Shazanne
LATEST LABS
Sep 20, 2008
T3 2.8 Normal now after a month of t3 replacement therapy
Cal 8.9 Up .3 from the last time This is good.
Iron 96 Up from 72 last time!
Ferritin 50 Up from 39 last time!
Glucose and Sodium were a tad low, but who can complain about that?
Triglicerides were awesome at 77
Cholesterol was even better at 176, down 4 from last time!
OK so... supplementation works. Watch those numbers next time now that I know how to take the supplements properly and will have better dosages under my belt for a longer time!
I confess that I was hoping I would still see low numbers on the T3 as I haven't lost any weight and my hair was falling out like crazy until just a few days ago. Maybe it is just gonna take a while longer... At least the numbers are good!
Cal 8.9 Up .3 from the last time This is good.
Iron 96 Up from 72 last time!
Ferritin 50 Up from 39 last time!
Glucose and Sodium were a tad low, but who can complain about that?
Triglicerides were awesome at 77
Cholesterol was even better at 176, down 4 from last time!
OK so... supplementation works. Watch those numbers next time now that I know how to take the supplements properly and will have better dosages under my belt for a longer time!
I confess that I was hoping I would still see low numbers on the T3 as I haven't lost any weight and my hair was falling out like crazy until just a few days ago. Maybe it is just gonna take a while longer... At least the numbers are good!
RECENT LABS: HYPOTHYROID
Aug 31, 2008
So why the smiley face? Because those were the results I was hoping for and I feel validated! I have been saying I am hypothyroid for decades but always tested borderline normal so in spite of my clinical symptoms, I was never put on supplementation. Finally in July I had 1 yr bloodwork done and learned that the T3 was low. My weight loss had stopped and I felt I was struggling to maintain, I was depressed (but attributed that to no weight loss), my skin was scaling around my nose and eyes, and recently my hair started to fall out like a shedding collie dog! Also my memory was playing tricks on me...attributed that to age...and all the old aches and pains were coming back. I was really down.So it was actually good news to find out there was a treatable reason for all these symptoms, and I got retested a couple weeks ago and the numbers confirmed the diagnosis. I got put on T3 supplementation (a low dose... 5 mcg) and in a week I swear I am already feeling better! I don't know how long it takes to see therapeutic levels in the blood, but I understand it can take weeks for full clinical benefits to be seen.
The fog seems to be lifting, thank God! Now maybe I can shed these last 20 lbs! We retest in November. I will keep you posted. Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday!
ONE YEAR MUSINGS...
Jul 27, 2008
It's a process. I didn't get morbidly obese overnight and it took me decades of pain and self-loathing to finally recognize that things were not getting any better. In fact, every time I went to the doctor, I came home with a new Rx to fill. The last time before I decided to have the surgery, my blood sugar levels were creeping up and I knew I would soon become a diabetic if I didn't do something. I was in CONSTANT pain in my back, knees and hips, and hated my life.
It's been a year since my surgery. I haven't lost all the weight I had hoped to lose within that time, and I would still like to get to goal, but I am content with where I am now. I wear a size 10 and some 8s and that is a far cry better than where I was a year ago. I am off all meds and believe me I took plenty! Actually I just started with nexium again as I was starting to experience some stomach irritation and also didn't want to have any side effects from the Rx for Boniva (to prevent osteoporosis) that I am now taking again. And I have replaced meds with vitamins, so it's not about not taking pills... lol. But my labs are all good and I am virtually pain free and a much happier camper. My PCP just told me I have added 10 years to my life. Now it's my job to make them 10 good ones!
It's been a year since my surgery. I haven't lost all the weight I had hoped to lose within that time, and I would still like to get to goal, but I am content with where I am now. I wear a size 10 and some 8s and that is a far cry better than where I was a year ago. I am off all meds and believe me I took plenty! Actually I just started with nexium again as I was starting to experience some stomach irritation and also didn't want to have any side effects from the Rx for Boniva (to prevent osteoporosis) that I am now taking again. And I have replaced meds with vitamins, so it's not about not taking pills... lol. But my labs are all good and I am virtually pain free and a much happier camper. My PCP just told me I have added 10 years to my life. Now it's my job to make them 10 good ones!
ONE-YEAR (almost) LABS...
Jul 08, 2008
And I am VERY pleased! All the biggies are normal: protein, albumen, iron, Vit Bs, D, calcium, cholesterol (great numbers), glucose, it's all good!!! My T3 is a tad low, suggesting hypothyroidism, which could explain my sluggish weight loss rate. That is something that runs in my family and my mom was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis right about my age now, so it's possible I will need some supplementation in the future. We are going to sit on it for a bit and redo bloods in 3 months and see what the numbers look like then. Also one of my liver enzymes (ALT) was a bit high (42 U/L where a range of 0-35 is normal). This is usually linked to a fatty liver, which is not consistent with the rest of my test results, so we are going to recheck that as well in 3 months. (I LOVE my PCP, Dr Steven Hirsch of Wilmington Internal Medicine!)
Let's see, what else? PAP smear and mammogram were normal. That's always good news. And I also had a bone density scan which indicated osteopenia in the lumbar spine; normal hips, though. I had been diagnosed with osteopenia a good 6 years ago (maybe more) and had taken Fossamax for it, then Boniva, but stopped for the past year as I have always found those drugs to be harsh on the stomach and didn't want to irritate the pouch. But now it will be back on the monthly stuff to rebuild some bone mass which should work just fine with all the calcium and vit D we take! He sent me home with a script for a new drug to prevent osteoporosis called Actonel. It might be a little easier on the stomach, but we are going to put me on daily Nexium as well for safety's sake and because I have been experiencing a little acidic type of discomfort in my stomach at night lately.
Well, there you have it, ladies and gents! A bit more information than anyone might be interested in, but I do like to be comprehensive in case anyone else can benefit.
Oh, and I lost 3 more lbs since my last dr visit 6 weeks ago! ALMOST in those 120s which I thought I would NEVER see again! LOL
Let's see, what else? PAP smear and mammogram were normal. That's always good news. And I also had a bone density scan which indicated osteopenia in the lumbar spine; normal hips, though. I had been diagnosed with osteopenia a good 6 years ago (maybe more) and had taken Fossamax for it, then Boniva, but stopped for the past year as I have always found those drugs to be harsh on the stomach and didn't want to irritate the pouch. But now it will be back on the monthly stuff to rebuild some bone mass which should work just fine with all the calcium and vit D we take! He sent me home with a script for a new drug to prevent osteoporosis called Actonel. It might be a little easier on the stomach, but we are going to put me on daily Nexium as well for safety's sake and because I have been experiencing a little acidic type of discomfort in my stomach at night lately.
Well, there you have it, ladies and gents! A bit more information than anyone might be interested in, but I do like to be comprehensive in case anyone else can benefit.
Oh, and I lost 3 more lbs since my last dr visit 6 weeks ago! ALMOST in those 120s which I thought I would NEVER see again! LOL
LOSING..a little... but LOSING nonetheless!
May 21, 2008
Some of us have to learn the hard way... I am finally seeing that scale move again after a 2 month stall! The exercise was the key. I walk briskly every day with the dog for at least a quarter mile. But also work on the treadmill and have added those stretchy workout tubes to strengthen and build muscles with. Not every day, mind you, but it's a start...
What motivated me to start exercising was the fact that my weight loss STOPPED at around 7 months! I couldn't lose another ounce! It wasn't until I added exercise into the equation that I began losing again, but at a much slower rate, of course. This is because as my size decreases, along with my BMI, I need fewer calories just to sustain life. I think my Resting Metabolic Rate is around 1200 calories. Which means that in order for me to lose weight, I need to burn more calories than I am consuming (which of course applies to everyone). In my case, in order to avoid having to be on a DIET for the rest of my life, I needed to add some calorie burn. Since I hate dieting more than I hate exercising, close call though, I chose exercise. But it is SLOW! BUT I have lost 2 lobs since I added in the exercise!
What motivated me to start exercising was the fact that my weight loss STOPPED at around 7 months! I couldn't lose another ounce! It wasn't until I added exercise into the equation that I began losing again, but at a much slower rate, of course. This is because as my size decreases, along with my BMI, I need fewer calories just to sustain life. I think my Resting Metabolic Rate is around 1200 calories. Which means that in order for me to lose weight, I need to burn more calories than I am consuming (which of course applies to everyone). In my case, in order to avoid having to be on a DIET for the rest of my life, I needed to add some calorie burn. Since I hate dieting more than I hate exercising, close call though, I chose exercise. But it is SLOW! BUT I have lost 2 lobs since I added in the exercise!
OK I DID IT...
Apr 29, 2008
I stepped onto my treadmill for the first time in 4 years! LOL! I have gone to the gym both before and after surgery and used theirs, but had to stop that back in November after a car wreck. But there hasn't been an excuse for a long time now... It was sitting in my garage when I first moved here 4 years ago so that was an "excuse." Then I finally moved it into the house, all by myself (whew!), a couple of months ago (progress, not perfection), so that excuse was gone. My daily half-mile walks with the dog have gotten my energy levels up so TODAY I FINALLY DID IT! Nothing earth shaking, but I did a half-mile in 10 minutes and got the heartrate up. GAWD!!!! I HATE taking suggestions!!! But really, SOMETHING has to be done about this stall!!!
SHOPPED TIL WE DROPPED!!!
Apr 02, 2008
Well, yesterday the NEW Mare and I (wait til you guys see her!! She is doing FABULOUS!) decided to go GoodWill Hunting Beach-style, Carolina Beach, that is! We both found some terrific items for the summer! I bought about 15 shirts and tops and a dress, and Mare got a whole bunch of skirts, tops, and dresses. We were there over 2 hours and then really "splurged" for lunch and split an order of steamed dumplings at a Chinese restaurant, while the waiter wondered what was wrong with either us or the food that we were eating so little and so slowly!
It was so wonderful to spend an afternoon with my dear friend and to think we did it clothes shopping!!! Who woulda thunk it???? I NEVER enjoyed shopping for clothes, much less trying them on!
It WAS a lovely day. One of the things I found fascinating, and which I know I was able to experience because of the low prices, was that I bought things I would never have bought before! It seemed as though all the things I was SURE would suit me, didn't look good at all on me and wound up back on the rack. Whereas I tried things that I was SURE would be too tight or too girlie (or too pretty for fat old me?), and those were the items I thought looked best and pleased me the most and wound up coming home with me! I would never have even tried them on if they were listed at full price in a regular store. So it seems Good Will has a sort of therapeutic effect on us, as well as a financial benefit, as we learn to adapt to this new world of ours!
It was so wonderful to spend an afternoon with my dear friend and to think we did it clothes shopping!!! Who woulda thunk it???? I NEVER enjoyed shopping for clothes, much less trying them on!
It WAS a lovely day. One of the things I found fascinating, and which I know I was able to experience because of the low prices, was that I bought things I would never have bought before! It seemed as though all the things I was SURE would suit me, didn't look good at all on me and wound up back on the rack. Whereas I tried things that I was SURE would be too tight or too girlie (or too pretty for fat old me?), and those were the items I thought looked best and pleased me the most and wound up coming home with me! I would never have even tried them on if they were listed at full price in a regular store. So it seems Good Will has a sort of therapeutic effect on us, as well as a financial benefit, as we learn to adapt to this new world of ours!
FEBRUARY 10, 2008--SIX AND A HALF MONTHS OUT!
Feb 09, 2008
Well, I have to acknowledge it. I am under 140 lbs! It's been a LONG time since I have seen the 130s!! That has been a mental goal that I have sort of not looked at too closely, but I knew it would start sinking in when I could say my weight was in the 130s. Actually I have held off sliding that ticker for a few days just to be sure. We had a small group over yesterday to show our love and support for Mare before her surgery on Tuesday and it is always so neat to see the transformations in everyone else as well! What a gift this surgery is for those of us who have struggled for so long! I am SO grateful!
MID-DECEMBER MUSINGS...
Dec 08, 2007
It has been some time since my last post. Life keeps getting in the way. Totaled my car on Nov 6 when a young man went through a stop sign and I was unable to avoid hitting him. Have been going to a chiropractor daily ever since. That has curtailed my trips to the gym, at least for now, as I injured my back and neck in the crash. And I believe not going to the gym has slowed my weight loss some. But I tend to expect too much of myself. Let's face it: I didn't have that much weight to lose in the first place, not compared to some. I HAVE lost 56 pounds in the little over 4 months it has been since my surgery on July 24th. I have another 40 lbs to go. I am hoping it will be gone by my one year surgiversary, but will be content as long as what I have lost never comes back. But I do hope to lose more weight and am confident I will.
It's nice to be able to wear normal clothes again. It's been a long time... I am into 14s and some 12s now. Really about to lose the 14s. I keep throwing things out of my closet, that's a new habit!
I am wearing jeans for the first time in YEARS! That's a nice feeling! For some crazy reason, jeans always make me feel more attractive, younger, more vital.
One of these days I will update photos, as much for myself as for you guys. In my mind, I don't look any different than what I did back in September and the scales suggest that is not the case. I think I need to see some visible indication other than the numbers on the scale of the progress I am making. Gosh, we are ahrd on ourselves!
My BMI is now in the "overweight" range. No longer morbidly obese or even obese! That's a trip! Someone at work said to me yesterday: "You are just melting away!" and said it rather kindly. I laughed and said "Yeah I need to be as invisible as I can around here!" because I felt for the longest time that I was being targeted at work. Not without cause.
I see myself trying out new things, like I bought a bunch of dangle earrings on eBay this week. They were so cheap I thought they wold make good stocking stuffers for my nieces. Well I like them so well I tried some on and have decided to keep most of them for myself! I NEVER wear dangle earrings because my neck is so short and when it was all fat it was like I had NO neck and dangle earrings only drew attention to that. But it is also like I am not afraid to draw attention to myself now with a little bling. Very out of character!
Just some thoughts that were going through my head as I prepare to finish up with the Christmas cards I am sending to all my new-found friends here at OH.
It's nice to be able to wear normal clothes again. It's been a long time... I am into 14s and some 12s now. Really about to lose the 14s. I keep throwing things out of my closet, that's a new habit!
I am wearing jeans for the first time in YEARS! That's a nice feeling! For some crazy reason, jeans always make me feel more attractive, younger, more vital.
One of these days I will update photos, as much for myself as for you guys. In my mind, I don't look any different than what I did back in September and the scales suggest that is not the case. I think I need to see some visible indication other than the numbers on the scale of the progress I am making. Gosh, we are ahrd on ourselves!
My BMI is now in the "overweight" range. No longer morbidly obese or even obese! That's a trip! Someone at work said to me yesterday: "You are just melting away!" and said it rather kindly. I laughed and said "Yeah I need to be as invisible as I can around here!" because I felt for the longest time that I was being targeted at work. Not without cause.
I see myself trying out new things, like I bought a bunch of dangle earrings on eBay this week. They were so cheap I thought they wold make good stocking stuffers for my nieces. Well I like them so well I tried some on and have decided to keep most of them for myself! I NEVER wear dangle earrings because my neck is so short and when it was all fat it was like I had NO neck and dangle earrings only drew attention to that. But it is also like I am not afraid to draw attention to myself now with a little bling. Very out of character!
Just some thoughts that were going through my head as I prepare to finish up with the Christmas cards I am sending to all my new-found friends here at OH.
ADDENDUM
Oct 09, 2007
TALK ABOUT DENIAL!!! I just realized that nowhere in my blog do I make reference to how much weight I have lost!!! NOW THAT IS SCARY!!!! I am so mean to myself!
OK, here is the scoop. Since my surgery on July 24 I have lost 42 lbs. Part of me wants to tell you that I lost some weight before surgery on the low carb diet, part of me wants to say yeah but she was sick that's why she lost so much weight. I am just so afraid to trust that the surgery will work for me. IS WORKING for me!!!
Some are sicker than others...
OK, here is the scoop. Since my surgery on July 24 I have lost 42 lbs. Part of me wants to tell you that I lost some weight before surgery on the low carb diet, part of me wants to say yeah but she was sick that's why she lost so much weight. I am just so afraid to trust that the surgery will work for me. IS WORKING for me!!!
Some are sicker than others...
About Me
Currie, NC
Location
40.2
BMI
Surgery
07/24/2007
Surgery Date
Nov 27, 2006
Member Since
