Welcome to my new blog!!I've been wanting to start a blog since my journey to health began in March 2013 and have finally decided to do it in hopes that I'll be able to help other people find health through grain-free (Paleo) eating and exercise. I plan to share Paleo recipes, health and wellness tips, and exercise tips, with an emphasis on helping those people struggling with chronic illness such as autoimmune disease. I do work a full-time job and coach on the side, so many of my posts and recipes will be great for people with busy lifestyles (who isn't these days)! Keep in mind, I am NOT a doctor and did not study medicine or nutrition, so my blog will be solely based upon my own experiences and research that I've done for myself throughout my journey.
My journey began in March 2013, just three months after going off the birth control pill. I began to experience extreme lethargy and dizziness in addition to other awful symptoms, which led me to believe I had a thyroid problem. After getting the "routine" thyroid blood test (TSH, T3 and T4), it was confirmed that I had an under active thyroid with a high TSH of 6.6. I immediately went to an endocrinologist who prescribed me Synthroid to treat my hypothyroidism. To make a long story short, my symptoms continued even though my blood work showed "normal" levels.
In September 2013 I'd finally had enough of my endocrinologist not effectively helping me solve this health mystery, so I did a ton of research online and came across the Functional Medicine website, where I found my current doctor whose philosophy is that the body will heal itself if given the correct nutrients, food and natural medicine.
Through a number of blood tests and visits to my new doctor, I found out that the hypothyroidism I have is caused by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism. I also found out that I have Celiac Disease, another autoimmune disease stemming from an allergy to gluten (and sometimes other grains), that causes the body to attack your small intestine. Although I have a long way to go to put my autoimmune diseases into complete remission, in just five months I've seen considerable progress in my body through eating a grain/soy/dairy-free diet and exercising. I'm hoping my blog will help at least a couple of people who are struggling with the same issues!
Have a great hump day (it's a snow day for all of us in Boston today! woohoo)!
Sam
Have a great hump day (it's a snow day for all of us in Boston today! woohoo)!
Sam