It was a pretty good week. Thing 2 had a 3-day school week, parent-teacher conferences are done for the year (whaaat?), I survived and enjoyed a fancy schmancy party related to the Caveman’s work, and most importantly, I finally got in to see the super special endocrinology wizard. If you’re just joining us, I’ve been suffering all year with unearned weight gain, sluggishness, sensitivity to cold, depression, fatigue and moodiness. I’ve been a real peach, to put it mildly. My thyroid (aka a’hole) was implicated in most/all of it, since I’ve been a Hashimoto’s girl since shortly after thing 2 was born.
So I went in, and yes,
- While my T4 was great, my free T3 was “off” suggesting I’m no longer converting T4 to T3 sufficiently
- Unlike last time I was in, my estrogen was sky-high, off the charts.
- My methylation ratio is pretty far below normal. More about that in a sec.
- My cortisol is too high during the day but drops to a normal level overnight, ergo no adrenal fatigue. But still, I need to better manage my stress.
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies are high. We know this. I have no thyroid function thanks to an overzealous autoimmune system.
- Testosterone is toward the high end of normal, which, according to the doc is great (can I get a boomshakalaka?).
- According to my hormone levels, in the words of the doc: “You are nowhere near menopause”. Say what?? He says that’s a great thing, so I’m going with it.
I was not surprised by the cortisol news or the fact that my T3 was off. I pretty much suspected those. The high estrogen threw me (I thought I was close to/at menopause).
Methylation. I runfess I was a deer in the headlights on this one. Color me clueless.
What the heck is Methylation?
Methylation happens when a Methyl Group (1 carbon atom + 3 hydrogen atoms) attach to a molecule. They create little “on/off switches” inside the body, responsible for everything from stress response, how the body creates energy from food, immune response, inflammation, cell repair, brain chemistry, glutathione production and more. Are you getting a sense of how important this process is?
Yeah so my body is not good at doing this. I thought this was new information but then the doc reminded me about the MTHFR gene mutation that was discovered when I went through years and years of chronic miscarriage, infertility, and infant loss (all autoimmune system related). Part of the reason I was ultimately successful in conceiving and carrying children is because my MTHFR issue was treated. Over the past year, I’d gotten inconsistent with taking my MTHFR supplement, and at some point, stopped entirely, thinking I didn’t need it since I was past child-bearing years. Little did I know the havoc I’d wreak on my body.
Because I’m not methylating properly, estrogen is building up to unhealthy levels, T4 is not converting to T3 the way it should, and I’m gaining weight like nobody’s business. Eureka!
Where do I go from here?
I already started a methylation protocol, which involves some new medications. I also make sure to take in plenty of the following, which are part of a healthy diet:
- Dark, leafy greens
- Folate, Vitamin B and Zinc
- Glutathione (I’ve always taken this right after a tough workout, now I have even more respect for it)
- Protein
- Magnesium and Selenium
- Probiotics
Overall, I’m thrilled to get to the root of all this, and that it’s something we can treat and be aware of. I respect this doctor’s ability to look past that innocent total TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) number (that looks totally normal) and know how to uncover the problems that were making me feel like crap. So now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go methylate.
So far…
It hasn’t even been a week yet, but I’ve been losing weight to the tune of a half a pound per day. It took me almost 2 months of very rigorous dieting to lose 3 pounds of vacation weight, so to drop that much in less than a week is huge. Of course I don’t expect that kind of weightloss to continue forever, but it sure feels great to know we’ve identified what was out of whack and things seem to be rebalancing.
How was your week? Did you race? Have you ever had to uncover a health issue? Did you enter my awesome giveaway?
Tomorrow’s Tuesdays on the Run Linkup is all about St. Patty’s Day! Tell us your traditions: Do you go green? Have a fave race? Fave food? Costume? Join us!
I’m linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap.
…and with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup. Join us!
So glad you finally got some answers! Im glad you are already starting to see improvements, hopefully it will continue!
Can we methylate together? Desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m so glad you got to the bottom of your “issues”. Three cheers for high estrogen. If you have too much, I’ll take some.
Wow, this is giving me the deer-in-the-headlights experience trying to comprehend all of this. Glad you found an answer!!!!
Wow. You have been through a lot 🙁 I am glad that you finally know the cause for all of this and that you are on the road to feeling better!
I must admit, all of this sounds so scientific and way over my head. But, I know you must be relieved to get to the bottom of your thyroid issue. It’s amazing you’ve already dropped that much weight too! My recent hormone test indicated I was menopausal (yay me?) but I’m nervously waiting on the results of a second liver function test. I hope the first test was just a misfire. Ain’t nobody got time for that… Thanks for linking, Marcia!
I didn’t know about any of this, how interesting. My vet thinks my dog has a thyroid problem but I don’t ask many questions because I don’t like bad news. I just give her the pills she’s suppose to have. Glad you are getting things under control.
Great to hear you’ve found the root to your issues! Losing a half a pound/day is huge!
Wow! That was a great update and trip to the doctor! Three cheers for everything that is going on right and three cheers for a solution to the other! I need Coach M running on all cylinders! 🙂 XXOO
I am glad that you finally got some answers about this! I hope that you are able to figure this all out how frustrating it must be!
It all sounds great that you were able to get to the problem and not just the symptoms. I hope you continue to improve 🙂
Wow! This is all fascinating! I’m glad you got your answers and that Aunt Minnie isn’t part of the problem here…because she ain’t easy to fix either! 🙂 2lbs down in a week is seriously way cool! And as to your high levels of estrogen and testosterone levels …well, let’s just say that I bet the Caveman is reaping some of those benefits! lol
That’s wonderful that he was able to get to the root of the problem so quickly & amazing that you are responding so quickly to the changes! I didn’t know your history with fertility issues; I’m so sorry.
Yeah, I thought I was actually finally post menopausal right up until PCB, when I got my first period in a year. So we reset the clock again. And I’m a few years older than you. I’m rivaling my mom, who was 56 — actually, it’s pretty good odds I’ll be just a couple of months shy of 56 unless I get another random period.
Hormones. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.
Oh no… thyroid issues. I have been having on and off thyroid issues since my pregnancies as well. I will be going this week for some blood work, as well. Thanks so much for this valuable info Marcia. I’m pinning this post for future reference!!
A lot of medical information I’m not entirely familiar with. Good to hear the mystery is solved and you’re seeing improvements.
I almost missed your giveaway. Thanks for the reminder!
Good to hear the mystery is solved and you’re already seeing improvements. That’s a lot of medical info to take in though and half of which I haven’t even heard, but very well explained. Thanks for sharing.
Wow. I bet you’re so relieved to have figured out the puzzle!!
Ahhh I’m so glad you got in to see the Wizard and answers have been given! What a weight lifted…or I should say dropped! That is great and I know you feel much better about it.
Those dang hormones really know how to crash a party, don’t they!
Glad you were able to get the answers you needed at your endocrinologist. I hope you start feeling better and it sounds like you already are with your weight loss! I did race over the weekend and met up with some friends I made at Disney Princess weekend last year. I had a great race and it was very last minute! I do have a heart issue that has given me fits since 2002. Some days are good and some not so good. Stress makes palpitations worse and sweets, coffee, and alcohol. Eye roll lol. Hope you have a great week!
So very interesting & so happy you are getting answers!!! How did you find this great doc for yourself? Thx for sharing!
Well, I am sorry for what is going on, BUT I am also very glad that you have discovered a cause and can now take appropriate action to get things back on track! Hang in there!
Big race this past Saturday, and it went really well, much to my surprise. 🙂
I am glad you got some answers! I know the struggle all too well, I’ve been at for 6 years. It sucks the living daylights out of ya…
I know seeing the scale moves feel good, mine only knows up!
Wow! How fantastic to get such clear answers and see such a great response. I hope you keep feeling better.
You’ve done a great job understanding numbers!!! When I got mine tested, I was overwhelmed with it and I didn’t pay any attention once they it was in normal range. Looking forward to reading and following more!
First, thank you for the science lesson. (I am a Fitness geek and love that) Secondly, I’ve read a few of your past post and I actually caught when you were becoming frustrated with the weight gain and looking for a solution. I am so happy that you have found out what the problem was and now have a solution and are seeing instant results. Everyone loves instant results! I hope this allows you to get back to your healthy weight and feel your best!
So glad to hear that you’ve found some answers. Here’s to a continued road to recovery and feeling even better!
interesting stuff and amazing you can “fix” it a bit just with food and supplements! and whoo hoo on dropping some weight! the body is so fascinating and frustrating at the same time don’t you think?
it is good to know that you are better. Wish you luck. The post is very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
That’s awesome that you found a doctor who is looking at the whole picture with you- you’re right, many will just look at the TSH and assume nothing else is going on. Yay for some answers!!
I’m sorry to read that you have been struggling with all of this, but I am glad you are getting answers! I’m a nurse and I have to admit, I had never heard of Methylation, so it was interesting to read about it! Hope you are feeling back to normal soon, thanks for linking up with us!!
I’m sorry that your thyroid is giving you issues. I had a nurse friend recently with the same issue and thankfully she is starting to get it under control after a few months. Good luck.
Happy to read this, that you have gotten to the root of something. Yeah !