General Medicine

» mariammc - restricted calories

Hey Elaine!
I haven't been here for a while, hope all is well. I was wondering about a calorie restricted diet with added goitergen foods. I've been having a problem with methimazole and might need to stop taking it. It did what it was suppose to do, I don't have a racing heart anymore, but I do have side effects.
I tried to stop taking it, but within 2 days my heart was racing again.
I was thinking about juicing, eating raw goitergen rich foods, egg whites and kicking this sugar habit I've developed. As soon as I started the meds, I've been drinking coffee everyday, and I never did this before.
Is it true that restricted calorie diets can prevent autoimmune disease? Thanks again! Maria

-- posted by mariammc

» Elaine Moore - restricted calories

In response to restricted calories posted by mariammc:

Hi Maria,
There's some evidence that calorie restriction can aid longevity, improve immune system health, and thereby reduce the tendency toward autoimmune diseases.
I know several people who achieved remission using a raw foods diet.
However, you're not going to notice effects overnight.
If your thyroid levels rise when you're not on meds, you need to keep them in control with bugleweed or a low dose of methimazole at the onset of your new program.
Slowly, you'll be able to reduce the bugleweed or methimazole, and eventually stop it but to just stop it because you're starting a new program could backfire.
Taking acetyl-l-carnitine is another way to reduce symptoms as you're weaning off meds. best, elaine

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Elaine:
I did finally receive the TSI result today...149. As usual that increased #..seemingly somewhat irrespective of free hormone levels is correlating with the "racing". I've had two urinary catecholamines done..admittedly NOT when racing going on..but at this point, I'm not sure there is a need. TSI/free T are the apparent correlating "culprits".
Again, what I'm trying to determine is whether/how the hormones themselves are the immune system stimulant and if so, what, if any way is there around the problem? Could a block/treat or LD Naltrexone treatment lower the abs enough such that hormones could be tolerated?
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
Thyroid hormone isn't the immune stimulant. Your immune system in autoimmune disorders is weak and inactive. It confuses thyroid antigens (protein molecules from your thyroid cells) with foreign proteins. Normally, the immune system shows tolerance for your body's own "self" components and doesn't target them.
There are various reasons why your immune system might target your thyroid gland and produce TSI:

*infectious microorganisms can mutate to new shapes that resemble thyroid antigens, and your weakened immune system gets confused (molecular mimicry)
*sugar, aspartame, cigarette smoke, and other chemicals can contribute
*excess un-natural refined dietary iodine can damage your thyroid gland's *ability to function properly, leading to thyroid autoimmunity
*Low selenium levels can do this too
*estrogens can trigger your immune system to act erratically
*stress cripples your immune system and is a major cause of TSI production

As for LDN, it has potential benefits and primarily works by helping restore homeostasis, which is the body's own negative feedback mechanism for restoring good health. LDN also regulates cell profiferation and helps maintain normal cell turnover. By increasing endorphins it helps restore immune system balance. It's definitely something worth mentioning to your doctor as a means of reducing TSI levels. I'm trying it now. Best, Elaine

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine:
I'm sorry, I should have been more clear..I know that TSI/thyroid hormone itself is not the [immune] stimulant. What I believe is that estrogen and perhaps progesterone as well are the culprits..
My doc and I are doing a little experiment right now. My TSI during a "racing" episode was 149, even though thyroid levels..though a bit higher than normal were okay..After the "racing" settled down, we added a 14 mcg estrogen patch (Menostar). Usually the patch..or any form of estrogen for that matter can have me manicky/racing within about 3 days..we're going to run serums, comprehensive urinary profile, and I may elect to do salivas as well to see if we can discern what is going on.
It is my belief (and I think my doc wants to confirm this) is that the racing at least correlates with an increased TSI, increased DHEAs, increased total/free Testosterone.
This is an important experiment because it may explain why at least a subset of women get "manicky" when they attempt estrogen replacement.
If TSI is what is precipitating the racing, then getting that # down theoretically should improve things. I appreciate your feedback on the LDN.
What is your opinion on the TSI of 149?
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
Thanks for clarifying. You're probably on to something. Definitely, estrogen will affect mood, increase blood pressure, affect lipid metabolism, and more. People have different sensitivity and ways of metabolizing estrogen too.

At a TSI greater than 125% most people will have symptoms of hyperthyroidism and also elevated thyroid hormone levels. However, if someone also has blocking TSH receptor antibodies, the blocking abs prevent TSI from even reacting with thyroid cells. So someone could have a much higher TSI and no effects.
Also, thyroid cells have various subtypes of TSH receptors. An increase in the subtype of TSH cell receptors that have a greater propensity for stimulating thyroid hormone production affects the effects of TSI.
There are lots of variables with some types of TSI more likely to cause thyroid cell growth than stimulate hormone production.
TSI also react with TSH receptors on skeletal muscle, heart muscle, pituitary cells, skin cells, orbital cells, and perhaps other organs. So you can't equate a TSI value with a specific effect except to say that in most cases levels need to be at least 125% before symptoms of hyperthyroidism develop. Hope this helps, Elaine

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Elaine:
It does..and I'm looking forward to your updated article on autoimmune disease and bipolar illness (no rush..Lord knows you give us enough time as it is). I'll keep you posted as to the "anecdotal case reports" from the women that are sharing this symptom. Many thanks.
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Elaine:
I want to make sure that I understand..TSI Ab's ARE stimulating, but could have less of an effect due to blocking Ab's. I understand that there are new ways (Quest Labs) of measuring thyroid receptor antibodies that are more accurate and definitive. My doc is telling me that in some cases where TSH is high, RIA may actually be confusing TSH with TSI..However, my TSI is relatively (1.6) low at this point, so I'm assuming that I can trust the # of 149.
Thank you,
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
I wrote the article a few weeks ago, right after we discussed this. It's on thyroid disease. You should find the link on latest articles on the left column next to the post.
I can find more info specific to autoimmune diseases in general but thyroid diseases are probably the most commonly associated autoimmune disease with bipolar disorder. Let me know if you have trouble finding it. best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
Yes, you're absolutely right.
TSI will be blocked and less potent when there are blocking TSH receptor antibodies.
The TSH level will be falsely elevated if someone has TSH antibodies.
The TSH level is falsely decreased if someone has TSH receptor antibodies (either stimulating or blocking ones).
Quest and Mayo both have good procedures for testing TSH receptor antibodies.
RAI causes an increased production of TSH receptor antibodies, and this will falsely decrease TSH levels. Blocking antibodies can contribute to hypothyroidism, and this can cause TSH to rise. It could also cause your TSH to appear euthyroid (normal thyroid function tests) while TSI are causing transient hyper symptoms.
Your TSH wouldn't be considered low. Most adults have TSH levels between 0.3 and 1.0 mu/L. Levels higher than 2.5 suggest hypothyroidism although after RAI, TSH is typically falsely decreased so you really have to look at your FT4 and FT3 levels to tell your thyroid status. Best,Elaine