Grain grain go away...be prepared for another day

I thought it was about time I posted an update on what I've been eating because I always seem to be talking about it.

As I have mentioned before, the biggest change in my diet has been the elimination of wheat and for the most part gluten (gluten can be found in barley, rye and oats as well as wheat) which some think might be restrictive but really it is just about making little changes here and there until you get to where you want or need to be with it.

The reason I took wheat and gluten out of my diet was to stop my body attacking my thyroid gland as part of an autoimmune response. (For an excellent video explaining how this works please click HERE and watch to the end, I got lost a few times but persevere with it - it's worth it). Now, I have to say I believe that  even if you do not suffer with an autoimmune (AI) condition you would benefit from cutting out the wheat and gluten you consume but this is especially important for those who suffer from an AI condition....indeed any AI condition. Simply because gluten is seen as 'the enemy' by the immune system and it will trigger an attack.

As for the other grains that are still kicking around in my pantry like rice, oats and barley - well, I seem to be in a continuous cycle with them. I go from cutting them out of my diet altogether, to adding them in here and there, to them being in our weekly menu plan on a regular basis and then back to the beginning where I am cutting them all out again. BUT, I have been doing myself some learnin' and while I still go through this cycle, I no longer feel the guilt over eating the occasional grain.

This is all because fairly recently I attended a dedicated foodie/health type course - a first for me but I sincerely hope it's not the last. It's called NEWtritious Delicious and has the very accurate strapline; ‘Bridging the gap between food and medicine’. Now, I am lucky enough  to know some of the people involved in the course and we are all very much on the same page with regards to health and such things so I was really excited to go and find out more information on the things I already had an idea on and to get a heads up on other new and exciting health principles. And that I did....

For the duration of the course we were treated to samples of their amazingly tasty meals, cups of gorgeous green and white teas, rounded off  perfectly with some sumptuous desserts. And all the while being taught the health properties of each food, pointers on how to prepare dishes and guidance on what to absolutely avoid at all costs. All the recipes are in the handouts so you can get cooking as soon as you get home. The food was all carefully thought out and all very PRO THYROID!! There cannot be many, if any, food and nutrition courses who can lay that claim. It was pretty special.

So back to my grain guilt, one of the things we were taught about, is that proper preparation of food goes a long way in health terms. This is especially important when it comes to grains like that rice and those oats I have kicking about my pantry. And the reason I no longer feel bad about eating these on occasion is that I now know how prepare them properly before I eat them. I soak them. It helps break down the anti nutrients and phytic acid that lurks within them and therefore they are not quite such a burden for my healing body to process. So as a special treat, and as any good highlander should, I will share with you the best porridge recipe in the world (well, certainly in my world anyway) adapted, with very kind permission from the NEWtritious Delicious team.

Soak your oats (a good handful should do a serving) overnight in some milk (a little squeeze of lemon juice will help the 'breaking down of bad stuff' process)
In the morning heat the oats and bubble them for at least 3 minutes, up to 7 minutes but do not let it stick to the bottom of the pan..
Once cooked add a big lump of butter and/or coconut oil
Drizzle some raw honey and sprinkle cinnamon to serve.
Get stuck in.

So to conclude – I no longer feel so guilty about having a hearty bowl of porridge now and again or tucking into rice when the recipe calls for it because I have learned that preparation is the key to eating these foods. And preparation means a few minutes the night before breakfast to soak your oats or the morning before your evening meal to soak your rice.

P.S
If you ever have an opportunity to go on this course then take it, live in the Kent area? Book one! If you are planning a trip to London, try and squeeze this day course in.I'm not just saying that because I know the girls, I am saying it because it truly is a fabulous course. It takes healthcare and healthy eating to a whole new level. And so could you. Email  Admin@newtritiousdelicious.com

www.facebook.com/MyThyroidTherapy

Have you taken the test?

Wowsers, it's been a long time coming - this post I mean. The busy weekends and looking after a toddler makes such demands on my time that I simply cannot always get around to doing the things I want to do, like writing my blog. Such is life, I don’t like to complain (too much). But today I decided to ignore the ironing pile to allow me time to type out a few lines. I say am ignoring the ironing, truth is I am hiding in another room because it is so large  it is practically dominating the skyline through there. So here we are.

And how are you all? Absorbing as much information on the thyroid as you possibly can? Taking on board all of the things I do to help my little gland out and maybe even trying a few things yourself? I really hope so. Because over the past month or two I have spoken to so many people who are affected by their thyroid gland and do not know what to do about it, especially when it comes with a blood test to verify the fact that they are 'fine'. So today I want to give everyone a bit of a heads up on what I suspect is going on here...

"The doctor took blood to test my thyroid but said it is fine."

First off, we will just run through that blood test since it is the ‘proof’ that you do not have low thyroid function. Here comes the science:

It is most likely that your doc would have requested a test on how much Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is in your blood, possibly a check on your t4 and antibody levels too. The amount of these hormones in your blood is what your doc intends to use to diagnose you as hypo or send you on your way (or check for other things like M.E, fibromyalgia and other things that I believe are actually symptoms of low thyroid).

It would be useful if I explained that TSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland when it receives hormonal messages that there is not enough thyroid hormone going round the body. The TSH sends a message to the thyroid gland telling it to secrete more t4, t3, t2 etc. If all is working well, your thyroid will respond to these signals and release more hormone into the blood stream. This will in turn send signals back to the pituitary to confirm all is fine and then the pituitary cuts back on the TSH – this goes on in a continuous cycle and is known as a feedback loop - this is how it rolls. Except for when your thyroid stops working properly. What happens then is that the pituitary gland is getting the messages that there is not enough thyroid hormones in circulation, so it releases more TSH to try and encourage the thyroid to release more of the good stuff. Unfortunately the dang thyroid ain't working like it should and those life giving hormones are not being sent out in the numbers needed. The TSH levels in your blood are going to creep up and up now and if your bloods are taken at this stage….well you could still be classed as normal.

The current guidelines for doctors state that if TSH levels are between 0.5 and 5 then thyroid function is classed as normal. And would you believe it, I am going to suggest that these levels are too high a range (in the US I think the upper level is 3 – still too high for me but let’s not go there today). Everyone is different and for some people TSH at 1 might be too high! So to clarify, you may be tested for TSH hormone and be told it is fine when in fact the TSH level may be too high for you but within the set 'normal' range.

The other problem that we have is the fact that your TSH might be fine, your T4 levels may also show fine. You are likely to be told your thyroid function is fine. But what happens if ytour body is not doing a great job at converting the T4 hormone into the very valuable and active form – T3, this will not be picked up by only testing for how much T4 and TSH there is in the blood.You would still have symptoms but your blood work is....fine. Fine. Fine!

So, people, there you have it. A little insight into some of the reasons I think the TSH test your doctor uses to ‘prove’ you are feeling fine is a load of codswallop. And just one of the reasons I think you should lead your life in a pro thyroid way – regardless of your test results. More later......Why not keep in touch via facebook!

www.facebook.com/mythyroidtherapy

Talking about a revolution...

As I research other posts about more intense thyroid stuff I want to take this opportunity to kick off our next revolution. Yes, you heard that right – I want to start a revolution….. in the kitchen. And I want you all to do the same. I promise it will change your life forever. We will start with the meat on your bones.

I began making my own stock regularly a few months ago and the main purpose of such an undertaking was to get more gelatin into our diet. “Gelatin?” I hear you ask. Yes, gelatin.

Gelatin has a funny reputation, certainly I thought it was bad for you at one point, well it is used to make jelly and anything as tasty as jelly has to be bad for you right? But before that was the sheer horror that it had come from cows feet or pigs trotters (groooooosssssss – my younger self would have said).  But for my baby boys first birthday last year I made jelly using gelatin leaf from the shops and that all turned out fine, not gross at all! Especially the fizzy wine adult jellies…..but that’s a tale for another day. My point being, I had not yet started my healing journey and was not aware of the wonder stuff that is gelatin. And broth.

(Before I go any further I just want to clarify - gelatin is what makes the broth set and go jelly-like when cooled). 

Anyway, perhaps it’s because I am a highlander but simply hearing the word ‘broth’ is healing to me. It is such a soft and soothing word. Thinking of broth conjures an image of a deep, steaming bowl of tasty scotch broth with veggies, barley, peas, lentils and a piece of meat somewhere tucked away in there. Hot, sweet, soupy goodness. (I have to stop and get a pan on soon before I salivate over my keyboard I think…)

So you get the picture. I already think broth is good.

The revolution comes when I make my pan of broth with actual bones. Stock that I have prepared myself by simmering the animal bones in the slow cooker for around 24 hours. Forget your stock cubes or your boullion. Get the bones from your butcher and fire them in the slow cooker for a day. Real food and real tasty too – you will not taste anything as good EVER, I can assure you.

Now the added bonus – what it does for your health. 

Well for a start…bone broth heals your insides (remember I talked about them – your insides – in my Food for thought post – it got pretty technical). The broth will start to mend your gut lining and that of your intestines. This could lead to an easing of food allergies or intolerance's.

Broth provides you with the basic building blocks for your body – boiling down the bones releases all those minerals that built them up so strong. And you get to consume that – nourishing your own body.

Suffer with sore joints? Consuming bone broths is shown to be anti-inflammatory so as well as healing your stomach, it will heal the other areas of your body where inflammation can occur like your joints. 

Specifically for thyroidians like myself, bone broths will aid liver function and boost your metabolism. Need I say more? No, but I will.

Bone broth, or more specifically as in all these cases - the gelatin in broth, is full of protein so you can cut down the amount of meat in these dishes if you need to keep costs down.

And at the end of the day, I find it very therapeutic. There is something deeply satisfying about creating such a nourishing and wholesome food for your family. From scratch, just like your parents, grandparents and/or great grandparents would have done (though perhaps they didn’t use a digital version with two heat settings, a timer and a warming function)

So that’s the latest – get your bones on. Start the revolution!

If you are interested in reading more I have listed a few articles here on the subject. Bone broth is a huge subject and everyone has their own methods - tell us how you make yours! www.facebook.com/MyThyroidTherapy

Some great articles on broth:

www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

undergroundwellness.com/top-5-reasons-why-bone-broth-is-the-bomb/

www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-crucial-reason-you-need-more-gelatin-in-your-diet/

 

Scotland - where it's at.

This week I would like to dedicate my post to the ladies behind the Scottish Thyroid Petition (PE01463).

I read a lot of stuff online. Only on days when baby is asleep and my chores are done (or mostly done)(or waiting to be done). Through all the thyroid support group pages and forum chat there is one stark fact that keeps coming up, it simply cannot be ignored. People are not responding well to T4 only treatment.

I say people, I don’t know how many people exactly, I can’t give you a percentage (*perhaps I will do some research after the post is written – the proper way to blog yeah? The answer will be at the bottom of the page, if I find it….) but it is entirely apparent that for a lot of people T4 thyroid ‘therapy’ does not cut it alone.

There seems to be 2 schools of thought on why this is:

1. The medical profession is of the opinion that if the T4 does not work then either your dosage is not optimal or it is not your thyroid causing the problem (anti-depressants anyone?)

2. The affected patients feel that the T4 does not work because the hormones are not completing the process they were intended to. By this I mean that the T4 runs through the body telling pituitary to stop secreting as much TSH, showing blood tests with reduced TSH for the docs to be happy, but the loop has not yet concluded. T4 should be converting to T3, the mojo magic energizer that we all need, but it is not. 

And this is where we are all largely in a grey area. What happens if your problem is that your body does not convert this T4 into T3?

Well, not an awful lot if you speak to my GP and endocrinologist. And it seems that this is the case with the majority of patients that are online too. It is as if the policy maker for treating hypothyroid patients missed the lecture on hormone conversion and no one else was paying attention so policy states that Levothyroxine is the only way to treat primary hypothyroidism.

Oh dear. 

Now, while I fully believe in a holistic approach to health care I respect that not everyone does - but this does not mean they should be subjected to second rate care.

I can honestly say that I feel amazing now that I am taking the medications I need to help my body run well, and I wonder of the worlds health organisations: “Why ruin the lives of thousands who feel at their lowest every day because of poor to non-existent treatment for this illness?” No doubt the answer would come back with the same lines hypothyroid patients have been hearing for years: Low energy? ME, chronic fatigue, depression. Painful joints? Fibromyalgia, or ME. Low mood the same. Dry skin, constipation, poor immunity all entirely unrelated to your pre-existing thyroid condition. We have lotions and potions to cover just about everything....

It is truly a lonely battle when no one will listen to you.

But there is a glimmer of hope and the hypothyroid world is looking on with high hopes.

Earlier this month in our very own bonnie Scotland, 2 women (with a 3rd who was unable to attend) went into the Scottish Parliament and lodged a petition. The aim of this petition is to get adequate testing and treatment of thyroid disorders including T3 levels in bloods, T3 therapy, adrenal checks as well as vitamin and mineral level checks. It is a huge step forward for this community and we will wait and watch with baited breath for updates. You can view the video of this event here.

So, now you know where it's at. And you know what you can do, spread the word. Drop into their facebook for a look and see what the latest developments are: http://www.facebook.com/scottishthyroidpetition

If you want to help, why not write to petitions@scottish.parliament.uk with your own experience on diagnosis and treatment (or lack thereof).

And of course don’t forget to stop by my page too, go on - say hello!! http://www.facebook.com/MyThyroidTherapy

Stay well folks.

*P.S The petition actually answered my earlier question – a Swedish study has found that 70% of patients are not symptom free on T4 therapy only. That is a poor record indeed and entirely unacceptable...in my opinion....

Underestimate at your peril

In my last post I suggested that an underactive thyroid is both misunderstood and underestimated and so here I want to continue with that thought and explain how I underestimated the control this gland has over the entire body.

Basically I thought that swallowing that little 'levo' pill each day would serve me well and adequately treat my newly diagnosed underactive thyroid. As much as I didn’t want to become one of ‘those people’ who are stuck on meds forever (surely a practice reserved for the elderly and really unwell?) I decided to do as I was told for once and get on with the pill popping. Well, I did. And it didn’t get me very far. I had just walked into the trap, swallowed more than the pill and underestimated the illness. 

So my body was getting weak, my mind was failing me, my health was deteriorating. The pills were not working and the consultant told me that these things had nothing to do with my thyroid. And I believed her. That is, until I found out the truth.

I found out that every system in your body is affected by your thyroid hormones. Your immune system, digestive system, metabolism, skin, internal organs, nails and hair, reproductive system…….I had discovered that thyroid hormone is found, and plays an active part in every cell in your body.

And that still blows my mind, all of this activity is going on at a cellular level. I mean I did biology at school and I remember cells. I know they have a nucleus and mitochondria, among other things, but they were all drawings, funny shapes in text books, nothing tangible or even relevant to me. Yet here I am with an illness that is very tangible and it is because of what is happening, or not happening, within those cells. 

But that was just the start of my misunderstanding of this ‘invisible’ illness. Looking deeper into things I found out about some all too real links to heart disease, osteoporosis and poor mental health among other things. These are very serious illnesses and I don't mention them lightheartedly. I feel it is important to highlight that these may be brought on by not looking after a dysfunctional thyroid.

So please believe me when I say that the biggest favour you will do for yourself is to ensure your thyroid is working optimally. Take the hormones you need in order to feel well, and I don’t mean just feel better but feel WELL. Eat foods that will help and not hinder your thyroid. Live an active life that does not include that endocrine disaster, running. Find medical and nutritional support. But above all, do not underestimate the power of the gland!

 

www.facebook.com/MyThyroidTherapy

There's been a misunderstanding...

I spoke with an old friend yesterday, our chat was long overdue because I am rubbish at picking up the phone and calling friends (slapping self on wrists). During the course of our conversation she asked how I was getting on with my thyroid. She really is a lovely person so this was no surprise in itself, but what struck me was the level of genuine concern about my wellbeing whilst dealing with an underactive thyroid. Now, I have to say all of my friends are very supportive of the lifestyle changes I have implemented to help my thyroid but I can’t help get the feeling when speaking to others that thyroid disorders are pretty well misunderstood and largely underestimated.

Let's start with misunderstanding first of all because I think it applies to those suffering from thyroid problems as much as the rest of the population. I mean, out of everyone we should understand this affliction the most - right?

Those of us who are lucky enough to have been given a diagnosis are being told that taking a pill every day for the rest of our life will sort everything out and get us back to good health. We are told this pill is an exact match of the hormone that your thyroid gland secretes so there are no side effects. But the misunderstanding has already started here. The doctors have only partially explained the treatment and this leads to a misunderstanding for the patient (you and me). When we take the tablets and don’t get better we go back to the doctors and are told that it can’t be the thyroid (our bloods are looking ok) so it must be something else. Maybe you are just suffering from depression? Accompanied with IBS? And even chronic fatigue? We can give you tablets for all of those things. (Waaaaaaa STOP NOW PLEASE)

Another misunderstanding comes from the whole eat less/lose weight battle that most of us are fighting. You will be aware that low thyroid function tends to come hand in hand with a slower metabolic rate. And with a slow metabolic rate comes low energy, and with low energy you tend to have inefficient calorie burn.  A triple whammy that helps make up one very vicious cycle. It is not just a case of greed or laziness as is often preceived. (Well, not always anyway). But don't let this make you complacent. It helps to remember that you need to be healthy to lose weight, you don't lose weight to be healthy. That is why I am trying to get my treatment right, speed up my metabolism and slowly build exercise back into my life.... gently.

I do feel strongly about this. We need everyone to be aware of these thyroid misunderstandings. We must work hard to help people recognise the symptoms as well as learn how to control them. I want everyone to feel empowered to optimise their treatment and follow a pro-thyroid diet and lifestyle because next up comes underestimation of how serious this illness can get. And that, my friends, is scary.

www.facebook.com/MyThyroidTherapy