

Ok, I know this is going to sound disgusting, but taking about 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and mix with water (I mix it with about a 1/2 cup apple juice because I gag with just water). The apple cider vinegar thins the mucous and really helps. I used to feel like a had something sitting in my throat and it was worse when I would lie down. That feeling is gone! I also used to have chronic sinus infections and post nasal drip. All of that is much better now. I did it everyday 3 times a day religiously and now only do it every so often. It also helps give your body the right PH balance. There is a website (hope I don't get one of those lame advertisement things) earthclinicdotcom.

It really helped me. It may be worth trying.

I also had arrhythmia before I was diagnosed. It scared me so much I went to a cardiologist (heart disease runs in my family). I wore the heart monitor for 24 hours which showed I had a few skipped beats, but that all was OK.

I have only had that happen to me one time since being gluten-free and it was very brief, not like before. Also, my BP is better and so is my pulse. I think, for me, dehydration was partly to blame. I would drink 12-15 8oz glasses of water each day and my doctor would tell me I was dehydrated. I actually thought she was nuts. But since reading this forum, that is very common.

Hi Jessica.

Here are a few other places: Pei Wei and Outback. Ask for the Gluten Free menu.

Also, I believe, but you may want to check to make sure they have a gluten-free menu, Carrabas and Carinos if you want Italian.

Have fun!

I actually felt pretty good the first 2 weeks after going gluten free (although at the time I wasn't totally gluten-free since it was in one of my supplements). Then after about 2 months or so, I'm feeling very tired. I am extremely careful about being gluten-free (changed out the pots and pans, etc). I still get headaches too. But when I look back, I feel better than before I was diagnosed. So I'm sticking with this thing. I don't even think about cheating. Too scared of getting other autoimmune diseases as well as cancer.

So hang in there. The good times are around the corner, I just know it!!!

I am also going to get tested for thyroid, vitamin D and hormones.

Thanks for sharing. It sounds so good! I had basically just given up on bread, but this looks so easy to make and sounds so yummy.

My tests were done through Sonora Quest Labs. Probably because of insurance. I tested very positive on 3 of the 4 tests they did.

Gosh I'm sorry. Health insurance scares me for this very reason. I'm so scared I'll lose my job some day and be in this position. Can you get the continuing/COBRA coverage that's usually offered after losing a job? For some reason I thought there was a way to continue coverage without having to apply and deal with all the pre-existing condition stuff. But I might be making that up.

I had also heard that as long as you didn't let the coverage lapse in between coverages, you were fine. When I had switched coverage (before celiac) from my work to my husband's, I had several tests at an ENT. I had to send proof that my coverage had never lapsed. After that I had no problems.

The USDA labeling law is for all raw meats. Buying raw, fresh (and frozen) meat is very easy.

richard

Richard, thank you. This will be one less thing I have to call on!

Hey guys, I work at a magazine where we get tons of products sent to us daily, and I constantly read the labels before I try something. One product I found and loved is called Desert Essence Organics, they have tons of great products that are affordable! All of their products are 100% wheat and gluten free which makes me feel safe. You can get them from Whole Foods or order online.

It's definitely getting harder to find products without "hydrolized wheat germ" or whatever else they call it.

I love these products! I use the shampoo and conditioner, the blemish stick, and the lotions. I get mine at my local health food store. It's a lot cheaper than Whole Foods. So, if you want to try this line, check the smaller health food stores. They are about 1/2 the price of Whole Foods.

Hi Vickie,

Clinique has gluten free makeup! The 3 step basic skin care program in gluten free if you use the #2 clarifying lotion and mild cleanser. My sister has celiac disease and works at Clinique!.

Tracy

Hi Tracy,

Would you ask your sister if there are any other gluten Clinique products? Thanks.

Amy,

How are they doing the test? Is it a blood test or skin prick? I think there are other kinds too. Just curious.

Thanks for the info. I will pass on the testing. Anything to save me from getting a needle in my arm!