Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Long Journey

Roses
Because


 

I think this will be the last post for awhile concerning my Mystical Medical Tour.

I spent most of yesterday in research mode. The amount of trusted information available with the click of a keyboard is really astounding and so useful. When I saw the neurologist, very engaged person by the way, I mentioned that I had been trying to avoid Dr. Google. He told me Dr. Google would be a good thing for me. I now realize what he meant. I wasn't going to get anywhere. He was the only specialist who would see me. He recognized something is wrong but it is outside his expertise. Dr. Google and my intimate knowledge of myself were my available help.

The Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, The American Thyroid Association and others gave me useful information based on the symptoms I have been living with. The interaction between iron (ferritin) and thyroid is new to me. The American Thyroid Association has a blind study on the website involving raw desiccated thyroid and the pharmaceutical Levothyroxine. Sixty-nine percent of the participants preferred the desiccated thyroid. The report said more study was needed on this. I was on Armour Thyroid for several years, it's porcine desiccated thyroid gland. I found through the the ATA site that there is also desiccated raw bovine thyroid gland. More computer keyboard clickety-clacks for info on this. Long story, short comment. I can buy this without prescription. The FDA doesn't approve any of this, including Armour, which somehow got put in prescription only status and the ATA seems neutral. After most of the day spent reading and learning I have decided I will supplement with iron and desiccated thyroid, staying very aware of signs of too much iron. One afternoon gave me more hope than three years of doctor visits. This may not be my answer, but it's a place to start. I am feeling more positive than I have in years. I want my life back. 

14 comments:

Boud said...

Good for you. That nonprescription thyroid is that way because it predates the FDA. It's been used for centuries. One of my friends needed it and couldn't access it in the US, so buys it by mail from Canada. Big pharma tries to block it in the US.

Sandra said...

There is a lot of fear fear written about it. Because I was on it for several years and it worked and gave me no problems I see all of that big Pharma not wanting it used. Like CBD oil. They only use the thyroid gland from cattle in New Zealand and Argentina, the only countries without mad cow disease. I am not a passive person, which makes this whole medical debacle all the more mystifying for me. I guess I was so desperate to get help that I stuffed myself into quietness, hopeful I would get help by being "cooperative". So much for that. I'm going to do at least on weight management session to keep the peace. I need to be able to refill my medication.

Marlane said...

Well I hope that you will let us know how you feel later !

Lori Skoog said...

Give it a shot!

e said...

Good job! I hope it works!

Val Ewing said...

Sometimes to get help we have to be the ones going forward and trying things.

It becomes unfortunate when our medical system has to follow rules that the insurance companies have set in motion.

Kudos to you. Hope you start feeling better quickly!

Sandra said...

You can count on that, marlane!

Sandra said...

Lori, what have I got to lose? Limbo is not an amusing place, let me tell you.

Sandra said...

e, thanks. So do I.

Sandra said...

Thank you, Val.

Anonymous said...

You are an impressive person. I admire you for your tenacity and willingness to forge ahead and look for your own path forward.
Take Care,
Kaye

Sandra said...

Thank you, Kaye. I think most people called me bull-headed! When it's your life that is swirling down the toilet you are inclined to try to stop the flush.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Well it is certainly worth a try!:)

Sandra said...

It is, Far Side.