Still can't find a LLMD to treat my Lyme, but recently saw an Internist who is a holistic/integrative medicine dr. who believes in treating the body as a whole and believes in Lyme.
Long post here and have posted questions at the end. Thanks in advance.
Other than my usual Lyme symptoms I've also had been experiencing heart palpitations that happen at night when I first get in bed, that feel as though a hamster is in my chest.
Heavy thumping and flip flopping always worse when lying on the left side.
Also moments of becoming completely worn out, lack of energy and super sleepy that come out of nowhere almost as if drugged by a tranquilizer.
I blamed SAD as I hate the winter, but am not depressed at all.
My hair has been super dry and falling out as well as nails separating from the skin under the finger tips, so I thought thyroid or perimenopause.
This dr. ordered some labs and everything was in the normal range except my WBC which has been low for 15 years and
My LDL has crept up the past two years and the dr. says it's hormonally elevated-107 was the reading, optimal is less than 100.
However,all other cholesterol related readings are excellent.
My ferritin was 7.7. She would like to see it at 60. Normal ranges are 6.3-132. I am now taking Floravital Liquid Iron three times a week for this.
She bumped up my Vit D3 intake to 5000iu daily because it was at 35.1 which she'd like to see at 60.
My T3, Free was 2.89 which she said was at the low end of normal, she'd like to see it above 3.0.
For this she suggested a homeopathic thyroid supplement to boost the T3 and if it doesn't work an rx could be given.
Progesterone, testosterone, pregnenlone, serotonin, estradiol all normal and in good ranges.
DHEA-S was low end of normal. 22.1 reading, but she would like to see it at 100. Normal ranges 18-244. She says it's no wonder I feel so fatigued with this level.
To address the DHEA/adrenal support she has me taking 25 mg of Keto-7 DHEA. I took this for a week and after much research am questioning the safety and whether or not to continue.
The doctor said overall my lab results are good, but she can optimize my health by addressing the higher LDL, low T3, low ferritin, low VitD.
She says my LDL is being affected by the DHEA and other hormones affect it as well-testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, pregnenolone, glucocortoids and mineralcorticoids.
So,my questions are if any of you out there have lower DHEA-S levels, what are you doing to boost it.
Is anyone taking Keto-7 DHEA? I know it is very popular for those trying to lose weight, I do not need that. I cannot gain weight and am underweight.
Is anyone taking a homeopathic thyroid supplement and does it seem to work for you?
After about two weeks of taking these pills I have had no more crazy hamster heart thumping palpitations, but haven't noticed more energy or anything else as of yet.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
It sounds to me like the doc is starting you at low doses of everything.
I honestly question the logic of only taking the iron 3 days per week. Don't know if that iron supplement also has vitamin c in it or not. If not I would think vitamin c should also be supplemented.
Don't remember the exact DHEA hubby took -- I think I probably just bought the cheapest brand. But I am pretty sure that he took 50 mg daily or maybe even 2 times daily for several years.
Hubby took armour thyroid which is a prescription med (but it is made from pork so is more natural and not just synthethic chemicals). I also take that myself and find it very helpful.
If your WBC is low -- then that is something that needs work. Surprised the doc did not at least suggest an adaptogen such as Siberian ginseng or rhodiola. I guess they are waiting to see if the vitamin D raises your WBC, but personally I don't think that will be enough to do the trick.
It does not sound to me like the doc is very well versed in tickborne diseases. If they believe in lyme do they at least plan to start you on killing herbs such as the Buhner protocol or something similar?
Correcting nutritional imbalances is not quick and easy unless you get IV vitamins and minerals. Changes to symptoms usually would be gradual unless you were extremely deficient.
Did the doc at least test your B12 levels? That can make a tremendous difference in some people's energy levels.
Bea Seibert
Posted by one4islands (Member # 28187) on :
The dr. did not mention any specific treatment for the Lyme itself, mostly addressed my results of blood work and suggestions for 'optimizing' my health.
I suppose the iron M/W/F two capfuls 10ml is because my ferritin was on the low end of normal. The FloraVital liquid iron w/ herbs does have Vit C, B1, B2, B6 and B12.
My low WBC for about 15 years has not been a big concern for most drs.
Saw a hematologist/oncologist last year who ran a ton of tests, all normal to rule out causes/cancer. There are times when it does go up to a normal reading. This new dr. is questioning why it is low and how to fix it.