Euthyroid Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
It’s the beginning of the end for my thyroid. Granted, the end is likely a long way off, but my body is gathering up the troops (antibodies) to attack the enemy (my thyroid, and the essence of an autoimmune disease). The ‘Eu’ in Euthyroid means that my thyroid is still producing proper amounts of TSH despite elevated levels of antibodies. My endocrinologist has prescribed a low dose of synthetic thyroid, serving two purposes. The first is to (hopefully) eliminate my symptoms of lethargy, muscle and joint pain, and hair loss (eyebrows). The second is to slow down or halt the progression of Hashimoto’s. From my research, it appears that most doctors do not prescribe this synthetic hormone at this stage to the disease, however, studies are showing positive results for doing so. The presence of the antibodies is enough to throw me out of whack.
I am oh-so-hopeful that this medication will make a difference. In addition to the thyroid med, the doctor prescribed a multivitamin with iron (apparently I’m low in that as well). This morning I felt somewhat disconcerted by the handful of pills I was popping: thyroid, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and fish oil. I don’t even have the multivitamin yet. Nonetheless, the blood results show I am out of balance, and I am clearly seeking a remedy to my physical state, so I will pop these pills with a prayer everyday in the hopes I can get my vitality back.
Next in line to see the endocrinologist is my hubby.
Weight Gain
The doctor wasn’t so quick to blame my weight gain on my thyroid. More likely quitting smoking tipped the scales. I’m not so sure. She did say that the weight is not as harmful, comparatively, as the smoking. I suppose that’s something to be happy about. Regardless, gaining 50 pounds in two and a half years is stressful to my body, and an obvious source for not feeling well.
Two Pounds Down, One Pound Up
Even though I record my weight on Mondays, I usually end up weighing myself by the end of the week, making a mental note. Hence, on my ‘Numbers’ page it looks as though I lost a pound this week. What’s not apparent is that I had actually lost two pounds and gained back one! I suppose this is as good enough reason as any to stay off the scale, but as much as I’m focused on eating well, I am, of course, seeking to lose weight. Since I’m not really counting carbs and calories, I am assuming that the side effect of eating healthy will be to lose weight. As for my new handy, dandy weight chart, I already had colored in a pound that I have since gained…here’s what the chart looks like now:
Vacation
Friday marks the beginning of our vacation. We will be camping waaaaaaay up north for a week with some friends. They arrive on Friday, and we will head out on Saturday, caravaning our way north. While I’m looking forward to some R&R it also means that the end of my summer is near. When we return, I have just a day before it’s back to school for me. Ho hum.
Why It Matters 