Welcome
Introduction
Hello Thyroid Family,
We are living in a crazy, upside down, often anxiety-inducing and unsure world at the moment, and I know many of us with preexisting health conditions such as thyroid disease are even more concerned. For others who already spend a lot of their time in their houses due to their health conditions, being asked to socially distance themselves or isolate doesn't feel like too many worlds away. I have put together a quick post on my website linking to statements and information for us.
I'm also very happy to share that I delivered our baby a few weeks ago, just before the world turned upside down. Myself, Adam and baby are all doing very well and soaking up getting to know each other as we stay in our house. We’ve been social distancing for a while now, but then life with a newborn has meant we’ve been staying at home in our ‘nest’ anyway.
Baby was a very healthy birth weight, the labour was straight forward without any complications and his heel prick test which screened him for many conditions including congenital hypothyroidism came back all clear.
So far, my health has been fine and I’m not experiencing any extra complaints postpartum due to my hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, but I’ll make sure to keep you all posted on how I go as time goes on. Social media (links at the end of this email) are the best place to follow updates.
To end, let me say that I am sending everyone love, strength and a virtual hug at this surreal and uncertain time for us all. Stay safe and remember to look after your mental health as well as your physical health. Set boundaries regarding the information you consume at this time.
Thyroid love x
News
Corona Virus and Thyroid Disease
I am continuing to receive a large amount of messages asking about whether thyroid patients are at a higher risk for COVID19.
Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2020
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.
Catch my blog about this here.
Why Doctor Visits Really Are Different for Highly Sensitive People
“Wait, let me check that again,” the nurse said with a concerned look on her face.
I watched as she re-checked my abnormally high blood pressure — and I could feel my heart racing even harder than before. My mind began to spin, trying and failing to calm down as I worried about what this meant for my future."
I came across this relatable article about how doctors appointments can be more difficult for HSP's.
Latest Blogs
How ‘Thyroid Tired’ Is Different to ‘Normal Tired’
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.”
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.
11 Things I Did to Optimise Conceiving With Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
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.
One from the Archives
International Women’s Day and How Thyroid Disease is a Feminist Issue
The 8th March marked International Women’s Day, commemorating the movement for women’s rights. Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s affects a lot more women than men, 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.
Featured Item
Supporting Thyroid Patients at Doctor Appointments
"As loved ones, we must try to understand how scary it can be for the thyroid patients in our lives to go in to a doctor and open up about their problems, all the while knowing that you may not even be believed.
I’ve seen just how tiring it has been on Rachel, both before, during and after appointments. As someone who has only ever visited the doctor for more ‘routine’ appointments I never had an instance where I felt like a doctor might not believe me. In fact, I found it hard to believe this to ever be the case. When Rachel mentioned after an appointment I didn’t attend with her that she felt ignored, my initial reaction was one to defend the medical professional. But having been through that process with her, it can be a common occurrence, one that as loved ones we must accept and support.
If they are anxious before going to an appointment, the best thing you can do is try to be as understanding as possible."
This excerpt is taken from the book “You, Me and Hypothyroidism”. 📖
Available on Amazon here.
And Finally...
Stay in Touch!
As always, you can find more information and support in:
- My articles and blogs on TheInvisibleHypothyroidism.com
- My book: Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate
- My book: You, Me and Hypothyroidism
- The Thyroid Family Facebook Support Group
- Online thyroid courses
You can also keep in touch via my Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest to ensure you never miss anything. I am currently on maternity leave until 2021, but will be around online from time to time, so keep in touch!
That’s all for this issue but look out for the next one in two weeks’ time. If there’s anything you think I should specifically mention, please let me know.
Please Note: None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including sponsored content. I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. I, Rachel, am not medically qualified and do not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here.
This newsletter may also use affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through it. This does not change the way I work or the products I link to, and it doesn’t change your user experience.