To My 2020 Baby,
What a year it has been. It started with excitement to meet you and then, before not too long, we finally met. One final push, you took your first breath, I scooped you up in my arms and exclaimed “I know you!”.
You wrapped your hand around my finger and we gazed in to each other’s eyes.
14 Missed Signs of My Thyroid Condition Before I Was Diagnosed
Looking back on my life, I had symptoms of Hypothyroidism (and signs of Hashimoto’s) from a young age.
From sixteen-years-old, following a bout of swine flu that left me feeling never quite the same since, a lot of the major symptoms started, such as ongoing fatigue and muscle aches and pains, which lingered despite being over the flu for a long time. Yet doctors repeatedly told me that they didn’t know why.
However, even before having swine flu at sixteen, there were possible signs of my impending thyroid condition from an even younger age. I’m going to explore all of these here. Maybe you’ll realise that you had some signs of a thyroid condition, too.
Continue reading “14 Missed Signs of My Thyroid Condition Before I Was Diagnosed”
The Invisible Hypothyroidism Won a WEGO Health Award!
Continue reading “The Invisible Hypothyroidism Won a WEGO Health Award!”
Grieving For Who You Were Before You Had Hypothyroidism
Originally published on 28th March 2017 Last updated on 16th October 2020
TW: Mental Health, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts
Please note that I wrote this article when I was still quite unwell with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. I’m since doing a lot better and my quality of life has improved hugely, but I know many others will still relate to this article as they go through the ups and downs of living with thyroid disease.
I talk about how I learnt to accept my life with the thyroid disease diagnosis and how I improved my health, towards the end of the article.
Some may think this article ‘wallows’, ‘moans’ or focuses on the negatives, but I was in a dark place mentally, depressed and at points, suicidal. It is important to recognise all feelings and states. Everyone’s journey is different yet valid. It is a reflection of where I was at the time of writing.
Before twenty, the age at which I started experiencing thyroid symptoms that really interfered with my life and became a problem, I was an incredibly busy, active and driven person. Continue reading “Grieving For Who You Were Before You Had Hypothyroidism”
Not Everyone Will Understand Your Thyroid Condition
Other people may not understand what you experience as someone with a thyroid condition. This may make you feel frustrated, angry and hopeless, but shifting whether it really matters can help. Continue reading “Not Everyone Will Understand Your Thyroid Condition”
World Mental Health Day and Thyroid Disease
Originally published on 10th October 2018 Last updated on 10th October 2020
TW: Mental Health, Depression, Suicidal Feelings
The 10th October is World Mental Health Day, a great day to show your support towards better mental health knowledge and awareness, and to learn how you can promote well-being in yourself and others.
Continue reading “World Mental Health Day and Thyroid Disease”
How I Manage Housework with Thyroid Disease
I have always been a tidy, organised person. It’s just who I am.
I feel happiest in a clean environment, yet when my health took a nosedive thanks to hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, my ability to keep on top of the housework was hugely affected.
I went from cleaning and tidying most days (and doing one big, ‘deep clean’ once a week) to not managing any housework at all most weeks. I was so fatigued, sleeping most the time (fourteen hours on some days) and on flare up days, found myself feeling dizzy and unwell whenever I tried to do simple tasks such as putting laundry in to the washing machine.
Continue reading “How I Manage Housework with Thyroid Disease”
The Thyroid Disease Link with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Originally published on 3rd October 2018 Last updated on 1st October 2020
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Where does this tie in with thyroid disease?
Well, just having a thyroid condition puts you at a higher risk for losing an unborn child.
Continue reading “The Thyroid Disease Link with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month”
Thyroid Conditions That Can Reverse
Many of us have wondered if our thyroid condition can be cured, and whilst for most of us, we’re unfortunately stuck with it for life, there are some forms of thyroid disease that can come and go.
A Review of The LetsGetChecked Lyme Disease Test
I’ve personally tried and reviewed a lot of the at-home blood testing companies available in order to share my experiences with other thyroid patients who may benefit to know about them and how they work too.
After sharing that I have been feeling a little more tired and achey lately on my social media, testing company LetsGetChecked reached out to me to offer to send both Adam (my husband) and I some Lyme Disease test kits.
Continue reading “A Review of The LetsGetChecked Lyme Disease Test”
Tests You Need and Optimal Levels as a Hypothyroid Patient
Originally published on 11th March 2016 Last updated on 27th September 2020
As a thyroid patient, the below blood tests are recommended to get the full picture of what’s going on. If you still have symptoms, despite being on thyroid medication, explore these. If you feel well on your thyroid medication, monitor these regularly.
Really, everyone should monitor their thyroid levels.
You may have to repeatedly ask doctor or try a few different types of medical professionals before you find one who will do all of them. Alternatively, you could order them yourself if this is an option. I have linked to some places below, next to each test.
Continue reading “Tests You Need and Optimal Levels as a Hypothyroid Patient”
Should Thyroid Patients Get The Flu Vaccination?
Originally published on 20th September 2018 Last updated on 23rd September 2020
Vaccinations are always a controversial topic and among thyroid patients, the flu shot/flu jab especially.
So, should we thyroid patients be getting the flu jab?
Continue reading “Should Thyroid Patients Get The Flu Vaccination?”
6 Tips For an Energy Boosting Morning Routine as a Thyroid Patient
It’s no secret that many of us find mornings to be difficult when living with hypothyroidism, and often, other things alongside this too (such as adrenal dysfcuntion, Hashimoto’s, gut issues, chronic fatigue etc.)
Waking up feeling fatigued, nauseated, dizzy, weak, brain fogged and understandably grumpy are all reported back to me by fellow thyroid patients on a regular basis. One of the biggest complaints I hear is around waking up feeling unrefreshed and in fact more tired than when we got in to bed the night before!
Since my diagnosis of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, as well as experiencing ‘adrenal fatigue’ (thought it is more accurately referred to as ‘hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction’), blood sugar imbalances, oestrogen dominance and leaky gut – which all formed part of my ‘big thyroid jigsaw puzzle‘ over the years – I’ve learnt a lot when it comes to starting my day off as positively as possible.
The below tips are things that I have personally found to help me in the morning. Continue reading “6 Tips For an Energy Boosting Morning Routine as a Thyroid Patient”
Book review: The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough by Mary J. Shomon
Mary Shomon is a well-recognised and well-respected thyroid patient advocate. Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, she has been a health activist for over twenty-years. 
The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough is just one of several books by Mary. This one looks at how an undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition could be the cause behind infertility, low libido, menopausal symptoms and other hormonal issues in women.
Continue reading “Book review: The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough by Mary J. Shomon”
World Suicide Prevention Day and Thyroid Disease
Originally published on 10th September 2018 Last updated on 10th September 2020
TW: Mental Health, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts
When I was in the first few months of my hypothyroidism diagnosis, I was suicidal.
My quality of life was so poor at twenty-one years old, that I couldn’t bear the daily pain (mental and physical pain) that I woke up with every morning. I just wanted it to end.
Continue reading “World Suicide Prevention Day and Thyroid Disease”
Sleep Complaints with Hypothyroidism
Issues surrounding sleep can be one of the most frustrating parts of having a thyroid condition. Trouble falling asleep and waking up frequently are often asked about in my Facebook support group.
Despite the common hypothyroidism symptom of fatigue, many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Let’s look at the different ways that our sleep can be affected with hypothyroidism and how to address them. Continue reading “Sleep Complaints with Hypothyroidism”
I Am a Finalist in the Wego Health Awards 2020!
I’m so shocked to receive the news today that I’ve been chosen as a finalist in the WEGO Health Awards 2020 for The Invisible Hypothyroidism’s Facebook page and group!
Continue reading “I Am a Finalist in the Wego Health Awards 2020!”
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month – September 2020
September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
This is an annual event created to spread awareness of the symptoms and effects of thyroid cancer and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Continue reading “Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month – September 2020”
Thyroid Disease: Make It a Good Story
TW: mental health, suicidal thoughts
“You are going to carry your thyroid condition for the rest of your life, so you can either wallow in the weight of it or you can fight for your only life and make it a good story.” Continue reading “Thyroid Disease: Make It a Good Story”
11 ‘Harmless’ Things Said by Doctors That Actually Hurt Thyroid Patients
Unfortunately, I hear from far too many thyroid patients who experience unhelpful doctors and hear unhelpful remarks.
I’ve heard most of the below comments from medical professionals myself and know that a lot of my readers have, too. Of course, there are doctors out there who are respectful, listen to their patients and don’t belittle them, but as always, there are also some doctors (and more than we’d like) that aren’t so helpful. They may think that the below comments are helpful advice, a ‘reality check’ or just plain correct, but as people living with thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism, we know ourselves what it’s really like.
Continue reading “11 ‘Harmless’ Things Said by Doctors That Actually Hurt Thyroid Patients”
