Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
I went and saw a holistic md yesterday to see about alternative treatments. He is very old, been practicing for 53 years. He recommended a variety of vitamins and an oral solution of iodine. And to stop my meth. I questioned him on the iodine, after all, we're supposed to stay away from iodine when we're hyper, right? but his comment was that he practices unconventional medicine and his thoughts are that if you have the right vitamins and you balance everything out, the iodine supplement will help to balance everything. Or something like that. So, I'm putting that deal on the backburner for now.
but, something that he did mention was getting hair analysis done to test for metal toxicity. now I've read that mercury could be a cause of autoimmune conditions, such as graves. This interests me because just a couple weeks ago, in the newspaper, there was an article about a study that was just concluded. They placed containers to collect rainwater, snow, moisture at various locations in the area. One of which was right down the road from me. There is a power plant on the river, just a couple miles away. That collection (the one near me) had the 4th highest mercury level east of the Mississippi River. My neighbor across the road was diagnosed a month before me with rheumatoid arthritis (another autoimmune disease). Coincidence? Probably, but still makes me wonder. So, I'm pretty interested in finding out what my mercury level is. I've read pros and cons on the hair testing (like you find for anything else on the internet) as well as for the chelation that is supposed to detoxify your body. While I'm not ready to go to that step yet, I am very interested in finding out my mercury level.
Anyone have any info on mercury level and graves?
but, something that he did mention was getting hair analysis done to test for metal toxicity. now I've read that mercury could be a cause of autoimmune conditions, such as graves. This interests me because just a couple weeks ago, in the newspaper, there was an article about a study that was just concluded. They placed containers to collect rainwater, snow, moisture at various locations in the area. One of which was right down the road from me. There is a power plant on the river, just a couple miles away. That collection (the one near me) had the 4th highest mercury level east of the Mississippi River. My neighbor across the road was diagnosed a month before me with rheumatoid arthritis (another autoimmune disease). Coincidence? Probably, but still makes me wonder. So, I'm pretty interested in finding out what my mercury level is. I've read pros and cons on the hair testing (like you find for anything else on the internet) as well as for the chelation that is supposed to detoxify your body. While I'm not ready to go to that step yet, I am very interested in finding out my mercury level.
Anyone have any info on mercury level and graves?
About mercury - I agree with MaggieWOH that a lot around us, including mercury in the soil and water, sprouts through people in form of diseases. I think that in general, it would be hard to say what contributes to one's sickness - mercury? chemicals and fillers in our food? the air polluted with exhaust gases? At some point the body gives up.
But yes, if your own location has been identified as having dangerous levels of mercury, then that's the biggest danger in your neighbourhood.
Have you read "The Appeal" by John Grisham? A plant there was producing a plastic substance and people in that county had unusually high rate of cancers. The plant hired the best and biggest lawyers to deny there was any connection.
The same with "Erin Brokovich".
Anyway, I am still reticent to check my hair for elements. Just scared to learn, maybe? I live as far as one could get from the civilization, yet we catch fish from the ocean that may be polluted with mercury. Mercury comes up now and then in local publications.
It stores in the tissues of fish because they feed off of smaller creatures that feed off of the bottom of the lakes and rivers which is where the mercury is. So many water ways are polluted with mercury. Old landfills leach into the water tables. Mercury is a heavy metal therefore it settles and does not disintigrate.
I have filtered my drinking water for more than 20 years after seeing a special on TV about Americas drinking water.
We live in an era of fast foods and poor diets. I believe the rise in auto immune diseases is due to our polluted environment and lack of balanced diets. Genetics may play a part but I believe we become ill because something switches off in our systems causing us to become ill.
After my diagnosis of graves disease I switched to organic diet and have become obsessed with watching what I consume.
I use western and eastern medicine combined. I need replacement therapy and do not believe one can fully sustain their own wellness on just supplements or diet alone once the thyroid has been ablated.
www.global16x9.com/
I think for now I'm going to keep on my meth for at least for another month and a half until my next appt. See what my labs are like. I think I will order the hair analysis, just to see what it says (its only $40). I'm going to talk to the regular endo at the next appt about it too, but I have a feeling he'll probably discount mercury as a problem.
This seems too strange. too many coincidences.
There isn't anything wrong with using huge amounts of Iodine with the herbal supplements for GD, but one has to use good quality herbs and very high doses to treat GD naturally and successfully.
Take care... :-)
P.S. I have RA and have had all the mercury out of my teeth. I still have RA.