Finding Out I Have An Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

By this point, I’m not sure how much more I can take with my health complications.

I was very recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and well, it explains a lot.

What is Hypothyroidism exactly? “Hypothyroidism is the name given to the condition resulting from an underactive thyroid gland. This means that the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone for the body’s needs.”

I said to my well-being coach the other day, “my problems and medical conditions seem like a drop in the ocean compared to what some people are battling and facing with.” But I’ve been through a heck of a lot.

Any who…

I actually had some thyroid blood tests in the UK last year and it must of been over-looked as they said my blood tests were “fine”. When I had tests done in Spain, my blood test levels for my thyroid were 7.04 which is rather concerning and delays our DEIVF journey even further as they need to balance things before undergoing embryo transfer.

I’m having the blood tests re-done with my GP and local hospital as they want to make sure before undergoing medication for the rest of my life.

Yesterday was exhausting, I was back and forth at the doctors for several reasons, rushed to the hospital before 4:30pm to get my bloods done and slept on and off for hours when I got home. And now I’m awaiting the results and next steps…

Now, I’m not a doctor or health specialist. But I’ve taken the below information from my IVF clinic’s Doctor, the NHS and British Thyroid Foundation websites.

I really don’t know too much about the thyroid and the impact it can have on your life, but a lot of people have reached out to me and said they or a family member has thyroid complications, so I some-what feel less alone.

I’m sure as time goes on, I will understand more and more about the impacts. Some have said going gluten-free has changed their lives and improved their symptoms. So, this is something I’m currently looking into and have began today.

Symptoms:

• fatigue and tiredness
• increased awareness of the cold
• dry and coarse skin
• dry and thinning hair
• hoarse or croaky voice
• constipation
• muscle weakness, cramps and aches
• pins and needles in the fingers and hands (carpal tunnel syndrome)
• heavier and longer periods
• fertility problems
• low libido
• weight gain
• puffy face and bags under the eyes
• slow speech, movements, and thoughts
• low mood or depression
• memory problems
• difficulty in concentration
• slow heartbeat
• slightly raised blood pressure
• raised cholesterol
• slowed growth (in children)

My symptoms

My main symptoms are fatigue and tiredness (this week I haven’t been able to do much of anything really), always cold, dry skin, extreme weight gain and trouble losing weight, bowel issues, sore throat, puffy face, low moods and memory problems. As well as potentially loss of hair a couple of years ago, but they said it could have been my anemia and undergoing stressful major operations over the years.

I do have difficulty in concentrating as well, for example, it’s very rare that I can watch an entire film all the way through.

What happens next?

The IVF doctor wants to put me on Levothyroxine immediately but my GP wants to wait until the results come back before putting me on life-changing medication which is understandable.

It could takes months to balance my thyroid before undergoing embryo transfer. It’s yet another set-back and I’m quite (ok, I’m REALLY) upset by it.

Help needed…

Does anyone I know who’s reading this have thyroid complications, as well as undergoing IVF or DEIVF? Any information is extremely helpful for me. I know I’ve talked to a portion of you and you have been SO helpful and I’m super grateful. I’m trying to get my head around it all. Feel free to leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram.