So I Found Out What Is Causing My Health Problems

On Monday I decided to finally go to the hospital and get my blood test to see if I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. To my dismay, on Wednesday morning I got a call from the Endocrinologist to set up an appointment to talk to me about my results. I asked the receptionist if my thyroid anti-bodies were high and she said yes - although she did not have the authority to give me my diagnosis. I am pretty sure that it means that I have it. That really sucks, but at least I know now what the root cause of my:

• depression
• cold intolerance
• constipation
• leg cramps
• ten pounds that I cannot seem to lose
• bad memory
• poor concentration
• panic attacks

The bad news is that traditional medicine says that there is no cure for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and that I should take synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medicine the rest of my life. The good  news is that my landlord is an alternative medicine practitioner and she said that she has treated many people for this disease and all of them are doing well, without having to take the hormones. I am meeting with her this weekend, so she can evaluate what I need to do to start getting better.

This condition has been coming on for the last few years. I have known that there was something wrong with me, although I did not know what it was or what I needed to do to get better. At least now I feel like I finally know what is causing the problem, and that is half the battle. Even though it is daunting to face an illness for which there supposedly no cure, I believe that I will find a way somehow. It is probably going to involve a big change in my diet, and I am going to have to continue the exercise regimen I have been undertaking for the past month permanently, but that is okay. I just want to get better.

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Soy and My Thyroid Gland

So last week I went to the doctor because my thyroid gland was swollen and I felt like I had a lump in my throat. The doctor said I probably have some sort of thyroid disorder and will more than likely be put on synthetic thyroid medication that I would have to take the rest of my life. Forget that! I went into panic mode and started reading like crazy. I am not giving up that easily.

I did a bunch of research and found that it is probably all the soy in my diet that is causing my thyroid gland to have problems. I really have been eating way too much soy ever since I became a vegetarian. For the past eight years I have excessively drank soy milk, eaten soy cheese, tofu, tempeh, soy butter, soy ice cream, imitation meats made from soy, soy chips... if it is made of soy you can safely bet I have been eating it. A lot.

From what I have been reading, soy is considered a "goitrogen" a food which inhibits the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland emits hormones which control our metabolism, amongst other things.

So basically, because of all of the soy I eat, and because I use sea salt instead of iodized table salt, I have an iodine deficiency and my thyroid gland has been screaming for help. It has not been able to do its job and I have been developing a condition known as hypothyroidism - which causes, fatique, depression, heavy menstrual periods, weight gain - even tooth problems(!) because the thyroid is also in charge some sort of calcium processes in our bodies.

Last friday, I stopped eating soy foods and started taking an iodine supplement. I feel 100% better! My thyroid gland is not swollen anymore and I have a lot more energy and am not as depressed.

Yesterday I rode my bike to go get my lunch (yay!) and tonight I am starting my new yoga class. Hopefully it is just a matter of time before my tooth completely heals and no more headaches...

I still cannot get over that the doctor did not ask me about my diet or come anywhere near the conclusion that I have an iodine deficiency. In fact, when I asked the nurse if that could be the problem and she said 'no'.

Instead of soy milk I am now drinking almond milk, hazelnut milk, and hemp milk. I am also having a pineapple smoothie for breakfast every morning (pineapple has iodine) and am going to try to start eating more sea kelp (sushi!!!). I am probably not going to completely eliminate ALL soy products, but I am definitely drastically cutting back.

The interesting thing is that I have been reading in health articles to avoid soy for a long time... now I think I know why. :)

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