My blood work came back. When I went to the doctor, she laid it out for me. It was a thorough lesson in why I feel like crap. In fact, those were her exact words: no wonder you feel like crap.
As she went down the list, I felt more and more depressed. My blood work did show that I had a good reason to feel horrible. Here’s how it went:
- Cholesterol – My good cholesterol was very low, my bad cholesterol was very high. The type of sticky cholesterol was very high and with all the numbers being what they were, she said I had a 16x greater risk of having a heart attack.
- Thyroid – My numbers were still barely in the normal range and had increased 1/2 since my February blood work results came in.
- Vit D – My numbers were low, and she thought that it was probably due to my forgetting to take it the last 2-3 weeks.
- B12 – My numbers were extremely low. I will add B12 in my diet and re-test in 3 months. At that time, if it’s still low, she’ll start injections.
- White Blood Count – Low numbers….ugh
- Creatinine – High numbers
- eGFR – These numbers were low again, in the stage 3 range. I’ve been taking a lot of Advil for pain and so, I’m now not allowed to take any more. My kidneys aren’t going to make it if I don’t change.
- Blood Sugar – I’m pre-diabetic.
So, no good news for me. I didn’t want to face this, but that’s how it is. The facts speak loud and clear. Doc says that I’m a sugar addict and it has to go. She explained that sugar has been my choice for boosting my serotonin. That is the honest truth, but I didn’t realize it.
Yesterday was my first day on this new diet. No sugar, at. all. It was very hard. I’m also cutting out sugar substitutes, gradually. I had just a little bit of splenda and will be breaking myself of it.
I’m adding a full serving each day of Nutritional Yeast, which provides a full day’s supply of B12. It tastes pretty good on meat and vegetables. I’ve added my Vit D back into my pill boxes. And, of course, increasing my water intake.
I can also tell you that Tylenol is so pitiful as a pain reliever! You probably already knew that. My face and gums are throbbing from a dental procedure this week and the Tylenol just doesn’t give much relief. It also doesn’t help Sciatica. I’m using heat and ice to try and deal with the pain.
I’m praying that my B12 will improve with diet and that soon the sugar cravings will stop. Whatever I want to eat, I know that changes have to be made. The diet I’m being put on is basically like the Mediterranean Diet.
When you have to eat organic-only meats and broths, this diet can get very expensive. I hope that I can be compliant and that good results will finally come to me.
@2019, copyright Lisa Ehrman
I am praying that the diet works and that your next bloodwork will be excellent! I must admit that I too am guilty of eating too much sugar, it’s in everything and carbs turn into sugar so it will probably feel like you can’t eat anything. Praying that God’s grace will sustain you and that you won’t miss the sugar at all so that you can feel better.
Love in Christ,
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy. Your prayers mean so much. God certainly provides the grace I need. I made it through the “craving sugar” phase and have lost 4 pounds. Yay! Now, I hope that I’ll feel better with this. I’m glad my doctor is pushing me to omit sugar from my diet, but you’re right, it sure is everything! God bless you.
It’s rough. I’m right in the same zone except for my B12 numbers, surprisingly. I remember my doctor’s nurse telling me there is no almost diabetic. You either are or you are not. It’s like being “pre-pregnant”! It made me think of all the opportunities I missed by not choosing better options for my health and it was a very hard time for me mentally, physically, and spiritually. I felt like I had been such a poor steward over my vessel.
It spirals out of control so easily, so I applaud you for making the changes you need to make. Change can be hard, but stay encouraged! Love and light.
Thanks, Elle,
I hear what you’re saying about the diabetic thing. I guess it was just another way to warn me of my poor health. I am making good choices and it’s hard, but I’ve been sugar-free for 18 days. There is quite a sugar-detox going on, and I expected that. I hope to see a little improvement, but I do still have a craving every once in a while.
Thanks for the encouragement and I want to send some right back to you, since you have many of the same health numbers. God bless us both as we try to do what we can to feel better.
That doesn’t sound too good. I didn’t know you could get tested for the vitamin d and stuff, it’s been so long as I had my bloodwork. I hope yours improve in the new year! Happy holidays.
Yes, I’ve had Vit D tested often, because mine tends to be low. You must be doing well for your doctor not to test your blood. I hope you stay that way. Happy Thanksgiving!