update on Hypothyroidism

Yesterday I went to see Dr. M about my thyroid disease and she immediately comforted me by letting me know that she too has hypothyroidism. That instantly made me feel so much better. I know that it is really common for women to be diagnosed with an under active thyroid. I have had several people tell me that it's no big deal. But they don't have it so of course they think it's no big deal. But it is a big deal to me.

According to Dr. M, I have an "EXTREMELY under active thyroid".

First let me explain TSH levels. TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. Its function is to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone, so a high TSH level usually indicates that your body isn't getting enough thyroid hormone. This condition is hypothyroidism. A too-low TSH level usually indicates the opposite, or hyperthyroidism.

This link to me, explains hypothyroidism very well.
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf

Dr. M said that when she sees people with hypothyroidism, their TSH level is normally around 10. Well, mine is 54.97 or maybe it was 59.47, I can't remember but none the less, it's extremely high and she said that she was surprised that I wasn't falling asleep at the wheel. I told her some mornings, I come pretty darn close. ha!

I asked her what could have caused this because I had my TSH levels checked about two years ago and they were normal. She said that she couldn't tell me that and there is really no way of knowing when it started or why.

We then talked about one of my MAIN concerns (besides the weight issue, of course): Fertility. She said because we caught it relatively early, that it shouldn't cause any problems in that area. She will just have to adjust my medication during the next pregnancy. Most reasons for infertility, miscarriages, birth defects is when hypothyroidism goes undetected.

We also talked about diet changes. I wasn't concerned when we talked about not eating processed foods because I have pretty much already cut that out of my diet. the one thing that really made me sad was the NO WHITE RICE. :( I'm Vietnamese. I love my Jasmine rice. What am I going to do? It's not that I CAN'T have ANY but I just need to really limit my intake. Carbs will be hard for me to digest.

She put me on Synthroid and she said NO GENERIC. I need to be on the Synthroid for a few years and then maybe we could do generic after that but I would rather just stay on the Synthroid forever if it's better than generic. and yes, i will have to take this for the rest of my life. She also said that after I start taking these meds (which i started this morning), I should start seeing some weight loss as long as I keep up my routine of eating right and exercising. She said I may not be able to fit in my size 0's and 2's again but maybe I could get close. :) So little ladies, I have lots of cute clothes if you would like to do some bargain shopping in my closets.

I'm feeling a lot better about everything now and I'm certainly not going to let it get me down. I just hope the Synthroid starts working FAST because I am so ready to feel good again and so ready to have the energy to play with Graham. Right now, it takes everything I have to pick him up and play with him because I am so weak.

Thank you again for all of the encouragement, love and prayers.

I will post some pictures of Graham this weekend. I will have some free time because he is going to stay with his Mimi and Poppi in Texarkana. They are so excited to have him and mommy is excited to get some much needed rest. Although I am still really sad and anxious about him going. But I think it's going to be that way for a while until I can get used to him leaving me.

Our new house cleaner, Laura, comes on Monday and Chad and I are sooooo excited!!! My friend, Shauntel, recommended her to me and said that she is FANTASTIC!! That she goes above and BEYOND the call of duty! I love the sound of that! :) Our last cleaning lady charged us 90.00 for a "deep" cleaning and I guess that deep cleaning consisted of DUSTING AROUND our things. she was lazy and just TERRIBLE!!! So I can't wait to come home Monday to what will seem like a brand new house! :)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!