How do I find out my stomach acidity? What test is there? I have some symptoms but not sure if I should start some Bentain HC. I have urine test strips
He covers all the bases with a comprehensive symptom list followed by a simple baking soda test (including considerations to increase reliability of outcomes) and a "Betaine HCL challenge test" plus multiple ways to improve stomach acid levels. (Personally, I'm so glad he had a challenge test as I've always found those invaluable with my kids and myself to learn more about what's happening.)
Would love to hear about your experiences with this or other techniques, Janet.
Thank you. My hemoglobin and ferritin levels have been very low leading to fatigue. I’m also hypothyroid and hashimotos. I’m seeing a hematologist Thursday p,us the usual colonoscopy and endoscopy coming up to check for bleeds. I have symptoms of several things. But very very minor symptoms. The fatigue was the worse. I have not eaten much red meat the past few months and much more calcium and I’m thinking I may have an iron absorption problem. Low ferritin has popped up over the years so Along with the low acid thought which also seems to fit. I briefly scanned Dr. Jockers so will go back. I have ordered some HCL. I absolutely hate stepping onto the conventional med merry go round. I won’t make decisions under duress however. The hematologist is just a consult He thought iron supplementation or infusions would help. The GI wants to do the other stuff Each from their respective silos. Sigh. 🙄
Thanks for sharing your situation, Janet. A couple thoughts... to say you have Hashimoto's is to say you have the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. Allopathic medicine is verifiably useless with autoimmune issues but other medical systems are verifiably successful.
While I have some great, organized research on addressing autoimmune disease, I personally don't have a good foundational understanding of hypothyroidism from a clinical perspective. So I thought I’d spend more time with this short e-book by Chris Kresser, a functional medicine practitioner whose published material I've appreciated over the years. To be clear, I’m not proposing his suggestions are the best ones, just that since he’s provided this structure, it might help to get our arms around the subject as a whole.
FYI, the issues I've found that research shows are the most implicated in overwhelming the immune system (the fundamental issue with autoimmune disease) are:
1. Chronic inflammation (more precisely, a manifestation, indicator or symptom of immune system dysfunction rather than a causal factor)
2. Gut issues
3. Toxin accumulation
4. Pathogens / Infections
5. Staying indoors all day
6. Vitamin D deficiency and absorption issues
7. Chronic stress and grief
8. Sleep issues
9. Chronic dehydration
Sending good wishes for your appointments this week.
How do I find out my stomach acidity? What test is there? I have some symptoms but not sure if I should start some Bentain HC. I have urine test strips
Loved this question, because it's a good one and because I learned things when I consulted reliable sources for their perspectives.
Dr. David Jockers has excellent advice here:
https://drjockers.com/10-ways-improve-stomach-acid-levels/
He covers all the bases with a comprehensive symptom list followed by a simple baking soda test (including considerations to increase reliability of outcomes) and a "Betaine HCL challenge test" plus multiple ways to improve stomach acid levels. (Personally, I'm so glad he had a challenge test as I've always found those invaluable with my kids and myself to learn more about what's happening.)
Would love to hear about your experiences with this or other techniques, Janet.
Thank you. My hemoglobin and ferritin levels have been very low leading to fatigue. I’m also hypothyroid and hashimotos. I’m seeing a hematologist Thursday p,us the usual colonoscopy and endoscopy coming up to check for bleeds. I have symptoms of several things. But very very minor symptoms. The fatigue was the worse. I have not eaten much red meat the past few months and much more calcium and I’m thinking I may have an iron absorption problem. Low ferritin has popped up over the years so Along with the low acid thought which also seems to fit. I briefly scanned Dr. Jockers so will go back. I have ordered some HCL. I absolutely hate stepping onto the conventional med merry go round. I won’t make decisions under duress however. The hematologist is just a consult He thought iron supplementation or infusions would help. The GI wants to do the other stuff Each from their respective silos. Sigh. 🙄
Thanks for sharing your situation, Janet. A couple thoughts... to say you have Hashimoto's is to say you have the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. Allopathic medicine is verifiably useless with autoimmune issues but other medical systems are verifiably successful.
While I have some great, organized research on addressing autoimmune disease, I personally don't have a good foundational understanding of hypothyroidism from a clinical perspective. So I thought I’d spend more time with this short e-book by Chris Kresser, a functional medicine practitioner whose published material I've appreciated over the years. To be clear, I’m not proposing his suggestions are the best ones, just that since he’s provided this structure, it might help to get our arms around the subject as a whole.
https://kresserinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/ebooks/Thyroid%20Disorders%20-%20KI.pdf?
FYI, the issues I've found that research shows are the most implicated in overwhelming the immune system (the fundamental issue with autoimmune disease) are:
1. Chronic inflammation (more precisely, a manifestation, indicator or symptom of immune system dysfunction rather than a causal factor)
2. Gut issues
3. Toxin accumulation
4. Pathogens / Infections
5. Staying indoors all day
6. Vitamin D deficiency and absorption issues
7. Chronic stress and grief
8. Sleep issues
9. Chronic dehydration
Sending good wishes for your appointments this week.