I took my first double dose of Eltroxin yesterday: 0.10 mg instead of 0.05 mg. I didn't notice any difference. I even slept well last night. Now it's back to three days of the low dosage, and the next double dose on Thursday. Complicated!

Got back my latest lab results:

 

TSH 6.56 (normal should be under 1.0), previously 12.29

FT4 14.2 (normal 10.3-21.9), previously 11.6

FT3 4.42 (normal 3.08-6.47), previously 4.18

 

So these are all looking good. Well, better, anyway. Because the TSH is still too high, Dr. Sutter recommended increasing the Eltroxin to two tablets (0.10 mg) twice a week. So I will continue to take one tablet (0.05 mg) a day, except on Sundays and Thursdays I will take two.

 

I pointed out the spot on my arm where I had the infection from the blood test, although it is no longer infected; it's just a little red spot. He cleaned it off with alcohol and said that was one of the most common side effects of a blood test, and that if it happened again, I should come in as soon as I notice the infection. I think that's overkill. I would only go to the doctor for an infected wound if I got a fever or if it didn't improve after the second day.

 

I also stood on the famous scale, and I was exactly 55 kilos with clothes. That's 800 grams more than last time, although it could just be that I was wearing heavier clothes. But at least I didn't lose any more.

 

I need to go and refill my Eltroxin presciption, as well as my blood sugar test strips, before the end of the year. I've hit the cap on my copayments for the year, so the rest of my medical care is covered 100% by the insurance. As of Jan. 1, I have to pay everything again, until I hit 2500 francs again.

So weird... I looked at my arm this morning where I'd had the blood test, and there was a big glob of pus there.  I drained it and put on some Neosporin, and it doesn't look too bad now, a few hours later. It's just kind of red all around it, and a little puffy. It itches a bit, but doesn't hurt. I'll definitely mention it to the doctor tomorrow. I know the nurse rubbed the area with alcohol before she drew blood, and it went all day Tuesday and Wednesday without any reaction, so maybe something just got on there at the pool yesterday where the skin was still open.

I went to the doctor's office today and had blood drawn for TSH, T3 and T4 testing. Results will be available on Friday.

 

They actually have to take quite a bit of blood for these tests. One of those big vials full. How much is that? 50mL? Okay, it's probably less than that, but it sure looked like a lot, and she had the needle in there for a loooong time.

 

I also wanted to check my weight on the doctor's scale, but apparently there is only one scale in the entire practice, and it is in a consulation room, so if the doctor's in with someone, you can't use it. I think that's dumb. Seems to me I've been to other doctors' offices where the scale's out in the nurses' area.

Amy (Amelia Williams) is another Hashimoto's patient who has an interesting and in-depth blog charting what she's doing to get her disease under control. She's a big believer in natural healing processes and getting back in balance with nature. She also obviously has way more time and energy than I do, to do the amount of research she does... and own four businesses and have five kids!

 

I also think that bad (wrong, unnatural) nutrition is at the heart of what's wrong with me (Hashimoto's, diabetes), but I also think that the damage has been done at this point. I don't believe that the process can be reversed. But maybe it can be halted or stalled at this stage, and not get (much) worse.

 

Oh, and that rash seems to have disappeared.

So now I have this weird kind-of rash on my chest and stomach. At first I thought it was just a couple of little spots, but now they're all over. They don't itch or anything, and they're not red and puffy. Just kind of several little pinkish goosebumps. I checked the side effects of the Eltroxin, and there are no skin conditions listed. Only stuff like heart palpitations and sleeplessness. So... ??? I'll ask the doctor when I see him on the 18th. If I remember.

The World Cancer Research Fund in partnership with the American Institute for Cancer Research have published their Second Expert Report on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer. It is fascinating reading, especially the historical aspects and trends in cancer incidence.

 

Most of the conclusions and recommendations are not surprising: Eat lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, take regular exercise, avoid red meat, smoking, and alcohol. The authors conclude that up to 40% of cancers are preventable through these measures. Many of the genetic and cellular changes which lead to cancer occur beginning in childhood, so it may be too late for me, at 38, to do much about preventing cancer from developing in my case. However, I'm going to do my best from here on out.