Annual Physical Exams
As part of the Go Green Fit Challenge, I decided it was time to get my “annual” medical check-up, which tends to be every three years. Time just moves so quickly. Since I am pretty healthy, I kept putting off making an appointment. Bad idea. See below what I found out. In fact, I am not alone. Fifty percent of Americans are not up to date with their required screenings.
Before I went, I had to fill out “what’s new” in my life. As I started to think, there was the annoying weight gain after I went through menopause that I spoke about in my previous Go Green Get Fit Challenge article. I chalked up the weight gain to sitting on my rump most of the day.
And there was falling asleep after eating carbohydrates. Even sprouted bread puts me to sleep.
Oh, and there was the gluten gas. (Who else has this? I feel sorry for your family.)
And sex drive? What is that? At one point I was contemplating telling hubby to just go get a mistress since it was easier.
Plus, I am always freezing (except when I have a hot flash.) Walking into a grocery store without a sweater is pure torture. If you ever want me to divulge a secret take me to the frozen aisle of a grocery store, I will squeal like a pig. Seriously.
But otherwise, pretty healthy.
Third Son had started seeing a wonderful holestic doctor who I knew wouldn’t brush off my concerns. My prior doctor wasn’t the least bit concerned of my falling asleep after eating issues. He claimed I was just tired running around after four boys. (Yes, a there, there pat on the head.)
My new doctor ordered the following tests:
- Routine blood tests
- Thyroid panel
- Cortisol panel to see my stress level
- Daily temperature readings with a mercury based thermometer.
- A test to see if I had blood in my stool. (My colonoscopy is scheduled for July. I am not looking forward to this procedure.)
- Hypoglycemic test. (Failed the gestational diabetes one with Son #4 and had to repeat the test. Thank goodness I passed the second one.)
- Iodine test. (The doctor puts a square of iodine on your skin to see how fast you absorb the idonine to see if you have a deficency. Remember, I don’t eat fish since I am a vegetarian.)
What Did the Tests Reveal?
- My cholesterol is 174 and all other blood tests were good.
- My Iodine patch disappeared in three hours. The doctor said I was deficient.
- I did poorly on the hypoglycemic test and had some nasty lows. (Remember, I have a juvenile diabetic son so I know about lows and highs.) In fact, at the end, I could not stand up and my blood pressure was very low. They made me drink a Honest Tea Juice to get my sugar back up.
- My morning temperature is 97.2 to 97.4. This is normal for me. Low for others.
- My blood pressure has been hovering around 80/50 to 86/60.
- No blood in my stool. (Yay.)
- My cortisol levels showed I was sluggish in the morning and elevated at night. (I am a night owl. Morning is not my friend.)
- Only one marker of the thyroid came back out of range; otherwise all the other numbers were in range. But the doctor was concerned because of my low body temperature and complaints of being cold all the time. (Oh and the weight gain.)
What did the Doctor prescribe?
- An idone supplement
- DHEA
- A thyroid/adrenal supplement
- B-12 because I am a vegetarian
- Proalgen supplement (100% vegetarian source of omega-3s EPA and DHA)
- Chromium to keep my blood sugars level
Join the Conversation
- When is the last time you had a thorough physical?
- Are you taking supplements?
- Are you suffering from any issues?
- Any diet suggestions about protein/carb food combinations?
- What did you find out that surprised you when you went to your doctor?
Tiffany (NatureMom) says
I agree Anna. So many in folks in natural health/healthy food circles shy away from seeing doctors because they think they are perfectly healthy and that their diet cures everything. I say put your money where your mouth is and prove it, especially if you have a blog that highlights the the “healthiest way to eat”. I have actually seen a couple health/food bloggers in the past few years start to publish regular blood panels on their blogs so they can demonstrate the truth (and the flaws) of the their chosen lifestyle.
Anna@GreenTalk says
Tiffany, wow. They actually put their blood tests up. I am beginning to learn that not one diet works for everyone. Now, I have to find if I can deal with my ethical choices and my health at the same time.
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
When is the last time you had a thorough physical?
I want to say May, I go once every 3-6 months because I have several chronic health problems and often have one extra visit in the winter for asthma, sadly the last several years I have had to be put on steroids for asthma attacks each winter.
Are you taking supplements?
When I remember I take a multi-vitamin, magnesium (I have fibromyalgia and most people with fibro are very low on magnesium), and b12 (I’m deficient, may have to start shots). I need to get back to taking CoQ10 again as I’m at risk for heart problems since I have tachycardia and other risk factors.
Are you suffering from any issues? I have fibromyalgia, asthma, tachycardia (after lots of tests, still can’t find the cause), food allergies, and other allergies.
Any diet suggestions about protein/carb food combinations? Not really, I have to have protein throughout the day for blood sugar but I normally just eat a piece of cheese or some sunflower seed butter.
What did you find out that surprised you when you went to your doctor? Last time, nothing. Everything was good, or in the words of my PA, my BP was great! 🙂 I do need to go back in for blood work soon but that’s all just normal stuff my doctor runs every year, though I’m going to get him to add in vitamin d levels. I have a crazy thyroid so he checks that often, checks iron and b12 since they are often low and I’m a semi-vegaterian. I need to get my cholesterol checked for the first time.
Several years ago I got a really bad surprise, my insulin was high and I was just below the level of needing medicine! I got really serious about my health and now that’s normal and my BP is down and good and all that good stuff. 🙂
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
And I will say I eat some meat because totally vegetarian doesn’t work with my health problems. I do make sure to buy local, humanely raised, meat.
Anna@Green Talk says
Lisa, have they checked your iodine? My son takes B12 shots. I took one to see what it was like. Wow. No dips during the day. You definitively have your hands full.
Do you have food allergies? Anna
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
No I haven’t but I cook with salt that has iodine so I doubt I’m low. I have liquid b12 but I always forget to take it.
Yes I have lots of food allergies- mushrooms, nuts, peanuts, sensitive to eggs (can’t have to much), sensitive to chocolate (can’t have to much), mildly lactose intolerant, don’t handle corn-fed beef very well, and the list goes on.