Dealing with being Hypothyroid … PART 3

If you haven’t had a chance to read PART 1 or PART 2, read them so you know what kind of journey I have been on this past year with being hypothyroid and having low iron.

Here is my update since November 2017…

When I left my doctor’s office that day after learning that finally my TSH level was at 1.71 (normal range is 0.4-4 mU/L) I was feeling sad and angry.  I was frustrated that I had spent almost 1 year trying to get my TSH level down to the “normal” range.  I had gained 15 lbs along the way. Multiple break downs, blood work, doctor’s appointments and Naturopath appointments to get to this number … AND I still didn’t feel like myself. I was frustrated not with my doctor, but with the medical system and how we are thought to believe that we need to be a certain number before we feel better.  In my case, the TSH number didn’t matter to me anymore because I reached that magic number and I was still not myself.  I was feeling depressed and more anxious about my health.

I went back to my doctor that week and cried in her office.  Month after month, I would go back to see her and I was emotional about feeling like a lab rat.  Frustrated that it was taking so long to see results in my blood work and to get me no where.  I was getting caught up in my weight gain and the emotional roller coaster that goes with that.   I asked her if she thought I was depressed; she thought I was so she prescribed an anti – depressant to take for the next month to see how I felt.

I filled my prescription and took the pills for 2 days.  I remember looking at myself in the mirror on day 2 and crying.  I didn’t like being on medication.  In my heart, I knew that I could be doing something else for myself.  I had lost who I was in all of this thyroid business and I needed to find that happy and energetic person again.  I’m not saying that taking an anti – depressant is wrong or doesn’t work.  I am just saying that for ME, I needed to try to find other methods to control my emotions and if it didn’t work, then I would consider going back on the medication.

So that was that. I chose to stop taking my thyroid medication.  Stop any natural supplements. Stop my anti – depressants.  The only supplement I continued to take was a multivitamin and iron.

I started going to the gym. I missed working out in a big gym setting.  I needed someone else to challenge me and kick my butt. I started going to a variety of fitness classes and spin classes.  I started doing more workouts at home in my studio as well.  I was devoting more time to ME and reconnecting with my thoughts by writing in a journal.  I went on a girls-only trip at the end of November with two of my best friends.  I was making positive changes in my life that were making me happy.

I don’t know if it was having more ME time, going off my medication or both, but I FEEL AMAZING! I am stronger than I ever have been.  I am way happier than I have been this past year.  I enjoy spending time and laughing with my daughters.  My husband and I have a way better relationship.  I have more energy.  I can think more clearly.

I had another round of blood work done to check my thyroid and iron levels; I was nervous to learn the results of stopping all my medication 3 months ago. The results are in … my thryoid levels AND iron levels have both improved. WHAT?! My doctor was super pleased.  For once, I didn’t cry in her office.  I laughed.  I smiled. I was so happy.  She said to me “Clearly, your body just needed a re-boot.” Yes it did!

She said that I had needed an anti – depressant butinstead of medication, exercise, eating healthy and finding time for myself was my answer. I couldn’t agree with her more!

So what did I learn from my medical journey this past year?

1. I wish that I would have questioned my old doctor in the first place when he told me I MUST go on thyroid medication because my TSH level was high.
2. I’m glad that I found a new doctor who has supported me and my decisions.
3. In a way, I’m glad that I went on different thyroid medications from my doctor and Naturopath.  I learnt a lot about how your thyroid works as well as all the other hormones in your body and that we need to address the entire picture, not just a number and if it’s in the “normal” range.
4. I now have some knowledge to share with my clients.
5. I learnt that I was wearing myself thin and I needed some self – care.
6. I learnt that I should listen to my heart more often and that I know my body best.

So to all of you who are currently dealing with a thyroid issue…

I want you to ask questions.  I want you to find a doctor who will support you with your decisions and treatment.  I want you to follow your heart and listen to what it is saying.  I want you to get a second opinion if you are not happy with your treatment.  I want you to know your numbers…TSH, T3, T4.  I want you to ask to get your cortisol, estrogen and testosterone tested … heck, ask to get a FULL BLOOD PANEL done so you know ALL of your numbers!  I want you to assess your life and see what stress is effecting your health and how you can manage it better. I want you to start exercising and eating healthier.

You need to look at the bigger picture and not just 1 number that so many doctors focus on.  There is hope for you on your wellness journey.  If you are not happy, you need to change something!

xo

Rachelle