"do this, don't do that..." I am SO CONFUSED!

[stephbrownthinks]

I am currently 4 months postpartum and trying to wade through supplement/cell salt/iodine/diet/detox/healing info. It is overwhelming to say the least. I feel like the more I research, the more confused I get! I would like to make an appointment with my ND but I don't even know what exactly I want to ask her about. I'd like to get tested to see what vitamins and minerals I'm deficient in, are those blood tests? What are they called?

Before conceiving I had thyroid issues (hypo/hashimoto's). My levels were in the "normal" range, but I had crazy symptoms. I was seeing an Endocrinologist who was treating me with Armour, and then later just T3 (if I'm remembering correctly). My symptoms went away, and over about 2 years I was able to lose the 45 pounds I'd packed on. Before being treated for my thyroid, no matter how healthy I ate or how much I exercised the weight would NOT COME OFF. She moved and during my pregnancy all my symptoms went away so I didn't worry about it.

Now they are coming back, the freezing feet and hands, hair falling out in boat-loads, fatigue, trouble sleeping, trouble loosing weight. I don't know how much of it is normal post-preg stuff and how much has to do with my thyroid. How do I tell because like I said before, my levels always tested "normal" even though I clearly had problems? Do ND's work on thyroid issues?

Also, how do I know if I have Mercury fillings? I don't even know how many fillings I have. I *think* I remember getting one or two after I got my braces off in HS but if I do have them, they are white and I can't see them. I know I got a few silver ones when I was little but they were in baby teeth and fell out.

I don't know if I'm making any sense... I guess I'm just looking for recommendations of things to bring up with my ND, and what tests I should ask for if she doesn't suggest them herself. Thanks!

Edit: Also my 4 month old DS has never had a well baby visit. He had the normal checkups by our midwife (who is also our ND/Pediatrician) but since we weren't vaccinating and he's so healthy I never scheduled any Well visits. Now I'm hearing about stuff like hearing tests and anemia testing. Is there stuff I should be getting done for him too?

[JaneS]

it's a long process, just listen to your mama intuition!

For thyroid issues, and Hashimoto's you need to read these 3 books:

Dr. Kharrazian, "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests are Normal"
Dr. Langer, "Solved: The Riddle of Illness"
Dr. Starr, "Hypothyroidism: Type 2"

Thyroid lab tests are not effective at uncovering all thyroid problems...body symptoms are. Have you had your Hashi's antibodies tested recently? You could be experiencing a flare.

White fillings do not have mercury, only the "silver" ones do. With your history I wouldn't worry unless you have eaten a lot of high mercury fish.

The most important things for Hashi's is going gluten free and taking selenium. Other nutritional deficiencies can contribute as well.

Unfortunately standard blood tests for nutrient deficiencies are not reliable. The body will keep the blood stable at all costs to prevent seizures etc. That is why you can have normal calcium levels and osteoporosis... the body will take from the teeth and bones to protect the blood levels. RBC, red blood cell testing is better, but I would start learning about traditional diet levels of nutrients and go from there, that is what really helped me a great deal.

As I have learned, our modern diets have been deficient for years compared to what traditional diets ate (what a healthy human is meant to eat before advent of processed foods) that I just assumed I was deficient in everything www.westonaprice.org

Make sure you are doing vitamin D for your DS (and you too).
www.vitamindcouncil.org

[JaneS]

another good thyroid site: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

[moonchiald]

I recently learned that Hashimoto's is closely linked to atypical Celiac.

Have you ever tried a gluten-free diet?