Hashimoto's

In August of 2022, I went to the eye doctor because my eye hurt when light hit it. The doctor examined me and told me I had uveitis.

“I think you need to get a physical and bloodwork done,” he said to me after giving me a prescription. “You are either very stressed, or you have an autoimmune disease.”

“Thank you,” I replied, “I have been under some stress, but I will get it done.” I left his office thinking about my uncle’s recent heart attack, general stress and was not thinking it was going to be serious. I really just wanted to get the eye drops in my eye so the searing pain stopped when I was in the sun.

I immediately made an appointment for a physical. I was due, so it only made sense.

When I went to the appointment, the doctor was very helpful. She asked me many questions, and put the order in for several different blood tests for me. I made the appointment to get my blood drawn and then waited for the results.

The results were input into the doctor’s portal, and of course, I looked at them before the appointment. There were several categories that were listed in red. You know what that means, right? The result in that category was either too high or too low.

So, I opened up the laptop and started a spreadsheet. Doesn’t everyone?

Before getting the eye infection, I had symptoms that kept being attributed to perimenopause or menopause. You know, “because of my age”, which is a phrase women over 45 hear often.

I was anxious. I was always tired. My joints hurt, especially in the heat. My hands tingled. I was hot all the time. My brain was cloudy, couldn’t remember anything. I was also clumsy.

Three of the most significant test results were my thyroid, Vitamin D and cholesterol levels.

A typical thyroid TSH test result should be within .4 and 4.5. My number was 19.64, which had me diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

My vitamin D levels, which should be between 30 and 100 ng/mL, were 20 ng/mL. So I knew I was going to have to take a supplement or get outside.

My cholesterol level was higher than it should have been.

One final result showed an autoimmune issue.

I called to make the doctor’s appointment to discuss these results. The original doctor was not available for two weeks, and I am impatient, so I made an appointment with another doctor within the practice.

During the visit, the doctor told me I have a hypothyroid, put me on a thyroid medicine, at 100 mg per day. He gave me a referral for a rheumatogolotist to address the autoimmune issue and told me to take 2000 iu of Vitamin D per day.

I took the script and left, with hopes that I was finally going to feel better.

After a couple weeks, I started to feel better. A bit later, though, it was apparent that the dosage of the medication was too high. I had to wait a full three months before I could get updated bloodwork.

In the meantime, I made appointments with a rheumatologist and an allergist. One of the test results could have been attributed to an allergy reaction. Of course, if I had a choice between having an immune issue or an allergy, I was hoping for an allergy. I had allergies as a child, so I wanted updated allergy tests. I would prefer to avoid something to which I was allergic.

I have followed Dr. Izabella Webtz since I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and through the Hashimoto’s diagnosis. She is not only a pharmacologist, but also has thyroid issues. When I saw “follow” I mean I have all of her books and keep up with her social media. Her work has educated me to ask the right questions, look at the correct diet and has helped empower me to take control of my health in a completely different way.

If you are feeling ‘wonky’ or not right. Ask questions.

If you are feeling like the treatment plan you are in isn’t working, get more testing done.

Read. Ask questions. Be your own advocate.

Also, Hashimoto’s can be hereditary so if you have it in your family history - and my cousins, aunts, nieces and nephews do, don’t dismiss the signs.

Nobody has your best interests in mind as much as you do. It’s ok to be proactive with your health.

Here are some books that helped me on my journey:

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, by Izabella Wentz PharmD and Marta Nowosadzka MD

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: What is it! What causes it! How to manage it!, by Terry Ryan

Reversing Hashimoto's: A 3-Step Process for Losing Weight, Ending Fatigue and Reducing Brain Fog, by Anshul Gupta MD

Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, by Izabella Wentz PharmD

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stress Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System, by Dorothy Calimeris and Lulu Cook RDN

The Autoimmune The Autoimmune Protocol Made Simple Cookbook: Start Healing Your Body and Reversing Chronic Illness Today with 100 Delicious Recipes, by Sophie Van Tiggelen

The Nutrient-Dense Kitchen: 125 Autoimmune Paleo Recipes for Deep Healing and Vibrant Health, by Mickey Trescott

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