All Articles

Hair Loss and Hypothyroidism

Hair Loss and Hypothyroidism

Published on by Rachel Hill2 Comments
Originally published on 6th December 2016
Last updated on 3rd April 2020

Losing your hair can be very upsetting. It’s not just down to vanity, it also contributes to your identity and is yet another way that hypothyroidism can wreak its havoc.

I’m going to cover the many possible causes and treatments for hair loss in relation to thyroid health. 

The Truth

Before you spend a lot of time and money on shampoos and ‘magical’ hair loss products trying to treat the symptom (hair loss), you should instead explore all the possible causes for the hair loss in the first place. No shampoo is going to encourage hair growth or stop it thinning, it will just make it appear thicker. It won’t be a miracle product!

Treating the actual cause is the best approach to saving your hair.

Continue reading “Hair Loss and Hypothyroidism” →

What is the Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's?

What is the Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s?

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

I hear from many readers who are confused about the different between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. A lot are unsure of which they have, whether they have one or both and what difference it makes to their symptoms and treatment.

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s are the most common types of thyroid disease. They share a lot of the same symptoms as both can equal a reduced amount of thyroid hormone in the body.  Continue reading “What is the Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s?” →

9 Celebrities That Have Spoken out About Their Thyroid Disease

9 Celebrities That Have Spoken out About Their Thyroid Disease

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

As well as all the millions of people with thyroid conditions worldwide, there are many people in the public eye who also have experience of thyroid disease. 

See my list of people here, but also read on for those celebrities who have openly spoken about their experiences and helped to raise awareness of the effects.

Continue reading “9 Celebrities That Have Spoken out About Their Thyroid Disease” →

An Open Letter to Mothers with Hypothyroidism on Mother's Day

An Open Letter to Mothers with Hypothyroidism on Mother’s Day

Published on by Rachel Hill4 Comments
Originally published on 31st March 2018

Last updated on 22nd March 2020

 

To the mother with hypothyroidism this Mother’s Day,

I know you feel tired, achy, at times frustrated and strained. You push yourself each and every day to keep on going, keep on raising your family with love and kindness despite your own body fighting against you. Continue reading “An Open Letter to Mothers with Hypothyroidism on Mother’s Day” →

11 Things I Did to Optimise Conceiving With Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism

11 Things I Did to Optimise Conceiving With Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Many of us with health conditions such as hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid and/or Hashimoto’s, dream of becoming parents one day. I hear from other thyroid patients every day who are understandably worried or anxious about whether they’ll be able to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy.

The vast majority of us are able to have biological children and carry them healthily, but this can depend on how well our thyroid health is managed and what our health is like at the time of trying to conceive.

Pregnant With Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto'sI fell pregnant immediately after trying to conceive in 2018, but this pregnancy unfortunately ended in an early miscarriage, which left me feeling worried about ever being able to have a healthy pregnancy. I had done some reading and research before falling pregnant, but after the miscarriage, delve in to it even more so and in the fourteen months between the miscarriage and attempting to conceive again, I did everything in my power to put my health in the best place possible so as to try and avoid another pregnancy loss.

Thankfully, when I tried to conceive again fourteen months after the miscarriage and with my health in the best place it had ever been, thanks to implementing the below things, I fell pregnant immediately once more and this time it stuck.

Continue reading “11 Things I Did to Optimise Conceiving With Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism” →

How 'Thyroid Tired' Is Different to 'Normal Tired'

How ‘Thyroid Tired’ Is Different to ‘Normal Tired’

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

A lot of people living with thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s struggle with serious fatigue. However, when they mention this to other people, it is often met with “Oh yeah, I sometimes feel tired too.”

I'm Tired T Shirt

This simple response can be frustrating to hear. Thyroid fatigue (and the fatigue that often comes with other chronic health conditions too) is overwhelming, debilitating and unlike anything else. It’s not the same as ‘regular tired’. Thyroid fatigue is often described as an overall exhaustion of every inch of the body; as if you’re dragging a dead weight along. Continue reading “How ‘Thyroid Tired’ Is Different to ‘Normal Tired’” →

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

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

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment
Originally published on 8th March 2018

Last updated on 8th March 2020

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

Disbelieved Women

Myself and many other women have been made to feel as if we’re making up our complaints of thyroid symptoms 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” – all of which are utterly wrong and disgusting. Read my article about medical gaslighting here.

Middle aged women are especially likely to be told that it’s all normal for someone their age 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” →

My Third Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's

My Third Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Read My Second Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s blog here.

Going through a pregnancy with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and being on unconventional medication for this (NDT – Armour) definitely presented some extra questions and challenges.

I was very anxious about the prospect of a pregnancy with my thyroid conditions, and in particular, in regards to whether me not being on Levothyroxine (like most people with hypothyroidism) would make it a more stressful experience. I wanted to blog about my experiences of going through pregnancy on Armour NDT, in order to give an insight in to how this medication worked for me during this time, but also as to how medical professionals reacted to it. Continue reading “My Third Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s” →

The Thyroid Tests You Need Doing This Month

The Thyroid Tests You Need Doing This Month

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Many people living with hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, are not receiving full thyroid testing and monitoring. Even though the full thyroid panel (also referred to as a ‘thyroid function test’ in the UK) consists of five tests, a lot of doctors only run one; TSH.

The luckier thyroid patients among us may manage to get them to test two or three, but rarely are all five checked routinely. The problem with this? We’re not getting the full picture of our thyroid health, including whether we’re bring optimally treated/medicated and on a path back to good health with a thyroid condition.

Rachel Standing Under Trees in Spring

Continue reading “The Thyroid Tests You Need Doing This Month” →

Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2020

Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2020

Published on by Rachel Hill1 Comment

March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, which is important and relevant to many of us with hypothyroidism, as 90% of the cases of hypothyroidism are actually caused by the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. [1] 

Yet a lot of people still do not seem to know if their hypothyroidism is of the autoimmune kind and this can play a part in the managing of their thyroid condition.

Rachel on The Beach 'The Invisible Hypothyroidism'

Continue reading “Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2020” →

The Connection Between Thyroid Disease and Lyme Disease

The Connection Between Thyroid Disease and Lyme Disease

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

I’ve been asked about the connection between Lyme Disease and thyroid conditions many times. Here with a guest post is the National Academy of Hypothyroidism, headed by Kent Holtorf M.D.

Written by The National Academy of Hypothyroidism

Is Lyme Disease the Underlying Cause of Your Thyroid Problem? Continue reading “The Connection Between Thyroid Disease and Lyme Disease” →

List of Thyroid (and related) events

List of Thyroid (And Related) Events

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment
Originally published on 7th October 2016
Last updated on 24th February 2020

The below dates and events are listed here for ease, so that we have all the relevant events to hand, in which we can raise awareness of thyroid disease and various related topics.

Continue reading “List of Thyroid (And Related) Events” →

Silent Thyroiditis

Silent Thyroiditis

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Silent thyroiditis is a form of inflammation of the thyroid gland, located in the neck. It is often a short-term condition but can be worrying to experience. Signs include symptoms and thyroid blood test results that indicate swinging between both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. 

The term ‘silent’ refers to the absence of tenderness of the thyroid gland, in contrast with subacute thyroiditis, which usually causes tenderness or pain.

Whereas the autoimmune thyroid disease Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can reportedly cause thyroid hormone levels to move up and down and even swing between hypo and hyperthyroidism, Silent Thyroiditis is usually short-lived, compared to the lifelong condition of Hashimoto’s.

Continue reading “Silent Thyroiditis” →

5 Thank You’s from Thyroid Patients This Valentine’s Day

5 Thank You’s from Thyroid Patients This Valentine’s Day

Published on by Rachel Hill1 Comment
Originally published on 14th February 2019
Last updated on 14th February 2020

Whilst it’s true that we should really show our love and appreciation to loved ones every day of the year, Valentine’s Day can be a good opportunity to remind us to do so. 

Whilst many people with thyroid disease are generally quite well, there are others, as with most conditions, who have a harder time with this condition. My own personal experience of having Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism demonstrates the ups and downs that we can indeed experience. And with this comes difficult times. 

That’s why I wanted to write a post that demonstrates how thankful I (and many other thyroid patients) are for the friends, family, partners and online support groups who have supported us in our experience with a thyroid condition.

Vase of Flowers

Continue reading “5 Thank You’s from Thyroid Patients This Valentine’s Day” →

How I Did on My Trip To Spain

How I Did on My Trip To Spain

Published on by Rachel Hill1 Comment

We booked a last-minute, short holiday to Spain of four days, for the end of October 2019.

Being in my second trimester of pregnancy (with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s) I was feeling quite well physically – as the second trimester is usually the easiest to cope with – but I was burnt out mentally.

Following all the book writing I had been doing through all of 2019 for You, Me and Hypothyroidism, then its release, as well as the creation of the Thoughtful Thyroid course Freedom From Thyroid Fatigue, and being pregnant, I was feeling in need of a break.

Luckily, we spotted a good last minute deal to Spain for four days, which is just what I needed to refresh and recalibrate.

Rachel Pregnant in Swimming Pool

Continue reading “How I Did on My Trip To Spain” →

My Second Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's

My Second Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Read My First Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s blog here.

Going through a pregnancy with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and being on unconventional medication for this (NDT – Armour) definitely presented some extra questions and challenges.

I was very anxious about the prospect of a pregnancy with my thyroid conditions, and in particular, in regards to whether me not being on Levothyroxine (like most people with hypothyroidism) would make it a more stressful experience. I wanted to blog about my experiences of going through pregnancy on NDT to give an insight in to how this medication worked for me during this time, but also as to how medical professionals reacted to it.  Continue reading “My Second Trimester: Pregnancy with NDT, Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s” →

Book Review: Tears Behind Closed Doors by Diana Holmes

Book Review: Tears Behind Closed Doors by Diana Holmes

Published on by Rachel HillLeave a comment

Tears Behind Closed Doors Book ReviewI have been aware of this book, Tears Behind Closed Doors.. Failure to diagnose an underactive thyroid: the truth behind the tragedy, since my diagnosis of hypothyroidism over four years ago now. Admittedly, it has taken me a while to get around to purchasing and reading it, but one quick look online and you’ll see why it’s so popular. 

Author Diana Holmes is a thyroid patient advocate (much like myself) in the UK. After years of being undiagnosed and misdiagnosed of a thyroid condition, she has worked tirelessly to help many others who are suffering needlessly. 

I may reference back to this book and what I’ve learnt from it throughout my blog posts. Continue reading “Book Review: Tears Behind Closed Doors by Diana Holmes” →