Insertion

Today marks the first of what I hope will be a huge shift in my world. I went in to my doctor appointment to go over my full blood panel results. Just as we saw both in 2015 and a few weeks ago, I have no progesterone (0.13 & should be 3-20) and very low testosterone (15 & should be 40-70). The difference between this blood panel and one previous is that this shows the difference between my estradiol and estrone. My estradiol (88) is lower than it should be (100+),but not as low as the first test showed. My estrone is high (75 & should be < 60).

 After going over the six pages of test results, we discussed extensively my various symptoms that I’ve been dealing with because of this significant hormonal imbalance. Most of the medical issues have been more severe since the initial hospitalization in 2015, but many have been present since puberty. We decided the best course of action is to implant testosterone pellets and take progesterone, estrodim (to metabolize the excessive estrone), and magnesium orally.

Information about pellet HRT 

I have prided myself on being a "natural athlete" my entire life. Having people question me about being on drugs, usually because they are ignorant, has been something I have dealt with since high school. Even going through this HRT, I still consider myself natty. Bio identical hormone replacement therapy is to bring me to a "normal" hormone balance-- not to exceed normal levels as is the goal with most PED users. If I do get stronger because of this, neat. My only goal in making this investment is to feel better.

Here is a video clip of the pellet insertion procedure I had today. I didn’t feel anything. These pellets last 6 months. No lower body lifting until Sunday!

The doctor said I should start to feel the hormones doing their job in 10 to 14 days. I cannot express in words just how excited I am to start feeling better. To know that it hasn’t just been in my head… How for so many years even the simplest tasks feel like they take so much effort! To know that soon I will be able to wake up and feel "normal." The idea of living without so many of the symptoms that doctors have tried to Band-Aid with psychopharmaceuticals seems like a dream…I am trying very hard to not have too many expectations for this treatment, but I sure have a lot of hope!

This was an intake check list. Various symptoms are due to different hormone deficiencies. My main issue is no progesterone, so I’m taking that orally and they’ve put in the T pellets to help bring al my levels up to a normal range.

Testing 1,2...5

A major part of tackling heath issues is getting yourself tested. I mentioned the blood tests earlier, but I've come to learn is that it is important that your doctors order all of the specific lab tests to give the details you need in order to assess issues and then, in turn, start to tackle hormonal and nutrient deficiencies. The first blood panel I got (a 6 vile draw), and the conversation I had with the FM Nurse, led me to believe I knew exactly what the issues were... But last week I met with the Functional Medicine doctor I'll be working with here in Chicago, at Green Circle Wellness. When Dr Dina and I reviewed those lab results, she showed me a sample of the readout from the lab tests she runs. From a more detailed hormonal break down, to a full nutritional panel (I'll post about that one in a few weeks when I get it back)... we are gathering WAY more information... so, more tests!
Friday I filled a vile with saliva and mailed that out, Sunday I took saliva samples before Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Bed, Monday morning I collected a urine sample immediately upon waking up and then I went in for a 13 vile blood draw.


HERE is a list of all of the test profiles available. They are running just about everything for me to make sure nothing is missed. Because I am young compared to those from whom the doctor would expect to see similar hormone levels, we are taking extra time to make sure to run as many lab tests as possible--the more information we have about what's going on inside of me, the better!!
If all goes according to plan, I could start Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy as early as the 31st! Testosterone pellets and progesterone cream are the methods the doctor has hypothesized we will use...To read a bit more about what HRT is, you can read on GREEN CIRCLE

Here are 2 great videos about getting blood tests and HRT from Stan Efferding: BLOOD TESTS and HRT

Stones of Strength

A few months ago, I was awarded an incredible opportunity: an entry to compete in the IHGF Stones of Strength world championship this June, in Norway. What is this Stones thing? Think a combo of Strongman and Highland Games... all things Stones: lifting, loading, carrying, and throwing!

Current title holder, Casey Garrison, asked if I would trust him to coach me into this competition. He is pretty much responsible for getting my invitation, so after discussing with my coach, decided it was a good idea. 

Initially I was thrilled to get started training: atlas stones are definitely my favorite Strongman event, I was a thrower in high school and, well, I just really like the idea of picking up boulders HAHA Now I’ll be honest. I was not happy with the program Casey & Nyck gave me for the first 5 weeks. I was bored and missed Strongman (events/equipment). You see, I’ve never had any sort of desire to be a powerlifter, but the start of my programming with them was foundational static strength... and I was bored; nevertheless, I understood their WHY and followed the program (adding in occasional CrossFit WODs and my last minute decision to go compete in Connecticut). They say the things you like the least are often what you need to train the most...

Last weekend, I flew out to California to train with Casey and Nyck (as was planned from day 1). My three days of training at House of Power were pretty awesome. Anyone who trains Strongman and Highland Games knows that most athletes take every-other day off (these sports are extremely taxing on the central nervous system), but I didn’t want to waste any of my limited time with these guys--we set a plan for me to train different events/focus each day I was there [video highlights are hyperlinked]

THURSDAY: Banded axel push press, floor press, pin press sit ups, weighted negatives & chin ups, chest supported row, dumbbell pull overs, bicep curl, banded tricep press down 

FRIDAY: Dynamic warm up, slam ball overhead (mimic weight over bar), Atlas Stones over bar up to 300, AMRAP 240

SATURDAY: Natural stone clean & overhead press, stone put, stone carry medley

All of that event training got me SO hyped for Norway! For these next few weeks, I have co-written my program with the guys and, all my health issues aside, I’m feeling GOOD! I have 3 lifting weekdays, 1 prehab day, and 1 events day each week...

BIG THANKS to Casey & Nyck for putting up w my crazy, being great coaches and motivators, getting me connected w the nurse for blood tests, making me feel like my health and success are your priorities too...and did I say thanks for putting up with my crazy??? 💋💋

Make sure you’re following my training via IG & follow my blog to stay up to date with all things Ace 💪🏼

Empty

On Friday, I got my blood panel results back and conferenced with the Functional Medicine nurse. The results of my blood work showed that I have been running on empty for a very long time.

If you recall, in my original 2015 post, they found I had no progesterone, almost no estrogen and low testosterone too. I was put on birth control (artificial progesterone), but nobody ever followed up with more blood tests. Why? I’ll get to that.

After taking matters into my own hands and doing a lot of research, I reached a point where I knew I needed a professional who specializes in hormones to help me out. Through an incredible network, I got a FM to email me an order for bloodwork that I was able to have done at a local clinic (most states don’t allow people to just get their own blood panel done... so check your state regulations to find out if you can do this without a RX). 

My bloodwork showed that I have no progesterone, barely detectable estrogen and extremely low testosterone. 

 My levels: Estrogen <15, Progesterone < 0.5 , Test 15 / Free 0.6

Click HERE to see what are considered normal levels.

The nurse went on about how shocked she is that I am able to train and perform at the level I do without any hormones! I will be starting with a local FM very soon so that I can start on bioidentical HRT to bring me to "normal" levels and hopefully LOTS of the issues I’ve been facing over the years will improve.

There is no "why" yet... but based on my own research (and conference call w the FM & coach), it is very likely that my hormone levels have been an issue since puberty. To me, thinking about that is quite frustrating and painful. Knowing that 3/4 of my life have been spent fighting battles with depression and other health issues that could possibly have been prevented had doctors early on simply sent me for a blood panel and looked at these numbers instead of prescribing medications to bandaid my depressive symptoms!

So why didn’t anyone test my blood before? The answer is pretty simple: money. These days doctors make tons of money through pharmaceutical companies. Sending a person off for a blood test may seem like the simple basic place to start; nevertheless, because doctors are sold on pharmaceuticals with large dividends, prescriptions have become their go-to... instead of finding the underlying problem, they put a bandaid on it. Even when you hear terms like "chemical imbalance" being thrown around for people with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety etc... the likelihood that the actual chemical/hormone levels have even been assessed is slim to none!

I cannot emphasize how important it is to take your health and well-being seriously. Be an advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to ask WHY! Ask you doctor to check your blood before (and after) taking any new medications... you might even learn that you don’t need those meds! Here are more links about why you should get your blood tested.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/things-your-doctor-wont-tell-you-about-blood-tests/

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19929267/blood-test-results/

https://www.privatemdlabs.com/lp/anti-aging-testing-.php