A new plan

This isn't a recipe, but bear with me.

After my daughter was born in 2008, I developed carpal tunnel so badly in my wrists that I could hardly pick up my baby. I FINALLY went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. It wasn't really explained well to me except that I was told I would have to take a medication for the rest of my life. It took a little while to figure out a good dosage, but eventually they got my levels into a range that they liked. I felt OK.

After my son was born 15 months ago, a different doctor tested my TSH levels again and decided that it was too high and wanted to reduce my medication. Since then it's been up and down which means I've felt like CRAP.

I finally hit my limit last month. I was sick of feeling tired and worn down all the time and with two VERY energetic kiddos running around,  I couldn't afford to just keep going the way I've been going. So I found a new doctor.

This time I decided to try a Naturopathic doctor. So far I've been really happy with her. She immediately ordered a bunch of blood tests including a food allergy panel and one to check my vitamin D levels. Ends up I had a pretty decent vitamin D deficiency and also a sensitivity to eggs along with my TSH level being high and my thyroid antibodies being off the charts.

So here's where this doctor rocks. Not only does she say, yea we need to adjust your thyroid medicine dosage, but she also explains things to me! She explained that Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disorder which means my stupid immune system is attacking my poor thyroid. So instead of basically saying, here, take this medicine until your body eventually kills your thyroid and we have to remove it, she says lets try some things to stop your immune system from attacking you. She started me on several supplements including some for immune function and vitamin D.

OK, now I'll get to the part that is pertinent to this blog (FINALLY, right?) The next thing that my doctor suggested was to try a low carb (yea my blood sugar was elevated too, stupid thyroid's fault) and gluten free diet. AHHHH!!! my stomach screamed. Or maybe it was my taste buds. I love cake! I love cookies! I love bread! But my brain won out by reminding me that I hardly had the energy to bake those lovely things (or blog about them.) So I nodded and made an appointment with the nutritional therapist on staff.

This lady also rocks. She explained a lot of things to me about how diet and immune system work including how my intolerance to eggs may upset my immune system too. She suggested I start a gluten free diet and recommended a version of the Paleo diet. Basically a higher (healthy) fat and protein diet and  a reduced carbohydrate diet (I get 100-150 grams of carbs per day.)

What I'm getting to with this SUPER long post is that the way that I cook and bake is going to change. The good news, I got the go-ahead on butter and bacon, HOORAY! The bad news, well that's obvious. Less sugar, fewer eggs, and no gluten. I have to relearn how to cook and even more so, bake. But I'm ready to try anything to get my life back on track.