My Story
– Dr. Gil Kajiki
Eighteen years ago, my wife Kim needed help that her doctors weren’t providing. Kim’s blood-test results were normal, but she suffered with night sweats, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue and other symptoms. I was already a physician with two decades of experience with patients, but because of Kim, I then did post-graduate work in Functional Blood Chemistry, Endocrinology, Thyroid Studies and Integrative Detoxification Systems. I had a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine and added a C.F.M.P., a certification to practice Functional Medicine. But because of Kim, I then did post-doctoral work with the Institute for Functional Medicine and received their degree—a C.F.M.P.—in addition to my doctorate in chiropractic medicine.
I found clues in Kim’s lab work that her doctors had missed. Kim did have a thyroid-related problem. I created a protocol for my wife, and she is still free of symptoms today. For the last fifteen years, I’ve dedicated my practice to helping patients recover from chronic, puzzling symptoms that are often thyroid-related. Their success stories are on the Testimonials page.
Dr. Gil Kajiki and His Wife
K.G., a Patient’s Story
“I was dealing with symptoms since I was 17, but for the last 4 years, I’ve suffered constant brain fog, chronic fatigue, bloating, liver and gall bladder dysfunction. I’d go into the same room multiple times to do the same thing and couldn’t remember why.… After only 2 weeks of working with Dr. Kajiki, the majority of my symptoms are gone, and I have lost…seven-and-a-half pounds in 10 days…. The pain in my stomach and gall bladder are pretty much gone. Memory and brain fog are much better. I’ve improved 85%-90% already.”*
*Results may vary.
Chronic Symptoms: the Body Is Asking for Help
Thyroid lab tests usually measure 1) how much thyroid hormone is circulating in the blood and 2) if the pituitary is signaling the thyroid to make more, with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH). That TSH level will fluctuate with a lack of sleep or during sickness, pregnancy and cold temperatures.
The thyroid gland makes mostly T4 (inactive hormone) and a small amount of T3 (usable hormone). Even if there is enough thyroxine (T4) in the blood, any T4 or synthetic medication needs to be converted into T3, which relies on enzymes called D2 and D1.
These things reduce thyroid-hormone conversion from D2 and D1: inflammation, chronic illness, dieting/fasting, insulin resistance, heavy metals, cigarettes, alcohol, obesity, kidney or liver disease, chemotherapy, aging, surgery and pesticide exposure. A higher dose of thyroid medication will not resolve this enzyme conversion problem.
In addition to reducing items in the list above, adding enough selenium, progesterone and nutrients is very helpful in increasing D2 and D1 activity. See our Strategy for Recovery on the Thyroid-Related Problems page.
“The thing I really liked about Dr. Kajiki was that he was organized. He had a plan. Within 2 weeks, I felt better already. I started feeling better all over. After 3 months now, I can go to sleep and stay asleep. Energy level is better. I had been taking naps during the day and sleeping 10-12 hours every day. Now I sleep about 8. Nothing hurts. I was telling a friend that absolutely not one thing on me hurts.”* —Lisa from Alabama