Hypothyroidism, 2023

Back in April I decided it was time to go to the doctors. Finally, after years of super heavy periods and extremely painful cycles, which I thought were ‘normal’ as I assumed my body was adjusting back from years of being on contraception, I got some answers.

I originally booked the appointment for a mole check up, and I’m so glad that mole decided to flare up when it did as I wouldn’t have been in that appointment, casually mentioning my ridiculous periods. My doctor recommended an in-depth blood test to check a few possible reasons, but the one that stood out to me and the only one I remembered, was ‘Underactive Thyroid’. It echoed around my brain all day. I know this well, most of the wonderful women in my family above me have/had it.

The test came back, the doctor rang me, “we need you to go for another test, this time to check your thyroid levels”. That’s when I started to research. All the symptoms I’ve been suffering from for the past few years all started to make sense. Hairloss, fatigue, not tolerating cold (hands and feet like ice!), muscle pain, dry skin/eczema, weight gain and of course the big one, HEAVY menstrual periods.

Eventually, back and forth to give more blood, phone calls and face-to-face appointments. I got the diagnosis. I have Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimotos disease.

Although my doctors have been great with the medicine side of things, I didn’t understand much from a ten minute appointment so I’ve spent the past couple of months in a researching hole. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that attacks your thyroid. Basically my body is attacking itself, and this has caused my Thyroid to stop working and underproduce the hormones that I need to live in balance.

I’m doing ok. I will be ok. There’s some potential hurdles I may have to overcome in the future but my beautiful mum is a very good example of ‘living’ with it. It’s just been very jarring to be diagnosed at this stage in my life, and now having to be on medication for the rest of it.

Last week I saved some gorgeous peonies from the garden, the rain was on it’s way so it was time to pick. Did you know the relationship between ants and peonies is a great example of biological mutualism? Peonies provide food for the ants to feed from and the ants protect the blossoms from other floral feeding insects. How wonderful is that? I think it’s a great example of working together. I hope I can get my body to start doing it again.