Facing Graves Disease
I have been avoiding writing this blog post for nearly three weeks now. By avoiding writing this, I have successfully avoided dealing with how I feel about having Graves Disease, but have yet to truly face it.
My last doctor's appointment was somewhat disappointing. I had my blood drawn the week before seeing the endocrinologist to check my thyroid levels. By following the AIP diet I was hoping that I would be able to bring down my T3 and T4 levels, instead the opposite happened. While they are still within normal range, they are at the high end of the normal range and rose significantly from August to October. My TSH levels are undetectable, which is why my higher T3 and T4 levels are a concern for my doctor. TSH is testing the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone sent from the brain to my thyroid telling my thyroid to produce hormones. Because my TSH level is undetectable, it shows that my brain knows that my thyroid is already producing too much hormone (T3 and T4). This shows that I have hyperthyroidism, meaning my thyroid is working in overdrive, sending my body into overdrive as well, speeding up my heart rate along with everything else. The good news is that since my T3 and T4 are still within normal range albeit the high end, I don't quite need to be medicated, have radiation therapy or surgery.
I have to say I was shocked that my levels actually rose from August to October. I couldn't figure it out, because everything I had researched showed me that the AIP diet had great results in calming autoimmune diseases. So immediately, I blamed myself and thought I must have done something wrong, maybe I had not followed the diet correctly. Then, while I mulled it over for a few days and read more research about autoimmune diseases, it occurred to me to check an allergy test I had done awhile ago. Autoimmune flare ups happen when the body is trying to defend itself from invaders and is so inflamed it can't tell what is an invader and what is itself and then begins to attack itself. Well when I looked over my allergy test results, I saw what it was that I had still been consuming while on the AIP diet that I was allergic to. YEAST. And I was consuming more yeast than ever before. I had added both fermented vegetables and Kombucha to my daily diet, both are made by fermentation which is yeast hard at work.
Now my moment of truth. As soon as I had my blood tests done, I figured I was in the clear at least until I saw the doctor and could eat whatever I wanted. So... I went crazy. I ate everything that I had removed from my diet. And almost immediately I got sick, but that didn't stop me. It was like I was on drugs, I couldn't get enough of grains, dairy, eggs, nightshades and most importantly sugar. I wanted it all and I consumed it all. After I saw the doctor and learned of my blood test results, my consumption got worse. I was sinking in sugar and was struggling to keep afloat. I think I was trying to mask my feelings with food and then became depressed with the news of my results and I'm sure my consumption didn't help either. Here I had received news I was not expecting and didn't quite no how to cope with it.
My doctor had requested an additional test called a Radioactive Thyroid Uptake and Scan, back in August that I was not able to have done. At my last appointment she told me she still wanted the results of that test before she did anything further, because that test would give her a better picture of what was going on with my thyroid. I think also it would help confirm her diagnosis of Graves Disease. Because while she has already done multiple tests that lead her to believe I have Graves Disease, she has been hesitant to say that is what I actually have.
Well, finally this past week during Fall Break I was able to have the Thyroid Uptake and Scan done. I received a message from my doctor's medical assistant stating it was good news there were no nodules on my thyroid, but the results of the scan does look like I have Graves Disease.
So now what? I don't know. I don't know what to eat. I don't know what to do. I know that my endocrinologist is going to keep a close eye on me from now on. I'm due back to see her in January and will have my blood tests done again before seeing her. As long as my blood levels stay within the normal range I won't have to be medicated, have radiation therapy or surgery. How do I keep my body in the normal range? I don't know.
While I do believe the AIP diet could be very beneficial in calming my body, obviously minus the yeast and other food allergens, it is such a tough diet to maintain. Especially when my family doesn't eat that way and the industry that I work in makes it very difficult as well. I've decided that for now, I'm going to eat paleo, but not strictly AIP. I'll just be sure to stay away from all food I have known allergies to and hopefully that will help. I've also read that lifestyle has a huge effect on autoimmune diseases. So I'm working on taking care of me; getting proper rest, eating well, practicing yoga, starting meditation, walking, writing, and enjoying everyday with family and friends.
My last doctor's appointment was somewhat disappointing. I had my blood drawn the week before seeing the endocrinologist to check my thyroid levels. By following the AIP diet I was hoping that I would be able to bring down my T3 and T4 levels, instead the opposite happened. While they are still within normal range, they are at the high end of the normal range and rose significantly from August to October. My TSH levels are undetectable, which is why my higher T3 and T4 levels are a concern for my doctor. TSH is testing the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone sent from the brain to my thyroid telling my thyroid to produce hormones. Because my TSH level is undetectable, it shows that my brain knows that my thyroid is already producing too much hormone (T3 and T4). This shows that I have hyperthyroidism, meaning my thyroid is working in overdrive, sending my body into overdrive as well, speeding up my heart rate along with everything else. The good news is that since my T3 and T4 are still within normal range albeit the high end, I don't quite need to be medicated, have radiation therapy or surgery.
I have to say I was shocked that my levels actually rose from August to October. I couldn't figure it out, because everything I had researched showed me that the AIP diet had great results in calming autoimmune diseases. So immediately, I blamed myself and thought I must have done something wrong, maybe I had not followed the diet correctly. Then, while I mulled it over for a few days and read more research about autoimmune diseases, it occurred to me to check an allergy test I had done awhile ago. Autoimmune flare ups happen when the body is trying to defend itself from invaders and is so inflamed it can't tell what is an invader and what is itself and then begins to attack itself. Well when I looked over my allergy test results, I saw what it was that I had still been consuming while on the AIP diet that I was allergic to. YEAST. And I was consuming more yeast than ever before. I had added both fermented vegetables and Kombucha to my daily diet, both are made by fermentation which is yeast hard at work.
Now my moment of truth. As soon as I had my blood tests done, I figured I was in the clear at least until I saw the doctor and could eat whatever I wanted. So... I went crazy. I ate everything that I had removed from my diet. And almost immediately I got sick, but that didn't stop me. It was like I was on drugs, I couldn't get enough of grains, dairy, eggs, nightshades and most importantly sugar. I wanted it all and I consumed it all. After I saw the doctor and learned of my blood test results, my consumption got worse. I was sinking in sugar and was struggling to keep afloat. I think I was trying to mask my feelings with food and then became depressed with the news of my results and I'm sure my consumption didn't help either. Here I had received news I was not expecting and didn't quite no how to cope with it.
My doctor had requested an additional test called a Radioactive Thyroid Uptake and Scan, back in August that I was not able to have done. At my last appointment she told me she still wanted the results of that test before she did anything further, because that test would give her a better picture of what was going on with my thyroid. I think also it would help confirm her diagnosis of Graves Disease. Because while she has already done multiple tests that lead her to believe I have Graves Disease, she has been hesitant to say that is what I actually have.
Well, finally this past week during Fall Break I was able to have the Thyroid Uptake and Scan done. I received a message from my doctor's medical assistant stating it was good news there were no nodules on my thyroid, but the results of the scan does look like I have Graves Disease.
So now what? I don't know. I don't know what to eat. I don't know what to do. I know that my endocrinologist is going to keep a close eye on me from now on. I'm due back to see her in January and will have my blood tests done again before seeing her. As long as my blood levels stay within the normal range I won't have to be medicated, have radiation therapy or surgery. How do I keep my body in the normal range? I don't know.
While I do believe the AIP diet could be very beneficial in calming my body, obviously minus the yeast and other food allergens, it is such a tough diet to maintain. Especially when my family doesn't eat that way and the industry that I work in makes it very difficult as well. I've decided that for now, I'm going to eat paleo, but not strictly AIP. I'll just be sure to stay away from all food I have known allergies to and hopefully that will help. I've also read that lifestyle has a huge effect on autoimmune diseases. So I'm working on taking care of me; getting proper rest, eating well, practicing yoga, starting meditation, walking, writing, and enjoying everyday with family and friends.
I've got some thoughts about this, if you're in a mind to listen (meaning, I know you didn't ask for input, so if it's not what you want, skip on by :) ).
ReplyDeleteA few things - if your TSH is low but your T3 and T4 are higher, perhaps your new diet is providing more exogenous thyroid hormones, or more precisely, more precursors like tyrosine and other amino acids (actually, have you been using coconut aminos?). Also, it's possible that the high end of the range is your normal. How do you _feel_?
I'd be really curious to see what your RT3 is at. That's a really good indicator of the stresses your body is under. The higher the RT3, the less T3 is getting into your cells. It shows that your body is converting T4 to RT3 (which slots into the same receptors as T3) and basically downregulating your metabolism. You can have your circulating T3 look "normal", but if it can't get into the cells 'cause they're blocked up with RT3, "normal" doesn't really help you.
Did you perhaps get other blood work up done? I'd be really curious to see your sex hormones as well as pregnenelone and DHEA.
Your conclusion, though, is the most important thing. Taking care of you should take priority. That's the best way to health. <3
Thank you for your thoughts. You have brought up ideas that I have not yet considered and will need to do more research to gain a better understanding of them. I do appreciate having a more well rounded perspective of what could be going on with my body. Thank you for that.
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