Hypothyroidism & Diabetes

[AlexisPaigesMom]

I haven't been around much as I have been getting tested for even more stuff. Hypothyroidism (it came back positive) and Lupus (still waiting for the results).

I've been doing a ton of research in my spare time... and it's truly odd how connected all of these things are. For example, having hypothyroidism is connected to your diabetes. In fact, having both can cause complications; interesting! Even more so... hypothyroidism can affect your kidney's. Double whammy!

I have a truly wonderful doctor, now, and our inside joke is that I'm an involuntary hypochondriac LOL I don't want these things, but it's good for a person to take charge of their health as we know our bodies best and I want things working properly; gotta be here for my little girl. I basically uitilize the internet to not necessarily diagnosis, but to get more information, and then I'll request those tests. So far, I haven't been wrong. I wish all doctors were as compassionate as mine - I recommend her all the time!

I don't know if any of you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, but there are new ranges for normal levels of TSH (thyroid levels in your blood): Currently, the recommended reference range for TSH is from approximately 0.3 to 3.0. A much wider range of approximately 0.5 to from 5.0 to 6.0 is being used by labs and doctors who are not following the latest recommendations by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. So if you have been checked lately be sure to ask what your exact result was - a LOT of doctors and/or endocrinologists don't take this stuff very seriously these days. Not sure why though. If your doctor isn't aware of these changes, or refuses to go off of anything other than what they lab is giving them... let me know and I'll send you the official report from the AMCE. They can't, or won't, argue with that.

Since our thyroid's are connected to the pituitary gland which is on the hypothalmus in our brains... I had my LSH and LH levels tested; those came back normal. However, we're still going to draw a further blood test to make certain that I don't have an off-set of anything else due to another symptom that I'm having that seems quite frankly... dead on. Albeit, if it does come back positive, I am facing a possible noncancerous tumor in my brain. I'm keeping my fingers crossed as you can probably imagine. :)

It goes without saying, but before I got so sick, I was going to college to be a nurse. Unfortunately I had to give that up, but the irony there is interesting. I suppose it also helps that with my background, in this field, that my doctor takes me so seriously.

I have noticed that my blood sugars have been slightly higher lately, as well. So, I'm keeping a daily log, for the next week, to see if I need to take more. It doesn't bother me as I'd rather take shots than be dead any day of the week.

More information for you to absorb: I was put on a triglyceride medication a few months back because my Tri's were high. I'm on Simvastatin. Cholesterol ranges were all normal and well within range. I was completely stumped as to why so when we found out that I had gained 100 more Tri's points... I finally asked. Basically, what I was told is that I have 'sticky blood'. Fat isn't an issue, just the sugar. However, what does sugar turn into? Fat. Hmm. So, I have to cut out all white products... starches, breads, pasta, etc. Off to wheat I go. Yet, even with that, I have to be cautious as wheat (due to gluten) can upset a thyroid even more. With that being said, they have thrown me on Omega-3's and Niacin. I've also been told no more sugar, what-so-ever, and not even aritificial sweeteners; Splenda, Nutra-sweet, Sweet-n-Low, etc. No more diet coke for me or Splenda sweetetened iced-tea. However, they did inform me of a natural sweetener that is safe to take, found at GNC, called Stevia (don't quote me on the name spelling as I have yet to look it up and get more information).

Now, to add icing to the proverbial cake? I had gallbladder about 3 1/2 years ago. The surgeon told me that they had to open me up, as opposed to laprascopic surgery, because my liver was enlarged. I had been taking so much Tylenol to compensate for the pain that I was enduring due to the gallbladder attacks (if you've ever had one, you know what I mean and if you haven't... they are best described to being extremely similiar to having a heart attack). So, I faulted it on that. Yet, my liver has never gone down in size and I'm careful on taking any products like Tylenol or the active ingredient Acetaminophen; those are straight poisons to your liver if you aren't very careful in your dosage. Again - found that out a little too late. Yet, Omega-3 and Niacin and the Simivistatin ALL are equally as difficult on your liver.

Anyone else see a future problem with this one? LOL Although, I've got to take one step at a time here and adjust the best I can. Not to mention, keep a close eye on my liver enzymes.

Hopefully this is helping you all and not boring you to tears. I just feel it's so much better to educated on stuff than be in the dark and not doing what we could be to literally save our lives.

Moral of the story is simply this... if we don't care, our doctor's certainly won't. They make the same money irregardless of our committment to our health.