Gluten-free no more! Thyroid levels stable! Woo hoo!

I have passed the one year mark since surgery..and I feel like life is back to normal - my levels are good!  In fact, to celebrate the one year (I got discharged on my birthday) - I ran the 5k color run with one of my best friends who had her own battles.  We had to prove to ourselves that our bodies aren't broken and can still do some kick a** things!

As far as my gluten elimination diet (almost 5 months long) - it has confirmed what the celiac tests have said as well - gluten is not an issue for my body and I can continue to eat it..

It feels weird being able to eat whatever I want again..but I am trying to stay away from the treats I have been craving for the past 5 months (mmmm....cake!)

I don't have to go back to the endocrinologist until January because my levels have been stable for a while.

So - all good news re: my thyroid :)

All blood tests results in the green, but going gluten-free...

Woo hoo!   I went to the endocrinologist today and all of my blood test results look good!  I will still need check-ups every 6 weeks until it is stable.  I am going to make some adjustments though.. My levels *are* good, but the doc seems to think I shouldn't need to be on the doses I am on, considering my height,weight, etc.

There has been this nagging feeling in my head that I may be gluten intolerant.  Remember the whole 2 month period before my surgery when I didn't eat gluten? Well, I noticed my skin got better (no bumps) and I felt better.  I have been paying close attention to how I feel when eating gluten (since surgery I went back to eating gluten).  The bumps are back and my tummy is always making very loud rumbly noises.

My endo is pretty amazing and is very much a believer in trusting your gut (even if there is no test that has proven my gut feeling).   I have told him since the beginning that I think I may be gluten intolerant - he never said "you are crazy" - he has been supportive.  He approved a blood test for celiac last month (that came back negative), but agrees that blood tests don't always prove celiac/gluten intolerance.  We agreed that (after the 1/2 marathon) I will go gluten-free (March 18th) and see how my blood tests change/stay the same.  If I miraculously start absorbing more synthroid, iron, vitamin d - then it will be clear that I have a gluten intolerance.  If everything remains the same, maybe it was all in my head.

Either way - I FEEL good and am curious to see how the gluten-free elimination "test" goes...

My Mom always said, you have to trust your gut...

Pendulum Swing

Update:

It has been 7 months since my surgery.  Still feeling good (which is important), but my thryoid levels have had a pendulum swing.  I am currently hypothyroid trying to sort out the right synthroid levels.

I am off the calcium supplements and my levels are good.  I have to take iron supplements and D3 (I think because this is winter time and I always get low iron in the winter)

From month 3-6 after surgery, I lost ALOT of hair.  The endo was 99% sure this is from a combination of stress and hypothyroidism.  It stopped exactly 6 months after surgery (which is exactly what my hair did post-pregnancy) - this tends to be common with stress, so doc was not concerned and my hair is back to normal (just growing in a little funny).

I am going to the Dr. monthly until my thyroid levels are back to normal.  I am currently on 137mcg (started at 100, went up to 125, now at 137).  There is a slight concern I have a gluten intolerance which is stopping me from absorbing the right amount of synthroid...but no panic yet :)

I still feel 100% better than being hyperthyroid...If it weren't for the bloodwork, I would think I was back to normal.

Oh - and my scar has faded so much - I don't think people notice it at all.  I had an awesome surgeon!!

Overall - even though there is some sh*t to deal with, I really feel I made the right decision.  A thyroidectomy might not be for everyone, but it was the best choice for me...

On a side note - I decided to train for a half marathon - I am on month 2 and feeling great (even ran 10miles yesterday!).  This just goes to show how quickly the body can bounce back!

Feeling Great - but still some progress to make..

Quick update: My thyroid levels are good - and I am feeling good on that front... Almost back to myself..

I have gained a little bit of weight (but not much) - and I am adjusting to not being able to eat everything I want (that was one perk of Graves disease)....

My calcium levels look good, but my doc just wants me to continue the supplements for a little while..

All-in-all positive..

I am feeling like it is almost time to get back to the whole point of this blog soon - finding something that makes me tick.... (sorry for the diversion, but I found it to be useful to get everything out in a blog :)..) - Thanks for bearing with me !