Backsliding

Physically.

I had my appointment with Carrie yesterday. 
MySugr has my estimated A1C at 7.4% 
Labs say they are 7.3%. 

Carrie was impressed that they were so close.  I was not impressed that it had gone up.

She suggested Tresiba again, and gave me another sample.  I'm convinced my Levemir works as long as it's dialed in correctly.  Meals are also tricky.  I just can't get a handle on things.  I eat the same foods, pretty much at the same time.  I just always spike.

Checking to see when my next thyroid test needs to be done.  I want to get a fructosamine test done also to make sure my A1C is accurate.  It's similar to a hemoglobin A1C test but focuses on the past 2-3 weeks, whereas an A1C is the past 2-3 months.  In addition, the fructosamine test measures glycated protein in the blood instead of glycated hemoglobin.  You can read more about it here.

The good news is:  I refused the flu shot!!  

Annual Eye Doctor Visit

DP & I had our annual eye exam today, at a new eye doctor.  We purchased our glasses from them last year because I had seen a pair of frames that I loved in their ocular shop.  They had such rave reviews and my mom took the kids there so I looked into their office a bit more.  They have a lot of high tech eye machines which I've always liked better than the standard eye-dilation (I hate having things in my eyes).  We were able to make an appointment for Saturday which is great so we don't have to miss work during the week!

I was called back first.  I had my eyes scanned by two different machines and did a few color and distance tests.  When the doctor got around to seeing me he went over the pictures the machines had taken of my eye.

I don't know why I reported last year that everything looked clear.  The old doctor told me I had mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema, but he down-played it as something that wasn't a problem.  The new doctor took a completely different approach, making sure that I understood that my high blood sugars were causing damage that couldn't be repaired and if I continued to have high blood sugars, things would get worse.  He pointed out a total of 3 hemorrhages that I have between both eyes (1 in one eye and 2 in the other) and that only one was close to the optic nerve/macula, which was concerning.  He told me I needed to tighten my control if I wanted to prevent vision loss.

Both of our prescriptions changed considerably, so we ordered new lenses (and opted to keep our current frames since we like them so much).  I feel like we made the right choice switching doctors.  I feel like I got a much clearer picture of my eye health, and a doctor that actually understands the importance of normalizing blood sugars.  Even though he said an A1C of 4% was difficult to achieve, I know it's possible.  I'll aim for that.  Even 5% would be good.  I've done it before.  Now I need to work my butt off to do it again.

As if my body was scared into submission by what he said, my numbers have been lower today.  But I can't slack off.  Here's to lower blood sugars and keeping my eyes for another 40+ years!     

Methyl Protect

I started on my new MTHFR supplement today.  It's called Methyl Protect from Xymogen.  I get most of my natural supplements there.  Their products are clean, pure, and made with professional formulas.  What you put in your body really matters.  I'll be taking one capsule twice a day with meals.  I can't wait to see if I feel a difference while taking this!   

Thyroid and MTHFR Labs

 Here are my thyroid lab results:

TSH	Free T3	Free T4	Total T3	Total T4	Reverse T3	TPO Antibodies
0.02	4.3	1.3			15.7	44

My MTHFR results are:
C677T:  Negative
A1298C:  Homozygous (two mutant copies of this gene)  Technically, I'm C1298C.

What does all this mean?

Remember how my TSH was 95 in July?  Well, I was right about Armour being my magic pill.  My TSH came WAY down, so instead of 60 and 90 mg a day, I am taking 60 mg twice a day.

As for the MTHFR gene mutation I have, let me see if I can put it in terms that are easy to understand.  

MTHFR stands for MeThylenetetraHydroFolate Reductase enzyme.  This enzyme is super important.  Its job is to help your body process amino acids (and our body is made up of amino acids!).  When mutations are present, lots of things can go wonky!  (This website has a great list of examples:  https://melanieavalon.com/mthfr-mutations-methylation/)

Homozygous A1298C is one of the worst mutations.
MTHFR A1298C mutations affect conversion of methylfolate into BH4, or tetrahydrobiopterin. BH4 plays an important role in neurotransmitter production, which is why MTHFR A1298C mutations are often associated with psychological disorders. The particular neurotransmitters affected include serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. MTHFR A1298C mutations may also affect melatonin production, which often leads to sleep disturbances. Additionally, BH4 is important for heart health and deficiency may play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease.  (http://www.mthfrtreatment.com/)

• MTHFR is the short name for the genes that code for the enzyme that changes folic acid to the active form that your body uses (the long name is methylfolate reductace).
• 1298 is the marker for one particular MTHFR gene.
• You get one copy of this gene from your mother and one from your father, so there are two possible copies that can be either “normal” or “mutant”
• If you inherited one good copy and one bad copy that’s called “heterozygous A1298C”
• If you inherited two bad copies (one from each parent) that’s called “homozygous A1298C”
• A…C stand for the bases that you actually have.  A = adenine C = cytosine.  Bases are essentially the letters that spell out your genetic code.  There are four of them commonly (C, T, A and G).
• When this gene is “normal”or “wild type” it looks like MTHFR A1298A.
• Heterozygous mutations (one good copy and one bad) are MTHFR A1298C because there is one normal A and one abnormal C Also occasionally written 1298AC.
• Homozygous A1298C (two bad copies) can also be written as C1298C (because there are two abnormal copies with C instead of A). Occasionally you’ll also see it written 1298CC

Phew! So the take-away there is MTHFR A1298C means you have at least one bad copy of this gene, and if it’s called homozygous, or C1298C then you have two bad copies.
Homozygous MTHFR A1298C (C1298C) have about 65% normal activity (so 35% compromise). Normal activity refers to the way your body converts folic acid to 5-L-methyltetrahydrafolate (the active form) so that it can be used. Compromise in this case looks like a folate deficiency.

http://dramyneuzil.com/i-have-mthfr-a1298c-mutation-what-does-that-really-mean/

My doctor recommended a supplement to help with this.  Once I hear back from her with the exact name, I'll be able to order it.  

Follow-Up Appointment

My appointment with Nan yesterday ended up turning into a phone appointment, which was really all I needed.  She relayed the results of my cortisol test, as well as my DHEA levels.

Cortisol is all in range, even a little low.   
DHEA is high so she said to stop taking it.

Since my endo didn't test my TSH in August, Nan said we needed to retest it now, so when I got off the phone with her I drove up to their office to get my blood drawn -- for the thyroid panel as well as for the MTHFR gene mutation test.  It will probably be a week or two before I get a call with the results.  I can't wait to hear what they have to say.

Now I need to save up for the LEAP (food sensitivities) test I want to have done.  It's more expensive but will tell me a whole lot of other useful information about which foods I'm sensitive to.  Hopefully it will help me figure out which foods to cut out, like soy and dairy, so I can heal my thyroid.

Can I just forget the world?

So I was expecting my TSH to be tested today but since my holistic doctor is handling things, Carrie said they didn't test it or my cholesterol values.  Kidney and liver functions are normal, A1C is 7. 

She gave me some Tresiba samples to try.  Maybe it'll help with basal? 

She asked if I'd be willing to get the endo's opinion if my thyroid values keep fluctuating.  I told her I didn't want to change anything right now since I just started the Armour again. 

I see her again in November, after Thanksgiving. 

No answers.  Just more trial and error. 

Lots of error. 

No results. 

I'm tired.  So tired. 

WHY CAN'T I GET THIS RIGHT?!?!

Why aren't you working?

Remember how I got my thyroid lab work done last week?  My nurse called me today during work in a bit of a panic and told me that my TSH results came back at 95 and that is SUPER HIGH.  Even higher than the last high result I got, which was 48.  They're switching my Nature-throid back to Armour and it looks like they increased my dose, too.  I haven't felt too much different...maybe a little cold, and tired.  But not noticeably, and I'm still functioning as usual.  I thought the tiredness was from working, and it's cold in the office because they keep the AC on full blast.  I've been drinking 2 Bai drinks a day to keep me awake - 30 - 45mg of caffeine in each serving.

I also picked up the saliva cortisol test, and I'll be taking it on Saturday.  The day I wanted in August isn't available so I'll have to pick a different day for the results on that one.

I'm also going to go through my thyroid labs, results, and med changes and start keeping track of everything.  Trying to look for patterns and answers.  I don't know why these meds aren't absorbing like they're supposed to.  Ugh.  I'm pretty frustrated. 

EDIT:
Here's the tracker I made:

Minor update

I've been enjoying the mySugr app and everything it lets me see.  Rather than tracking my numbers on paper, I can put it all in one place on my phone.  Now to see if I can integrate my Dexcom data...

On Tuesday morning, I got my blood drawn for thyroid labs.  I've also scheduled time next Tuesday to pick up the cortisol/DHEA saliva test they want me to do that goes hand in hand with my thyroid labs.  Those results should give us a pretty good idea of how things are working for me.  https://stopthethyroidmadness.com/saliva-testing/

The follow-up appointment for the test results will be in 3-4 weeks.  I'm considering scheduling it for the Wednesday I already have my endo appointment so that I can just take that whole day off work and be able to tell Carrie what we found.  That's my thought at this point, anyway.

MySugr Bundle Arrived!

My mySugr Bundle arrived in the mail today!  I'm super excited to start using it!  I've been using the app every day so that I get used to it and it makes tracking things super easy.
 

I log my meals, insulin, and even my supplements!   

AccuChek Guide and mySugr Bundle!!

So I learned from a fellow Type 1 on Facebook about an awesome deal - $39.99 per month for unlimited test strips while using an AccuChek meter with the mySugr app bundle.  At first I was disappointed to see that my smartphone, a ZTE Majesty Pro, wasn't listed on their website as compatible with their app.  I contacted the mySugr support team and explained my interest and problem, and the girl answered back asking if I'd like to test out the pairing for them.  I said yes and ran out to Walgreens to buy some test strips and a Guide meter:

 After a few days (and tries!) to get them to pair and share data, I succeeded!  BOOYA! 

  I'm waiting to hear back from the support team, but I think this means I'll be able to save money on test strips now!  Whereas I was spending $50+ a month for 300 test strips at Walmart, now I'll be able to get unlimited for $40!  And it's a cool meter too, with a back light, test strip light, an A1C estimator on the app, and pattern spotting on the meter, plus a test strip eject button (haha).  Pretty spiffy!  Also, the test strip container is specially made to keep the strips from falling out when it's turned upside down.  :)  The case is a little small but I will probably transfer my Guide meter to my old case so I can keep my insulin in there like I currently do.  

A1C

It's been since January that I had my last A1C checked.  My next appointment isn't until August so I bought a home A1C kit from Walgreens.  Today, my result came back at 7%.
I've been struggling with numbers in the 200s.  I guess I'm not surprised. 



My tinea versicolor has cleared up!  Yay!  Now to figure out what to do with these naughty numbers.