January is Thyroid Awareness Month

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease about year and a half ago. Before that, I had symptoms for a few years without knowing what was happening.

I thought, “I guess this is what it’s like to get older” and “I’m stressed” and other dismissive thoughts.

I was gaining weight, clumsy (I fell at the Grand Canyon and couldn’t go all the way in and more), I had tingling in my hands, I was hot all the time, my heart hurt, my blood pressure would get high, I couldn’t keep a straight thought in my head, I was overwhelmed.

I went to my eye doctor because I had a shooting pain in my eye. He said, “Get a physical. You are either very stressed or you have an autoimmune disease”.

Okay.

Long story short… Five doctors later (two general, a rheumatologist, and an allergist, plus the original eye doctor), several blood tests (some of which I had to insist upon) before I found the answer: I have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s disease.

Why am I telling you this? Just to tell you to pay attention. Be your own advocate in your healthcare journey. Ask questions. Read about it until you can’t read any more.

The ironic part of January being Thyroid Awareness Month? It’s JOANNUARY! (You know I had to get that in somewhere).

In case you are interested in learning more, I follow @izabellawentzpharmd and @thyroidnation who are very helpful.

I’m feeling good, I just want to encourage people to pay attention and be their own advocate.

Happy Tuesday.