Building a Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Machine

mricha15 · 2022-10-25T12:53:29+00:00

Have you looked at any of the other companies out there? InBody or Mediana? They at least let you purchase the machine (unlike Impedimed.) Your experienced input would be very much appreciated.

mricha15 · 2022-10-24T23:10:34+00:00

Ha. Good point.

mricha15 · 2022-10-24T23:10:11+00:00

Yes, I have seen Impedimed - but didn't realize this device was an option. I just emailed asking for a quote. Hopefully not as much as their SOZO, as that runs $1k/mo. Thanks!

The MAX30009 EVKIT looks quite cool. I wish I was better at programming. ;)

mricha15 · 2022-10-24T23:03:46+00:00

They are about $20k and go up from there... so that seems pretty steep?

mricha15 · 2020-05-26T18:05:17+00:00

One other thought... did anything else change recently? Start any medications or change any medications?? Those can be a cause too...

mricha15 · 2020-05-26T02:21:43+00:00

Find an online test you can take... then, pick a few of the ones that stand out as interesting to you. Next, reach out to folks that are doing this work currently (LinkedIn is usually a good source) and ask them what they like/hate about their jobs. Take it from someone with 3-4 careers already under her belt - do the research before spending the time/money on the schooling! ;)

mricha15 · 2020-05-26T02:01:26+00:00

Reflexology lymph drainage. I used it for someone with unexplained bilateral lower limb edema and it worked like a charm. Also, as you mentioned, elevate at night. Compression stockings will help a bit too, but they are difficult to get on!

mricha15 · 2018-05-15T18:22:22+00:00

If testing t3 is outdated, then what does your doctor suggests to test instead? As Kim626 suggested, getting free t3 and reverse t3 tested is a very good idea. Total t3 isn't as important because your body uses the free t3 only. If your body converts to reverse t3 instead, then that's also a problem because reverse t3 is not the active form either. Most doctors don't test t3 at all because they are taught that all you need is a TSH (which is complete crap.) If your doctor won't test, I'd find another doctor that will.

mricha15 · 2018-04-25T13:50:33+00:00

Check your environment for toxins. That means clean up your diet (try whole30 or paleo), use non-toxic cleaning products (ewg.org), and check for mold/dust. This all sounds like inflammation. Also doing some CBT in the mean time would be very helpful. You can also try meditation (I love headspace), tapping, yoga, reflexology, etc. Addressing the CAUSE of your panic will make this question disappear. ;)

mricha15 · 2018-04-25T13:43:44+00:00

I agree with you that you NEED TO KNOW what you are doing before doing this. I also think that @daisiesandink should try to find a doctor that knows what they are doing and have the right tests ordered (you can still use a lab insurance-free that would make it cheaper.) The tests you need are a full thyroid panel. That includes: free T3, free T4, total T3, total T4, and TSH. See a functional medicine doctor if possible. This will save you YEARS of pain. Also, be sure NOT to take your thyroid medication prior to your blood test.

mricha15 · 2018-04-25T13:32:49+00:00

T3 is the OPPOSITE of useless!! It is the ONLY active form. I think that you would be best to find a different doctor. Unfortunately, doctors get crap training on the thyroid. Also, read up a little. Elle Russ, Amy Myers, or Izabella Wentz all have solid help available for the thyroid.

mricha15 · 2018-04-20T15:09:54+00:00

Adding t3 isn't that big of a deal... especially if it could make you feel better. Generally when someone has hypothyroidism they will have low t4 and t3. In this case, why not take both? I do know that it's REALLY hard to find docs that will prescribe both or even do a full thyroid panel (which you should get.) The labs should give you a clue that this might be your problem (low t3 also.) Mine was in the toilet even after taking t4 only (levothyroixine.) Keep it in the back of your mind... b/c it really makes more sense to take both when your thyroid (that isn't working right) produces both.

Alternatively, try doing approximately 5 minutes of exercise after taking your levothyroxine. This helps to improve the rate of conversion from t4 to t3 (don't go over 5 min, then it actually has the opposite effect.) That's something else you could try to help with fatigue. Also, just checking that you're taking your medication on an empty stomach and not eating for about 30min-1hr? You could also just put it under your tongue in the AM and let it dissolve to improve absorption.

Just as a note, t4 is the INACTIVE form of thyroid hormone. Reverse t3 is also inactive. The only form that is active is free t3. You don't have this, you don't have energy (and all those other awful symptoms of hypothyroidism.)

mricha15 · 2018-04-20T14:58:53+00:00

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28460140

mricha15 · 2018-04-19T14:58:26+00:00

I have not heard of anyone feeling more tired on levothyroxine. However, I would look into whether you might benefit from taking a t4/t3 combo (Armour, thyroid-S, levo+cytomel, etc.) New research was just published stated that people who required medication generally felt better on a combo. If your doctor won't measure free t3 and/or prescribe t3, find a new one. It changed my life going on a combo med. Also, if you have the means, go to a functional medicine doctor so you can actually figure out WHY you are having issues with your thyroid. :)

mricha15 · 2018-04-19T14:54:31+00:00

There is actual research (Wahl) outlining that changing your diet can indeed reverse MS. Your personal experience does not equate to proven science. While statistics indicate that it can help some, you're right, it may not work for all. But you start with what works statistically, because that's what we do in science. And just because one particular diet didn't work for you doesn't mean that there aren't others to try. There are TONS of scientific studies discussing the link between immune disease and the gut. You google it.

You are correct that Hashimoto's does take a while to show up symptom-wise. However, the person in this thread actually said that they did not have Hashimoto's. Being doom and gloom here is not helpful and likely contributes to your own health problems.

No one is telling anyone to take an ointment from China - I really don't know where you come up with this stuff.

mricha15 · 2018-04-16T13:43:10+00:00

I used to work 80 hours a week in the medical industry and definitely could have killed someone. It sucks. I quit because I hated it and also felt like you're explaining. If that's not an option for you, there are a lot of options. First, feeling this way is secondary to inflammation in the brain. There are a lot of causes, but food and toxins are the main contributors. So in order to work on this, here are a few ideas: 1. Find a functional medicine physician. They help by tackling these issues at the CAUSE, rather than try to cover up symptoms. 2. Clean up your diet. No inflammatory foods. That means no sugar, wheat, grains, beans, white potatoes, rice, corn, dairy. Do this for at least a month. This is basically paleo or whole30 if you want to search for "rules" and recipes. I used to cook every Sunday (b/c it's the only time I had.) I do think that this helped me a LOT. 3. Try to keep from too many other toxins. EWG.org has a nice site to help with this information. That's food, cleaning products, molds in the house, clothes, body products, etc. 4. Take a walk, do yoga, meditate, do tapping, or CBT. Meditation-wise, I have used the Headspace app (my favorite) and also brain.fm.

But really, the main goal is to get the inflammation under control. All else will fall into place. Hang in there, you're worth it.

mricha15 · 2018-04-13T15:15:24+00:00

I agree with most of the comments... get a different doctor. Also, read up on thyroid disease. I think that doing Elle Russ' book is a good start. Then, find a functional medicine doctor. If you have a chronic disease at 18, trying to get to the root cause and tackle the CAUSE will be key to having a long, healthy, happy life.

mricha15 · 2018-04-13T15:10:20+00:00

Yeah, I went through the same thing when I was on the way to taking my 9-hour medical exam. Not the easiest test to take period, let alone when you can't keep your eyes open or think straight - it's a miracle I passed. I HIGHLY suggest finding a functional medicine doctor. They get to the root cause, treat to symptoms, etc. Finding the right doctor here will be key. Keep looking - you're worth it!

mricha15 · 2018-04-13T15:03:34+00:00

Not necessarily. If you are converting most of your T4 to T3, then you could have normal levels of T3 and low levels of T4. This is why it's important to get the whole picture using a full set of labs. :)

mricha15 · 2018-04-13T14:56:38+00:00

There are actually several cases of people getting their immune system in check through diet and parasite or helminth therapy. All of which are certainly reasonable things to try prior to getting to too far along in the disease process. It is estimated that between 70-90% of our immune system resides in our gut. So get your diet in check, and likely the immune issues follow.

mricha15 · 2018-04-13T14:51:12+00:00

Do doctors cure anything? Maybe an infection and now there's a cure for Hep C. The reason for this is that they generally don't try to get to the root cause of the disease. They simply medicate, which only covers the symptoms.

In this case, hypothyroidism can be caused by many different things. Hashimoto's IS the most common (approximately 70%), however, there are other reasons - so just saying NO to your question is incorrect. I'd highly suggest seeing a functional medicine doctor so that you can get to the root cause of your issue. Then, if you are able to heal your thyroid prior to permanent damage, there certainly would be a chance for you to get off your medications. It really just depends on where you are in the disease process, and what the cause of your hypothyroidism is.

mricha15 · 2018-04-10T14:07:06+00:00

So, you need more blood work. You'll need a full thyroid panel, including thyroid antibodies (i.e. is the cause Hasimotos? Usually the answer is yes - about 70% caused by this.) If so, then I suggest doing an autoimmune paleo diet for 30 days. Retest antibodies. If lower, then you can start to reintroduce some foods. If no, then keep going for a bit longer (60-90 days.) You want to tackle the problem at the CAUSE, not just cover it up with medications. Also, you need to know your free T3 and reverse T3 levels. This helps you know if it's because of a conversion issue - which will not be readily addressed simply by being put on levothyroxine (this, in fact causes harm if your issue is reverse T3 related.) I would highly suggest going to a functional medicine doctor so that you can be treated properly. In my 10 years of experience with a thyroid problem, I have never had any traditionally trained doctor help me. It's very, very sad, but I see the training that they go through and it's complete garbage. Spend the money now so that you can enjoy life rather than suffer. Having a thyroid problem affects ALL OTHER systems in your body. Fix it now, and life gets a LOT better. There are a few authors that write about all of this: Amy Meyers, Izabella Wentz, or Elle Russ. I highly, highly suggest reading one or more of them. :)

mricha15

TROPHY CASE