Introduction

[Guest guest]

That's obvious...if I could remember all of the doctors she has been to, you wouldn't believe it. Marcie carol77096 wrote: In this particular case she can pay all she wants, but she won't get the right care.

Carol > > > Kate,> > > I am sorry to say I disagree. Dr. Hotze and company run the > > standard > > > blood tests but don't put much weight on them - they prefer to look > > > at symptoms. On my first visit, I left with 7 perscriptions (Armour > > > Thyroid, HC, Pregnenolone, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, > > > Nystatin, Dyflucan)!

They did not have any test results to go by, > > > just based on how I felt. I have been on the HC for 18 months. When > > > I called because I was still having a lot of anxiety, they would > & g t; > suggest supplements. I tried them and didn't really notice a > > > difference. When I hurt my back and called them to see what to do > > > about anti-inflammatories, they suggested increasing HC a little > > and > > > suggested 2 supplements. I noticed when I increased the HC, I felt > > a > > > little calmer. So on my own, I increased it a little more and felt > > a > > > litle more calm. I called and told them and they were stumped and > > > said that my doctor doesn't like to increase HC! I mentioned that I > > > could then increase my Armour Thyroid whereas when I was on the > > > lowest dosage of HC,

I could not. Again, stumped! When the HC > > > started bothering my stomach (their information did not say to take > > > with food and they verbally told me to take all hormones on an > > empty > > > stomach!), they said to decrease the dosage by 2.5 mg and take > > > Prilosec. They gav! e me an RX for blood work to check T3, T4, > > > ferritin etc. and I confirmed they were sent the results. When I > > > called, they said he would call me to discuss the results in 2 > > weeks > > > and I never heard back! Hence, I am looking for a new (not so > > > pricey!) doctor. I so don't like to say bad things about HHWC > > > because they do help people but they don't seem to understand the > > > root problems of adrenals and thyroid and how to fine-tune.> > > > > > My ferritin is low: 25 (10-232) and my

Free T3 is high 603 (230-> > > 420). WOuld you know wht that means?> > > > > > I had a spectracell test done through a local chiro and my B12 is > > > fine though my zinc and B2 were low. My D was in range.> > > > > > Tina! > ; > ---------------------------------> > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.> >>

[Guest guest]

One thing Dr. made very clear to me right from the start was

that it was going to take time to get better, I had to follow the

regimen, and I'd better be prepared and committed. He did this in a

very kind and sincere way, but was very serious. I said, OK I'm

ready. So far, I've progressed exactly like he's said.

It takes a lot of time to recover from being so sick. Many things

must be treated properly at the same time, and there must be plenty

of time between evaluations to see how all the " gears " have started

to mesh. We read of too many physicians on this board who are testing

too quickly, like every few weeks, after meds are adjusted. Folks can

swing wildly as one isolated thing after another is adjusted, rather

than a slow, complete balancing and adjustment of all things

together. If your friend has doctor-hopped looking for a fast

turnaround of her health, she's going to be constantly disappointed.

If you choose to go with Dr. , you have to do what he says

and be prepared to spend the time to get well. As his wife says about

what he tells everyone, " I don't make up the rules. The rules are the

rules. " He's got a biochemistry background and he's done research in

hormones. He knows what it takes to get well. No quick fixes.

*climbs down off soapbox*

Sara

> > > > Kate,

> > > > I am sorry to say I disagree. Dr. Hotze and company run the

> > > standard

> > > > blood tests but don't put much weight on them - they prefer

to look

> > > > at symptoms. On my first visit, I left with 7 perscriptions

(Armour

> > > > Thyroid, HC, Pregnenolone, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA,

> > > > Nystatin, Dyflucan)! They did not have any test results to go

by,

> > > > just based on how I felt. I have been on the HC for 18

months. When

> > > > I called because I was still having a lot of anxiety, they

would

> > & g t; > suggest supplements. I tried them and didn't really

notice a

> > > > difference. When I hurt my back and called them to see what

to do

> > > > about anti-inflammatories, they suggested increasing HC a

little

> > > and

> > > > suggested 2 supplements. I noticed when I increased the HC, I

felt

> > > a

> > > > little calmer. So on my own, I increased it a little more and

felt

> > > a

> > > > litle more calm. I called and told them and they were stumped

and

> > > > said that my doctor doesn't like to increase HC! I mentioned

that I

> > > > could then increase my Armour Thyroid whereas when I was on

the

> > > > lowest dosage of HC, I could not. Again, stumped! When the HC

> > > > started bothering my stomach (their information did not say

to take

> > > > with food and they verbally told me to take all hormones on

an

> > > empty

> > > > stomach!), they said to decrease the dosage by 2.5 mg and

take

> > > > Prilosec. They gav! e me an RX for blood work to check T3,

T4,

> > > > ferritin etc. and I confirmed they were sent the results.

When I

> > > > called, they said he would call me to discuss the results in

2

> > > weeks

> > > > and I never heard back! Hence, I am looking for a new (not so

> > > > pricey!) doctor. I so don't like to say bad things about HHWC

> > > > because they do help people but they don't seem to understand

the

> > > > root problems of adrenals and thyroid and how to fine-tune.

> > > >

> > > > My ferritin is low: 25 (10-232) and my Free T3 is high 603

(230-

> > > > 420). WOuld you know wht that means?

> > > >

> > > > I had a spectracell test done through a local chiro and my

B12 is

> > > > fine though my zinc and B2 were low. My D was in range.

> > > >

> > > > Tina!

> > ; > ---------------------------------

> > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo!

Mobile. Try it now.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sara,

It is great to hear of a doctor that has taht long-term mindset in

getting you well.

Does Dr. talk about diet? I am wondering if I am doing the

right thing with eating a lot of salads/veggies and protein and

limiting grains/sugar. Would you know?

Tina

> > > > > Kate,

> > > > > I am sorry to say I disagree. Dr. Hotze and company run the

> > > > standard

> > > > > blood tests but don't put much weight on them - they prefer

> to look

> > > > > at symptoms. On my first visit, I left with 7 perscriptions

> (Armour

> > > > > Thyroid, HC, Pregnenolone, Testosterone, Progesterone,

DHEA,

> > > > > Nystatin, Dyflucan)! They did not have any test results to

go

> by,

> > > > > just based on how I felt. I have been on the HC for 18

> months. When

> > > > > I called because I was still having a lot of anxiety, they

> would

> > > & g t; > suggest supplements. I tried them and didn't really

> notice a

> > > > > difference. When I hurt my back and called them to see what

> to do

> > > > > about anti-inflammatories, they suggested increasing HC a

> little

> > > > and

> > > > > suggested 2 supplements. I noticed when I increased the HC,

I

> felt

> > > > a

> > > > > little calmer. So on my own, I increased it a little more

and

> felt

> > > > a

> > > > > litle more calm. I called and told them and they were

stumped

> and

> > > > > said that my doctor doesn't like to increase HC! I

mentioned

> that I

> > > > > could then increase my Armour Thyroid whereas when I was on

> the

> > > > > lowest dosage of HC, I could not. Again, stumped! When the

HC

> > > > > started bothering my stomach (their information did not say

> to take

> > > > > with food and they verbally told me to take all hormones on

> an

> > > > empty

> > > > > stomach!), they said to decrease the dosage by 2.5 mg and

> take

> > > > > Prilosec. They gav! e me an RX for blood work to check T3,

> T4,

> > > > > ferritin etc. and I confirmed they were sent the results.

> When I

> > > > > called, they said he would call me to discuss the results

in

> 2

> > > > weeks

> > > > > and I never heard back! Hence, I am looking for a new (not

so

> > > > > pricey!) doctor. I so don't like to say bad things about

HHWC

> > > > > because they do help people but they don't seem to

understand

> the

> > > > > root problems of adrenals and thyroid and how to fine-tune.

> > > > >

> > > > > My ferritin is low: 25 (10-232) and my Free T3 is high 603

> (230-

> > > > > 420). WOuld you know wht that means?

> > > > >

> > > > > I had a spectracell test done through a local chiro and my

> B12 is

> > > > > fine though my zinc and B2 were low. My D was in range.

> > > > >

> > > > > Tina!

> > > ; > ---------------------------------

> > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo!

> Mobile. Try it now.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dr. R recommends the Broda diet. It is similar to what you stated. His main caveat is to avoid the "white death": white sugar, white flour.

> >> > One thing Dr. made very clear to me right from the start > was > > that it was going to take time to get better, I had to follow the > > regimen, and I'd better be prepared and committed. He did this in a > > very kind and sincere way, but was very serious. I said, OK I'm > > ready. So far, I've progressed exactly like he's said.> > > > It takes a lot of time to recover from being so sick. Many things > > must be treated properly at the same time, and there must be plenty > > of time between evaluations to see how all the "gears" have started > > to mesh. We read of too many physicians on this board who are > testing > > too quickly, like every few weeks, after meds are adjusted. Folks > can > > swing wildly as one isolated thing after another is adjusted, > rather > > than a slow, complete balancing and adjustment of all things > > together. If your friend has doctor-hopped looking for a fast > > turnaround of her health, she's going to be constantly > disappointed. > > If you choose to go with Dr. , you have to do what he says > > and be prepared to spend the time to get well. As his wife says > about > > what he tells everyone, "I don't make up the rules. The rules are > the > > rules." He's got a biochemistry background and he's done research > in > > hormones. He knows what it takes to get well. No quick fixes.> > > > *climbs down off soapbox*

[Guest guest]

Tina,

The being easily startled is an adrenal thing, as is the blood sugar

issues, both of which I have still, but to a much smaller degree.

That's really why I think I would have been much better to go

straight to the low dose HC. The conventional doctors will start

thinking you have a pituitary problem, but it's often not. For me

personally, the issue is the toxins from Lyme and mold exposures

have damaged the hypothalamus, so that all my hormones are impacted.

Few conventional doctors will consider this, as they are only

trained to look for organ failure. The impact on the

neurotransmitters is another sign of toxins, since we are exposed to

so many neurotoxins (both the Lyme and mold produce neurotoxins, as

do heavy metals, etc.). The anxiety has some of its roots in the

impact on the neurotransmitters. Taking appropriate amino acids

will definitely assuage the problems. That along with getting the

hormones balanced can make us feel almost normal. It also depends

upon your body's ability to detox on how stable you can get. I have

defects in my detox pathways and a genotype that predisposes my body

not to even recognize the toxins, so it is an ongoing battle to

remove toxins in order to minimize the impact on my brain and

hormonal balance.

Unfortunately, there are just so few doctors that have a clue about

any of this. Most of them will think you're nuts if you think you

have all these problems. I've had my best experience with a doctor

that specializes in treating autistic kids, as they have many of the

same issues, but they are far more severely impacted. However, the

same treatments that are effective for them have also been effective

for me and my kids (GF/CF diet, B supplements, especially B12, amino

acids for neurotransmitters, detox formulas, etc.). However, her

focus is not so much on the hormonal impacts, since the autistic

kids don't have those issues until later. So, I still need to see

someone to help with all of that. My PCP does a hit or miss

approach, which hasn't been effective, other than her allowing me to

take the high levels of T4 and T3 that I need (I'm allergic to

Armour), but she's become a TSH nazi. I'm checking out a GYN to see

if she'll prescribe the thyroid at the levels I need it. If not, I

will be on my way to see Dr. R in a few months.

Unfortunately, my experience has been that even these doctors with

the natural practices don't always understand the extent to which

some of us have been impacted. I got so tired of having to do food

diaries for those folks and then seeing the look on their faces when

they realized I was eating a near perfect diet and then having them

tell me I didn't need some of the supplements I had figured out I

needed (i.e., I knew they helped), but then having them sell me

their fancy formulas that I had allergic reactions to. So, I would

first recommend you find out what all you'd get for that $2000. If

it's just them telling you that you need a bunch of supplements and

to eat right and exercise, it's probably not worth it (from your

summary that's what it sounds like). However, if they're running

tests for detox pathway defects and they understand the impact of

the myriad of toxins that we're exposed to on a daily basis, it

might be worthwhile.

B.

> >

> > Hi Tina,

> >

> > I have been taking the Adrenal Cortex extracts (not the brand

they

> > recommend as it has other things that I can't tolerate) and it

has

> > helped me to survive the last 5 years. But, I do still have some

> > very funky issues with my adrenals. It really depends upon how

out

> > of whack your adrenals are whether the glandular is all you

need.

> I

> > likely still would have been better off if I had been able to

find

> a

> > doctor that would address all my hormones from the get go,

rather

> > than having to rely on the OTC supplements to survive. Also, I

had

> > originally been afraid of using the HC as I had Lyme disease

when I

> > became so ill and cortisone is strongly discouraged for Lyme

> > patients, however, I learned last year from a top Lyme doctor

that

> > the low doses prescribed for adrenal fatigue are perfectly okay

> > (although, unfortunately, some of the docs that treat Lyme are

in

> > the same old school mentality of alot of other docs and they're

> > afraid of HC).

> >

> > If you do choose to try the glandulars, you really need to make

> sure

> > that you inform the doctors (as you should with ALL

supplements).

> > Otherwise, when they run labs, you can get some things very

> skewed.

> > If you're planning on seeing someone ASAP about all of this, I

> would

> > not recommend starting with the glandulars as I really think by

the

> > time most of us find this group, the HC is likely the most

> effective

> > way to go.

> >

> > B.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, Have you been to see Rea or one of the other docs at the Environmental Health Center here in Dallas? mhbarnes_99 wrote: Tina,The being easily startled is an adrenal thing, as is the blood sugar issues, both of which I have still, but to a much smaller degree. That's really why I think I would have been much better to go straight to the low dose HC. The conventional doctors will start thinking you have a pituitary problem, but it's often not. For me personally, the issue is the toxins from

Lyme and mold exposures have damaged the hypothalamus, so that all my hormones are impacted. Few conventional doctors will consider this, as they are only trained to look for organ failure. The impact on the neurotransmitters is another sign of toxins, since we are exposed to so many neurotoxins (both the Lyme and mold produce neurotoxins, as do heavy metals, etc.). The anxiety has some of its roots in the impact on the neurotransmitters. Taking appropriate amino acids will definitely assuage the problems. That along with getting the hormones balanced can make us feel almost normal. It also depends upon your body's ability to detox on how stable you can get. I have defects in my detox pathways and a genotype that predisposes my body not to even recognize the toxins, so it is an ongoing battle to remove toxins in order to minimize the impact on my brain and hormonal balance. Unfortunately, there are just so few

doctors that have a clue about any of this. Most of them will think you're nuts if you think you have all these problems. I've had my best experience with a doctor that specializes in treating autistic kids, as they have many of the same issues, but they are far more severely impacted. However, the same treatments that are effective for them have also been effective for me and my kids (GF/CF diet, B supplements, especially B12, amino acids for neurotransmitters, detox formulas, etc.). However, her focus is not so much on the hormonal impacts, since the autistic kids don't have those issues until later. So, I still need to see someone to help with all of that. My PCP does a hit or miss approach, which hasn't been effective, other than her allowing me to take the high levels of T4 and T3 that I need (I'm allergic to Armour), but she's become a TSH nazi. I'm checking out a GYN to see if she'll prescribe the thyroid at

the levels I need it. If not, I will be on my way to see Dr. R in a few months. Unfortunately, my experience has been that even these doctors with the natural practices don't always understand the extent to which some of us have been impacted. I got so tired of having to do food diaries for those folks and then seeing the look on their faces when they realized I was eating a near perfect diet and then having them tell me I didn't need some of the supplements I had figured out I needed (i.e., I knew they helped), but then having them sell me their fancy formulas that I had allergic reactions to. So, I would first recommend you find out what all you'd get for that $2000. If it's just them telling you that you need a bunch of supplements and to eat right and exercise, it's probably not worth it (from your summary that's what it sounds like). However, if they're running tests for detox pathway defects and they

understand the impact of the myriad of toxins that we're exposed to on a daily basis, it might be worthwhile. B.

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Dr R talked about diet and nutrition quite a bit with me. Shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, eating live foods mainly, avoiding the white foods... Marcie Tina Chapek wrote: Sara,It is great to hear of a doctor that has taht long-term mindset in getting you well. Does Dr. talk about diet? I am wondering if I am doing the right thing with eating a lot of salads/veggies and protein and limiting grains/sugar. Would you know?:)Tina> > > > > Kate,> > > > > I am sorry to say I disagree. Dr. Hotze and company run the > > > > standard > > > > > blood tests but don't put much weight on them - they prefer > to look > > > > > at symptoms. On my first visit, I left with 7 perscriptions > (Armour > > > > > Thyroid, HC, Pregnenolone, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, > > > > > Nystatin, Dyflucan)! They did not have any test results to go > by, > > > > > just based on how I felt. I have been on the HC for 18

> months. When > > > > > I called because I was still having a lot of anxiety, they > would > > > & g t; > suggest supplements. I tried them and didn't really > notice a > > > > > difference. When I hurt my back and called them to see what > to do > > > > > about anti-inflammatories, they suggested increasing HC a > little > > > > and > > > > > suggested 2 supplements. I noticed when I increased the HC, I > felt > > > > a > > > > > little calmer. So on my own, I increased it a little more and > felt > > > > a > > > > > litle more calm. I called and told them and they were stumped > and > > > > > said that my doctor doesn't like to increase HC! I mentioned > that I > > > > > could

then increase my Armour Thyroid whereas when I was on > the > > > > > lowest dosage of HC, I could not. Again, stumped! When the HC > > > > > started bothering my stomach (their information did not say > to take > > > > > with food and they verbally told me to take all hormones on > an > > > > empty > > > > > stomach!), they said to decrease the dosage by 2.5 mg and > take > > > > > Prilosec. They gav! e me an RX for blood work to check T3, > T4, > > > > > ferritin etc. and I confirmed they were sent the results. > When I > > > > > called, they said he would call me to discuss the results in > 2 > > > > weeks > > > > > and I never heard back! Hence, I am looking for a new (not so > > > > > pricey!) doctor. I so

don't like to say bad things about HHWC > > > > > because they do help people but they don't seem to understand > the > > > > > root problems of adrenals and thyroid and how to fine-tune.> > > > > > > > > > My ferritin is low: 25 (10-232) and my Free T3 is high 603 > (230-> > > > > 420). WOuld you know wht that means?> > > > > > > > > > I had a spectracell test done through a local chiro and my > B12 is > > > > > fine though my zinc and B2 were low. My D was in range.> > > > > > > > > > Tina! > > > ; > ---------------------------------> > > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! > Mobile. Try it now.> > > >> > >> >>Yahoo!

Groups Links<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Thyroid_Groups/<*> Your email settings:Individual Email | Traditional<*> To change settings online go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Thyroid_Groups/join(Yahoo! ID required)<*> To change settings via email:mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups-digest mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups-fullfeatured <*>

[Guest guest]

I have not personally been to see Dr. Rea - I see a doctor for

allergy treatments using bioresonance/laser that used to work with

Dr. Rea and I'm very familiar with Dr. Rea's treatment protocols -

unfortunately, I know too many people like me that weren't helped by

his treatments. He is really good if you know you've had high

exposures to one particular toxin, but for someone like me that has

had a variety of toxin exposures, I'm not quite sick enough to need

some of his protocols. I do follow his basic recommendations for my

home environment: mostly hard surfaces (no carpet, drapes), HEPA air

cleaners in all rooms, filtered water, no chemicals, etc.

I went to a doctor on the East coast that specializes in the

treatment of Lyme and Mold and that helped quite a bit - I am on

maintenance doses of the medication he prescribes for binding toxins

(Cholestyramine, which is an old cholesterol medicine). He can

identify the root of the hormonal abnormalities due to the damage to

the hypothalamus and low Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH), which

has a cascade effect of impacting all the other hormones. Until, we

can find a way to increase the MSH, I will need some replacement

hormones (the FDA no longer allows MSH to be prescribed -it was in

the old days rather than replacing all the hormones individually)

and he doesn't do those himself - he prefers you do handle that

locally. And, I have the genotype that he has found in patients

that get very ill from any toxins. And, of course, the toxins also

damage the hormone receptors, so even if it looks like there's

enough in your blood that doesn't mean it gets into your system

where you need it.

At this point, my biggest issue remains sytemic fungal infection and

extreme allergic reactions to ALL molds. So, we know what's getting

me, it's just a matter of effectively treating me, without me

getting too much sicker. I had an allergic reaction to Diflucan,

which was working really well for the systemic yeast, so now I've

got another systemic anti-fungal to try when I can handle being out

of commission for a few weeks to deal with die-off. As far as the

allergic reactions, with the daily fungal count in the DFW area

remaining at the moderate level (I feel bad even when it's low),

there's only so much the doctors can do. I had one doctor tell me to

move. The celiac/gluten intolerance is also a complicating factor in

this situation and the mold doctor has found that anyone with the

main celiac gene (DQ2) also has this issue of not being able to

detoxify mold toxins. And, of course, any of these things are known

to impact the thyroid. So, you can see why I might be too much to

deal with for the average doctor. The thing also is that I didn't

have a huge mold problem in my old house, just some of the normal

plumbing leaks, a roof leak, an A/C drip pan overflowing down into a

wall and a window A/C that didn't drain properly, but for folks with

my genes, when you add Lyme onto those exposures, that's enough to

bring on a severe case of CFS/FM.

B.

>

> ,

>

> Have you been to see Rea or one of the other docs at the

Environmental Health Center here in Dallas?

>

[Guest guest]

My experience was EXACTLY like you state. Like I said to Dr R, "I need more energy and strength...anything else would be great!" I hope my friend will not waste much time with Hotze, since it's just too far to go every time she has a flare. She says that Hotze will work with her doctor in Lubbock (not Dr R) and do stuff over the phone. Her Lubbock doctor, as far as I can tell, hasn't done her any good. IMHO..the doc in Lubbock must have wanted out of the insurance rat race, so now he calls himself a Concierge Doctor...whatever??? Supposedly for a fee up front, you have so many office visits per year and house calls, if necessary. He does Vit IVs. All I can see that he has done is shoot her full of steroids and bruised her arms like crazy with IVs. Funny, but the steroids haven't affected her size. Hotze did a bone density test

though, and she is in bad shape there. That's what steroids will do. She can get around, but I'm not sure that she's in worse shape than me. Marcie rgrprop wrote: One thing Dr. made very clear to me right from the start was that it was going to take time to get better, I had to follow the regimen, and I'd better be prepared and committed. He did this in a very kind and sincere way, but was very serious. I said, OK I'm ready. So far, I've progressed exactly like he's said.It takes a lot of time to recover from being so sick. Many things must be treated properly at the same time, and there must be plenty of time between evaluations to see how all the "gears" have started

to mesh. We read of too many physicians on this board who are testing too quickly, like every few weeks, after meds are adjusted. Folks can swing wildly as one isolated thing after another is adjusted, rather than a slow, complete balancing and adjustment of all things together. If your friend has doctor-hopped looking for a fast turnaround of her health, she's going to be constantly disappointed. If you choose to go with Dr. , you have to do what he says and be prepared to spend the time to get well. As his wife says about what he tells everyone, "I don't make up the rules. The rules are the rules." He's got a biochemistry background and he's done research in hormones. He knows what it takes to get well. No quick fixes.*climbs down off soapbox*Sara> > > > Kate,> > > > I am sorry to say I disagree. Dr. Hotze and company run the > > > standard > > > > blood tests but don't put much weight on them - they prefer to look > > > > at symptoms. On my first visit, I left with 7 perscriptions (Armour > > > > Thyroid, HC, Pregnenolone, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, > > > > Nystatin, Dyflucan)! They did not have any test results to go by, > > > > just based on how I felt. I have been on the HC for 18 months. When > > > > I called because I was still having a lot of anxiety, they would > > & g t; > suggest supplements. I tried them and didn't really notice a > > > >

difference. When I hurt my back and called them to see what to do > > > > about anti-inflammatories, they suggested increasing HC a little > > > and > > > > suggested 2 supplements. I noticed when I increased the HC, I felt > > > a > > > > little calmer. So on my own, I increased it a little more and felt > > > a > > > > litle more calm. I called and told them and they were stumped and > > > > said that my doctor doesn't like to increase HC! I mentioned that I > > > > could then increase my Armour Thyroid whereas when I was on the > > > > lowest dosage of HC, I could not. Again, stumped! When the HC > > > > started bothering my stomach (their information did not say to take > > > > with food and they verbally told me to take all hormones on an > >

> empty > > > > stomach!), they said to decrease the dosage by 2.5 mg and take > > > > Prilosec. They gav! e me an RX for blood work to check T3, T4, > > > > ferritin etc. and I confirmed they were sent the results. When I > > > > called, they said he would call me to discuss the results in 2 > > > weeks > > > > and I never heard back! Hence, I am looking for a new (not so > > > > pricey!) doctor. I so don't like to say bad things about HHWC > > > > because they do help people but they don't seem to understand the > > > > root problems of adrenals and thyroid and how to fine-tune.> > > > > > > > My ferritin is low: 25 (10-232) and my Free T3 is high 603 (230-> > > > 420). WOuld you know wht that means?> > > > > > > > I had a

spectracell test done through a local chiro and my B12 is > > > > fine though my zinc and B2 were low. My D was in range.> > > > > > > > Tina! > > ; > ---------------------------------> > > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

Jan,

So other grains are ok as long as they are not " processed " ?

Tina

> > >

> > > One thing Dr. made very clear to me right from the

start

> > was

> > > that it was going to take time to get better, I had to follow

the

> > > regimen, and I'd better be prepared and committed. He did this

in a

> > > very kind and sincere way, but was very serious. I said, OK I'm

> > > ready. So far, I've progressed exactly like he's said.

> > >

> > > It takes a lot of time to recover from being so sick. Many

things

> > > must be treated properly at the same time, and there must be

plenty

> > > of time between evaluations to see how all the " gears " have

started

> > > to mesh. We read of too many physicians on this board who are

> > testing

> > > too quickly, like every few weeks, after meds are adjusted.

Folks

> > can

> > > swing wildly as one isolated thing after another is adjusted,

> > rather

> > > than a slow, complete balancing and adjustment of all things

> > > together. If your friend has doctor-hopped looking for a fast

> > > turnaround of her health, she's going to be constantly

> > disappointed.

> > > If you choose to go with Dr. , you have to do what he

says

> > > and be prepared to spend the time to get well. As his wife says

> > about

> > > what he tells everyone, " I don't make up the rules. The rules

are

> > the

> > > rules. " He's got a biochemistry background and he's done

research

> > in

> > > hormones. He knows what it takes to get well. No quick fixes.

> > >

> > > *climbs down off soapbox*

>

[Guest guest]

My discussions on diet with him never went beyond that. For myself, a low grain diet works well. And I do better with rice, oats and corn than I do with wheat.

> > >> > > Sara,> > >> > > It is great to hear of a doctor that has taht long-term mindset in> > > getting you well.> > >> > > Does Dr. talk about diet? I am wondering if I am doing > the> > > right thing with eating a lot of salads/veggies and protein and> > > limiting grains/sugar. Would you know?> > > > > > Tina

[Guest guest]

That one (MSG) is a very difficult one to

avoid. Apparently food labels are allowed to state “natural flavor”

which can include MSG.

Kim in No Texas

From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of rgrprop

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008

10:07 PM

To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups

Subject:

Re: Introduction

Amen about the MSG - I get wired and can't sleep if it slips in via

Chinese food or some other source.

__

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Every three hours beginning three hours after waking. I got this

method from Dr. Rind.

Tina

> >

> > Putting you on all of those hormones without first testing is a

> huge red flag. Testosterone in particular is a huge red flag. It is

a

> listed controlled substance. The doc could lose his

> license. . . . .if he were not politically very well-connected. For

> thyroid, looking beyond the test results with good documentation,

> will fly. I am not sure that this extends to testosterone.

> >

> > From a purely practical point of view, many hypo/hashi folks have

> difficulty tolerating a variety of hormones and supplements that

they

> need. So, it is foolhardy to start them on a full protocol.

> >

> > Most folks need their ferritin between 50 and 100 or more to even

> start feeling well. Low ferritin can impact your ability to

tolerate

> thyroid hormone. The solution is iron supplements and lots of mooo,

> oink, ba-a-a-a, and Cluck-Pikaw! Chelated ferrous bisglycinate such

> as Solgar Gentle Iron is easier on the stomach than some others.

> >

> > If he failed to flag your ferritin below 50, he flat dropped the

> ball.

> >

> > As for the Free T3, did you take your meds before the blood draw?

> If so, how long before? What was your Free T4?

> >

> > Your report confirms what I have said when asked about Hotze, " I

> know of docs who will help you more and charge you less. "

> >

> >

>