New findings

Now harvesting: Radishes!

Well I finally got the results of my nutrition study. This was the Spectracell Test (link is on right). I went to a holistic MD for this, but my regular doctor (not OB) also does these tests. You have to find a doctor in your area who will do it (you can find the docs on the Spectracell website)...and most insurances don't cover it since it's considered "preventative." As usual, with PPO's you can submit a "superbill" afterwords and try to get some reimbursment. The time with the doc is also not covered. Anyway - the test itself is $300. It's really an amazing test and finding out any deficiencies you may have will not only vastly improve your health, but could prevent some more long term issues you don't even know you have brewing at this point in time.

Anway - it tests many nutrients but I will only cover the ones I was found to be deficient in:
1. Serine - Used to manufacture proteins, energy, cell membrane structure and synthesis of ofhter cell components (DNA and RNA. There may be a conditional need for serine during periods of cell growth or physiological stress.
2. Vitamin A - Eyes, immune function, skin, essential cell growth and development
3. Choline - essential for human cell growth, connected to weightloss (it helps to move fats around) and memory
4. Zinc - Supports enzymes, immune system, wound healing, taste/smell, DNA sysnthesis, normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence

I was also borderline on B12 - Healthy nerve cells, DNA/RNA, red blood cell production, iron function

Do you notice a trend? Every one of these has to do with cell growth, fertility, DNA/RNA, etc. Without going into too much detail, I've found that some of these have been found to be low in many women who have miscarried. I'm still getting to the bottom of this research, and I didn't even get to talk to my holistic MD on this connection yet, but not only is there a connection to miscarriage but also the thrombophilia and antiphospholipid risk factors (my gene mutations for MTHFR and Prothrombin Fac2). Obviously, I have a lot more research to do, but for the first time, I feel like some of the pieces of the puzzle are actually in front of me. Now if only someone out there was actually connecting the dots.

I've often thought doing this nutrition test was going overboard - even though it makes sense to do one of these tests every few years to make sure our "internal" bodies are in good shape. And since sharing this blog with so many others I've had some interesting conversations with others who have miscarried or suffered from infertility/reproductive issues. Most people, the vast vast majority, simply go with what the doctor recommends. I don't know why I have fought so hard against this, especially when I've talked with 4 professionals who all say to just take another chance, there are no answers. But this is how I can explain my maddness. There is ALWAYS a reason. There is a reason for each of my losses, and there is a reason someone may struggle to get pregnant. It's just a lot of work to figure it out. Sure, you can take a pill and things may be fine from here on. Sure, you could just try again and everything could go swell. But you also have an opportunity to ask the question WHY. Why did this/is this happening to me? When a doctor says, "oh, you have low progesterone, or you have high estrogen", ask them WHY. What is causing my levels to be high or low? Is there something I need to fix. Because all of the problems we have in getting pregnant/maintaining a pregnancy stand a pretty good chance of being passed along to our kiddos. And guess what? I'd give ANYTHING to prevent Kaelyn from experiencing what I have experienced. If I don't take the opportunity to learn about myself now, I won't be able to live with myself if she has issues when she is older. It will kill me.