Last month on my Birthday I decided to start seeing a Naturopath. I had spent a long time researching and confirming with my insurance until I finally found someone. She's wonderful. She listens, she cares, she spends time with me, she is looking at the whole picture....me. Frankly, the time I've had to put in with her is worth it.

So, she confirmed that I do indeed fall into the Hashimoto Thyroid category....meaning that my thyroid is terribly unstable in it's low state. It explains why I have sudden feelings of energy and then confusing episodes of fatigue. We did all new blood work and even a food allergy panel. My iron levels weren't even within the range and she asked how it is that I am able to function on a daily basis. Beats me. Happily I'm on a vitamin regimen geared toward calming down the erratic activity with my thyroid and still being on synthroid. I've also done acupuncture 2x and 2x IV magnesium/vitamin. A bit weird, but, anything to feel better and more alive.

We also discovered that I am now allergic to eggs and dairy....among other things, cranberries, lima beans and kidney beans. I've been on a gluten free diet for 3 weeks now as well since she's nearly 100% sure I have a gluten intolerance. *sigh* What all this really means is that I just need to focus on eating basic foods....which isn't hard to do. I've found substitutes here and there that seem to be acceptable....although I do miss real bread, crackers, cake, yogurt, waffles.....*sigh* I've eaten a lot of salads and oven baked chicken...grilled stuff...*sigh* I'm sorry but I really don't like corn tortillas...flour is better. I have yet to try the brown rice kind... :(

So, what does all this mean for me? Yes, I really do have some autoimmune issues in my body that are all surprisingly linked in conjunction with the thyroid: the alopecia areata, the gluten intolerance. I'm going to stick with my food program and avoid eggs, dairy, and gluten. Gobble up all the supplements, including the icky lemon flavored Carlson's Cod LIver Oil... and pray and hope that these patches of hair loss will slow down.

I cannot believe that it's been 2 years of AA.

Happily, I also finally completely weaned off of Zoloft last month after starting the process in January. I had been on it for 3.5 years. It is so wonderful to finally have that stuff out of my body and I never want to ingest another antidepressant as long as I live. Ugh.

Here's an updated photo of the bald patch up front. Luckily I can part my hair on the side and get away with covering it...hairspray or barrette. I also have 2 bald patches on the back of my head that seem to be merging into a large patch. I've decided that it's best to grow my hair out since short hair just cannot cover the patches when they occur. And, it's almost time for some coloring again as part of the disguise. *sigh*