About four years ago I began gaining weight at a fast rate and before I knew it I had ballooned up. I was tired, sluggish, constantly hungry, constipated, and sad. I was a newlywed and that added extra stress to my already "down" mentality. My weight went up and down as did my eating habits. It wasn't until I had to have a cyst in my ovary checked out that I was told I had hypothyroid. All the symptoms the doctor mentioned were what I had been experiencing for well over a year. I was not closed off to the idea of having a thyroid problem since my mom has the same condition.
My hypothyroid journey has led me to where I am now, taking 100 mg of levothyrixine every morning. I had not had a proper endocrinologist until now. My first appointment at the endocrine center was two weeks ago. My blood was drawn and I shared all my history, thoughts, fears, and problems with the physician's assistant, who I am being treated with because of the doctor's tight schedule. She instructed me to take my thyroid pill as soon as I wake up and eat 45 minutes after. I had never followed a schedule and would take my pill when I would remember and eat either before or an hour after taking the pill.
I followed the regimen the physician's assistant shared with me and it has truly made a difference. Although I am not a morning person and hate waking up, I am not waking up and feeling as if I have not slept in days. I have a "natural" energy (not so natural because it's aided by my pill) that I have not felt in such a long time. I've been going to the gym almost daily. I even found the courage to go twice in one day! My meals have been balanced and healthy too. I have been feeling normal and my lab results show it.
My thyroid levels are good and I will continue to take 100 mg for 6 weeks. At my next appointment we will see if I may need to take half a pill on Sundays to make my thyroid level a little better. Not a big problem. I am not diabetic or prediabetic. This fear always haunts me because my grandfather was diabetic and all my life I have been told I'm predisposed to being diabetic as well. I am a dark-skinned girl and naturally my knees, elbows, and neck are darker because of my color of skin. I know part of it is a diabetes indicator, but not entirely. Ever since elementary school I would get sent to the nurse at least once a year to get my "creases" checked out and be told that I can get diabetes. Then I would have to give my mom a letter, the same one every year, saying I could get diabetes. I know that's what a nurse's job is but those things stay with you. The look I would get in the nurse's office after examining my neck was not a nice one. They always looked at me as if I was dirty. I promise you I took a shower every day and I scrubbed my neck. I was not dirty and I'm still not. I've learned to live with my pigmentation but it's taken me a while to get where I'm at. So what I'm trying to say is that I am relieved with this part of the news.
My blood pressure is great, my liver is working well, and I am not anemic. My only two issues were my vitamin D and B12 levels. Both of those were very low so I am not going to be taking a vitamin D pill every month and I'll be receiving B12 shots and the doctor's office. I'm excited about the B12 shots because I have heard they boost up your energy. I'm all about that! Thankfully these are two things I can deal with easily.
The last part of today's amazing news is that I lost 5 pounds!!! WOOOO!!!! Weight will forever be an issue for me but I am so proud of myself because I have really been busting my tail off. I am not following any diet or starving myself. I'm just cooking how I regularly do but paying close attention to the times I'm eating, the portions I'm eating, and making sure I get enough veggies in. I love my carbs so it's very easy to over indulge in them.
My P.A. (Physician's Assitant) told me she was very proud of me and to keep doing what I'm doing because it's working. And that's when I got teary eyed. For once in my life I feel good and I feel like I'm doing something good about my life and my health. I'm young and healthy!!!
I know hypothyroidism isn't necessarily a life-threatening disease but it can really mess with your mind. Long gone are the days of feeling like a ball of lazy mush! This is my new start and things will only get better!
Thank you for reading all of my jibber jabber and I hope this can help anyone who has ever felt as unmotivated, tired, and sad as I have. Things do get better :)
Until next time!
Currently listening to: "Sparks" by Hilary Duff - She's back!!! Love her!!!
