B12 Update

Forgot to mention yesterday about the B12 update. I probably forgot because in still deficient in B12!

I brought the 1000mcg  tablet from Holland and Barrett a few weeks back. A dose of 1000mcg should be plenty to top me up though considering im still middle of the range. In fact we only need 2.5mcg a day. The problem most people have is in the absorption. So the higher the dose the more likely people are going to get it into the system.

However theres a 3 different types of B12 one is methyl-cobalamin, another is hydro-cobalamin, the other is Cyano-cobalamin.

The problem is although all are B12, or its scientific name Cobalamin, the first part of the name refers to what type of compound it is. And can completely affect its absorption, and therefore effectiveness.

I think the problem Im having is that the Holland and Barrett variety is Cyanocobalamin. It's the Methylcobalamin variety that I need.

So will update you again when I order and get the new type (only available from overseas)!

One of those days?

Well today has been one of the worst days I've had in a long time. Probably since starting the t3. I hadn't realised quite how well I'd been, until how bad I've felt today.

I'm exhausted, depressed, fatigued, sleepy fog headed, drained just completely knackered to be honest. I feel like all I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep.

There is two reasons that I can think of as to why this is. The first is that I've had an awful cold for the last 10days and it's finally catching up on me.

I perhaps did too much yesterday. Since my hours at work have been cut a few weeks back I now only do one day a week, woo! But even this news wasn't enough to override my previous anxiety free life. But today I can feel a wobble.

Anyway yesterday was my day to work, which I walked to. Added to that I had errands to run whilst I was in town, and then to the leisure where I swam a mile. This could of all been a little too much for my body to cope with. And it thrown a strop. Maybe on days like yesterday it needs an increase in the t3?

The other reason is my stomach. As you may be aware of or not. Most important bodily processes occur in the gut. Such as conversion of t4 to t3, and absorption of vital vitamins like D and B12.

Well I think it is something I ate, and my system has been a little 'off' today. About 30mins to an hour after taking my tablet I had to rush to the toilet. So I'm thinking the half tablet that should have got me through the afternoon got flushed out of my system. And that's why I'm feeling so low.

However it could all just be a coincidence, and I might be just be having one of those days! We'll see what tomorrow brings.

One month on T3

Well its been 4 weeks on the t3 and not really had any proper improvement or changes since a few weeks back.

Lots of my symptoms have got better, some have got worse. The positives I've noticed are my anxiety has disappeared! My depression almost eradicated. I have loads more energy. My mind is more focused, less stressed. I sleep very well, and through the night. Complexion and skin have improved greatly. Nails stronger. Constipation gone.  No muscle cramps.

However to couple with that, a lot of my symptoms have also got worse. I ache all over, all the time. Numbness of extremities is a lot more frequent.  Common Headaches (not migraines like I used to have). Severe fatigue and tiredness (can't stay awake later than 10pm). Increased hunger. Joint stiffness. 

Seeing as its hasn't been the miracle I had been hoping for, I am looking into possible reasons or alternative causes.

My first instinct is that my doses are wrong. However my doctor has advised against upping my dose because at my 4week check at the doctors my blood pressure had raised slightly from 90 to 95. However a home one revealed my bottom line was only 73.

My next port of call is Vitamin B12 deficiency.  Something I'd heard of, but never really knew the symptoms. Apparently I should have.

Although it may have eased my conscience being vegetarian for about 6yrs, from a health point of view it probably hasn't done me any favours.  However, I didn't know B12 was so important. I also didn't know you only found it in animal products. Obviously I have eggs, dairy and occasionally fish. But probably not enough to compensate.

Yes it might be my fault for not finding out. But its nothing you generally get told. People ask you how you get your protein and Iron, both of which I get plenty of from non animal sources. But not once has someone asked how I get my Vitamin B12!

Not even the doctor. Whom I went to 4 years ago with every single B12 deficiency symptom going. From aching joints, sore mouth, muscle weakness, depression, memory problems and fatigue. They tested my B12. It was even low, 280 in a ref  range of 179 -1164. But they did nothing. Didn't even ask if I was vegetarian.

It is only now, 4 years later, when I ask the doctor I find out how low it was. Because it was 'in range' I was considered 'normal'. The fact that was the low end of the range wasn't even thought about.

I have been retested this week. My current level is 537. So the doctor has called that 'normal'. The fact that in Japan (where they have the lowest dementia rates in the world) the low is considered 550 doesn't even seem to matter.

Added to that, like all lab tests, they are not taking into account they have no ref range for me personally. How do they know i don't need 900? The answer is they don't.

I know i feel better than i did 4 years ago. To be honest i felt like death 4 years ago. Things have improved a lot. I think mainly due to my own constant research and new trials. Like the coconut oil, like the sunshine, like the elimination of fluoride. They've all helped, but not completely cured me.  If my Vit B12 levels have nearly doubled, then maybe they need to triple to make me feel properly well.

So now it falls to me to self medicate. I am currently researching what the best tablets are to buy, and the best way to take them. I'll update  when treatment begins.

Nothing but a clearer head.

Well i have been thinking about posting. But due to lifes commitments, have been fairly preoccupied. That and the fact nothing has really changed since my last post.

I am regularly taking one dose of 5mg in the morning when i wake about 7 -7:30am. Then waiting an hour to have coffee and breakfast.

I take my second dose of the day between 4-5pm. At least an hour before food.

I can't say I've noticed much of a change. I once forgot about an evening dose. I took it an hour late. But i noticed everything ached, especially my lower back and elbows. Went away a few hours after I had the tablet.
The other 3 main things I've noticed are:

1) I am getting regular headaches about 30mins -2hrs after taking a dose. Sometimes they go on there own, sometimes i have to take a ibruprofen. But they always go after that.

2) Extremely tired in evening after 9pm and find it difficult to stay awake past 10pm.

3) This is the most impressive. NO WORRIES! Had an epiphany on Saturday. Very stressed and angry but told myself Im not going to worry about things anymore, and it worked. Been calmer ever since! I don't know if it's just a coincidence, that I've just got to that braking point in my life where something has to give. Or its the fact that the T3 has made my head clearer so that i can think logically. I can put things into perspective and concentrate on me.

I honestly don't know which of the 2 it is, all I know is my brain is clearer and less messed up than its ever been. It seems odd that its happened at the same time as starting T3. We shall see how it continues.

Hypothyroid symptoms

Here's a great article I've just found:

Hypothyroid Symptoms

Initial doses

After trial and error with my doses. It's day 3 for me and I'm getting more of the error side so far!

I have 20mcg tablets, was advised by the gp to take one tab every other day. However this seemed like awful lot in one go. The thyroid uk website people advised 10mcg a day. So split my tablet once. Then to split it again to take some morning and some afternoon. The first dose I took 5:30pm Tuesday.

The first time I took it I felt amazing. Warm hands for the first time in my life. Not icy cold, or boiling hot, red and swollen. Just normal. I felt awake, happy, energetic. I did not have my normal red blotches. I was actually able to speak sentences without getting my words muddled and even remember what I was saying if I had to pause.

I took my next dose 6am the following day. Then slept for an hour before having coffee and cereal at 7:30am. First thing in the morning I did actually feel good. I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. I had no pins and needles in my hands, no ringing in my ears. The weird thing I noticed was it was easier to wee! I have no idea what that was about. I'd never realised it was difficult til yesterday when it was easy!

As the day went on I began to slide. The energy began to disappear. After I ate at 12:30, I had no motivation. Couldn't remember what i had to do. I spent my afternoon going up and down the stairs forgetting what I was doing. Took me an hour and a half to do a small amount of washing up which should only have taken 20mins! I felt like I was on auto pilot without the settings. I felt cold. I just wanted to lie down and sleep.

Wanted to take another dose but as I'd had food new it probably wouldn't work.

I felt bad between 12-3pm. Then had my 2nd daily dose at 4pm, just before I went swimming. Started swimming well tired very quickly after 40 lengths. But still more awake afterwards.

The evening not a lot of difference. Very middle ground. Felt very tired about 9:30. Forgot to charge my phone, and toothbrush, very unusual. Then again slept well.

This morning have had my first dose at 7:30am in the hope it's less time between when I'm without. No coffee, cereal at 8:45.

Today definitely worse. Woke up very depressed and hopeless. Tired. Have headache. Hands very numb, but wrists painful, very difficult to type this! Ears ringing. Cold. But on a separate note fire isn't working which doesn't help.

I do think I need a dose at lunch time, but im already cutting a tablet into 4, I think cutting it into 6 will be impossible! If it gets really bad I might up my dose earlier than advised so I can have it at lunch.

Today is first day back at work. So we'll see how that goes.

A new beginning

I know, I know. I have neglected this blog once again. The trying harder obviously didn't work. The brain fog returned and I was only able to concentrate on what was essential.

However now I have a new reason for blogging. The origin of this site was to uncover the fluoride conspiracy, and was meant to help others. Unfortunately I'm going to have to change it's direction.

Hopefully It may still help others suffering the same types of issues, and I will try and post relevant articles when they come up. But ultimately this blog is now about me.

So why the reason for the change? Well I've finally been able to persuade the doctor I need some help other than the common anti depressants and counselling I was offered before.

I have believed for many months it's my thyroid that's the problem. Probably something that has been affected by fluoride that surrounds us.

I have tried natural aids, such as the coconut oil, with some success. However it's not been as dramatic as I'd hoped. Probably because I haven't given it the right amount if time and attention. But there are some niggling doubts within me that think it may not be the thyroid.

That's why I've asked my Gp for a trial of T3 hormone. That way,hopefully, I will know for sure if my problems are from my thyroid. If it helps we can hopefully say problem solved. If it doesn't I don't know where we go!

Anyway I started my t3 trial yesterday. This blog will now follow my progress on this hormone.