Patient, woman, 35 years, susceptible to infections and fatigue.

For ten years, our patient had experienced more and more exhaustion and apparently suffered from an unexplained susceptibility to infections. She was often afflicted with frequent infections, more so than her friends, and often felt hungry. She questioned whether her immune system was functioning properly. Almost every week, she experienced a feeling of not feeling well and often suffered an infection to the extent that she did not always dare to exercise. After a workout, she sometimes became ill for a week afterwards and could stay in bed from time to time. The patient ate a good and varied diet, slept well and exercised regularly. However, she had an intense working life with no time to get better and had for many years travelled extensively with trips across many different time zones. Her blood tests showed a slightly elevated TSH, which indicates a malfunction of the thyroid gland. The patient came to the Nordic Clinic in the autumn of 2018.

Used the following functional tests:

Test for bacterial growth in the small intestine

Comprehensive thyroid test

Test for the intestinal flora and intestinal function which showed a mild imbalance in the intestinal flora

Test for adrenal function

Functional Test – results:

The test for bacterial growth in the small intestine showed very elevated levels of hydrogen-producing bacteria (SIBO), which can lead to systemic symptoms such as fatigue and inflammation.

An extensive thyroid test confirmed a slightly elevated TSH and also showed low levels of selenium and lithium.

Tests for the intestinal flora and intestinal function showed a mild imbalance in the intestinal flora.

Tests for adrenal hormones showed low levels of cortisol and that they were not elevated as they should in the morning and day, which is seen as a sign of fatigue.

Treatment suggestions:

SIBO: The patient received antibiotics from her own doctor, then she switched to a long-term treatment with other antimicrobial drugs through the Nordic Clinic.

Supplemented with selenium, lithium and targeted supplements to optimize thyroid function.

Probiotics

Targeted dietary treatment for optimal adrenal function.

Suggested lifestyle interventions:

Limited food intake to eight hours a day and fasting the rest of the time (16: 8).

Walking with 10,000 steps a day measured with a Fitbit.

Prioritization of regeneration and sleep.

Daylight exposure in the morning.

Limited coffee intake to one cup a day.

Results and follow-up:

The patient had mild constipation, which improved somewhat after treatment.

The patient described her health as day and night when comparing before and after treatment at the Nordic Clinic.

The patient described himself as “totally burnt out” and lived a limited life before treatment. Now she no longer goes to bed at eight in the evening, but has gained hope and faith in coping with life and looking forward to the future. Her husband also notices “a huge difference”.