[Ski]

#1071479

Hi Cathy,

Unfortunately, for this I know nothing. My cholesterol levels have always very good, despite the fact that I do not exercise enough. I just wanted to respond and let you know I’m thinking of you. Go ahead and be overwhelmed for a bit. Nothing wrong with feeling it all right now when it comes up. Just know in your heart that you’ll do what is necessary and you’ll get through this because (forgive the plagiarism) "you’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like you!" Quoting Stuart Smalley, of course. ” title=”Wink” /> I wish I had a magic wand for you….

[cathycnm]

#1019410

Hi all – Today was a follow-up endo visit for me. We officially cut down my replacement – though my PCP and I had made a preliminary adjustment a few weeks ago. One interesting thing – not totally related to Graves – is that my cholesterol is still high despite a normalizing thyroid. So – we had a chat about genes and cholesterol – and how mine is high enough that it is probably genetic. Given that I eat well and exercise about 2 hours a day – it seems a little beyond belief to me that my PCP wanted me to "cut stress eating, get off the antidepressants and double your exercise". I like my PCP – but that seemed harsh to me.

In talking with my endo – the triglycerides are what would be up if it was antidepressants – and those are normal.

So – he sent me for one of the cardiac CTs to see if I am forming plaques. If I am, another life long date with statins. It was an interesting experience – I am wondering if anyone else has had one?

You know – I expected osteoporosis, I expected autoimmune – but this whole cholesterol thing blindsided me. I guess it must be from dad’s side and I am not close to him. In the last 4 years – I have 3 new "chronic illnesses". I just keep wondering if I can ever get on top of this. So, I sat and read a book on Lakota happiness while waiting for my endo. I guess I just need to focus on the beauty of the moment – but at times I feel a little overwhelmed by all of this. C

[hyperm]

#1071480

HI Cathy,

Yes you are right – cholesterol is genetic. My mum was diagnosed around 10 years ago when she was in her early fifties by a routine blood check. They diagnosed it was genetic as she was and is a very healthy eater (vegetarian) and walks alot. Hers was very high so they put her on a strict diet to see if it would help – it took a year for it to come down, but she just gets it checked regularly. One of the main offenders for high cholesterol is prawns so she tends to avoid them etc…

try not to worry too much

m x

[cathycnm]

#1071481

Ski and Hyperm – Thanks much. It seems so odd – my sister was just saying that I have always paid the most attention to health of anyone in our family – through too much junk food in my younger years. I guess I just need to wait on the scan result to see what the next step is. I feel like I am climbing the rockies – and just when I think I am about to the summit – another, higher peak appears. It was the failure on the osteoporosis med that lead to early Graves diagnosis and treatment – now it is a routine work health screen that uncovered the cholesterol issue. And I had to plead for the first bone scan a bit cause they said my risk was too low to be screened so soon. I guess in all this I am thankful for being a practitioner and knowing how to work the system and get the screenings I need. And, for today, my depression is gone as my thyroid dose is dropped. Happiness is really all any of us wants in life. Happiness facilitates health – but health by itself is not happiness. And so off to put steer dung on my hedge and enjoy a bit of a rainy afternoon in the garden. The Lakota would say I got this lesson so I can learn more about happiness – and that is life. When I quit learning, I am dead. C

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