Read the last blog in this series.
Wow. My last personal health update blog was posted in February 2023, thats over 18 months ago! As I write this in the autumn of 2024, a lot has changed but mostly for the better…
I’ve recently celebrated my 31st birthday which had me reflecting on another year of navigating my thyroid condition and everything else that comes with it.
Since my last update on here, I have had investigations for ongoing acid reflux complaints, which started in my first pregnancy and never resolved, even in between pregnancies and then after my second child was born two and a half years ago. We concluded that the pressure of my larger uterus on the stomach during my first pregnancy especially weakened the lower oesophageal sphincter, causing reflux which was not caused by H-Pylori, stomach ulcers or other causes we investigated.
For now, I am on the lowest dose of acid suppressors possible and will review this in a month or so’s time. I’m not sure if I’ll need them longterm, but the effects pregnancy had on this part of my stomach are likely irreversible, as far as we are aware. So treatment for it will continue to be reviewed. I ideally wanted to avoid acid suppressors, but the constant reflux with no specific triggers (I would avoid fatty, spicy foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol etc. and nothing helped) carried risks itself as my oesophagus was getting progressively more damaged from the constant acid. So we had to weigh up ‘risks’ from both sides.
I have also had investigations for a persistently itchy and sore scalp. The dermatologist diagnosed it as Seborrheic Dermatitis, which is a form of eczema commonly found on the scalp. Treatment therefore is to prevent it drying out. I am currently researching different hair product ingredients and moisturisers.
Another ongoing issue I sought specialist help for in the past year was very heavy periods which were causing me to be permanently anaemic (in ferritin – iron stores). We ruled out STI’s, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, cysts and other things before trying tranexamic acid and let me tell you: I am blown away. This medicine has significantly reduced my menstrual bleeding and my iron levels are now back within normal limits, although with a lot of room to improve further, so I’m due another blood test in a month or so and fingers crossed for more movement in the right direction!
In the last year or so, I have made sure to fully investigate whether my thyroid condition could be behind these ongoing niggles, but came to the conclusion that they were not. I am very conscious about ensuring I do not assume everything is down to my thyroid / pinning everything on it. Doing so can miss the right diagnosis and effective treatment, so we must remain openminded.
Now that my children are 4.5 and 2.5 years old, sleep is thankfully much better and improved since my last update, which always helps. Thyroid flares are very few and far between (I think I’ve had just one or two flare days in the last year) and my thyroid medication dosage has been stable for around four years now. I’m on 150mg Armour Thyroid + 25mcg Levothyroxine and my levels are all optimal. Hashimoto’s is also still in remission. So I’m doing well.
Exercise-wise, I am currently walking for an hour a day for five days of the week (thank you, school run!). One evening a week I also have a 45-minute cardio dance class.
I’m trying to figure out how to fit yoga back in to my weekly routine, because I definitely miss it. My body feels a lot less tired, stiff and achy with regular stretching sessions, so I’m trying to find an evening I can fit it in. Mornings with two young children are chaos! I continue to learn that getting the balance right with exercise and thyroid issues is so important.
Overall, I am in a really good place health-wise and feel as if the balance is near-perfect. Keeping on top of my thyroid condition is a daily practise however… I must continue to exercise smartly, prioritise rest and sleep, take my supplements, take my medication, reduce stress levels where possible, eat well and avoid gluten and alcohol.
And please remember: the best way to keep up to date with my personal health journey in real time is with my email newsletters and Instagram page! Come and follow me over there!
How is your thyroid health at the moment? What has the past year been like for you? Feel free to add to the discussion in the comments below.
And don’t forget:
My book “Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate: When You’re Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired“, details my journey back to good health with thyroid disease. It’s worth the read!
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