Some of you know about my fight with Graves Disease, an auto immune system disorder, which causes an overactive thyroid. Since I was diagnosed 7 years ago, I have made it my business to know everything I possibly could about the condition & this has probably saved my life.
I have blood tests on a regular basis & in November last year, I was told that my T4 levels are normal & again in January the same.
My thyroid stimulating hormone was finally starting to work too, after 7 years of lying dormant, so I suggested I came off the anti thyroid drug & my GP's response was to continue for a while longer.
A month ago, I rang my GP & suggested again that I come off the drug or at least halve it, as I was feeling so well & was concerned about the drug pushing me into being under active. Again, she said to be patient & they would send for me when it's time for a blood test. I don't normally do as I'm told, but decided to stick with it a bit longer.
Last week I became aware that I was definitely becoming under active, so demanded a blood test.
I had the test on Monday, my GP rang me on Tuesday & asked for me to get into the surgery straight away.
Surprise, surprise - my thyroid has become so under active that I've virtually gone off the scale!!!
The doctors are completely baffled as to how this could have happened within 3 months & I explained it was due to my diet changes... They won't accept this, but I know I'm right.
My body is finally working properly & with no complicated foods to break down any more, it's allowing the healing process to kick in naturally. So I'm off the anti thyroid drug, which was on the verge of damaging my bone marrow (& probably would have done if I hadn't strengthened my immune system). A lot of people don't survive this severe side effect of carbimazole because they are usually extremely ill & weak.
Although being under active is a bloody nuisance (apparently my levels are so low that it is a miracle I am able to get out of bed & my GP couldn't believe that I am capable of working & actually don't appear to have too many side effects). I am happy in the knowledge that I stopped the drug before any permanent damage was done & so grateful I educated myself on my condition. I am lucky to know my body extremely well & would urge anybody taking conventional drugs to do the same. Do lots of research on your condition, the drugs you take & make sure you eat as healthily as you possibly can. Doctors are not always the experts we expect them to be, their knowledge is often limited & they certainly don't know enough about food & nutrition.
I was told that diet would not make a difference to my condition & after Sime & I were shown the graphs of my blood tests over the last few years - we both know that the last 3 months has made a terrific impact on my health!
If you have an auto immune system disorder, I would recommend giving up dairy & oil - you will be absolutely amazed!
Porridge time, then work...
Hope you all have a good weekend!
Kay :)
Comments
The only drug I take is for blood pressure and I am determined to be able to reduce my BP to normal levels through weight loss and food choices (I am reluctant to use the word diet here).
It's scary the side effects of the drugs we take :-O
Jane x
Kay :)
Kay :)
I never thought about my use of the word diet... I just mean what we eat - we're not on a weight loss diet, but we have lost some weight because of cutting out dairy & oil. Now thinking about the post title - it sounds quite sinister... Like I'm talking about weight loss drugs! Hahaha.
Kay :)
Kay :)
Kay :)
I am thankful that I don't need any drugs, although I could do with a bit more energy most of the time.
I feel sluggish and then I have a little chocolate and I feel great again.
Now what's that all about then?
SFT X
When I tell my friends I'll pass on their kind offer of fatty food, I feel I am expected to explain why. As soon as I try to explain that I'm eating differently they assume I'm on a "diet". Maybe I should say I'm on a new "eating plan".
Like you, I primarily started eating differently for my well-being, the weight loss has been a pleasant (and well needed) bonus.
Thanks for your continued support and encouragement! xx
I really enjoy our emails & love seeing your meals & hope one day we'll get to meet!
Kay :)
We've experimented recently with our energy levels while working, we were taking pitta & houmous, along with salad & fruit, but by the afternoon we'd experience a drop in energy. So we took rice instead of pitta, which was much better - though still not perfect. Now we take a mix of fruit (bananas especially), dried fruit, nuts & seeds - this really sustains us throughout the day & we make sure we have a big salad on arriving home before we even start cooking dinner. Our energy levels are far better without bread/wheat, but we just eat it later in the day...
Kay :)
We've cut out oil, along with all processed fats - as it clogs up your system & damages blood vessels & arteries. It adds no benefit to our diet at all. On the other hand, you're right - linseeds (flax) are very good, but in their natural form or ground. We eat about 2 tbsps a day & this gives us the essential fatty acids we need.
Hope you like the oat milk - it's quite watery, but you could add a few almonds to soak with the oats if you're not keen.
And thank you for the award - we are very grateful! We were given some others a while ago & haven't yet got around to posting about them...
Will attempt to put that right this week!
Kay :)
Kay :)
Sime decided to become vegan & I really wanted to too, so I watched horrific film footage about dairy farms & that was it - I stopped! Cutting out dairy altogether, meant after a few days I was no longer physically craving chocolate & after 3 weeks, I had stopped snacking altogether. We had increased our green leafy vegetable intake & were eating more pulses (legumes) & ever since - I have felt completely satisfied with our meals... I also used to have quite bad PMS & would be climbing the walls for something sugary, but not any more (much to Sime's relief - hahaha)!
Hope this helps!
Kay :)
I'd be really interested in hearing your story. I refused conventional treatment for 2 years, but ended up in hospital after having a thyroid storm & then agreed to carbimazole, but have continued to refuse radio active iodine. I just didn't know enough at the time, but now I do - thank goodness!
Look forward to chatting more.
Kay :)
I'm so glad you are feeling healthier Kay - fantastic!
xo Catherine
I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
We were so distressed to read of the health problems which you have been experiencing but are delighted to learn that you are feeling so much better, largely it would appear on account of a change of diet. This is all to the good and we do so hope that all will continue to be well for you.
Clearly, from what we read, you live in Cornwall. How wonderful is that for it is the most magical of counties. We have very close friends who live just beyond Penzance although living in Hungary we do not see as much of them as we should like.
We have discovered your most entertaining blog through the comment which you have left on 'Jazzy's Place' and have signed as Followers.
Kay :)
Kay :)
Kay :)
Cornwall is magical & we feel very lucky to be living here!
Kay :)
See you later, I'm just off to become a follower.
Teresa x
Thanks for following us, here's a youtube video which is really interesting: http://www.drmcdougall.com/video/diet_ms.html
Hope you find it helpful!
Kay :)
Enjoyed reading your experience and positive outlook. I was diagnosed in 2019 with over active Thyroid,knew there was something not right when i had rapid weight loss and Thyroid all swollen. Was also anaemic and felt so ill.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Hope you are on the road to recovery - I have remained symptom free now for 9 years and am very glad I refused conventional treatment.
If you need any advice - please do email me (I'm very happy to help) on justhumansbeing@gmail.com
Best wishes,
Kay x