One year after hypothyroidism diagnosis

[cjmid]

Hi everyone, first time posting here though I have been reading posts in the past year to get me through! Just wanted to share some positive news for those in a similar position!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last summer, aged 24, after a year of feeling absolutely terrible (fatigue, aching, anxiety, low mood) and gaining around two stone. I was put on 100mcg T4, then up to 125mcg, and finally back down to 100mcg. Since January, all my blood tests have come back at normal levels and very slowly I am starting to feel better. I still have off days every couple of weeks but I have learnt to manage these and forgive myself for not being able to do absolutely everything. I have even started to lose the weight I gained through exercise, which was one of the things I found hardest to deal with.

So a message to all of you out there, especially women in their 20s. It will get better. It takes a really long time and it is frustrating, especially as it can take a while to find a GP who will listen, and even longer to find the right dose for you, and then even longer for that to seem to have an effect! An important thing to learn is that it is not your fault and you need to give yourself time to adjust.

Big thanks to the Thyroid UK community and all the resources on their website. It gave me the emotional support I needed for my first year to know people were going through the same things.

Wishing you all well! x

[steviecat]

Inspirational, CJ! Many thanks for the update.

[Raventhorpe]

So glad things are working out for you. Nice to hear some positive news.

[Stourie]

I am so glad that you are doing well now but surely you mean all women.

Older women suffer in just the same way as younger ones.

[cjmid in reply to Stourie]

Yes absolutely Stourie I didn't mean to exclude anyone and support all women going through this. All I meant was being diagnosed in my twenties was difficult for me personally as I felt I couldn't keep up with my friends and peers activities anymore as my stamina faltered - I had a peer even tell me 'it's like you suddenly got old' before I was diagnosed when I said I was too tired to go to the pub. Sorry if I caused any offence - we all suffer the same and go through those feelings regardless of age, I'm sure.