The Thyroid Gland and all the problems that go along with it.

I realize that I don’t have a huge following YET, but still, the few of you who DO read my blogs will have noticed that I haven’t been blogging lately.

Why?

I’ve been really sick.

And not the usual kind of “sick.” You know, cold, flu, sore throat etc.  But don’t poo poo this disease. It affects at least 27 million Americans, with at least half of us feeling sick, and going undiagnosed.

Here were my symptoms. 

1.     Incredible fatigue (like sleeping 12 hours a night, plus a nap during the day.)

2.     Anxiety and panic attacks (These feelings were so intense, I was considering going back on Antidepressants, which I had been free from for well over a year!)

3.     Brain fog and inability to concentrate. (The only thing I could do is watch off the wall European television shows.                                                                                 

4.     Weight gain (I gained about 10 pounds in three months.)

5.     Constipation (That is NEVER fun!)

6.     Intolerance to cold. (And I live in Phoenix!)

 

So you ask, “What the hell was your problem?”

Thyroid

And you say, “Oh that, I’ve been tested, and the Dr. said my thyroid levels are fine. I still feel like crap, but it must be something else, and I guess it’s something I just live with it.”

WAIT A MINUTE!

If you or someone you know has these symptoms, I implore you to read my next several blogs, where, using my personal story and journey back to wellness, I will  discuss and explore this unseen health crisis that affects women eight times more then men.

And the thing is, fixing this health problem is usually SUPER CHEAP!!!!!

Check out my next blog where I will explain the connection between pregnancy, postpartum depression, the thyroid gland and how my trouble with my thyroid gland all began 14 years ago with the coming of a “Miracle.”

Magnesium - The Mineral of "chill."

Magnesium is so important to the proper functioning of your body, and yet studies indicate that up to 80 percent of Americans are deficient in this critical mineral.

Numerous studies indicate that a deficiency in magnesium can cause among many other things:

 

1.     Depression, psychosis, and behavioral problems

2.     Headaches and irritability

3.     Muscle cramps and seizures

4.     Lack of muscle coordination

5.     Constipation and bone loss

6.     Increased inflammation in the body

7.     Decreased ability to control blood sugar, i.e. insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

8.     Symptoms of PMS

How much magnesium do you need on a daily basis?

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of magnesium for young adults is around 400 mg/day for men and 310 mg/day for women. For adults over 30, the RDA is 420 mg/day for men and 320 mg/day for women.

What foods contain the highest amount of magnesium?

Dark leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds quinoa, fish, beans and lentils, avocados, bananas

But, here’s the kicker!

Unless you’re eating a lot of organic green veggies, and other organic foods, you’re going to have to work pretty hard to get the amount of magnesium you need from your diet.

Not To Worry!!!

Magnesium is cheap to buy!!! And Fun! And calming!

Epsom Salts contains a TON of magnesium. Here’s the point.

You don’t have to eat it, instead, absorb it through your skin.

Have an Epson Salt bath!

Pour a cup of Epson Salt into your bath, put on your favorite chill music, light a candle, and slide into a hot, soothing, calming, “chill.”

You can find Epson Salts at most drugstores, Costo  Walmart, Fred Meyer, Sam’s Club etc.

Not big on baths?

 Magnesium is often bundled together with vitamin C, and vitamin D. However, you can also find extremely cheap magnesium supplements at most drug stores and GNC for as low as two cents a pill.  I always try to get my supplements in a gel cap because they absorb much better.

For Women

An article from Consumer Labs suggest that magnesium can help with PMS. The articles states:

For premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), an alternative approach is to start taking 500 to 1,000 mg daily, beginning on day 15 of the menstrual cycle and continuing until menstruation begins.

Also consider the following regarding magnesium (Also from an article from Consumer Labs)

• Potassium supplements, manganese, loop and thiazide diuretics, oral contraceptives, estrogen-replacement therapy, cisplatin, digoxin, or medications that reduce stomach acid: You may need extra magnesium.
• Antibiotics in the tetracycline family or nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin): You should separate your magnesium dose from doses of these medications by at least 2 hours to avoid absorption problems.
• Oral diabetes medications in the sulfonylurea family (Tolinase, Micronase, Orinase, Glucotrol, Diabinese, DiaBeta): Work closely with your physician when taking magnesium to avoid hypoglycemia.
• Amiloride: Do not take magnesium supplements except on medical advice.⁷⁷