Glutathione: the missing ingredient?

I finally saw my new doctor yesterday, after having had to wait a couple of months just for the first appointment. Dr. Salvato was recommended by the sister of a friend at church (who is also Type 1 diabetic and has chronic fatigue), and amazingly is a preferred provider for our insurance. She is board-certified in internal medicine, and specializes in autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is perfect for me since I already have three autoimmune diseases plus CFS. I was very hopeful that she would be able to help me, and I was very impressed after I saw her. She is the first doctor I have ever had (with the exception of my perinatologist who delivered Rebecca, although she didn't know much about thyroid issues) who seemed to know more about my body than I did! She stays very current with medical research and had loads of professional journal articles available in the exam rooms for patients to read (the kind of articles that usually I have to show the doctor myself, since whoever I have seen in the past is not familiar with whatever test I think I need or problem I think I have).

So, after taking my history and giving me a physical exam, Dr. Salvato suspects that I have a low amount of glutathione (GTH), which is a tripeptide that serves various important functions in the body, especially in the immune system, and is depleted by excess stress, among other things. She tested my blood level GTH, and assuming the lab results confirm her hypothesis, will prescribe GTH/ATP injections until my GTH levels are normal. (ATP is the form the body stores energy in, but also acts as a transport mechanism for GTH.) This would potentially eliminate the need to take steroids for my adrenal fatigue, and it should also reduce the severe headaches I've had, and the pain I've been experiencing in my neck, shoulders, and back (my chiropractor has helped some, but not as much as I'd hoped); I didn't realize before how connected my headaches and muscle pain were to the adrenal fatigue. This doctor definitely seems to have a far better grasp of how symptoms are related to each other than any other doctor I've seen.

I asked Dr. Salvato if she would also test me for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and she said that usually she tests first for everything insurance will cover, and does what she can with those results; and then if I still want her to test for the ones that are not covered, she will. I told her that at this point, I am willing to pay for just about anything that has the potential to help me feel better. She also ordered a Reverse T3 thyroid test for me (I've never had another doctor willing to use this test, even though I've read in several places that it is by far more accurate and helpful than your regular TSH, T4, and T3). And the doctor actually suggested it this time, instead of me!

Thanks for all of you who have been praying for my health and specifically for this new appointment. Please continue to pray, that these labs will enable my doctor to treat me effectively, and that I will not get discouraged if I do not get immediate results from the treatment she gives me. I will post again after labs are in and treatment is prescribed.