In April 2003 I have had thyroid function tests yearly and also a blood test to see if I am in the early stages of Menopause as Hypothyroidism can bring the Menopause on earlier as Menopause can bring on Hypothyroidism. The last three blood tests have been within the range of T4 and T3 and my TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) have been balanced. I have had similar symptoms to Menopause, for instance, irregular, lighter periods, palpitations, perspiring, mood swings and feeling low, but this blood test for Menopause has proved negative but understanding that at the time of taking the blood test, it was only a ‘snapshot’ of the day it was taken. I still felt, at times I needed just a little bit more Thyroxine and some days I felt badly out of sorts. My weight remains a constant battle. My weight is around 10 stone 7lbs, but when the weather is a little warmer, I tend to eat less carbohydrates and more salad and vegetables, which usually results in a few pounds weight loss.
On a holiday in May 2003, a lady told me and sensed I looked ‘switched off’, or even on another planet, which I found funny, but it broke the ice and found it easy to talk to her.
October 2003 and one of my Cousins’ is ill again and under the hospital. She recently had to take some radioactive treatment to knock out 80% of her Thyroid and this might have to be repeated in six months. Having had this treatment, she was told she could not have any contact with anyone, including her own family for a few days. It seems that any treatment she has received works very quickly and the effect it has on her makes her very ill. She knows almost immediately when she needs to have her medication changed.
A young lady whom I have known for many years has recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. She thinks it might have been connected with the traumatic birth of her son, born in 1995. She is presently taking 100 mcg Thyroxine daily, but still feels and looks tired, has aching bones, lacks concentration and her sleep pattern is awful. She is struggling to get through the day and has lost enthusiasm for the little things in life. Her Doctor has signed her off sick for a few weeks, which shows just how debilitating this disease can be. However, in spite of losing some hair, her latest blood test shows her balance of Thyroxine is balanced. I beg to differ. It is very frustrating to know and watch somebody going through similar symptoms that I have had, especially when I know that that person is not right, but have to be careful over handing out any advice as it might be inaccurate. After all, I know, in my own confusion, when I think there has been something amiss with me, have been completely wrong!
I had been feeling very low since the beginning of September 2003. A short break in the West Country and I suddenly lost my temper without good reason and nobody could understand why as it did not make any sense. All I wanted was to get home. Also, since August, my monthly cycle shortened again to average twenty-one days, although slightly lighter. I have felt a little bit dizzy on a few occasions, but have put this down to a virus. I had also experienced feelings of foreboding and deeply convinced that something dark was about to happen. I have acted irrationally with my daughter and some recent thoughtless actions together with the closeness of my periods, provoked me to make an appointment with one of the nurses at our G.P.’s and spent time talking through the last few weeks and she noted that a couple of years or so ago I was going through a ‘panicky’ stage although a TSH blood test proved normal. After a pelvic examination to rule out Fibroids (as I was told I had a small one during a cervical smear test last year) she brought the yearly blood test forward from January, but discussed a course of Antidepressants if my blood test was normal. She also advised me to take Primrose oil, so with this and St. Johns Wort hoping for some lift.
Since the end of this May 2003, I had been on a variation of the Aitkin’s’ Diet and with the elimination of some carbohydrates, somehow managed to lose well over fourteen pounds and weighed approximately nine stone seven pounds, (60 Kilos) the lightest I had been since the beginning of the diagnoses, so it seems that my metabolism did not cope that well with the burning off of certain foods, as I still seemed to be losing weight, be it slow at the time. I almost expected, in view of my weight loss to be slightly Overactive, as I had made up my mind that there would be too much Thyroxine in my blood stream, so was shocked to learn that the symptoms that have been creeping up slowly, yet again were due to going Underactive. I just could not understand that I had been so well and balanced on 87 and a half mcg for a few years, only to eventually end up on the same dosage. It made me very weepy and worry that while waiting for the balance to be found yet again, which in hindsight, could take another year or longer, I was frightened of the effect of having too much Thyroxine and going slightly Overactive which has made me feel so rough following the months that my son was born. I was very emotional, my thoughts were foggy and distorted and had frequent dizzy spells. I tried to stay positive. Another test for early Menopause was negative. And thinking back, I think of what that lady said to me whilst on holiday about being switched off. Yet again, the Hypothyroidism has crept up slowly, in spite of taking what I thought was the correct amount of Thyroxine.
My efforts with a bookkeeping course in 2003, failed miserably as yet again, I was unable to concentrate. The exam, which should have been easy, but found it difficult. I passed the mock exam without problems, so once again this has shattered my confidence.
