Category: My Personal Experiences

The Anxiety When Calling in Sick To Work

The Anxiety When Calling in Sick To Work

Published on by Rachel Hill3 Comments

For most people, calling in sick to work isn’t a common occurrence. Though, for those of us with chronic illness, mental illness or even disabilities, needing to take time off of work can happen more often than we’d like. Please be aware that this is not a choice either.  Continue reading “The Anxiety When Calling in Sick To Work” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
A Review of Medichecks' Home Finger-Prick Blood Test

A Review of Medichecks’ Home Finger-Prick Blood Test

Published on by Rachel Hill1 Comment

I’m not a stranger to ordering my own lab tests. I’ve had several done before and have used a few different online labs for them. Some I’ve had a much better experience with than others!

I have been aware of Medichecks, an online blood test lab service, for a couple of years now but had never used them myself, although I’d heard plenty of positive reviews from fellow hypothyroid patients regarding ease of testing and a fast turnaround. 

When I had the latest appointment with my functional doctor at the end of March, she suggested that now was a good time to test my thyroid panel again, antibodies to look at the Hashimoto’s (my GP had only ever tested them upon diagnosis three years ago) and some vitamins such as B, D, Iron, Ferritin etc.

Weirdly enough, Medichecks got in touch with me just a week or so after this appointment, before I’d ordered any tests and asked if I’d be interested in trying their Tiredness and Fatigue Check Plus for free, in return for an honest review about it. I happily said yes and couldn’t believe my luck for the timing, then waited for the test to arrive in the post. 

A 10% discount code for my readers can be found at the end of this post. 

Continue reading “A Review of Medichecks’ Home Finger-Prick Blood Test” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
Is Your Thyroid Behind Your Acne?

Is Your Thyroid Behind Your Acne?

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

I’ve been very open about my battles with taming acne, over the past couple of years. As a teenager, I didn’t have more pimples than my friends as such, and as a young adult, although I would get a few pimples, it was never an alarming amount. It wasn’t until I decided to come off the combined contraceptive pill in December 2015 after being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s, that my skin started to go crazy.

Unearthing a sex hormone imbalance, a leaky gut and developing gluten sensitivity, I was able to slowly piece together the puzzle in why my skin had broken out so badly. 

Rachel standing in a garden with trees behind her. The sun is breaking out over the top of them and lighting the sky behind her.

Continue reading “Is Your Thyroid Behind Your Acne?” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/

I May Be Young, but I Deserve My Priority Seat on the Tram

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

I wrote a new article regarding my experience on the tram the other day. I was sat in a ‘priority’ seat and an older woman assumed that she was more entitled to it that I was, despite there being many other empty seats available. She was making a power play and a point.  Continue reading “I May Be Young, but I Deserve My Priority Seat on the Tram” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
Some Days You Just Have To Admit Defeat

Some Days You Just Have To Admit Defeat

Published on by Rachel Hill4 Comments

Although I’m not one who likes to dwell on the negatives or things that I cannot change/have not much control over, sometimes I do have to admit defeat and give in to my health conditions. I prefer to look at how having such chronic illnesses such as hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s and adrenal fatigue have changed me for the better, taught me things or otherwise helped develop me as a person. But today, I just had to admit defeat to them and put off today’s plans until tomorrow.

*** Continue reading “Some Days You Just Have To Admit Defeat” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
General Update #21

General Update #21

Published on by Rachel Hill2 Comments

The last month has already seen some more change in my health that I wanted to get a blog in about. 

 

Continue reading “General Update #21” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
Rachel Hill, The he Invisible Hypothyroidism

International Women’s Day and How Thyroid Disease is a Feminist Issue

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

The 8th March marks International Women’s Day, commemorating the movement for women’s rights.

I’d also like to touch on the fact that Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s affects a lot more women than men (7-15 times more women), but sadly a lot of women, when they go to the doctor complaining of tiredness, depression, brain fog, memory problems, weight gain etc. are made to feel as if they are hypochondriacs. 

I myself and many other women have been made to feel as if we’re making it all up or are brushed off with “Well this is all normal for a woman your age”, “It’s all in your head”, “Just eat less and move more”, which is utterly wrong and disgusting.

Middle aged women are especially likely to be told that it’s all normal for someone their age, even, and then sent back out the door with nothing more. As someone who had symptoms since my teen years, I also experienced difficulties in getting diagnosed and being listened to, as doctor’s felt that I was too young to really be experiencing all the symptoms I said I was (muscle cramps, heavy fatigue, poor stamina, irregular periods, depression, anxiety, acid reflux, brittle nails, aches and pains). I was told that it was ‘all in my head’.

It wasn’t. Continue reading “International Women’s Day and How Thyroid Disease is a Feminist Issue” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
The Truth Behind Social Media and Chronic Illness

The Truth Behind Social Media and Chronic Illness

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

An underactive thyroid. Autoimmune disease. Adrenal dysfunction.

Continue reading “The Truth Behind Social Media and Chronic Illness” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
I Tried a Wake-Up Light to See If It Helped Me with Fatigue on Early Mornings

I Tried a Wake-Up Light to See If It Helped Me with Fatigue on Early Mornings

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Since having thyroid and adrenal problems, I’ve found mornings to be the hardest time of day by far. They’re indescribably difficult, although they never used to be, pre-chronic illness days. I was one of those weird kids (and teenagers) who woke up early on weekends and jumped out of bed with energy. I could get going early in the morning without much of an issue, but these days, I wake up feeling low in mood, groggy, foggy-headed, nauseas and generally just bleh. 

So for a while now, I’ve wanted to try a ‘wake-up lamp’ to see if it helps with this. What the hell is a wake-up lamp? you ask. Well.

Continue reading “I Tried a Wake-Up Light to See If It Helped Me with Fatigue on Early Mornings” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/
General Update #20

General Update #20

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

It’s been over four months since I last checked in with you on how I’ve been doing with my thyroid health, adrenal health, sex hormones and even mental health, so this one is going to a bit of a long one.

Sorry! So much has happened! Continue reading “General Update #20” →

Rachel Hill

Rachel is a Thyroid Patient Advocate and Expert with Six 2018 WEGO Health Award Nominations. She is a highly ranked writer appearing in the Top Hypothyroidism Websites and Top Thyroid Websites 2018. Currently studying for relevant qualifications and certificates in Life Coaching, Diet and Nutrition, Reflexology and more, she has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, The BBC, The Mighty, Dr. Hedberg, Thyroid UK and ThyroidChange, to name just a few. She is well recognised as a trusted and useful contributor to the thyroid community.

https://www.theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com/