This was my feeling from the start. Because I saw major differences in my entire endocrine system within two weeks of starting LDN at 1.5 mg nightly, the LDN must have been working on inflammation, not healing organs. It let my organs do their job. Then, the burst of energy I felt at 6 months may have been some healing combined with the increased dose of Natural Desiccated Thyroid hormone.
It has been 20 months since my first dose of LDN, and my thyroid hormones have been normal for 7 months! Once again, I would not have found LDN if the Endocrinologist had been properly monitoring my dose of thyroid and sex hormones. Lucky for me, I was forced to look for an additional solution as my Endocrinologist would not raise my NDT dose even though I had hypothyroid symptoms.
I also am grateful that I have learned so much about psychiatry, the thyroid, and the immune system. No one really tells you that you need to manage stress medically to prevent autoimmune flares and chronic infection.
I started my LDN trial to see if I could reduce my reactions to grains and nightshade foods! That didn't work entirely. I have minimal reactions now, but I still avoid them to keep my health humming.
I had been able to manage my premenopausal years with diet, exercise, and a simple life. Now I know that much more support is required once the ovaries go offline. For some of us, it is not a natural state. Greater measures are needed!
My recipe:
1. Bioidentical HRT
2. Paleo Autoimmune Protocol Diet
3. Daily Exercise
4. Low Dose Naltrexone
It works. I am happy!
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Published online 2011 Mar 8. doi: 10.1007/s10620-011-1653-7
PMCID: PMC3381945
NIHMSID: NIHMS373349
Therapy with the Opioid Antagonist Naltrexone Promotes Mucosal Healing in Active Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at Dig Dis Sci
See other articles in PMC that cite the published article.
Abstract
Background
Endogenous opioid peptides have been shown to play a role in the development and/or perpetuation of inflammation. We hypothesize that the endogenous opioid system is involved in inflammatory bowel disease, and antagonism of the opioid–opioid receptor will lead to reversal of inflammation.
Aims
A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to test the efficacy and safety of an opioid antagonist for 12 weeks in adults with active Crohn’s disease.
Methods
Forty subjects with active Crohn’s disease were enrolled in the study. Randomized patients received daily oral administration of 4.5-mg naltrexone or placebo. Providers and patients were masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects in each arm with a 70-point decline in Crohn’s Disease Activity Index score (CDAI). The secondary outcome included mucosal healing based upon colonoscopy appearance and histology.
Results
Eighty-eight percent of those treated with naltrexone had at least a 70-point decline in CDAI scores compared to 40% of placebo-treated patients (p = 0.009). After 12 weeks, 78% of subjects treated with naltrexone exhibited an endoscopic response as indicated by a 5-point decline in the Crohn’s disease endoscopy index severity score (CDEIS) from baseline compared to 28% response in placebo-treated controls (p = 0.008), and 33% achieved remission with a CDEIS score <6, whereas only 8% of those on placebo showed the same change. Fatigue was the only side effect reported that was significantly greater in subjects receiving placebo.
Conclusions
Naltrexone improves clinical and inflammatory activity of subjects with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease compared to placebo-treated controls. Strategies to alter the endogenous opioid system provide promise for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
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