I finally got my doctor to test my thyroid properly. She did all six panels after the nurse practitioner explained to her why she should. That’s a whole ‘nother post, but I’ll spare you. I got the results and it came back as “normal.” I also had her check for a systemic candida overgrowth, but that came back as “normal” too. That means that neither of those things are causing any Fibromyalgia symptoms.
A full thyroid panel would be: TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 , Free T3, Reverse T3.
[EDITED FOR DETAIL:
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Evaluates overall thyroid function. - Total Thyroxine (T4)
Evaluates the total amount of T4 produced by the thyroid gland. - Free Thyroxine (T4)
Evaluates the amount of T4 available to the cells and tissues. - Free Tri-iodothyronine (T3)
Measures the amount of T3 (the active form of the hormone) available to the cells and tissues.]
The results are discouraging since they’re not what I was expecting, but I also realize that it helps narrow things down. I’m starting to feel more and more pushed towards having to figure out if I’m sensitive to gluten or not. A gluten sensitivity can exacerbate my Fibro symptoms, so it’s looking like it’s time to try an elimination diet regarding gluten. I had success eliminating meat and becoming vegetarian and that that should be encouraging, right?
Here’s another interesting tidbit… I’ve always been aware of this, but a gluten sensitivity can make Autism worse or mimic symptoms of Autism. When Gracie was very small we tried an elimination diet of gluten that didn’t seem to work but if I’m going to attempt to go gluten-free then I’m going to try to get her to go gluten-free as well. She gets the so-called chicken skin on the backs of her arms and it bothers her a lot because she thinks it’s ugly. Then she tries to scrape the bumps off and there’s a scab.
I brought up the idea to my daughters. Gracie acted as if I said nothing, so there’s nothing new there. She just wants cake. As long as she can have cake that tastes like cake I think she’ll be fine. Juliana thinks it means she’ll never be able to socialize at school lunch or have sandwiches that taste good ever again. She’s also worried about pasta. And crackers. I’d like for her to try it willingly due to her ADHD, but she’s almost 13. I need her cooperation. Anna? She thinks it’s unhealthy since we have whole-wheat-everything. I tried to explain that there are alternatives that are healthy. I might have to get sneaky and creative. 🙂 That’s sort of the definition of cooking as a parent, though, so now I just have to learn the language of gluten ingredients in the ingredient labels and find some tasty recipes for special occasions.
I have to give it a minimum of three to six months. Longer if possible. I’ve read that it can take months to years to rid the body of gluten. I don’t consume a lot of it in the first place, but that’s a little disconcerting. I don’t know a lot about going completely gluten-free yet. I do know that it can be very involved. Crossing my fingers.
I’m nervous.
[EDITED: Not gonna do it. Gluten free just isn’t really an option, at least not right now. I don’t think I buy into the whole thing for either myself or my daughter/s anyway since we don’t show true symptoms of gluten intolerance or insensitivity.
And also, for what it’s worth, I’m not 100% certain that my doctor was 100% truthful about the Candida results or thyroid results so when I see my rheumatologist for my first appointment at the end of September I’ll be sure to ask her to go over those tests.]
Related articles
- 30 percent of Irritable bowel cases caused by gluten sensitivity (mesolithica.wordpress.com)
- FDA Approves Gluten-Free Label (npr.org)
- FDA finally defines what “gluten free” means on packaged food (vancouversun.com)
- 10 Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance (talesfromthelou.wordpress.com)
- Understanding Gluten Sensitivity – Why it may Sabotage Your Health and What You Can Do (martinechin.com)
- 10 Signs You Have A Thyroid Problem. (zedie.wordpress.com)
- An Allergy Elimination Diet Plan, Health Benefits & Recipes (naturalhealthyconcepts.com)
- Ten Signs You’re Gluten Intolerant (click here)
- Ten Causes of Fibromyalgia Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About (click here)
- Gluten Free Diet Rules – What’s Allowed, What’s Not? (natural-holistic-health.com)
My own research leads me to believe (at this point) that gluten isn’t causative, but that a GFCS diet may be a relevant treatment to help minimize behavioral manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. In other words, it may be a treatment for some (but not all) cases, but it’s not a cure.
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I agree, I don’t believe it’s causative to ASD at all. I do believe that it can be a contributing factor. We tried a GF diet with my daughter when she was younger, but it didn’t seem to make a difference the way going lactose free did. She’s ten years old now and I talked to her about it. She seems willing to discuss it, which I hope means she might be willing to try it at some point. The issues would be sensory in her food, since she can’t overcome them at this point to “get used to” changes.
I already failed heh heh. I was being cautious, too and not even 24 hours in, one of my daughters made pasta and gave me a bowl. Without even thinking I just took it.
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