Simply Kristen

My First Clue (Hypothyroidism Part 3)

October 25th, 2011 by Kristen

In May of 2009 I discovered I was pregnant with my third child. With two little ones at the time, 1 & 3, I thought being extra tired was just part of the deal. During my initial pregnancy check up the midwife ran the normal blood work. The results showed only one abnormality – my TSH.
My TSH was at 6.5 – not extremely high – but too high for someone to feel their best. My midwife, Elaine, also had hypothyroidism and had been on Synthroid for years. While she is into totally natural births – she basically told me I might have to be on thyroid medication for the rest of my life just to function. I resisted going on medication for a while, until I read a study about how children born to mothers with untreated mild hypothyroidism have significantly lower IQs. I HAD mild untreated hypothyroidism (real word is subclinical hypothyroidism), and I wasn’t going to let my baby suffer….. I HAD to do something and get on some sort of medication.

I researched a bit more and discovered Armour Thyroid. Armour is a natural thyroid hormone replacement made of pig’s thyroid gland. I read about other people in the same situation, and almost everyone agreed that Armour made them feel MUCH better than the synthetic hormone prescription, Synthroid. Sythroid is the #2 most commonly prescribed drug in America! That is not including the generic brands, or Armour – so you can imagine how many people in this country have under active thyroid glands (for whatever reason).

I began taking Armour in the summer of 2009. I took a very small amount, about 1/2 grain to start with. At the same time I tried natural treatments like lots of iodine, lots of green foods, and extra Vitamin D. My TSH was checked 3 times during my pregnancy and always ranged between 4.5 and 5.5. The ideal range is between .50 – 2.0. My birth was fabulous and I anxiously awaited my 6 week checkup where I could test my TSH again. I was SURE it would be back to normal and the cause for my hypothyroidism would be established – PREGNANCY!

I was SO excited, my TSH was .005 at my 6 week checkup- waaay too low. The physician said, “Well, you got your wish, it must have been pregnancy induced. But, to make sure come back in 6-8 weeks and have it retested.” I agreed but then the flood hit. During the summer of 2010 we had to live in South Carolina for a few months with my wonderful family. During the time I could NOT lose weight! I weighed the exact same thing at 5 months postpartum as I did at 6 weeks postpartum. I am 5’9 and weighed 172lbs. My normal nursing weight is around 160 and my normal “get pregnant” weight is at 150. So, I was about 15-20lbs over my feel good weight. By the way, I weighed about 145/150lbs at my wedding. I had a bunch more muscle than I do now though! haha!

Those six months after having my son was like a blur. I could just sit in a rocker for hours at a time, and I never felt like I could focus. I was hungry, constipated, cold, tired, confused, and easily frustrated. My veins even felt funny and my skin seemed transparent! My parents kept telling me to go to the doctor, but I didn’t want to go in South Carolina. I didn’t know any of the doctors, how much it would cost, and didn’t have the energy (or brains) to try to figure it out.

When I finally came back to Tennessee (to the farm we had bought/not the flooded rental house). I went to my doctor and they checked my TSH along with a complete blood work panel. The lab doing the testing ran my TSH twice and didn’t even attempt to check why how high it actually was – the reading was +100. They immediately referred me to an endocrinologist in Nashville, TN. She wanted to see my right away…… and what I learned in that visit will the the topic of my next post :-)

I should tell you also that everything I did during this time was counterproductive to my healing. The Armour, iodine, and my continued normal American diet did NO favors to my Hashimoto’s (the autoimmune component of hypothyroidism…..the real cause). If you suspect you are hypothyroid you must get to the root cause – and it is usually autoimmune. Read this book.

Posted in Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, Natural Alternatives, Pregnancy having 1 comment »

Suspect Hypothyroidism? Your First Steps (part 2)

October 11th, 2011 by

If you are among the MILLIONS of women that have thyroid issues – bloodwork will be an important tool for you. Finding a practitioner that can help you in this quest will be of utmost value. Let me rephrase that….. Finding a practitioner that does not think he/she is God and already knows everything will be of utmost importance to your healing. Bloodwork is a big deal is being able to diagnosis what TYPE of Hypothyroidism and the cause behind it.

Some of the symptoms of Hypo-Thyroidism:
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (you can’t tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

If you have any of these symptoms, have a family member that does, or are interested in general health like gut repair, causes behind autism, cancer, etc – then you’ll find these two books fascinating.

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests are Normal?
- this book is VERY informative

Hope for Hashimoto’s
- this book is VERY understandable

Important Blood Tests (NONE are very expensive):
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) This tests your pituitary gland, to see how hard the pituitary gland is having to tell the thyroid “WORK WORK WORK!”. So, the higher the TSH, the lower the thyroid is functioning on its own – and the more the pituitary is having to stimulate it.
Thyroid Antibodies, TPO and TGB AB This is a BIG deal, and almost always not done. This will tell you if your “thyroid problem” is really an autoimmune problem or not. Knowing if you have antibodies is paramount, because the treatment for hypo-thyroidism vs auto-immune thyroiditis is opposite.
Here are the other tests (to understand them read pg 74 of Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests are Normal?
Total Thyroxine (TT4)
Free Thyroxine Index (FTI)
Free Thyroxine (FT4) – the amount of T4 hormone that is found freely in your bloodstream
Resin T3 Uptake
Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG)

Now, DO NOT GET OVERWHELMED!! There is a lot of medical jargon in this post and I’m sure your head is swimming with “How much will all this cost??”
Well, I’ve been there and every single minute I’ve spent on educating myself has been worth it. Every single penny I’ve spent has been worth having a quality life where I can be a better woman, wife, and mom. I know what brain fog feels like – and it isn’t pretty.
It took genetics, circumstances that were out of my control, and my own choices regarding health to get me to where I am now. Sure, it will cost you time and money to fix yourself. But, ultimately you are the deciding factor on what kind of life and health you’ll have for your remaining time on this planet. I wouldn’t trade the state I was in for any amount of anything!!

Check back for my personal story of finding out I had an EXTREME thyroid issue. The midwife almost wanted to put me in the hospital (I had a TSH of well over 100)!!

Posted in Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, Natural Alternatives having 3 comments »

Hashimoto’s Diagnosis (part 1)

October 11th, 2011 by

July 2010 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease.

What is Hashimoto’s? It’s an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland, which causes Hypothyroidism. Actually, most people with hypothyroidism (90%) have Hashimoto’s. Doctor’s just do not usually tell the people WHY their thyroid is not functioning, because (to them) the reason does not matter, as (to them) there is no cure, the patient just “has” to stay on medication for the rest of their life. However, all of those “truths” are something I am contesting!

Being hypothyroid also makes you loose somewhat of your…. BRAIN…..among other things. Which I definitely experienced! Since starting treatment I have lost 30lbs, feel like my old self again, and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I desperately want others to know there is hope!
And there is a great need to get the information out there, as some sources estimate 12% – 18% of the population is hypothyroid.
As of today, I am on the road to recovery and plan to tell you how/what/when/why in the following posts.

Please note that I am no way a healthcare professional. I am however a person that is choosing not to leave my health in the hands of others. Know that every body is unique. What got me to this point in my health, may not be exactly the same as you – though there are some overriding themes in Hashimoto’s patients.

Posted in Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, Natural Alternatives, Nutrition having no comments »

Third Child Dynamic

November 23rd, 2010 by Kristen

After my first child was born, I truly was a nut! I didn’t like anyone to hold my baby, let alone look at her. When we shopped, the cart had to be sterilized to surgical specifications by my vast supply of cleaners. She played with carefully chosen toys that would stimulate her intellect. I spoke and interacted with her, ad nauseum, as all over achieving new moms do.

Now, that my first born is five (going on 15) and I have my third little baby I enjoy listening to new moms talk about their little ones as if they are some large personality. No wonder these first borns end up with LARGE personalities! haha My first born still feels like a little adult to me, asks amazing questions, and is my best friend! When I’m stressed she gets the brunt of it, as she is my “go to gal”…. and have I ever mentioned she is just like me?

When I had my second child (another girl) life did not changed much. I could still go anywhere, do anything, and life felt manageable. Recently, I was talking to a mom-of-six about this. I told her how much easier life with two kids seemed. I could exercise, take walks whenever we wanted, have “me time”, and I could meet all the the children’s needs. The mom-of-six agreed but added a component I had not considered. She said “Yes, with my first two it was like that also. But when I had the third, my two older children developed strong character traits they would not have developed until much later – if ever. Adding a third child to the family made my children harder workers, less selfish, more patient, and more loving. Suddenly mom couldn’t do everything. The children had to help. The children had  to give. The children had to share.  The children had to work together. And the children had another person to love and consider. Suddenly it was a team instead of a mom and dad indivudually meeting the needs of two children. Things really did change – but for the better.”

Now, not for one minute did I ever regret my third baby! But I did sometimes feel guilty that my energy had to be transferred away from the oldest two a bit. Now, I realize it can be a good thing. I’m raising children to grow up – to be functional, hardworking, and giving. Having a bigger family only makes cultivating good traits easier, as normal daily life requires these attributes. I don’t have to create situations, they arise naturally. < of COURSE, having one or two children IS a wonderful blessing, and I know many FABULOUS adults that came from families like these (me!)>

These younger years aren’t necessarily the easiest, but I see great reward to come. My husband is the middle of five children and all his siblings exhibit many of the characteristics I’d like mine to have! So, for all of you that wonder “will she have any more?” the answer is probably – just hopefully one at a time.

The picture above shows how fun and BUSY our house is. Thank goodness for number three – even if he does draw marker all over his own face!

:-)

Posted in Family Life having 5 comments »

Tennessee Happenings

October 5th, 2010 by Kristen


Instead of a How-To post, or something I’ve been researching…. I’ll just tell you what I’ve been up to. The above picture is of a quick trip we took to Kentucky. The zoo was fun – as you can see by the kids faces!

Lately, the weather has been beautiful!!! Which is such change from the amazing HOT HUMID summer. The kids have been outside playing, practicing soccer, ballet lessons, learning piano, school lessons, and EATING (I’m always thinking “didn’t I just feed them?”).
So, that tells you what I’ve been doing too…. along with helping my husband in his business.

A new food I’ve been using a lot is Quinoa. It is SO yummy, healthy, easy, and everyone likes it! It’s a seed, not a grain – and containing the proper balance of amino acids is a complete protein! A very good (and much more nutritious) alternative to bleached white rice, white breads/rolls, and pasta. Last night I made a Roast (with onions, carrots, and mushrooms), served it over Quinoa, with a fresh green salad, and everyone was happy. I’ve been using the pre-rinsed Quinoa (which cuts down quite a bit on preparation time).
And you need to know this…. my husband does not like healthy food that tastes like “healthy food”! So, if he likes it, know that you and yours probably will too.

Oh yeah! We found an Opossum in the chicken house! That was big news around here for a few days. Those sure are ugly critters – glad our egg thief is now gone. :-)

Posted in Family Life, Nutrition having 3 comments »

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About Simply Kristen

Simply Kristen is our journey to living natural, healthy, rural, and happy. I'm interested in learning the art of whole foods, animal husbandry, farming, making your own cheese, bread, yogurt and MUCH more.

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