Thyroid nodules and mercury?
Sorry this is so long - can you tell I'm a newbie here? ;) Went to see a new dr this week and I think this one's a keeper (my 3rd dr in 4 months). He's an MD and practices conventional as well as alternative medicine (he's a Broda Barnes doc! YAY!).
I have a large nodule (4.7cm) in my left lobe and several smaller ones in my right lobe. The larger nodule has been dx'd as benign after 2 FNAs. All my thyroid test results are well within "normal" ranges, including antibodies. Still haven't had my Free Ts tested, but that's happening next week (finally!).
The new dr dx'd me with CFS, and he also suspects adrenal fatigue, vitamin deficiencies, and Mercury toxicity, and has ordered tests for all these (which are being done next week). Granted, I have a mouthful of amlagams and was vaccinated almost constantly as a child (we lived back and forth overseas and had to have a full series of shots going either way, so nearly every year I had to get the whole series done over again). I should also add that I've been a sushi addict for years now.
An endo (who I've fired) put me on 3/4 grain of Armour to try to shrink my nodules, not for symptoms (she thinks all my symptoms are related to perimenopause, but won't test for it). Just as well, because the Armour's not doing anything for my symptoms. In fact, I think my body's having a hyper reaction to the Armour due to untreated adrenal fatigue (severe tiredness and unintentional weight loss - 14
pounds in a month).
I've had cold hands and feet, periods of severe fatigue, pain in hands, sensitivity to cold, Reynauds, headaches, chronic sinus congestion, low body temp, depression, OCD, and anxiety since my teens (in my 40s now). More recently (increasing over the past 10 years), symptoms have expanded to include brain fog, forgetfulness, long/short term memory loss, comprehension difficulties, sensitivity to heat, painful/heavy menses, tinnitus, plantars fasciitis, GERD, cystic breasts, and eyelid twitches. If it were the thyroid alone, one would think it'd have done something a little more dramatic before now and would be reflected in my testing. I understand that many of my symptoms can be attributed to any or all of what the dr suspects or has dx'd so far. But instinctually, I'm focusing on the mercury. Is it possible for mercury to cause thyroid nodules without seriously affecting the thyroid function itself?
I've been reading a lot about
Iodine supplementation and expect the dr to start me on a protocol very soon. To be honest, I haven't had the nerve to try it on my own (yes, I'm a big scaredy cat), just feel like I need the supervision. I'm also sure he'll start me on supplements to treat the adrenal fatigue, etc. Yes, I know I need to get the
Amalgams removed by a dentist well-practiced in this.
Does anyone have any clarification, suggestions, info? I've been reflecting on what the dr said for 4 days now and all it's done is make my head spin more than usual. Thanks in advance! :)