THINNING THYROID

FACT ONE: The thyroid controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.

These are the results of my test:
---- T3 - 29 pg/mL .... (normal is between 30-35)
---- T4 - 9.7 mg/dL .... (normal is between 10-12)
---- Free T4 - 2.8 NG/DL .... (normal is between 3.5-4.0)
---- THS - 3.05 .... (normal is 0.4-3.0 (being over is not good)

Hormones? ... practically non-exsistent:
---- Estradiol - 26 pg/ml - (normal is 90-250)
---- Progesterone - <0.5> - (normal is 8-10)
---- Testosterone - <20> - (normal is 40-60)

NO FREAKING WONDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is interesting (part of this article

http://www.masoncountynews.com/news/article/16135)

The thyroid gland is the body’s internal thermostat, regulating the temperature and controlling how quickly the body burns calories and uses energy. If the thyroid is overactive and secretes too much hormone, the condition is known as hyperthyroid. If the thyroid is underactive and secretes too little hormone, the condition is called hypothryroid.

Hypothyroidism affects about 13 million people in the United States. About 90% of these are women. Thyroid imbalances are not always easy to recognize. Stress, depression, anxiety, tiredness and other emotional or mental states can mask a thyroid imbalance. Minimal imbalances in the thyroid gland can significantly affect mental and physical health.
Symptoms of thyroid imbalance include: fatigue or exhaustion; irritability and impatience; feeling too hot or too cold; depression, anxiety, or panic attacks; dry skin or hair; hair loss; mood swings; frequent memory lapses; inability to concentrate; unexplained weight gain or loss; loss of enthusiasm for life; and insomnia.

Women from 30 to 50 years of age are the most likely to develop hypothyroidism. The most common reason for hypothyroidism is estrogen/progesterone imbalance. Estrogen interferes with thyroid hormones, while progesterone facilitates normal action of the thyroid hormones. As women approach menopause, they have a tendency to cease producing progesterone, the hormone that balances and complements the estrogen produced by the body. Even though estrogen levels in the body are lower during this time, it the ratio between estrogen and progesterone that is important.

gaaaackkk... so now that I am digesting this, I am waiting for the meds to kick in.

Gonna feel better any minute now.

Blogs

What is the purpose of a blog?

Is there a reason to suppose that anyone reads yours?

What makes it relevant?

What makes it MORE than just a journal?


I suppose it needs to be informative, up to date, and worth spending the time reading.

BUT if you are just an average person, with an average life, does it really do any good to post?

I suppose for my own "history", it is okay. I can see the changes through the years.

I view other blogs because they have a variety of different things - recipes, news reports, and activities. So that is kind of cool.

SO HERE IS THE REASON FOR MY BLOG: _________

Well, that didn't work.

hummmm

SO HERE IS THE PURPOSE OF MY BLOG: ... Challenges.

Right now my challenge is my thyroid. So I think I will blog about that for a while.

Okay -- that is done.

Next.

Reflections of the Years Gone By

Since Kimkins... Since turning 50... I have had a really hard struggle with my weight.

Last week I went to a Health & Wellness center where they did some blood work for thyroid function and hormone levels.

I have low thyroid numbers, and even lower hormone levels. NO WONDER I HAVE FELT SO LOUSY!!

I started taking meds for these things and hope that within a month I will feel like my old self again AND begin to get the weight off. I have been "doing" low carb for the most part, except for those times that I throw myself huge pity parties and invite the Sugar Monster. BUT seriously for the most part, I have been strict with my low carb regimen. NO losses - weight or inches. It has been VERY frustrating.

I have been eating between 1,200 & 1,400 calories per day (sometimes a little more) which is good for my height & age & activity level. I make sure that I get a good balance - 60% fat, 10% carbs, 30% protein (usually within 5% margins). I drink plenty of water.

SO

Surely the thyroid and hormone issues will get under control and the scale will start moving again.

I AM NOT GIVING UP -- Even when I get there.