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Originally Posted by laurawd
Hey Julie! Glad to see your new blog! Sounds like you're strong and ready to progress even further.
I had a question about your new program. A couple months back, we chatted briefly about our similar predicaments and adrenal fatigue. When I saw that your diet was very low in "real" carbs (whole grains, squash, etc.), I mentioned that Schwarzbein recommends that you don't cut out all carbs 'cause it's hard on the adrenal system. At the time, you said that your doctor and everything you'd read hypothesized that carbs in the form of vegetables were sufficient.
So I am just curious as to whether your doctor had a change of mind, whether you weighed what you read with what Schwarzbein has written and decided to go another path, or what?
Also, you mention that hormonal balance may be off. I guess you've had your sex hormones tested? Can I ask where the imbalance is? (Asking to compare it to my own imbalances.)
Thanks, and Very best wishes to you,
Laura
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Laura,
I guess in reading ALL of Dr. Schwarzbein's books I finally understand the science behind why she recommends carbs ... also going to her website and watching the videos of her on different talk shows explaining the whys of her recommendations. Really, 20 g per meal is next to nothing ... it's still only 100 g per day (not counting fibrous veggies) which is considered low carb (just not very low carb).
My doctor didn't specify the amount of carbs I am allowed to have ... she said that some people feel better eating very low carb and some do okay with some carbs. It depends upon whether he/she is insulin-sensitive. And I am, so some carbs are okay. The only stipulation she has is absolutely no sugar, otherwise she didn't really care if I eliminated non-veggie carbs ... she wants me to eat lots and lots of veggies. She did say that I might feel better with some carbs ... she wants me to go with how it makes me feel.
I KNOW my hormone balance is off ... but it is improving. When I had my saliva tests done the first time, every single hormone was out of normal range... I don't have my paperwork with me right now (we're away at our summer home) but estrogen was slightly low, progesterone was practically nil, DHEAS was very very low, cortisol was non-existent in the morning and very very low the rest of the day. The only hormone that was slightly above normal was testosterone. It has since dropped below normal too. My subsequent tests have shown improvement in all areas but still way below normal (my doctor DOUBLED my progesterone at my last visit to 400 mg daily which is a very large dose from what I understand). My free T3 is also low (while free T4 is normal) and she suspects that much of it is rT3 which the body cannot use. So I am also taking Armour Thyroid twice daily. No real change in some of those symptoms yet (my hair is still falling out for example) although I think my energy level is slightly better with it.
How have you been doing?