It’s winter, ending the first year after being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and constant blood work and treatment, I thought I would share a little about the highs and lows. But first lets jump a little backwards, before the diagnose. I can’t really say when the beginning of the symptoms started as I have also RA throughout the body and Systemic Scleroses, and some of the symptoms appeared to be post-menopause for example hair falling out more than normal, changes in skin, extreme fatigue. And post-menopause is what I thought I was working through. However, this was not the case. I was very sick and didn’t know it.

For those that don’t know what Hypothyroidism is, it is when the thyroid quits working properly or does not produce the T4 and T3 hormones as it is suppose to or quits altogether. Mine quit working and the body was slowing down completely with extreme fatigue, massive hair loss and the hair becoming dry and brittle, finger and toe nails becoming dry and brittle (almost dead with the skin becoming hard around them), throat swelling and becoming dry to the point of not able or struggling to swallow solid food, brain fog and losing track of conversation (the brain is also affected by this). gaining about40 pounds within a 3 to 4 month period, blood pressure going up, kidneys and liver hurting, and more. As I have learned, the thyroid is not an organ to play with. As my doctor has told me many times, “I’m glad we caught it in time, and thank God.”

Healing and recovering is a long and slow process, if I am able to recover. I am on medication permanently for the rest of my life. After almost a year, blood work is done every two to three months to check levels of hormone. From what I understand, it takes 1 to 2 years before seeing any positive significant changes. Although, it does takes time to rebuild the hormones, the skin, finger and toe nails are healing, and I am getting some new hair grow as I am getting better. I still get fatigue easily and require more sleep than normal, which cuts into all the creative activities I have started. However, I do try get back into sewing, writing, painting, and other activities. Pain comes and goes from the RA, so that slows me down… But one day… I will be back at it!!

I am grateful that I am still here, and looking forward to the next chapter. I spend my time researching and learning about this little mishap with the house that I have been given to take care of. Learning how to heal or what to do to heal my metabolism. What foods are best to eat and won’t irritate the stomach or make me feel nausea. I think it is best to say that you learn to feed the thyroid, so it can keep the rest of the body functioning properly and keep you going.

Our health is a gift and it is up to us in how we take care of it. I have no answers for what caused this and continually questioning it. But the one thing I do know, I am on the right path to getting better. Life is nothing to take for granted. There is too much beauty to share, too much beauty surrounding us, and family that wants us healthy and to spend time with.

I never knew what an unhealthy thyroid could cause in the body, and finding out that there isn’t much discussion about it in general. I didn’t know how important iodine and other nutrients are for the thyroid to function correctly. Thank you for reading. Perhaps, this might help someone reading this.