I thought it might be helpful to address the following blog response from Lori here where I can copy and paste some info. Lori writes:
“Hello. I just joined the Canary Club and am in tears. I have been ‘suffering.’ I was diagnosed in 2005 as having hypothyroidism and was put on a compounded T3/T4 30mg capsule. I have been on that since. Based on blood work, my endocrinologist has kept me on the same capsule. It wasn’t until I went to him with other ‘challenges’ (constipation, fatigue, heavy periods, brain fog) that he just prescribed bio-identical progesterone cream. He didn’t even listen to me. I just didn’t feel right about slapping some cream on with no reason so I did the saliva test with Diagnosis Tech and it came back I am estrogen dominant/low progesterone. I wanted some guidance so I went to a naturopathic doctor. She put me on a sublingual progesterone pellet. When my levels get low, I get a migraine. I still have low energy, fatigue, anxiety/panic, and heavy periods… I don’t know what else to do. My husband is trying to be supportive but he wants ‘ME’ back… I just turned 37 and this has been going on since last October, 08 with the symptoms recently getting worse…
I feel like I am losing my mind. I am tired of being tired and getting migraines, and I can’t imagine the next 20 or so years has to be like this….
I am open to suggestions. I have seen many doctors and the naturopath is the only one who is listening to me… My primary doctor put me on Wellbutrin and Klonopin and I didn’t do well at all with either of these… My employer is not very sympathetic… Please, any advice is appreciated.”
In my role as a Registered Nurse, I serve as an educational assistant to physicians. I am not licensed to diagnose or treat. What I can do is provide some information that will be of help to you and your health care providers, and I will provide some resources that perhaps can also be of assistance.
My first thought is, yes, you are suffering and, yes, you can be helped to get the old “ME” back!
A confusing point is that many of the symptoms of thyroid disorder and sex hormone imbalance are similar. For example, the symptoms you list can be found listed in resources as symptoms of both. Since you have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism, three wonderful thyroid resources you might want to consult are Thyroid Power by Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames, Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, and Stop the Thyroid Madness by Janie A. Bowthorpe.
As Dr. Shames addresses in Thyroid Power, “The standard lab tests are unable to identify the millions of borderline low thyroid sufferers. The thyroid tests used today are just not sensitive enough to identify mild thyroid failure. You could be uncomfortably low in thyroid and still show normal in tests. Individuals differ in what is ‘normal’ for them.”
jIn Hypothyroidism Type 2, Dr. Starr devotes an entire chapter to explaining the fallacies in our current thyroid testing. In it he states, “Doctors currently ignore patients’ medical histories and physical findings consistent with hypothyroidism. The laboratory tests for the illness reign supreme.” Dr Starr goes on to say, “Modern doctors use the thyroid blood tests as guidelines for treatment as well as diagnosis. The end result is the health disaster that is upon us.”
Bowthorpe’s fascinating book, Stop the Thyroid Madness, is filled with countless stories, case studies, and data demonstrating the enormity of this problem.
My recommendation is to become your own health care advocate. Start by educating yourself so that you are in a better place to discuss your symptoms with your health care practitioners. For example, what are your thyroid levels? Do they fall in the controversial “within normal range” values? Which thyroid tests were performed? Are they the tests that those knowledgeable in bioidentical hormone balancing know to order?
You mention that you are estrogen dominant and have low progesterone. Again, what were your saliva results? One can be estrogen dominant and still be estrogen deficient. On the other hand, thyroid hormone levels are closely tied to sex hormone balance. For example, excess estrogen can block thyroid function.
The sex hormones, adrenals, and thyroid are all closely connected. For this reason, it is important to look at the levels for all three in attempting to determine the root cause of your symptoms.
Physicians in the traditional medical model administer anti-depressants for symptom control. The question I encourage you to ask is, “What is the root cause of my symptoms?” A synthetic drug given for symptom relief does not correct the underlying problem. Something is out of balance.
Where to turn for help? You mentioned you recently joined the Canary Club (www.canaryclub.org). That web site contains much helpful educational material as well as home test kits. The medical advisor is Dr. Richard Shames, author of Thyroid Power. It is my understanding that you can consult with him, and he can assist you individually or help you to locate a physician in your area.
Another resource is Bellevue Pharmacy with its home office located in St. Louis, MO. Google www.bellevuerx.com and research their “Patient Empowerment Program.” As part of that program, compounding pharmacists provide clients with information/recommendations to give to their physician. If you do not have a physician, or do not have a physician who is willing to work with you, they will assist you to locate one in your area.
No, you are not losing your mind. And, no, you do not need to live like this the next 20 years. Too many women are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and we can do something about it. My goal in publishing my upcoming book Live Vibrantly NOW! The Complete Woman’s Guide to Balance Your Hormones Naturally is designed to help stop this needless suffering!
