Quick Tip#43~ A D-licious zero Calorie Treat with immune fighting abilities...

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

...what could be better than that?

So treat yourself to a vitamin D test in order to optimize your levels of this important immunity enhancing prohormone.

As most of you know, D it made from a form of cholesterol in our skin, when its exposed to UV light until our skin turns pink. After that, our bodies have a built in feedback mechanism that stops the formulation of the "Sunshine Vitamin".

So unless you've been laying out nakie til pink recently on a regular basis, there's a good chance your stores of this vitamin are starting to get low by this time of year. Which ironically corresponds with cold & flu season.

Especially if you are hypothyroid, as we tend to need more D than the average human to get our levels where they need to be. Example: I was taking 1200 IUs, and I was under range. Not under "optimal" range which is the mid 40's to 70's, but under the standard range of 32.

That said, you really don't want to go supplementing willy nilly, until you have been tested first to see where you're at. Too much of anything (okay, mabbe not money) isn't better, its excess. And you can get yourself in trouble if you start taking an oil soluable vitamin, because it gets stored in your liver, not secreted by your kidneys.

Okay, I can hear ya whining... you were expecting sumpin good to eat with no calories, and instead you're getting another annoying Mzzchief health lecture. ha

So here's some links for ya:

www.grassrootshealth.net/

Healthcheckusa.com
www.healthcheckusa.com/lab_tests/Nut
rition_Assessment_Lab_Tests/Vitamin_D,
_25_Hydroxy

Okay and you prolly want a coupon for that, sheesh you guys make me do everything ha:
www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=h
p&q=healthcheckusa.com+coupon&btnG=Goo
gle+Search&rlz=1R2SUNA_enUS331&aq=f&aq
i=&aql=f&oq=&gs_rfai=C90ZhBN72TMLGA57S
yQT7ycCdAwAAAKoEBU_QZbt8

Now get yourself tested, or at least start thinking about it!
: )
Mzzchief

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MZZCHIEF 12/11/2010 9:27AM

hey Jane! Ya, you're lucky that you live in the tropics and can get your D from the sun! Glad that's working for ya! : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

YIGOBUTTERFLY 12/11/2010 1:42AM

The doctor was pleased with my results so I guess being out in the yard early in the morning for about an hour is giving me plenty of vitamin D. I need to go back and double check. Thanks for the chuckles and advice. Jane on Guam Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 12/10/2010 6:26PM

I suffered from SADD years ago, and found fish oil to be a big help. A few years ago I found out my D was low despite more than adequet supplementation. Hypothyroid peeps for whatever reason seem to be low in D, and need more of it to get our numbers in the right place. Since our cholesterol numbers tend to be high and D is made from a form of cholesterol, my thoughts are that there is some connection. I'd have to be a biochemist to figure it out, and clearly I'm just.... well... Mzzchief. ha Report Inappropriate Comment

MORTICIAADDAMS 12/9/2010 10:25PM

I have not been tested but my MD put me on it long ago as I have SAD really bad. Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 12/2/2010 12:54PM

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MZZCHIEF 12/2/2010 11:17AM

hey ladies! Good idea to take your calcium with D, Anna! That's what I do. Smartie... interesting that your osteopath recommends B12 along with D, I've not heard that bit o info before, but I do know that we the hypothyroid often have B12 deficiencies... learn sumpin new here everyday... thx! : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 12/1/2010 11:31PM

We are lucky here in Australia to have so much sunshine. I have just switched to Vit. D with my calcium. Thanks for the links. Report Inappropriate Comment

SM-ARTGIRL 12/1/2010 8:39PM

Thanks Mizzchief, I was prescribed 4 liquid dose of vitamin D a few weeks ago. We are well and truly into summer here, so I was surprised at this diagnosis- seeing as my mum suffers from osteoathritus & crumbly bones, I reckon i've got to keep up my running! Ps: my osteopath reccommends B12 to enable D uptake. Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 12/1/2010 8:29PM

My bad, Sweetlips! Mabbe now that you are supplementing your D, you'll get thru the winter without a sniffle... or less of them! Good luck with your liquids, when I think liquid diet, I think colonoscopy prep. urrr. Gotta get one first thing next year... : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETLIPS 12/1/2010 7:54PM

Yesh, you got me, but right now all I am having is liquids for a few days. Thanks for the post, yes, I am hypothyroid and I did het tested, so now Vit D is in the diet. I love the sun, ummm, don't get pink (lol), but it does make me feel alive. Again thanks fo rthe info. Report Inappropriate Comment

Words for thought#9~ Link between low Free T3 and cholesterol

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

hey Sparkers...

While i knewthat hypothyroid disease puts us at risk for higher LDL cholesterol, I was surprised to learn, is that its the level of Free T3, not Free T4, that influences cholesterol numbers.

So if you're correcting your hypothyroidism with a T4 only meddie like Synthroid, Levoxyl, or generic levothyroxine, and your LDL cholesterol hasn't budged, it might be prudent to include a test for free T3 next time you go in for your thyroid test.

That way you can eliminate low T3 as a culprit!
As recently as this October, I lowered my Synthroid and added some T3 to my routine as my T3 was WAAAAY under range. Should be interesting to see what my cholesterol numbers are at my next blood draw.

Here's an excerpt from a study I found online:
This:
THYROID HORMONE (T3) is important for normal regulation of development and physiology. T3 deficiency leads to elevated cholesterol levels in blood plasma that can be normalized, however, by T3 substitution (1). The liver is central in cholesterol metabolism, balancing hepatic cholesterol synthesis and hepatic uptake of plasma lipoproteins from the circulation against the excretion of hepatic cholesterol and bile acids in the bile (2, 3, 4, 5). T3 can influence the metabolism of cholesterol at several critical steps in the liver

From this study on the lack of a specific thyroid hormone receptor in mice and the resultant high cholesterol which was resistant despite endogenous T3 supplementation. Granted lack of a specific hormone receptor Beta is a different issue all together, but what can be extrapolated from this abstract is that T3 mediates cholesterol:
mend.endojournals.org/cgi/content/fu
ll/16/8/1767

Take care of youse!
: )
Mzzchief

update!
here are AArranna's links, hyperlinked, to make em easier to get to.
Thx, Ara!:

thyroid.about.com/od/heartdisease/a/
subclinical.htm
jcem.endojournals.org/content/92/2/4
91.short

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AARRANNA 8/2/2011 2:46AM

These links have some information about the link between thyroid function and metabolic function and cholesterol levels: http://thyroid.about .com/od/heartdisease/a/metaboli csyn.htm http://jcem.end ojournals.org/content/92/2/491.abstract Report Inappropriate Comment

FORTUNATEFOOL74 1/14/2011 3:44PM

Thank you for this information. This is definitely something to look into. My dr. needs to keep upping my synthroid and at the same time he's chiding me that my Cholesterol is too high. He also doesn't listen when I say how disconcerted I am that weight loss is practically impossible. Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 12/6/2010 8:42PM

Unicorn, I agree! Sorry you've had to go thru what you did with your thyroid condition... what a drag! : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

UNICORN212 12/4/2010 10:50PM

Yup - they put me on porcine and my triglycerides came way down. When the thyroid died, my TSH was 45.89, total chol was 300+ and my trys went to 400+. My body was not converting T4 to T3, so giving me T4 was like taking an aspirin. (BTW, a healthy woman's TSH is usually 1.5 or LOWER. 3.0 is too high, even if the range says it is OK.) I have had to learn way too much about thyroid meds in the last 2 years! Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 12/1/2010 10:56AM

Caveat: Remember this may not apply to you! But if you're on a T4 only med, your Free T3 is in the dumps and you've got high LDL while doing everything "right".... eating clean,( lots of produce, lean white meats, fatty fish; whole grains, nuts, beans and lowfat dairy if you don't have allergy), getting a balance of aerobic exercise and weight lifting, taking an appropriate dose of thyroid meds to get your TSH in a good spot... its possible that you could benefit from the addition of Cytomel(T3) or a switch to one of the Porcines and see if it makes a diff in your cholesterol. : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

SHELLPRO 12/1/2010 7:42AM

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FISHINGLADY66 11/30/2010 9:48PM

Thanks for the info. I'm also going to follow the link. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 11/30/2010 4:50PM

I am going to follow the link, thanks for the info Mzz. Report Inappropriate Comment

Quick Tip #42~ Nothin like a Tongue Scrapin to start the Day...

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Here's an idea for better oral hygiene!

Make a tongue scraper a part of your tooth brushing mouth flushing ritual!
Don't have one?

No Problemo!

All ya need is an old plastic yogurt or margerine container, a pair of sharp scissors, and potentially a nail file or sand paper if you're not handy with the scissors.

How to:
1.Cut down about an inch, then around the top of the container, removing the top inch of the container.
2.You will have a ring, but you only need half of one. So cut it in half so that you have an arch... a "C". This is the basis of your new toy.
3. Examine the "C" that you just cut off. Use the scissors to smoothe out any rough spots. If you're not having good luck with the scissors, use the nail file or sand paper to smoothe out any sharp bumps left behind. Try it on your arm to see if there are any rough spots.

If there aren't, then its ready!

How you use it?

Hold the two ends together, stick out your tongue and draw it down, pressing it into the surface. Now look at whats on your new tongue scraper. Gross, huh?Wanna do it again? Go for it!

If there's blood on your scraper, than you prolly didn't spend enuf time on Step #3. Get your scissors or nail file or sand paper and smooth down whatever you neglected to smoothe earlier.

Wash it off and use it everytime you brush, for fresh breath and better oral hygiene!

: )
Mzzchief

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MORTICIAADDAMS 12/9/2010 10:36PM

LOL. I have always used my toothbrush. Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 11/28/2010 1:01PM

I suppose I am lucky as I have little or no gag reflex! My girls do, I tell em to just to use the scraper on the front part of the tongue, and to not stick their tongues out so far. And to do it and make it quick! That seems to work for them... youse with this problem may want may want to try it. Tee, I can't stand the waterpik attachment or the thing on the back of the tooth brush either... and hey the thought of brushing my tongue is enuf to activate my dormant gag reflex! hahahaha Shels, I used salt and a jot of peroxide in the warm water of my water pik. Works miracles! I've also found that my gums are the first to go when my TSH is high and T3 is low. Pesky bodies....ha : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

LIFE_IS_SO_GOOD 11/28/2010 10:37AM

Thanks for the reminder. I need to get my tongue scraper out and start using it again. Report Inappropriate Comment

APPEALSTOME 11/28/2010 4:41AM

I have two tongue scrapes. One on a waterpik and other that came with toothbrush and gag every time I try using them. Report Inappropriate Comment

YIGOBUTTERFLY 11/28/2010 3:56AM

I gag to easily! Jane on Guam Report Inappropriate Comment

FISHINGLADY66 11/27/2010 10:52PM

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SHELLPRO 11/27/2010 8:04PM

Wow, we both seem to have 'mouths' on our minds. Tip- Prednisone as U know causes Thrush, now I find Decaf Products possibly promote it too- Tip number 2, since I have a Coffee Habit. Tip 3, Salt helps to prevent it? So now I'm using a Toothpaste w/Baking Soda, and rinse with 'regular' Listerine! Talk about a 'wake up' fixer upper? Thought I'd share too while I checked in on ya. Report Inappropriate Comment

Quick Tip #41~ Help for Hypothyroid Hair Loss

Friday, November 26, 2010

Recently I've resumed using a deep conditioning product called Hennalucent which coats the hair shaft. I used it for decades, then got out of the habit.

You can get it in neutral, which is what I do, but its also available in colors.

I mix mine with an egg and some jojoba oil, tie a plastic sack around my hair/scalp, leave it on for about an hour before rinsing. Lasts about 6 weeks.

Always good to do a spot test 24 hours before on your arm to make sure you don't have allergy, as henna is a herb.

Here's a link:
www.amazon.com/Hennalucent-Neutral/d
p/B000

: )
Mzzchief

Fashion tip if you've got to leave the house... cover your tresses and that plastic sack with a do rag... I needed to pick my child up from school, she walked right past me not realizing who I was until I spoke... became furious and refused to walk by my side. Ah, motherhood!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MZZCHIEF 1/31/2012 12:36PM

OOOooo waist length hair... I am envious! Mine only grows to my bra line and falls out. Ya kids go thru that stage when they want to believe they sprang fully formed into life and parents had nothing to do with it... ha : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

CMBELISLE 1/31/2012 12:23PM

Maybe this should be entitled "tips on embarrassing your teenage daughter". My youngest is 16, so there are times when I embarrass her without even trying. Thanks for the hair tips too - mine is almost waist length now and there are times I need all the help I can get with it. Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 12/10/2010 6:37PM

hey Jane! Yes, sad to say I am all about shameless inpropriaty ie, having fun... whenever I can get away with it! ha Tisha... Ha, ya, add a bit of garlic and some croutons and I think you've got the basis of a nice Ceasar salad... who said haircare can't be tasty! : ) Report Inappropriate Comment

MORTICIAADDAMS 12/9/2010 10:28PM

ROFLMBO!! Hubby said your hair sounded good enough to eat like a salad dressing. LOL. Report Inappropriate Comment

YIGOBUTTERFLY 11/28/2010 1:47AM

Mzz, you never fail to amaze me! Too funny! Your hair always looks gorgeous! Now I know why! Your daughter will have a backbone when she is an adult! Jane on Guam Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 11/27/2010 5:37PM

hey girls! Ya, I think payback time is when they turn into teens, which has happened since that episode! : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

NATURALLYJJ 11/26/2010 5:05PM

If we can't embarrass our children then what good is parenthood? One day she will be in your shoes and you can laugh and remind her of that doo-rag day! Good tip and I too had forgotten about the mayo trick. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOANNA2 11/26/2010 4:21PM

LOve the photo Mzz. I can just imagine not being recognized... Report Inappropriate Comment

MZZCHIEF 11/26/2010 2:38PM

Mayo in a bag sounds like an yummy idea, Shel! I have to push my mayo way in the back of the fridge, cuz I really love it and to see it is to eat it. Rissa, yah, I thought I looked hysterically funny, and I just couldn't understand why she wasn't ROFL-ing, too! : ) Mzzchief Report Inappropriate Comment

SHELLPRO 11/26/2010 1:08PM

Good 2 see U back! I use plain old Mayonnaise and a bag. Hadn't thought of it in yrs. Thanks for the tip. Report Inappropriate Comment

RISSASPIECES 11/26/2010 12:56PM

Really, do you blame her? That is quite a fashion statement! ROFL Report Inappropriate Comment

Words for thought#8 ~Cats, Mindcontrol and Micro-organisms

Friday, November 12, 2010

Hmmm.... Makes a good case for obsessive compulsive hand washing... ha!

realityismyreligion.wordpress.com/20
10/07/04/mind-controlling-brain-parasi
tes-taking-over-the-world/

Possible vector leading to Hashimoto's?

Make a fun day!
: )
Mzzchief