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Cheri Murray's avatar

Karen, I am so sorry you continue to have health issues. Thankful that your brain scan is negative. I am facing new challenges myself and appreciate following your thought processes. I’m encouraged you are coming around to the understanding of the lack of evidence for the existence of viruses. I am there as well and it is liberating but frustrating because I am trained in allopathic care and this pivot to understanding a new paradigm is difficult. I know that eating the best possible diet, avoidance of toxins, mental and spiritual nourishment, and movement are all critical. I am still trying to determine the sources of inflammation in my own process. Maybe in time, as more come to the understanding that germs are not their enemy, we will start to recognize the real causes of disease and the appropriate responses to support our healing. Best wishes for continued clarity and healing.

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thank you. Hope you get the answers you need for your health issue. What I'm realizing is that even in the holistic/functional health realm there are concepts I need to unlearn.

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Linda Hagge's avatar

Karen, this is in answer to your question about whether we have had thyroid surgery or treatment. After I had had lowish thyroid for years, a large nodule in my thyroid suddenly became "hot" and began producing too much thyroid hormone resulting in agitation, weight loss, sleeplessness, etc. Those were the days when it did not occur to me to question my doctor or clinic (I won't go into the other things I let them do to me.) Not one person suggested surgery on the nodule, or trying to preserve my thyroid function. I was told I needed to have the nodule irradiated, which involved swallowing a pill and then becoming radioactive for several days, during which I had to stay in my room and have my family bring food to me and leave it by the door. I did this. Not one person told me it was highly likely the irradiation would kill my thyroid permanently. It did. Afterward, I requested Armour Thyroid instead of levothyroxine. They denied it. They said levo was "exactly the same," which I knew even then was a lie. [Side note: I found out recently that people in my age group are likely to have this thyroid problem if they grew up where I did because of nuclear testing in the 1950s.] At any rate, the levothyroxine was a disaster. My thyroid readings were all over the place, from very low to very high. My dosage was changed about eight times. Still insomnia. They still refused Armour Thyroid. This went on for years. At one point I asked my doctor to order a complete thyroid panel. She refused. Her reason? "I don't do that." As if I had asked her to rob a bank. Finally I mentioned my problem on a health Substack (think it was AMD), and people said, "Girl, you don't need a prescription--get bovine thyroid, sold OTC." I had no idea. I junked the levothyroxine without saying a word to my doctor, and bought bovine thyroid (a brand from New Zealand called Thyrovanz, using 100% grass fed cows). I immediately felt better. When the time for my next physical and blood work came around, my thyroid levels were PERFECT. When I got the results I laughed out loud. I still haven't told my doctor I'm taking bovine thyroid, and it's been a couple of years now. If you end up having to take thyroid, bovine thyroid is great.

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thank you for sharing and so glad you found what you needed. Your account of your medical experience is sadly all too common. Is it possible for you to find a new doctor as the one you describe is incompetent if they can't even run a thyroid panel or refuse Armour.

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Linda Hagge's avatar

She's been my doctor for 25 years, and believe it or not, she is one of the most popular doctors at my local clinic (no other options but that clinic in our town of 65,000). I think it's because she spends time with people and likes to chat. She is still trying to get me to take COVID shots even though I have a genetic Leiden 5 blood clotting disorder. She says to me, "You didn't used to be like this." I say, "That's because I started paying attention." I don't ditch her because she has hospital privileges (they don't all have that) and she does care. She thinks masks work, too. She is of the firm belief that the only thyroid number that counts is TSH.

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thankfully you are knowledgeable but think of all the people that she and other practitioners like her are causing harm to by pushing transfection technology (c19 injections), masks, not doing proper thyroid testing and so forth. From my perspective this is criminal. Just because she's a “good listener” doesn't make her a good doctor. But I do understand your reasons for sticking with her in the event that you need hospital care, which I hope you never will need.

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Baldmichael's avatar

I am very sorry to hear about your health issues. I struggle myself with energy issues related to my facial palsy. My pituitary gland and thyroid levels went out of kilter in late 2020 after I stopped immunotherapy for supposed cancer in parotid gland. It may be possible site effect of the therapy.

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

I'm sorry to hear that. In future posts I'll share what I'm doing and my progress in hopes that others can apply it to heal themselves.

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knightsaberpriss's avatar

Sorry to hear you're still dealing with health issues. Do you listen to Dr. Mark Hyman's podcast? He's had on a couple of guests who have treated autoimmune issues.

Here's one with Dr. George Papanicolaou:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6GrdevFIKs

Here's Dr. Cynthia Li:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VZrY2vSbws

Dr. Cynthia Li has a fascinating book about her journey dealing with her autoimmune issues that made her change her approach to medicine. It's called "Brave New Medicine":

https://cynthialimd.com/brave-new-medicine/

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thank you. I will check out those links.

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Steven Weil's avatar

Good luck on your journey! Sounds like you have a good plan, and a four-legged guardian to accompany you.

Have you found any good information on near infrared light as a possible modality?

I realize it says Hashimotos, in the link below, but you may find some ‘nuggets’ that may apply to your clinical situation.

Gezunterhait (Yiddish, in good health)

Steven

https://www.annapinnock.co.uk/articles/red-light-therapy-for-hashimotos-and-thyroid-health/#:~:text=Another%20study%20in%202023%20involving,loss%20with%20a%20lower%20BMI.

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thank you Steven for that link-I appreciate it. I had not considered red light therapy targeted on the thyroid. I will look into this more as now I'm curious if red light can regenerate destroyed thyroid tissue as well.

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Lisa Templeton's avatar

Great message. I agree! Blessings to you in your research and health journey. it sounds like you are on the right track.

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Greg Pilcher's avatar

I'm sorry you're dealing with these health struggles. If you haven't already discovered Leslie Dennis Taylor, I'd encourage you to check out her substack. She reversed her own autoimmunity (Hashimoto's, PCOS, others) with a combination of intermittent fasting, GAPS diet, and other things. She's not a physician, which I consider a huge plus. She's self-taught and is among the smartest, most well-read people I've encountered. She has an amazing story and has gotten amazing results. https://open.substack.com/pub/fastwell?r=p8hrl&utm_medium=ios

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Karen Brennan, PhD's avatar

Thank you. I will check out her information.

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