got the word on my biopsy and now have even more questions

July 16, 2003

Hi All,

Just heard from the endo's office last night that I do not have cancer! Yeah!

So that is happy news. But the results did show that I have Hashimotos as

well as Graves. I know it's possible to have both, but I'm wondering about how

to

manage both at once as far as lifestyle, because isn't what is good for the

one bad for the other? Do you still need to avoid iodine, or am I not getting

enough iodine? Should I eat the foods that suppress my thyroid or try to avoid

them? Does that impact my vitamin supplements? Should I try to up my zinc? I'm

on a multi that has about a 7 to 1 ratio of zinc to copper, and I have also

been taking an extra 2 mg. of copper so that brings it down to about a 6 or 5

to 1 ratio. Should this change? Yikes! It is so hard to figure out this

balancing act. The endo's office said my treatment will stay the same, she just

confirmed when I asked her that the goal is still to use the ATD's to get to the

target normal zone for myself where I feel good and God willing go into

remission. Advice, comments and observations are welcome! :-)

I also saw an ophthalmologist this week, and I do have a mild case of the

TED. My right eye is about 2 mm further out than my left. I just knew something

was up as it has felt so weird these past few months. He was very encouraging

though.....said my prognosis is very good as I don't have anything going on

with my optic nerve and I'm not seeing double or anything like that right now;

and he'd be surprised if it got worse, and in fact felt it would improve as my

thyroid improves. Let's pray so! I have to go back for a couple more tests in 2

weeks.....one is measure how dry my eyes are, and the other is some field

vision test I think he said. Apart from the flaxseed oil, should I do any eye

exercises? What else can I do to help keep my eyes from getting worse and/or

reverse what's going on? He did change the eye drops I was using and said to use

the Genteal gel at night, and continue using the Refresh tears during the

day....at least every 2-3 hours.

Thanks again for all the knowledge and generosity in sharing it that you all

display. Keep on fighting the good fight everybody!

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