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Hello everyone. I've been reading past posts and various websites trying to get

an

understanding about Hashimoto's. I was just told that my body is 'developing'

Hashimoto's. I plan on getting a copy of my labs tomorrow when I go back in to

see the

nurse practitioner about having medicine compounded for my thyroid. My dad was

just

diagnosed with Hashimoto's a couple of months ago. I also have gluten

sensitivity (tested

negative for celiac by the 'gold standard' but positive through a stool test) so

have been on

a gluten free/casein free diet (tested positive for casein intolerance as well)

for six

months. That is also considered an auto-immune disease but since I haven't been

formally diagnosed with it, I'm not sure the doctor's take it seriously but

respect the fact

that I've decided to be on a GF/CF diet. My grandmother had it and my entire

family

carries two genes and tested positive through stool so there is a definite

genetic link.

I saw my acupuncturist yesterday and he highly recommended trying six months of

chinese herbs and acupuncture before I go on medication for my thyroid--he said

the

medication could destroy my thyroid to the point that he couldn't help me. I've

been

feeling horrible and have had chronic upper right quadrant abdominal pain for

over a year

and a half and am ready to feel better so don't know what to think about trying

herbal

treatment for that long. I'd like to be feeling closer to normal by then. (I

have three boys

that I homeschool--keeps me busy even though I'm not feeling well) and that will

be the

start of another school year. I would like to do everything in my power to feel

better.

I can post my result tomorrow so it is clearer what I'm dealing with. All I can

remember is

she told me one number (she never told me what they stood for) was normal 40 or

below

and I was 540 and another was high as well. She said she couldn't call it

Hashimoto's yet

because one of my numbers was in the normal range but that my body was

developing it

and I would have to deal with it for the rest of my life.

I guess my main question is---could it hurt me to go the natural route for six

months

before starting thyroid meds? I'm a little skeptical---the acupuncturist thinks

he can

'cure' me of my gluten intolerance which I think from all of my research is

impossible. I'm

afraid it may be the same for Hashimoto's--though, I haven't entirely developed

it yet

(maybe).

I'm also anemic and have tested positive for mono---when it rains it pours.

Glad to find a good place to ask questions and look forward to your response,