Re: Newbie--needs advice

September 15, 2010

I hear you about the dangers of low carbing, Jase, and I'm glad you spoke up! My

body is obviously not happy with it this go around.

My understanding was people with thyroid issues did well on a low carb way of

eating even if medication is required as well. I have a lot to learn, though,

and that is why I'm here.

I'm mainly just trying to find a good doctor in the DFW area that will address

my issues: thyroid/hormones/adrenals. Oh, and takes insurance, too (maybe too

tall an order on that one!) " Dr.Google " isn't helping me this go around...I need

a good doctor and don't want to mess myself up going the wrong way.

K

September 15, 2010

I hear you about the dangers of low carbing, Jase, and I'm glad you spoke up! My

body is obviously not happy with it this go around.

My understanding was people with thyroid issues did well on a low carb way of

eating even if medication is required as well. I have a lot to learn, though,

and that is why I'm here.

I'm mainly just trying to find a good doctor in the DFW area that will address

my issues: thyroid/hormones/adrenals. Oh, and takes insurance, too (maybe too

tall an order on that one!) " Dr.Google " isn't helping me this go around...I need

a good doctor and don't want to mess myself up going the wrong way.

K

September 15, 2010

K,Just a couple of comments based on my own experiences. The coconut oil can be causing you to detox in particular if you have fungal issues. Coconut oil has caprylic acid is a natural anti-fungal:As far as why you're not feeling quite so well on high protein, our bodies do need some carbs. I eat a very high protein diet because I feel better on that but I do find at times that I need some carbs - fruit usually does the trick. Here's an article on this topic:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2004/carbs.htmlAlso, from what I have read, low carb isn't for everyone - there's the blood type theory that the folks that do best on low carb are the type O's. My personal opinion has always been that the folks that feel best on Atkins are likely those that have an undiagnosed intolerance to gluten since the Atkins is generally gluten-free. Also, if you are low thyroid, your body isn't producing enough of the enzymes necessary to digest much of anything and often one's digestion is slower when they are hypothyroid.

One reason that some of us don't seem to fit textbook descriptions of adrenal illnesses is because we are not experiencing an end-stage disease, however, our adrenals are still not functioning properly. Most docs (in particular endos) are looking for either 's or Cushing's in terms of adrenal illnesses. If you don't fit into either of those end stage diseases, they will generally tell you you don't have a problem. Given your age, it is highly likely that you have other hormones that are out of whack - in particular many of us have low progesterone and estrogen at this age. And, often, all of our s*x hormones are low.

You can search past postings and see discussions of labs where you can get the testing done on your own to determine what the real issue might be. Certainly, you don't want to treat yourself as it's a very delicate balance and most importantly you need a doc to really do a thorough review of what's going on. In my experience, you will get a whole lot more benefit from Dr. Margaret since she (re-) trained as a functional medicine doctor and these issues are her areas of expertise. I spent 2 years going to doctors that were on my insurance and got nowhere - when you add up all the out-of-pocket expenses of going to a useless doctor (and the cost on your wellbeing which is priceless , Dr. Margaret may not be nearly as expensive as you think in the long run. Keep in mind that her initial appt with you is at least one hour versus the 15 minutes (at the most) you're likely to get with a doc that takes your insurance.

B.

I've found this group through LowCarb Friends, and have learned a lot by reading the posts.

I am almost 49 years old, and seem to have something strange going on with my body. I've been a successful low carber in the past, but I've been doing a clean Atkins '72 induction for six weeks, in ketosis from day one and no weight loss...just a gain of about 4 pounds.

I am suspecting thyroid...or adrenals. It is strange, because I don't seem to be a fit for a textbook case on either.

However, I am having trouble sleeping..I wake up in a panic...heart racing and I'm trying to find something. My poor husband is tired, too.

I have very low normal body temperature, and have for a long time. Last doctor visit I had slightly elevated BP, so relied on my old low carb tricks to bring it down...which is running about 128/80 most of the time now.

Last week on low carb, I introduce Virgin coconut oil...gradually, but now my pulse rate it up to almost 89....but I'm either detoxing or have the flu.

Also, after I eat protein, I get so drowsy, as if I had eaten carbs, which is strange. I don't seem to have the same good feelings I used to on low carb.

I have ovaries and cervix, but no uterus because of humongous fibroid several years ago. I have no idea where I am in menopause cycle.

SO, I am considering Dr. Elmore in Irving (I'm in Terrell) if you all think she would be good at helping with adrenals/thyroid/hormones.

I would have gone to Dr. Margaret Christensen, as she delivered my first child, but she doesn't accept insurance, and she is very expensive as my insurance will not pay out of network doctor.

I'm willing to save up Flixible spending money for next January and go to a compounding pharmacy if no one will check my hormone levels. I go to Dr. Bertrand OB/GYN but he just pats my hand and says everything is fine, thought I was still ovulating but declined to do any hormone tests because he didn't think it necessary... but will give the okay if I go to compounding pharmacy at Abrams/Royal and let them do the tests.

Oh, please pardon the long post! How annoyingly long it turned out to be. I do not feel very good, and would appreciate your help.

Ideas, suggestions greatly appreciated. Bless you for your time...

K

September 15, 2010

I am also seeing Spurlock. While he does not take insurance, the labs are not billed through his office. If one of three labs (Quest, CPL and one other) is in network for your insurance, they can bill your insurance company directly. I paid Dr. Spurlock $135 for a half hour appointment.

>> I hear you about the dangers of low carbing, Jase, and I'm glad you spoke up! My body is obviously not happy with it this go around.> > My understanding was people with thyroid issues did well on a low carb way of eating even if medication is required as well. I have a lot to learn, though, and that is why I'm here.> > I'm mainly just trying to find a good doctor in the DFW area that will address my issues: thyroid/hormones/adrenals. Oh, and takes insurance, too (maybe too tall an order on that one!) "Dr.Google" isn't helping me this go around...I need a good doctor and don't want to mess myself up going the wrong way.> > K>

September 15, 2010

I paid $135 and he was with me around 90 minutes on first visit, an hour each on

2 subsequent visits, same price. I think he keeps going if issues need more

detailing. I thought very generous with his time. We ran late one afternoon and

office had closed and left for the day, we were still talking in hallway, I said

oops what should I do, and he just waved his hand and said, not to worry, they'd

bill me. I like his attitude, no biggies. I am on Golden Rule and Lab Corp is in

network, so I used them. He didn't care where I went, but Lab Corp was fine. I

paid about $350 for a long battery of tests that cost upwards of $1500-1800

elsewhere. My husband was with me on visits and has now made his appt. to see

Spurlock, he thought so well of him. Yes, he addresses adrenal issues.

Sara

> >

> > I hear you about the dangers of low carbing, Jase, and I'm glad you

> spoke up! My body is obviously not happy with it this go around.

> >

> > My understanding was people with thyroid issues did well on a low carb

> way of eating even if medication is required as well. I have a lot to

> learn, though, and that is why I'm here.

> >

> > I'm mainly just trying to find a good doctor in the DFW area that will

> address my issues: thyroid/hormones/adrenals. Oh, and takes insurance,

> too (maybe too tall an order on that one!) " Dr.Google " isn't helping me

> this go around...I need a good doctor and don't want to mess myself up

> going the wrong way.

> >

> > K

> >

>

September 15, 2010