Atypical Hypothyroidism

by Michelle
(Illinois)

Hi Amelia,
I was wondering if you could give me some advice on what steps to take to try to have a healthy pregnancy. I have had hypothyroidism since 2003. I have no symptoms that I know of and am a slim person, so I don't fit the typical characteristics. I was on Levoxyl for 9 years and didn't really notice any changes in how I felt.

Fast forward to 2010, we conceived after about a year of trying but at my 9 week appointment in July there was an empty 5 week sac. I also never "felt" pregnant. In September 2011 we decided to try to get pregnant again and conceived in 1 month. This time I felt sick and pregnant until about the 8th week, then at my 9 week appointment there was another empty 5 week sac. I did not have a D&C for either of the miscarriages.

In December 2011 I went to a chiropractor for nutrition response testing and found out I have a sensitivity to wheat and corn. I immediately stopped eating those foods. I also went to see a new dr for my thyroid and he put me on compounded T3 & T4. I do feel like I have a bit more energy now but nothing dramatic. I have included my most recent test results for blood, saliva, and stool.

My thyroid medication dose is still being worked out. I also take the following supplements: Vitamin D drops, fish oil, Isotonix prenatal, Butyric-Cal-mag, Methyl-Plex B, Mineral Plex, Hemeplex Fe, and Pan-Rx.

I have recently started going for acupuncture and feel like I am a bit more calm. My periods usually start with a day or 2 of spotting, 2 or 3 days of bright red flow with a few small clots and mild cramps, then about 3 days of light spotting that is brown. I have also noticed that I ovulate around days 9/10/11 but have the fertile egg white mucus around days 16-19. I have a cycle that's usually 28-30 days long.

I have also gone for several abdominal massages, but haven't really noticed any changes in my cycle. I recently had an ultra sound on day 26 of my cycle and I had follicles on both ovaries and I have a tilted uterus.

My diet is mostly animal protein, veggies, fruit, and nuts. I originally thought that the miscarriages were caused by my thyroid not being controlled with the Levoxyl, but now it is apparent that I also have some hormone issues. Do you think that this can be helped with acupuncture alone, or would I need herbs and supplements? I'm currently 32 yrs old and feel like time is ticking and I'm not sure how to resolve these issues in a natural way. I'd like to move onto the next chapter in my life but feel confused on the next steps. Thank you in advance for any advice you can give.

Michelle

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Atypical Hypothyroidism
by: Amelia Hirota, D.Ac.

Dear Michelle,
Excellent summary of your case. Well done. For some reason, all of your tests that you attached were too small for me to read. I'm sorry about that. I'm very sorry to hear of your miscarriages. It seems that you are very fertile, but as you have observed, there are most likely some hormonal imbalances at work.

Stopping the wheat and corn was a good idea. Both are inflammatory foods and clearly your body was having a negative response to them. Many of us would do well to avoid wheat, even if we haven't tested positive for gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Your supplement list sounds like you're taking synthetic supplements, which aren't really that helpful for rebuilding the body. I primarily use Standard Process Nutritional Supplements in my practice because they are made from food. Your body easily recognizes and assimilates nutrients that are in a food base. Synthetic supplements deplete the body over time and can be overstimulating, as well.

It does sound like things are off with ovulation apparently happening so early around CD 9/10/11 and the cervical mucus being produced around CD 16-19. Even if your temps are increasing around CD 9/10/11, I doubt that you are in fact ovulating that early, if your cycles are 28-30 days long.

You might be ovulating an immature follicle around CD 9/10/11 if you're noticing a temp surge on your BBT chart. Then, you might ovulate again around CD 18-19 with the cervical mucus. However, if this is the case neither ovulation is likely a strong, dominant follicle and that may explain the past miscarriages.

Also, the fact that your doctor saw follicles on CD 26 may indicate that you're still maturing follicles late in your cycle and the egg that ovulates early in the cycle may be from these follicles. I hope this makes sense. I think that watching my hormone webinar, egg webinar and PCOS webinar would shed more light on your situation.

I do think that you can be helped with regular acupuncture and I believe that you will need targeting nutritional supplements. I really think doing a full salivary hormone panel and a hair analysis would help tremendously in helping you address your particular issues. It would be interesting to see how your thyroid numbers looked on your hair analysis. If you want to learn more about these tests, you can watch Webinar #10, which is all about hair analysis and salivary hormone tests.

Sending Babydust Your Way,
Amelia Hirota, D.Ac.

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