Underestimate at your peril

In my last post I suggested that an underactive thyroid is both misunderstood and underestimated and so here I want to continue with that thought and explain how I underestimated the control this gland has over the entire body.

Basically I thought that swallowing that little 'levo' pill each day would serve me well and adequately treat my newly diagnosed underactive thyroid. As much as I didn’t want to become one of ‘those people’ who are stuck on meds forever (surely a practice reserved for the elderly and really unwell?) I decided to do as I was told for once and get on with the pill popping. Well, I did. And it didn’t get me very far. I had just walked into the trap, swallowed more than the pill and underestimated the illness. 

So my body was getting weak, my mind was failing me, my health was deteriorating. The pills were not working and the consultant told me that these things had nothing to do with my thyroid. And I believed her. That is, until I found out the truth.

I found out that every system in your body is affected by your thyroid hormones. Your immune system, digestive system, metabolism, skin, internal organs, nails and hair, reproductive system…….I had discovered that thyroid hormone is found, and plays an active part in every cell in your body.

And that still blows my mind, all of this activity is going on at a cellular level. I mean I did biology at school and I remember cells. I know they have a nucleus and mitochondria, among other things, but they were all drawings, funny shapes in text books, nothing tangible or even relevant to me. Yet here I am with an illness that is very tangible and it is because of what is happening, or not happening, within those cells. 

But that was just the start of my misunderstanding of this ‘invisible’ illness. Looking deeper into things I found out about some all too real links to heart disease, osteoporosis and poor mental health among other things. These are very serious illnesses and I don't mention them lightheartedly. I feel it is important to highlight that these may be brought on by not looking after a dysfunctional thyroid.

So please believe me when I say that the biggest favour you will do for yourself is to ensure your thyroid is working optimally. Take the hormones you need in order to feel well, and I don’t mean just feel better but feel WELL. Eat foods that will help and not hinder your thyroid. Live an active life that does not include that endocrine disaster, running. Find medical and nutritional support. But above all, do not underestimate the power of the gland!

 

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