Re: : Went to Enviromental Doctor Today

May 20, 2007

Hi Beth,

The problem with the thyroid levels if you've been exposed to toxins

is that your blood levels can be in the normal range, but you're

getting very little at the cellular or tissue level. My levels were

in the " normal " range (TSH of about 1.8, Free T3 and Free T4 at the

lower end of the normal range) but to feel well I need my TSH

suppressed and Free T3 and Free T4 at the upper end of the range -

this required twice the amount of T4 I was prescribed and at about 6

times the amount of T3. There's an excellent book that discusses

the impact of toxins on our thyroids and why some folks need thyroid

hormone even if their blood tests are normal. It's

called " Hypothyroidism, Type 2 " by Mark Starr. I just recently had

my local doctor try to decrease the amount of thyroid medicine I was

taking and just about crashed again last week.

I have also had really good results with improving the numbness and

tingling by taking very high doses of vitamin-B12. I take 5000 mcg

sublingually daily. I had been taking only 500 and noticed a huge

difference when I increased to the 5000 - I now have some feeling

back in my feet - so much so that I was being " irritated " by the

feeling of the socks as I was so used to not feeling anything in my

feet. I also take Trental, that Dr. Shoemaker prescribed and that

also helps some, but not as much as the B12.

I would strongly encourage you to see Dr. Shoemaker (although he only

looks at standard labs for thyroid), especially if the allergy tests

turn up negative. I know that I have allergies big time, but they

don't show up on any standard tests, but I think that's because my

immune system is functioning so poorly - it's mounting the best

defense it can, but it sure doesn't look like it when they run any

standard tests (I spent $600 out-of-pocket taking my oldest son to a

top allergy doctor several years ago and they found nothing). Also,

you can have a problem with the mold toxins and NOT have any sort of

allergic reaction to mold itself (although, I think this is not

usual).

Dr. Shoemaker's tests were the only ones that showed how sick I

really was and that was after 2 1/2 years of doctors telling me there

was nothing wrong with me. I also think the type of MRI he is doing

is different than the standard, but that would be something to ask

his staff about, as he does now suggest folks get an MRI as part of

their initial testing.

Be well,

B.

>

> Hi ,

>

> I just don't know what to think anymore. My thyroid levels have

> always been good. The right lobe was growing into the collarbone

> area and my doctors really wanted it removed. I also had a

suspicous

> FNA on that side. Thankfully no cancer, but the neuro symptoms are

> awful. I have burning on the right side of my face, of course the

> neck area feels like the nerves are regenerating, awful, and I have

> tingling in my hands. I have had numbness and tingling on and off

> for three years and the MRIs look really good, clinically I look

> fine. At this point, I am debating about going to see Dr.

Shoemaker,

> or someone closer. I think I'm going to see an allergist first and

> ask about the skin test, and then maybe onto Shoemaker.

>

> Thanks,

> Beth

>

May 20, 2007