Doctor's appointment update

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone...hope you all are improving. I wanted to let you know

about my doctor's visit. Some very positive things. He found three

specific things. First of all, my homocysteine level was high (15.9

should be below 9). This is my most serious problem since it can

cause stroke or heart attack at any time and usually results in

sudden death when left untreated. The doctor said this is related to

my symptoms of migraines, head pressure, impairment of thinking, and

neck pain. This condition is his primary concern and can take up to

two years to lower to acceptable levels. He is treating this with

Plavix as a blood thinner and Metanx, a combination of folic acid,

B6, and B12.

My second condition is that I do have an autoimmune condition. This

was the one that was disappointing to me. He does not have a

specific condition but said I have autoimmune dysfunction syndrome.

Another syndrome to add to my list! He did some blood test to

measure my immune functionality. Mine was 30 and should have been 0-

3. Thus, we know my immune system is very overactive.

Third, I have a high thyroid peroxidase antibody. It should be 0 - 35

and mine was 838. He said that this condition is killing my thyroid

cells. Right now my gland is compensating well but left untreated it

can kill the thyroid. Also, he said the autoimmune syndrome attacks

joints, connective tissue, and glands. Another hormone he found

abnormal was a growth hormone. At my age it should be around 30 and

mine as 0.8. I believe in extremes! LOL!! I am concerned this is

related to my endometriosis and I certainly don't want that flared up

again.

However, a very good point was they found my high homocysteine is due

to the body making too much and a genetic condition. Both of my

homocysteine genes are mutated meaning my parents have this condition

and my sisters are at a risk for it. The doctor told us yesterday

though that it isn't so bad to have it but bad not to know you have

it. The treatment is vitamins and folic acid so all of my family is

going to start that until they can be tested. Thus, we were all very

thankful to know about this condition.

It is very relieving to find out some of what is going on. It is

also somewhat disappointing to me not to know exactly about the

immune condition. I am going to ask Monday for a copy of all of my

blood tests because I am interested in knowing my anti-SSA, SED,

etc. I dread having syndromes because they are so gray but I am

realizing more and more my conditions are not going to be black and

white as I was expecting. At least we are headed the right

directions and finding some answers.

He also told me yesterday that my lungs are damaged but most of the

damage is reversible. He said that they will never be normal again

but that they can be improved. He said that we will address this in

my next appointment in three months.

Well, so sorry this is so long. I just wanted to share my findings

with you. I'm still confused about some of it but VERY thankful to

have found out the homocysteine. I was getting quite worried about

my symptoms a few weeks ago. Wishing you all a better weekend.