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Browsing Tag

International Women’s Day

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

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

Originally published on 8th March 2018  Last updated on 8th March 2023 The 8th March marks…

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theinvisiblehypothyroidism

🧒🏻Children and teenagers that develop hypoth

🧒🏻Children and teenagers that develop hypothyroidism usually have a family history of the disease.

🧒🏼Parents may notice a change in their energy levels, concentration, mood and physical appearance.

🧒🏽Weight gain despite no real change in their diet or exercise routine could indicate hypothyroidism, as well as a lack of appetite or energy to exercise as much as they used to.

🧒🏾Children and teenagers who develop hypothyroidism typically have the same signs and symptoms as adults do, but may also experience poor growth, develop their adult teeth later than other children, have delayed puberty and poor mental development.

🧒🏿However, for those born with hypothyroidism (called congenital hypothyroidism), they can look ‘normal’ and have no obvious symptoms, which is why it is so important that all children be tested at birth or soon after.

🧒🏻Congenital hypothyroidism is usually tested for at birth. It is a condition resulting from an absent or under-developed thyroid gland, or one that has developed but cannot make enough thyroid hormone, making the child hypothyroid.

🧒🏽Some babies with hypothyroidism are sleepy and difficult to feed, although lots of babies have these symptoms without being hypothyroid.

🧒🏾Other symptoms in babies may include constipation, low muscle tone and as mentioned about older children, poor growth.

🧒🏻As long as it is caught early on and medicated correctly, it shouldn’t greatly impact the child’s life.

•••

❓Do you have a child with hypothyroidism? Or were you a child that had it yourself?

- Rachel 🦋💙

🤷🏼‍♀️ “How long until I feel better

🤷🏼‍♀️ “How long until I feel better again?!”

The million dollar question.

😓 Answering this can be really tricky because:

• The point at which we’re diagnosed in the progression of the disease varies

• Different types of thyroid meds can have different times to “kick in” and relieve symptoms

• Tweaking the dose to just right can take some time

• Thyroid meds form one piece of the puzzle. Taking meds alone may not fully resolve thyroid symptoms.

🧩 You see, whilst some people take their medication and within a few weeks feel great, many of us do not feel loads better this quickly. But please don’t fret.

🧩 It just takes time to address all that is going on inside your body.

🧩 Each person’s ‘thyroid journey’ is very unique. Some people find their first try of thyroid medication alone does very well to return them to good health, but for others, they find that they either require dosage adjustments , a switch in type of med or some further problem solving in other areas.

🧩 Some also have adrenal dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, poor gut health, sex hormone imbalances, food sensitivities + more

❓So, How Long Until You Feel Well Again?

❓It’s going to depend on how many areas you have to address, how well you take control of your health and advocate for yourself and how your individual body reacts and adjusts.

🧩 Keep in mind that we often benefit from creating a healthy work-life balance, stress response and regimen to promote ongoing good health and a well managed thyroid condition, too.

•••

👇 Pop any questions below, follow me for more thyroid info and check out the bestselling book “Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate” for everything you need to get on top of all this. Linked in bio.

- Rachel 🦋💙

💙 Feedback from others in the thyroidsphere, on

💙 Feedback from others in the thyroidsphere, on my latest book “Thyroid Superhero”, a #1 New Release on Amazon!

🦸 “Thyroid Superhero: A Kid’s Guide To Understanding Their Grown-up’s Hypothyroidism” is available to purchase, read and share with the little people in your life.

💥 💥💥

This book:

🦋 Is written for children 2+, though many adults will also learn a thing or two!

🦋 Covers what hypothyroidism is, what thyroid flares are, why we may need to reschedule plans, what thyroid medication is and more. All in an age-appropriate way for kids to understand without feeling worried.

🦋 Includes a fun “find the butterfly on each page”, for kids to engage with the thyroid gland being butterfly-shaped!

🦋 Includes further resources to start a dialogue between child and caregiver about their symptoms and what it all means.

•••

💕 Comment “BOOK” and I’ll send you the link to it online. 📖

- Rachel 🦋💙

(PS- I’m so hyped my girl @deborahpanesar and I made this beautiful book together and have made it as a freaking #1 NEW RELEASE and #1 Bestseller! 😎)

😱 Did you know this?! ❗️It’s important t

😱 Did you know this?!

❗️It’s important to be aware of how other things you eat, drink or medications you take, can affect the absorption and effectiveness of your thyroid medication.

❗️We should always take our thyroid medication at least one hour away from any other food or drink (excluding water)

❗️ and four hours away from supplements and medications containing calcium, oestrogen, magnesium and iron (including antacids). Antibiotics too.

❓Not doing so can affect how much of the thyroid hormone in your medication you absorb, meaning you may not get as much as you should from it.

❗️It is also worth noting that coffee has been reported to affect the absorption of T4 thyroid medication which is why thyroid patients need to wait at least an hour after taking their meds before drinking any tea or coffee, too.

•••

👇 Let me know if you knew this in the comments! And follow me for more thyroid info!

⭐️ Check out the resources linked in my bio for more support on living with thyroid issues.

- Rachel 🦋💙

© Rachel Gask and The Invisible Hypothyroidism, 2015-2023. All Rights Reserved.

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