Hypothyroidism Caused Problems for My Body and Mind

As told to Jacquelyne Froeber

january is Thyroid Awareness Month.

“Have you noticed any asymmetry in your neck?” my friend asked.

As doctors, we didn’t normally spend our free time observing each other for abnormalities, but she was right. The right side of my neck was slightly more swollen than the left.

Luckily, my sister is an endocrinologist, so I made an appointment to see her the next day. He did an ultrasound on me and found nodules on my thyroid. She didn’t believe they were cancerous, but needed a biopsy to be sure. When the results came back, I was relieved to find out I didn’t have cancer, but the endocrine surgeon recommended that I have the nodules removed along with part of my thyroid. That way, I wouldn’t have to worry about screenings and biopsies every year.

I agreed with the surgeon and wasn’t too nervous about the surgery. I had had spinal surgery a few years earlier, so the thyroid procedure seemed quite minor in comparison.

The procedure went as planned and by all accounts I was in good health and my thyroid levels were under control, but I felt terrible. I had no energy and was sluggish, like I was moving in slow motion.

“I just need to sleep more,” I told myself. But no matter how much I slept, I never woke up feeling refreshed or energized like I did before surgery.

And it wasn’t just my body. I didn’t realize it at first, but a fog had settled in my brain and clouded my thoughts and memory.

It started slowly (I forgot a word or a phrase or why I walked into a room) and then I forgot an appointment with a patient. I was shocked when I realized my mistake. I had never done that before and I knew something was very wrong.

I went to get a blood test and my sister told me to get a thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody testwhich is not part of routine blood tests. The presence of antibodies could mean Hashimoto’s disease — an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid and slows metabolism, which can cause a wide range of problems, including fatigue. Sure enough, I had TPO antibodies and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease.

If I hadn’t been so exhausted, I would have jumped for joy. I felt very relieved (and very grateful to my sister) because I had an answer as to why I felt so bad and I could start moving forward.

Although I am a doctor, I was new to hormonal issues and had no idea how important the thyroid is or the many ways hypothyroidism can harm your health.

For one thing, my blood tests showed elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. Those few months of being too tired to exercise or eat well took a serious toll on my health. I have a family history of heart disease, so I knew that if I wanted a long, healthy life with Hashimoto’s, I would have to make some lifestyle changes.

I learned that Hashimoto’s is affected by inflammation, so I started by changing my diet in favor of more foods with anti-inflammatory properties. That meant shopping around the perimeter of the grocery store and filling my cart with more fresh produce and fewer processed foods. I prepared meals and snacks ahead of time so that when I was stressed or tired from a long day of work, I would have something nutritious waiting for me, which was a big change from just grabbing fast food or something random when I was hungry. That’s not to say I didn’t have the occasional donut in the break room (they’re too good), but once I started cutting back on sugary and fried foods I saw an increase in my energy.

Like many people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease, I also began taking medications to supplement the thyroid hormone I wasn’t producing.

After about three months of medication, dietary changes, and meditation, I felt like my old self again. My energy increased and I was able to move more. I started walking everywhere and leaving weights all over the house, so when I saw one, I picked it up and did a set. (If I get a little breathless when we talk on the phone, you know why.)

It’s been about eight years since my thyroid surgery and I’m still eating healthy and moving as much as I can. When I start to feel overwhelmed or exhausted, I meditate, no matter where I am, and do a few minutes of breathing. It helps me stay conscious, calm and clear in my thoughts.

Now that I’m 50, I have to remind myself that fatigue, brain fog, and forgetfulness are also signs of perimenopause and menopause. But anyone experiencing these symptoms can ask a healthcare provider for a TPO test. My routine blood work was fine, so if I hadn’t ordered the test, who knows how long it would have been before I found out I had Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s can disrupt your entire world, but you can get your brain and energy back. For me, taking medications, measuring my hormone levels regularly, and making lifestyle changes help me manage the disease.

Of course, I still forget things from time to time, but I know that’s normal, not Hashimoto’s.

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