Hypothyroidism brings need for change!

[Charlie-Farley]

Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism has pulled both my hubby and I up. Not least in terms of the need to be master of one’s own health. We are going to make some major life changes to ensure we enjoy not endure the coming years. We are selling up our wonderful guesthouse overlooking Morecambe Bay to start a more flexible working life that lets us stop/rest if we need.

I was under medicated for 6, months left on 25 µg starter dose of Levothyroxine (should have been started on 50 µg with increases following) before I was in mental and physical crisis and then GP got in contact with the local endo who advised the lab range only applies if not medicated and needed to aim for a much lower TSH and gave her a new ‘range’ to aim for.

In my last battle- this time with a junior Doctor, I was told I was normal and they would review in a year (full post floating around on Thyroid UK.). 20 mins later and increase in Levothyroxine secured I finally let her ring off.

So we are aiming to make some major life changes in the next year also and Dave will pursue one of his interests and I hope to dedicate some weeks/months to the study of the thyroid. I am pretty evangelical, but having seen the way the GPs are carrying on I’m reminded of that old adage a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing, so currently all I’m prepared to do is tell people about what has happened to me and tell them to join Thyroid UK.

I have a doctorate from Biological Sciences, but my area is more Environmental. So with this scientific grounding, I see some major lack in the medical profession especially in the interpretation of data (lab results). One might even say naivety. Their interpretation also seems to be reductionist and many do not look at the whole person. “Results say normal - off you go see you next year”. How the patient feels has little bearing on decisions.

N.B. I have even had results read out over the phone by the receptionist telling me that I am ‘normal’ when she was not even in possession of the information from the Endo, which would’ve actually contradicted that! So readers beware.

I’ll be studying and reading up to a level over the next few years and continuing to build and stay current. But need to effect life changes first to achieve this.

When I was hypo and struggling to concentrate the only book that I could manage to get my head around was ‘Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate (when you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired)’ - it was really useful and it started me on the path. Ultimately though Thyroid UK has saved my life. That is not an overstatement. Where I am now is in stark contrast to where I was six months ago.

Thank you all!