I've only been doing Atkins about six months, however, in that time my cholesterol has gone from 210 to 189, my LDL was 127 from 140, my HDL was 53 from 46 and finally, my triglycerides were 46 from 96 (was 157 in '99). Now, mind you, I haven't lost any weight and the only Thyroid test he did was TSH and it was "normal", but I'm trying to get specific numbers (if there is such) associated with that test. I wouldn't care if I didn't have a low body temp, dry skin, cold feet and hands, etc. I like my doctor alot, but his response to my questions about body temp, etc., is "some people are just like that".

I thought I'd get at least a response or two, but I got more positive responses on the Multiple Sclerosis board. Just whining.

My numbers also went down considerably. Congratulations to you on that!

As for the thyroid, my doctor told me that the TSH isn't always accurate. It can give false readings. For that reason, he did a series of about 4 different thyroid tests on me and even did a sonogram of my thyroid. As a result of the other tests, he put me on Armour thyroid, which is a natural thyroid that is made from pigs. He really doesn't like synthroid because he thinks that synthetic medications don't work as well with the body as natural ones do.

I thought perhaps there was Armageddon and I was left behind

Per my Atkins book (I think) he doesn't recommend natural thyroid supplements for anyone with an autoimmune disease (I have MS) because he thinks the body may attack it and destroy the supplement. <shrug> I dunno.

Anyway, thank you for not making me feel ugly and unloved here!

Lisa,

Oddly, I've been to Johns Hopkins to be tested for Post Polio Syndrome and MS and they said "there is definitely something wrong with you, but I have no clue what it was"--that coming as a direct quote for Dr. Chaudry in Neurology. I went several other places and got the same answer. Since I've been on this woe, most of my symptoms have disappeared!

The doctor I go to now is an Osteopath and he strongly suggests LC. He has been helping me through this. Some of his methods are highly unconventional (cranial movement) and sometimes I think he is just doing some of this to lengthen my time with him and get more money for it, but whatever he suggests seems to work. He did, however, give me the Amour thyroid. He said that a good percentage of his patients have tjyroid problems that have been undiagnosed through the TSH.

Good luck with the MS. I know that Montel Williams has been battling this disease too, and he eats LC. He is the picture of health.

Carol

BTW my daughter just got her first teaching job in MD.

Lisa, there is a 'range' that is considered 'normal' for this test, and it varies depending on the lab where the tests are done. You should be able to get these numbers from your doctor (I would hope you could!). There is a LOT of information about hypothyroidism and thyroid disease at www.about.com - I did some research there myself last Fall.

WTG on those numbers Does your doctor know that you LC? Have you thought about getting a referal to a specialist for this? There are other tests they can do.

Nat