Hi @kritissoni – so it does sound like your immunity may be struggling and with the addition of the hive-like bumps, as you’re suspecting, there could be some mast cell activation going on along with histamine release.

Given that it takes you longer to recover and you seem to get sick quicker than other family members, it would make sense to investigate your microbiome health and gut health specifically since 2/3rds of our immune system resides in the gut! Our microbiome health informs and modulates immunity so if there’s perhaps a low-grade simmering infection from let’s say microbial overgrowths, this can be causing your immune system to be working on overdrive which can weaken it over time. The immune system’s job is to surveil and to be tolerant; not to be constantly at work with low-grade dysbiosis/infections.

You can look at getting comprehensive stool testing such as the GI map with zonulin to give you an overview of gut health, IgA status (gut immunity), permeability, any microbial/fungal overgrowths, etc.

However this functional test is expensive. Alternatively, you may want to consider getting a simple CBC with differential blood test which gives an indication of immune health, possible simmering infections, and anemia. Checking immune nutrients vitamin D, vitamin A and RBC zinc and copper is also helpful if you’ve never tested those, especially if you’ve been supplementing with zinc and vitamin D3/K2 daily. Selenium is another nutrient you can look at testing related to immune health. It’s also possible to test IgA in stool with the doctor.

In fact, since the pandemic, I’ve seen people weaken their immunity by taking too much zinc and vitamin D. Zinc and copper have an antagonistic relationship so they must be in balance. Too much zinc can actually deplete copper which is needed for white blood cell production/immunity and iron formation. So testing zinc and copper levels would be wise, especially in red blood cells (RBC, not serum).

In terms of rapid relief for the mucous production, N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that helps thin mucus and supports respiratory health. Dose is typically 600-1,200 mg/day. Steam inhalation and eliminating mucus triggering foods like dairy, gluten and processed sugar can help as well.

I’m suspecting the heat and pressure from your Apple watch (or possibly the EMF radiation) may be stimulating histamine release. Try wearing it on airplane mode to see if it makes a difference. And again, gut health is related here as well. We produce DAO enzyme that breaks down histamine in the brush border of our gut lining. If there is dysbiosis or an overgrowth of microorganisms, this will impact DAO enzyme production. This is also highly dependent on vitamin B6, which you can look at getting tested as well.

For rapid relief from histamine reactions, a DAO enzyme in supplement form like the one by Seeking Health’s Histamine Digest can be helpful while addressing the underlying root cause factor(s). We just released our Histamine Intolerance handout in our Symptom Dictionary if you’d like to see other possible contributing factors for histamine intolerance.

Also note that many “healthy foods” like bone broth and fermented foods for example are very high in histamine. So checkout this histamine elimination handout to see if your diet may be high in histamine.

In the meantime, stinging nettle infusions with onion peels can offer natural anti-histamine support in food form. You can watch my tutorial here and also find more relief support in the Rapid Relief for Allergies/Congestion protocol here.

Hope this helps!

Hi @Annie – sorry to hear that you’ve not been feeling well. But I’m glad that you’re going to start focusing on your own health. Here’s a list of tests to consider as a starting point, many of which are found in an annual physical in the US. This will help us zoom in and suggest more targeted functional tests if needed:

• CBC with differentials
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Blood sugar
• Thyroid panel
• Iron panel
• Vitamin D
• RBC B12
• RBC folate/B9
• RBC magnesium
• RBC zinc/copper
• Homocysteine
• hs-CRP

You can find the breakdown of the markers in each panel in this handout.

Other functional tests to consider based on some of the symptoms you’ve described (but I would wait until you get blood testing first):

• OmegaQuant fatty acid test (dry skin)
• Food sensitivity testing (congestion, random pains, joint pain, fatigue, etc)
• Environmental testing (if suspected) like mycotoxin testing and heavy metal testing (congestion, aches and pains, fatigue, history of histamine intolerance, etc)

Given that you have a history of histamine intolerance, mold exposure immediately came to mind. And since gut infections are the main producers of internal histamine, would you say you have any gut or digestion related symptoms?

Any history of oral contraceptives? This depletes B vitamins, especially B6 and also increases estrogen, both of which exacerbate histamine.

If you want to order the tests on your own without going through a physician, then you can explore the following sites listed in this video and linked below the video for easy reference.

Hi @natkhoury20 – sorry to hear about your daughter’s discomfort. I have questions to help us dig a little deeper:

1. Even though you’re avoiding soap, what laundry detergent or fabric softeners are you using to wash her clothes in? There could be irritants or allergens in those.

2. What material is her underwear? It should be 100% cotton.

3. Is her underwear tight fitting that it can trap moisture? Are there times where she sweats a lot or does any activities like swimming that can lead to a lot of moisture?

4. Does she use any wipes or scented toilet paper? How about bubble baths?

5. Who helps her wipe after using the toilet? Any back to front wiping involved which can introduce bacteria from the anus into the vaginal area?

6. Have you taken her to see a doctor to rule out a possible yeast infection?

7. Have you noticed if it happens around a time when more sugar is consumed (which can promote yeast growth)?

8. How about potential food sensitivities (ex. to dairy, gluten) which might cause low-grade inflammation that affects sensitive areas like the skin and mucosa? I’d suggest keeping track with a food log to see if you notice any patterns if you haven’t already.

9. Does she consume any probiotic-rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut or other fermented vegetables for example?

10. Do you notice her itching her bum, especially at night? Pinworms (tiny parasites) can irritate the anal tissue but they can also migrate over to the vaginal region. Gross I know. But it’s something to rule out. You can try the “tape test” (placing sticky tape over the anus late at night or first thing in the morning) to see if you can visibly see pinworms.

11. Does she have any other skin issues elsewhere like rashes or eczema?

12. What are you currently using to help relieve the irritation and itch?

If she’s been experiencing this symptom twice per month for the past 4 months, I would definitely take her to see a pediatrician to physically examine her and do a swab, urine and stool test to rule out infections and pinworms.

Waiting to hear back from you.

Hi @LAK – to avoid having you repeat yourself, can you please link the previous thread discussion we had so I can refresh my memory about your case. Additionally, I have a few follow-up questions:

1. When were these tests taken in your cycle?
2. How long after starting supplementation did you have your blood drawn?
3. How long have you been supplementing in total?
4. How are you feeling now? Any new updates or symptoms to report?

Hi @Inga-55 – no not at all! I definitely would not want to be putting PEGs in my vagina which are likely derived from formaldehyde which is cancer causing. Same with pheoxyethanol which can be a carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, allergen or skin microbiome disruptor.

Your question is timely because I’m working on a protocol for vaginal dryness relief for December’s release. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness because of low estrogen levels which is common post-menopause, there are a few things to consider:

• consult with a naturopath or functional doctor to discuss bio-identical hormone therapy which can include estrogen only, or all sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone)
• also discuss with your doctor if vaginal DHEA cream like Dr. Anna Cabeca’s Julva Cream or vaginal estriol cream (available over the counter in the US) is appropriate
• consider consuming 2-3 rounded tbsp of ground flaxseed daily – an easy addition to a smoothie or salad. This natural, plant-based phytoestrogen is much weaker than the strong estrogens our body can produce, so they can give symptom relief without significant risk of estrogen toxicity.

• A few supplements that have shown some efficacy in vaginal dryness:

  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E suppositories (also common in natural lubricant oils)
  • Royal jelly cream
  • Maca (e.g. Feminessence)

Aside from low estrogen, there could be other reasons for vaginal dryness. Some adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola for example can result in overall dryness, including vaginal dryness. Anticholinergic medications are also drying so should be ruled out as a cause as well (as in some allergy and cold meds, tricyclic antidepressants, incontinence meds and others). Other things that can contribute to dry mucus membranes include any type of hypothyroidism and tannin consumption (e.g. coffee, black tea, red wine). And it goes without saying that dehydration overall will dry mucus membranes as well, including the vagina.

Which ones do you think are possible root cause reason(s) for you? Determining that will help you better address the issue.

In terms of cleaner lubricants, plain old coconut oil is safe and effective. If you prefer a product, then checkout Coconu’s line of lubricants.

Hope this helps offer relief and resolution!

Hi @Annie – I would actually want to investigate liver / gallbladder health and fatty acid status first and foremost. Our skin’s outermost layer, contains a matrix of lipids (fats) and proteins that form a protective barrier to maintain hydration and protect against external damage. And since we need good liver function to produce bile, and we need bile to help absorb our fats, that’s where I would start looking.

A liver panel includes: ALT, AST, GGT, Alk Phos, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin, Protein, Albumin, Globulin

I would also add in vitamin B6 specifically because it’s a nutrient that’s needed for many liver enzymes.

For fatty acid testing, I would recommend OmegaQuant’s Complete test. We also have a discount code for B Better members.

Other nutrients I would test for are Vitamin A and RBC zinc. Vitamin A is critical for skin regeneration and zinc helps with wound healing and skin repair.

Feel free to share the results if you decide to get tested so we can further guide you.

Finally, was there a reason you are suspecting vitamin B deficiency?

Hi @healthyliving99 – may I ask where you’re immigrating to? As far as I’m aware, flu and covid boosters are not mandatory vaccines. Same with Tdap for adults.

@adoobeh99 since you’re taking a menopause support supplement, I’m assuming that you’re either approaching or are already post-menopause correct?

Estrogen helps regulate fat distribution in the body. Pre-menopause, it tends to promote fat storage in the hips and thighs (pear-shaped distribution). But as estrogen levels decline in peri- and menopausal years, lower estrogen levels lead to a shift in fat storage to the abdominal area (apple-shaped distribution). And because of lower estrogen levels, testosterone ends up being relatively higher, which contributes to more visceral fat accumulation in the belly (like men!).

Post-menopause, women are also more likely to develop insulin resistance, where the body’s cells don’t respond as well to insulin, which leads to higher blood sugar levels and increased fat storage in the belly.

Add to that stress/high cortisol and a decrease in muscle mass (unless doing regular strength training), and it becomes very clear why it’s so easy for post-menopausal women to gain weight, especially in their mid-section.

So, what can be done?

1. Focus on strength training at least 3 x per week to maintain and even increase muscle mass. Creatine is a great option to help with muscle recovery, muscle gain, and cognitive performance.

2. Make sure you’re eating enough protein with every meal. Most women are way undereating! Aim for at least 30-40g of protein per meal. You can get a more accurate amount based on your age and activity level by reading this handout on protein. I share a helpful protein calculator in the article.

3. Limit refined carbs and sugars to reduce possible insulin resistance.

4. If stress is in the picture, prioritize stress reduction measures; yoga, meditation, daily grounding outside, Epsom salt baths, etc.

5. Make sure you’re sleeping well.

6. Consider intermittent fasting. You can watch the session with Cynthia Thurlow on the beneficial effects of IF for post-menopausal women.

7. Discuss bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with a functional doctor or naturopath

Hi @LAK – PCOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam Criteria (two of three criteria must be met):

1. Irregular or absent ovulation (anovulation)
2. High androgen levels
3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound

The blood tests the doctor wants to run sound correct. They usually check androgen levels (testosterone and DHEAs), LH, FSH (the ratio may suggest PCOS).

To rule out PCOS, they can test ACTH (to check brain-adrenal communication), prolactin, thyroid, and also blood sugar (fasting insulin & glucose).

Hope that helps.

@LAK the fact that DHEA-s was low suggests that instead of it being converted into the sulfated, more stable storage form (DHEA-S), the DHEA you’re supplementing is being quickly converted to androstenedione. It could be that your body naturally has high enzyme activity to convert it that way or there could be PCOS which increases androgen production.

So yes, the high androstenedione levels could be entirely due to DHEA supplementation even if it’s only been 1 week. It could also be an initial spike and then your body will normalize. However, underlying hormonal imbalances (e.g., predisposition to androgen excess, PCOS, or adrenal overactivity) could also be amplifying the effect.

So you can discuss with your doctor to:

1. Continue supplementing and re-test again in 3 weeks see if levels normalize since you’re feeling good.

OR

2. Reduce by half or stop it temporarily and retest androstenedione levels after 4–6 weeks to establish a baseline level vs. the effect of supplementation.

Hi @LAK – here’s what stood out from these latest labs:

• High LH (Luteinizing Hormone): in women, this hormone triggers ovulation and stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone. Your level is 13 mIU/mL when it should be 1.9-12.5 during the early follicular phase (day 2 of your period). Your FSH (9.10 mIU/mL) however is within the range but should be in a ratio of 1:1 with LH. So your LH:FSH ratio is slightly higher, ~1.4:1 (slightly above normal), which is often seen with PCOS (but more so when the ratio is 2:1). However, it could also be due to your recent supplementation with chaste tree (Vitex), which influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.
• High Androstenedione: this is more than likely due to the recent DHEA supplementation. The body converts DHEA into androstenedione an androgen hormone. Chaste tree’s effect on LH stimulation may also be enhancing androgen output. The fact that you’re feeling stronger at the gym is likely due to the increased androgen levels. And feeling less “snappy” may also be related since DHEA can boost mental clarity and wellbeing in some people. The Chaste Tree can also be a play since it helps regulate progesterone and prolactin, which can potentially improve mood.

• Low-Normal DHEA-S: despite you supplementing with DHEA, your DHEA-S (51.0 µg/dL) remains below the normal range (60.9–337 µg/dL). This suggests that you’re not converting it well from DHEA to its sulfated form DHEA-s or that your body is quickly converting it to androstenedione or other androgen hormones and bypassing the sulfation pathway altogether.

Since androstenedione is clinically high, I would discuss decreasing your dosage by half with your doctor to see if the levels normalize. Retest DHEA-s, androstenedione, LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone after 4-6 weeks.

If you haven’t already, investigate the possibility of PCOS.

And since DHEA-s was low despite supplementing with DHEA, if it continues to be low, then consider optimizing sulfation enzymes with nutrients like magnesium, vitamin B6, sulfur-rich foods (like garlic, onions, eggs), and NAC to support detoxification and antioxidant pathways.

@Inga-55 you can ask your doctor to run a sex hormone panel which includes estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA.

Regarding flaxseeds. Any brand will do – ideally organic and whole (not ground). It’s better to grind a small batch at a time yourself and keep the rest of the ground flaxseed in a sealed jar in the fridge.

Hi @Annie – there are many variables to consider when it comes to increasing vitamin D levels from sun exposure; amount of skin showing, color of skin, age, geographical location, UV index, time of day, weather, duration, etc.

That’s why I really love the D minder app to help track vitamin D intake. It accounts for all of these variables so that you can determine when and how much sun exposure you should be getting in to help improve your vitamin D levels.

The recommendation to avoid washing the skin immediately after sun exposure is partly true because it hinges on how vitamin D is synthesized and absorbed through the skin initially. When UVB rays hit the skin, they convert 7-dehydrocholesterol into pre-vitamin D3, which is then transformed into vitamin D3 in the skin. From there, vitamin D3 enters the bloodstream and makes its way to the liver and kidneys, where it’s converted into its active form, calcitriol. While this process begins in the skin, there’s no solid evidence proving that washing right after significantly reduces vitamin D levels. That said, waiting 1–2 hours before showering with soap might be a good precautionary step, but it’s not strictly necessary for everyone.

Hope that helps.

@healthyliving99 I would personally look for a doctor who could write a medical exemption because if a vaccine is not medically appropriate due to a specific health condition or for moral/religious reasons, a civil surgeon can certify this exemption and annotate the form I-693. Here’s what it says on the USCIS.org website:

Q. What will happen if I refuse to receive one or all of the required vaccines?
A. Tell the civil surgeon if you do not wish to receive the required vaccines or a particular vaccine. You should also tell the civil surgeon the reason you do not wish to receive the vaccine(s). In this case, a waiver may be available to you, but only under the following circumstances:

• You are opposed to all vaccinations in any form– a waiver may not be granted if you only object to specific vaccinations;
• Your objection must be based on religious beliefs or moral convictions; and
• The religious or moral beliefs must be sincere.

The form used to apply for a waiver depends on the adjustment category under which you are seeking legal permanent residence status. For example, refugees and asylees seeking adjustment of status should file Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability. Individuals seeking adjustment of status based on an approved Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, or Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, are required to file Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.

If you can delay the application process, you can also likely avoid the flu vaccine altogether. I researched the green card vaccination requirements and it said that the seasonal influenza vaccine is required during the flu season, which generally runs from October through March. So if you can wait to apply outside of these months, a flu vaccine may not be available and therefore that’s one less vaccine you’d be required to take.

If none of the above are options for you, then I would definitely space them out to avoid taking them all at once, and make sure I’m not sick or immunocompromised at that time either.

Regarding the Tdap vaccine, it contains aluminum as the adjuvant to create a stronger immune response, along with preservatives. So anything that supports liver detox and binders to help escort toxins can help. However, since you’re breastfeeding, it would be wise to pump/discard breastmilk and supplement with formula during this time to prevent toxins from transferring into the breast milk.

I share different binders/chelators (food and supplement options) in the Heavy Metal Detox Program.

I also share different ways to support liver detox from the Mold & Mycotoxin Illness course. (watch video and scroll down for list of products mentioned on the slide)

Glutathione, a major antioxidant and detoxifier, can also be helpful after vaccination to assist the body’s detoxification
pathways and decrease inflammation.

And finally, if you can test and optimize vitamin D, A and RBC zinc, these nutrients can help support overall immunity.

uscis.gov

Vaccination Requirements | USCIS

These Questions and Answers provide basic information about the general vaccination requirements for immigrants (including individuals seeking adjustment of status), and specifically about the asse

@adoobeh99 it’s generally very safe to be taken with other supplements. Are you concerned about a particular supplement?

Have you seen our liver/gallbladder support video from the Gut Health Masterclass? You’ll learn that in addition to d-limonene, taurine and phosphatidyl choline can be helpful additions in cases where D-limonene was not enough to dissolve gallstones. And keep in mind that it’s important to also support gallbladder emptying to help them pass through. Things like extra virgin olive oil, artichoke and bitter foods/digestive bitters in supplement form can also be helpful additions to promote bile flow.

I also share more potent options such as the cleanse by Dr. Schulze. Please spare 20 minutes to watch that video lesson if you haven’t already.