Manic: Me a couple of years ago wondering why I was losing a lot of hair, getting sick a lot, dealing with itchy skin and more. My wonderful mother suggested that I have my thyroid checked as both she and my grandmother have hypothyroidism.
Managed: Listened to my mama and sure enough, I have an underactive thyroid, too. For myself, I started taking Synthroid and I have done very well on that. However, I have heard from a lot of friends, that they did not do so well on that med. I will continue my course of meds since I have personally responded well to it, but if that ever changes, then I will check out another option that I am sharing here below.
(Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional, but a blogger who likes to share tips from other moms…hence the name of this blog, managedmoms…of things that have worked or not worked for people.)
The one thing I can tell you for sure is to have your thyroid checked if you have any of the symptoms I described or just feel off. It is very common and once diagnosed, many women notice a terrific improvement with their overall health and well-being.
So with that, when a dear friend of mine asked if she could share her thyroid treatment success story, I agreed since thyroid disease is so common. She tells me that after years of all kinds of unwellness, she has drastically improved with a successful doctor visit and the follow-up treatment he recommended for her. Here is her story and I thank Lori Olawski for writing in to share. This blog loves to share tips with each other that make our manic lives a bit more managed. Here is Lori’s story….
Lori, in blue dress, looking lovely and feeling good, with her daughter.
Lori says:
Before finding Hope Integrative Wellness, I literally spent decades visiting doctor after doctor searching for at least a reason for feeling completely devoid of energy, motivation and a spark for life. I felt physically exhausted, craved carbohydrates to give me the energy to get through the day, was losing my hair, gaining weight, feeling depressed and was getting more and more discouraged. I knew I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but was told time after time that the medication I was taking that was all that I could do about living with this autoimmune condition.
Coming from a medical background, I couldn’t believe that there wasn’t anything more I could do to improve my situation. So I visited numerous endocrinologists, internists, D.O.’s, and Naturopathic physicians over the years. I was treated for adrenal problems, Hashimoto’s, had my medication dosages adjusted numerous times, followed many different diets and exercise programs, meditated and slept a lot.
A lot.
I also watched my body develop Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, brain fog, joint stiffness, sciatic nerve pain, all while losing even more hair, and gaining more weight. At the end of my rope, I attended Dr. Kan’s free seminar and immediately knew everything he said made sense to me. After extensive physical and blood testing, a custom plan was developed for my situation. Dr. Kan explained how my autoimmune problems could be attributed to a leaky gut…never before had another doctor explored this route. After just 3 months of treatment with Dr. Kan and his amazing team, my blood work came back with remarkable results. My Type 2 diabetes was under control, with my Hgb A1C testing coming back into the normal range, my thyroid hormones had regulated and lowered so much that my medication was cut in half, my energy was up, I no longer napped, I increased my exercising, and lost 30 pounds!
Also interesting, was that the detox protocol used by Dr. Kan detected substances hidden and settled in my tissues from decades ago, such as chemicals and mercury that I was exposed to while working in a lab over 30 years ago! As I near the 6-month mark of recovery and treatment, I am pleased with the continued progress and healing I am achieving. What I learned most was that in order to heal, I had to be aware. Aware of my own contributions to my state of health, aware of my stress levels and how to alleviate negative situations, and mostly to be aware of the positive influences, expertise and care offered to me at Hope Integrative Wellness. If you’re at the end of your rope with your current medical situation, I would not hesitate to explore the healing and opportunities to recover offered at Hope Integrative Wellness.
Thanks for sharing that, Lori! Amazing! We also heard from her doctor regarding his view on thyroid issues. Here is what he told us…
Dr. Kan says:
Struggling with a thyroid condition?? Wouldn’t it feel wonderful to feel like yourself again, control your symptoms and feel more energetic?
Autoimmune diseases emerge when your immune system becomes overly stressed and confused and begins to see your body as foreign. Your immune system then attacks your own body tissue instead of an offending toxin or pathogen. The illnesses that fall under the category of autoimmune disease involve almost every human organ system. Autoimmune disease affects the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and endocrine system as well as other connective tissues, your eyes, blood and blood vessels. In every one of these autoimmune conditions, the underlying problem is autoimmunity – the misdirection of your immune system, resulting in an attack on your organs that your immune system was designed to protect.
All autoimmune diseases are the same disease.
You may suffer from:
Adrenal Issues
Anxiety
Autoimmune Issues
Celiac
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Inflammation
Crohn’s
Depression
Digestive Issues
Fibromyalgia
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Lethargy and low energy
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Myasthenia Gravis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Thyroid Issues
Ulcerative Colitis
However, all of these autoimmune diseases are the same disease. They just happen to attack different body systems. So the disease, no matter the classification, must be treated as an autoimmune disease.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates up to 23.5 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, and the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) believes that number is actually 50 million! The NIH data is based on only 24 of the most common autoimmune diseases, while the AARDA data is based on 120 known autoimmune conditions, with some that are considered extremely rare. Those numbers are staggering in either case, and in comparison, cancer affects up to just 9 million, with heart disease affecting just under 22 million.
Of the 50 million American living and coping with autoimmune disease, more than 75 percent of them are women. The Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health has recognized that autoimmunity is the underlying cause of more than 100 of the serious chronic illnesses classified as autoimmune disease. Research discoveries made in the last decade have made autoimmune research one of the most promising areas of new discovery. According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health, autoimmune disease and the resulting disorders ranked #1 in a list of the most popular research health topics requested by callers to the National Women’s Health Information Center.
In fact, this research has led to the finding that 70 percent of your immune system is actually in your gut! Chronic inflammation of the gut lining, or leaky gut, is actually a prerequisite for having autoimmune issues. So getting to the root cause of your autoimmune condition is imperative before the proper support and supplementation can be determined.
Has your immune system gone haywire because of a food sensitivity? An exposure to a toxin? Or did a pathogen cause an infection in your body?
Functional Medicine practitioners address the underlying root causes of disease, as the client and practitioner work together in a supportive partnership. Functional medicine is adapted to meet the needs of new research and support modalities for the current direction of healthcare.
If you are interested in learning more about your thyroid condition, or any autoimmune disease, join us at Hope Integrative Wellness Center for FREE seminars on Thyroid conditions and/or Autoimmune Disease. Call us at 480-988-6269 for reservations…space is limited!
Thyroid Seminar: September 5th at 5:30 and September 19th at 5:30
Autoimmune Seminar: September 12th at 5:30 and September 26th at 5:30
Hope Integrative Wellness Center
(480) 988-6269
[email protected]
Dr. Peter Kan is a board certified Chiropractic Functional Medicine Doctor and Functional Neurologist. His practice at 3336 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Ste. 123, in Gilbert, is nationally known for treating complex neurological and metabolic conditions. For appointments or to attend a free informational class, call 480-988-6269. For more information, visit AskDrKan.com.
***I have not personally seen Dr. Kan, so I have no experience with his office. This recommendation and experience comes from one of my blog readers and I do value her opinion. Here’s to good health for all!***
