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I recently sought out an endocrinologist for looking into hypothyroid symptoms after reading that carpal tunnel/peripheral neuropathy, memory/focussing problems, increased bouts of flulike illnesses and constipation, along with fatigue are major symptoms of hypothyroidism... What most called my attention was the carpal tunnel syndrome and the constipation... Until mid-January I had never known a good night's sleep and always was awakened for going to the bathroom 2-3 times per night, causing the concern of cortisol dumping (immitating hypothyroidism)but diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency. Fortunately a friend of mine shipped me 130 capsules of 10,000mg Vitamin D3. I imagine that should have raised my vitamin D levels adequately and removed the hypothyroid symptoms.

For the past 1.5 months, I've slept every night through due to the experience of slow stools (what I call constipation and not blockage; I'm all too familiar with blockage that actually causes the running to the bathroom more frequently, the liquid passes, but the solids don't, causing the constant sensation of needing to go...) It's been at least many decades since I knew constipation... Truthfully, it's been so long that I don't know how normal people experience bowel movements... So, experiencing this constipation and urinating normally and not as a form of diarhea, peeked my conscience... But, what is more concerning, if I slept the night through for at least 6 weeks, that would remove the question of Cortisol Dumping and I should have found myself with increased energy upon waking. Instead, I found myself with less energy and I was sleeping maximally 7-8 hours per night between 12am and 8am... no oversleeping...

I went to the endocrinologist, told him that I was FAP/Gardners with a J-Pouch, told him about my symptoms and concerns, since Gardners can present with thyroid cancer, as was the case of my younger sister. He focussed upon my blood pressure and weight, gave me a diet and told me to return in 4 weeks with blood tests, urine analyses and thyroid ultrasound...

I didn't go to him for a weight watchers program. I have my very own, along with exercise. Instead, I went to a clinic/laboratory the following day and had all the tests done, receiving the results 2 days later (not 28 days later).

The results show high Basophyls and abnormality in platelet size...

While looking into hypothyroidism and other diseases that mimick hypothyroidism I stumbled across the Paleolythic diet... And for some reason, this time around a "diet" such as this (like Atkins or the Ketotonic diet) interested me... No, I don't believe "they" must go to such extremes as removing beans and fruits or vegetables that they imagine the humans didn't eat 15,000 years ago... However, the argument against simple carbohydrates was incredibly convincing. So, the past week I removed bread, rice and corn products while incorporating more running within my daily 3 mile run-walk routine. I finish those 3 miles in 42 minutes now (17.5 minutes running), meaning that my time isn't so bad considering that I'm run-walking a mile in just over 13 minutes with just under half of the time running... I don't believe that the issue is so much weight, is it?

While trying to understand the cause of varying platelet size and increase in basophils, I was directed to hyposplenism that is connected with an increase in viral infections and certain types of flu-s.. And would you believe that what is considered the main cause of hyposplenism is Celiac Disease?

I mention this since I remember various J-Pouchers speaking about hypothyroid symptoms, the possibility of J-Pouchers being Vitamin D deficient, the probability of J-Pouchers being B12 deficient and many J-Pouchers suggesting ignoring the first 2 possibilities and looking into Celiac Disease...

So, I was wondering if any of this seems familiar to any of the J-Pouch members... and, if so, what were the steps they took.

Thanks for enduring another one of my long writings.

Ross

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I don't know about hyposplenism, but there has been a great deal of discussion about celiac disease and gluten intolerance being triggered by j-pouch surgery on j-pouch.org. According to the medical literature, any GI surgery can be a trigger an onset or worsening gluten intolerance, as can many of life's stresses. Also, there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the successful use of a low carbohydrate (sugars and grains in particular) to improve pouch function and overall health.

Celiac disease is a much more severe form of gluten intolerance and can be definitively diagnosed. There is a blood test, but you need to be eating gluten at the time the test is done. Intestinal biopsy is another test.

There are a number of causes of hyposplenism, and celiac disease is one of them. Colon removal is not.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar
Last edited by Jan Dollar
Thanks Jan,

I knew I could count on you for a very lucid and concise response.

After spending many hours on the internet investigating and exhausting my mind yesterday, I came to the conclusion that I would continue with the low carb diet (and see how things are in a year...). But I also realized that the clinic/laboratory gave me poor information about the extent of fasting before the blood and urine tests: I was told to avoid drinking even water for 8 hours before the test, which at the very least would exaggerate the urine tests... thinking about how we (J-Pouchers) lose water more rapidly than people with colons etc. I was also wondering if dehydration would effect readings of blood-sugar levels... Another very strange thing is that my HDL cholesterol readings were extremely low, although I had been taking Omega 3 all of January and most of February...

Ross
RJG-Ross
I have no idea why you were told to restrict your water intake before your labs, as that is incorrect information.

Instructions do vary from lab to lab, but generally you need to fast (no food or calorie containing beverages) for a minimum of 8 hours before a fasting glucose, and 12 hours before a fasting lipid panel. My husband and I are also instructed to fast from alcohol for 3 days before a lipid panel (alcohol affects the triglyceride levels). We have our blood sugar, lipids, CBC/differential, thyroid, vitamin D, among other things, tested every 3 months.

I have not found that taking Omega 3 supplements have had a big impact on my HDL levels, and I take the maximum dose of fish oil daily for many years. It mostly is known to help with reducing triglycerides. Exercise is best known for improving HDL. Also, since starting a low dose of lovastatin, my HDL has improved to the recommended level.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar
I suspected something of the sort... Did you know that my business is a coffee bar? The other day I was talking to my wife about one of the possible reasons simple carbs could effect your metabolism (and thyroids) is because an inundation of carbohydrates tells your body that it needs not find the energy for burning fat or protein in the muscle, since the carbs are a quick fix. The problem is if you don't exercise enough to burn all the glucose, which ends up being stored as fat... I immediately said, "I imagine the same thing happens with caffeine... in a different way..." So, I guess I shouldn't prepare the coffee when I get up from bed tomorrow morning...?

Ross :-(
RJG-Ross

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