Megan began her health journey at age 19, with a diagnosis of *PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Like many others, she visited her GYN, and was given a Rx for oral contraceptives. She felt horrible on the pill so that didn't last too long. No relief to be found. Fast forward a few years, Megan and her husband attempted to get pregnant—5 years, no baby and no birth control. She became depressed and had debilitating anxiety (ummm yeah i guess so!). At one point she was on 8 prescription medications. Desperate, she cried out to God for relief. Soon after, she met a new physician at a Melaleuca meeting (a company that specializes in natural household and personal care products that she now works for) and started seeing her soon after. THIS CHANGED EVERYTHING.
The physician helped her discover that in addition to the PCOS, she also had **insulin resistance and hypothyroidism (specifically ***Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease). With the help of the doc, Megan began a detox program to jumpstart the recovery process from the stress her body had undergone previously. She began eating a nutrient-dense paleo diet, with a focus on eating 9-15 servings of veggies a day!!! Holy Greens, thats a lot of veggies (I made up "Holy Greens")!! She has since added in Brazil nuts and seaweed chips for an increase in selenium and naturally occurring iodine. She has switched her cleaning products and personal care products to more natural, less hormone-disruptive products which she believes is a huge factor. Incredibly, she has been able to discharge from 7 of her 8 meds in a short period of time, y'all!
After 10 years with PCOS, she no longer has that diagnoses, nor insulin resistance!!! She has no symptoms of hypothyroidism at this time either. BEST NEWS--Megan and her husband are thrilled to be expecting their second baby girl without the help of ANY MEDICATION later this year. She continues to be under the care of her Functional Medicine Doc, Dr. Betsy Buchert, Naturopath, Robin Kirby and also a Chiropractor.
*PCOS is a problem that causes issues with a woman's hormonal balance. It is often characterized by an abundance of small cysts on the ovaries. It can lead to menstrual period abnormalities as well as difficulties getting pregnant.
**Insulin Resistance is characterized by the diminished ability of cells to properly respond to insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) into tissues of the body.
***Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease characterized by an attack on the thyroid gland. It causes hypothyroidism, usually enlarging the thyroid and can lead to a decreased ability to make thyroid hormones.