Snap Into a SlimJEN: Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism has been a part of my life since I was around 12 years old. So dealing with this stinker of a problem for 10 years absolutely sucks and this is my story.
When I was younger, my mom saw a change in the way I was acting. I would be able to wake up, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, and be in bed by 4:00pm and sleep for 15 hours. What “normal” 12 year old does that? So we took a trip to the doctors where I had some blood test done and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is when you have a thyroid hormone deficiency. Your thyroid gland is like your body’s gas pedal. When it’s cruising at the right speed, you feel great. But when it’s not “giving enough gas”you feel like you’re driving in slow motion with one foot on the brake pedal. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck and it makes thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones travel from the thyroid gland through the blood to all parts of the body, where they do their work. They control how your body uses food for energy. Thyroid hormones affect your metabolism rate, which means how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver, and other parts of your body work. If your body works too fast or too slowly, you won’t feel well. So basically…having an issue with your thyroid absolutely STINKS!!
I’m always tired, I have a very slow heart rate, dry skin, I gain weight like there is no tomorrow, I have a hard time losing weight and keeping it off, and one of the worst things is that I am ALWAYS cold. Yes, it can be 82’ and sunny outside and chances are I’m in pants and a long sleeve because I’m cold. Working with doctors for over 10 years to figure out my thyroid is a pain in the keester. Having to get blood labs done every 6 weeks, taking a little pill every single day, and just dealing with the problem in general. There was a portion of my life when I just did not take my thyroid pill because it was just a burden to me. Whenever I would take my pill, I would feel extremely exhausted and couldn't do anything. But by the time it was time for me to go get more blood labs, the dosage would change. So I just “self-diagnosed” myself and told myself that I didn't need it. But now I am getting my thyroid back in line in hopes this time with a thyroid sensitive diet plan I can help myself lose weight and feel my best.
Having a hypothyroid means meals have to be fast and easy, and also a good mix of protein and vegetables. Here is the catch: I’m a picky eater and by picky eater I mean…it is bad. When dealing with hypothyroidism, foods that help are fish, nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seaweed, dairy, and beans. Whelp: Not a huge fish eater, not a whole grain eater, selective on the fruits and veggies, no way on the seaweed, dairy upsets my stomach, and nope on the beans. See my dilemma? I have to find foods that are high in iodine, high in iron (because I’m anemic), are low-calorie, and high-density foods. I also have to find foods that are cheap because I’m living on less than the average college girl’s budget. So it’s been rough, but it’s something I fight with every day.
But you know what bothers me the most when people see that I am trying to lose weight? Is that people assuming that I am a bigger gal because I eat too much. Not all overweight people are overweight due to food. Have you ever realized this? Don’t assume I don’t work out because I am overweight. Don’t assume that I only eat cake and ice-cream. Don’t assume that I want your advice to try to lose weight. I've actually heard these bits of “advice” from people over the past few years. “Well, maybe you should try diet and exercise. I’m working out at least twice a week for a while and lost a bunch of weight.” “Maybe you should go to the doctor already.” “What are you doing wrong in your life to bring this on?” And my favorite, “Well, maybe you should just pray about it.” You think I haven’t done this? I’ve prayed, I’ve visited the doctor, I exercise. I’m to the point where I am willing to pray, while riding my bicycle, on my way to the doctor. That is the extreme that I am in. I just have to deal with the hypothyroidism the best I can until I can afford the resources. Until then, I can’t let this unseen illness destroy me. So I will start by letting people know of this unseen illness.
Here is what you should take away from reading this to know what my unseen illness really is and how it affects me.
· I may look fine on the outside, but I’m not fine. It may have taken 2 hours to look decent enough to leave the house. Covering my dark circles, doing my hair so you can't see the bald patches (attractive right), and even gaining the energy to leave.
· Many people take for granted that they will wake up feeling “normal”, go to work, go see friends, and have fun! For someone battling a unseen illness, you just don’t know. The world makes plans and prepares for events and you…..”hope” to be a part of them.
· And the most important thing I wish everyone knew: people who battle an unseen illness are NOT weak. I spend 24/7 battling my own body with brain fog. I do this while loving and caring for others, going to school, being active in the community, working my jobs and even pursuing my dreams. SO yes. I am mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. Yes, some days I look like a zombie. BUT things can always be worse.
When I was younger, my mom saw a change in the way I was acting. I would be able to wake up, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, and be in bed by 4:00pm and sleep for 15 hours. What “normal” 12 year old does that? So we took a trip to the doctors where I had some blood test done and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is when you have a thyroid hormone deficiency. Your thyroid gland is like your body’s gas pedal. When it’s cruising at the right speed, you feel great. But when it’s not “giving enough gas”you feel like you’re driving in slow motion with one foot on the brake pedal. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck and it makes thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones travel from the thyroid gland through the blood to all parts of the body, where they do their work. They control how your body uses food for energy. Thyroid hormones affect your metabolism rate, which means how fast or slow your brain, heart, muscles, liver, and other parts of your body work. If your body works too fast or too slowly, you won’t feel well. So basically…having an issue with your thyroid absolutely STINKS!!
I’m always tired, I have a very slow heart rate, dry skin, I gain weight like there is no tomorrow, I have a hard time losing weight and keeping it off, and one of the worst things is that I am ALWAYS cold. Yes, it can be 82’ and sunny outside and chances are I’m in pants and a long sleeve because I’m cold. Working with doctors for over 10 years to figure out my thyroid is a pain in the keester. Having to get blood labs done every 6 weeks, taking a little pill every single day, and just dealing with the problem in general. There was a portion of my life when I just did not take my thyroid pill because it was just a burden to me. Whenever I would take my pill, I would feel extremely exhausted and couldn't do anything. But by the time it was time for me to go get more blood labs, the dosage would change. So I just “self-diagnosed” myself and told myself that I didn't need it. But now I am getting my thyroid back in line in hopes this time with a thyroid sensitive diet plan I can help myself lose weight and feel my best.
Having a hypothyroid means meals have to be fast and easy, and also a good mix of protein and vegetables. Here is the catch: I’m a picky eater and by picky eater I mean…it is bad. When dealing with hypothyroidism, foods that help are fish, nuts, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seaweed, dairy, and beans. Whelp: Not a huge fish eater, not a whole grain eater, selective on the fruits and veggies, no way on the seaweed, dairy upsets my stomach, and nope on the beans. See my dilemma? I have to find foods that are high in iodine, high in iron (because I’m anemic), are low-calorie, and high-density foods. I also have to find foods that are cheap because I’m living on less than the average college girl’s budget. So it’s been rough, but it’s something I fight with every day.
But you know what bothers me the most when people see that I am trying to lose weight? Is that people assuming that I am a bigger gal because I eat too much. Not all overweight people are overweight due to food. Have you ever realized this? Don’t assume I don’t work out because I am overweight. Don’t assume that I only eat cake and ice-cream. Don’t assume that I want your advice to try to lose weight. I've actually heard these bits of “advice” from people over the past few years. “Well, maybe you should try diet and exercise. I’m working out at least twice a week for a while and lost a bunch of weight.” “Maybe you should go to the doctor already.” “What are you doing wrong in your life to bring this on?” And my favorite, “Well, maybe you should just pray about it.” You think I haven’t done this? I’ve prayed, I’ve visited the doctor, I exercise. I’m to the point where I am willing to pray, while riding my bicycle, on my way to the doctor. That is the extreme that I am in. I just have to deal with the hypothyroidism the best I can until I can afford the resources. Until then, I can’t let this unseen illness destroy me. So I will start by letting people know of this unseen illness.
Here is what you should take away from reading this to know what my unseen illness really is and how it affects me.
· I may look fine on the outside, but I’m not fine. It may have taken 2 hours to look decent enough to leave the house. Covering my dark circles, doing my hair so you can't see the bald patches (attractive right), and even gaining the energy to leave.
· Many people take for granted that they will wake up feeling “normal”, go to work, go see friends, and have fun! For someone battling a unseen illness, you just don’t know. The world makes plans and prepares for events and you…..”hope” to be a part of them.
· And the most important thing I wish everyone knew: people who battle an unseen illness are NOT weak. I spend 24/7 battling my own body with brain fog. I do this while loving and caring for others, going to school, being active in the community, working my jobs and even pursuing my dreams. SO yes. I am mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. Yes, some days I look like a zombie. BUT things can always be worse.
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