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Informational Posts / Supporting a Thyroid Patient

Our ‘Invisible Illness’ Isn’t Really Invisible

March 29, 2017
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Hypothyroidism, also called an underactive thyroid and thyroid disease, is an invisible illness. This means that the effect it has on someone living with it isn’t always obvious or visible, but it doesn’t make it any less impactful on the person’s life. 

Around 750 million people in the world live with some form of thyroid disease, yet many keep their health condition concealed, afraid that friends, family and co-workers just won’t understand this often debilitating condition. 

Let’s try to understand. 

Here are real people, holding real statements, who have really been affected by thyroid disease and want people to start realising. 

Our ‘invisible illness’ isn’t really invisible. Look closer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni3aavdSAVA

To view the separate photos used in the above video, you may scroll through them below.

'Hypothyroidism stole my Happiness...'

‘Hypothyroidism stole my Happiness…’

'Hypothyroidism... out of sight, but always there!'

‘Hypothyroidism… out of sight, but always there!’

'Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's has taken time from my kids, hudband, family and friends'

‘Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s has taken time from my kids, hudband, family and friends’

'Hypothyroidism is like hell of a disease'

‘Hypothyroidism is like hell of a disease’

'Hypothyroidism has drained the life out of me'

‘Hypothyroidism has drained the life out of me’

'Hypothyroidism took 9 precious angels from this mommy before we could meet'

‘Hypothyroidism took 9 precious angels from this mommy before we could meet’

'Hypothyroidism has taken my ability to sleep away!'

‘Hypothyroidism has taken my ability to sleep away!’

'Hypothyroidism stole me...'

‘Hypothyroidism stole me…’

'30 years diagnosed. Had it since 1974 What would my life be like without hypothyroidism?'

’30 years diagnosed. Had it since 1974 What would my life be like without hypothyroidism?’

'Hashimoto's has taken my ability to ever feel normal again... diagnosed 2010 at 11 years old...'

‘Hashimoto’s has taken my ability to ever feel normal again… diagnosed 2010 at 11 years old…’

'Hypothyroidism made me feel confused, alone, overwhelmed, hopeless and scared.'

‘Hypothyroidism made me feel confused, alone, overwhelmed, hopeless and scared.’

'Hypothyroidism stole my energy and joy and gave me pain and sadness'

‘Hypothyroidism stole my energy and joy and gave me pain and sadness’

'Hypothyroidism took away my ability to cope... physically, emotionally, mentally!'

‘Hypothyroidism took away my ability to cope… physically, emotionally, mentally!’

'Hypothyroidism made me suicidal'

‘Hypothyroidism made me suicidal’

'Hypothyroidism made me lose myself. Took away my energy and the ability to cope with day to day tasks'

‘Hypothyroidism made me lose myself. Took away my energy and the ability to cope with day to day tasks’

'I am tired of being tired'

‘I am tired of being tired’

'Hypothyroidism has stole my self-confidence'

‘Hypothyroidism has stole my self-confidence’

'Hypothyroidism has taken away my confidence in who I am!'

‘Hypothyroidism has taken away my confidence in who I am!’

'Hypothyroidism cost me my confidence'

‘Hypothyroidism cost me my confidence’

'Thyroid disease has taken away my connection to my family'

‘Thyroid disease has taken away my connection to my family’

'Hypothyroidism is an emotional and physical rollercoaster that I want off of.'

‘Hypothyroidism is an emotional and physical rollercoaster that I want off of.’

'Hypothyroidism stole my youth, my energy and almost stole my sanity'

‘Hypothyroidism stole my youth, my energy and almost stole my sanity’

'Hypothyroidism stole my motivation'

‘Hypothyroidism stole my motivation’

'Hypothyroidism makes me unable to... hold on... wait a minute... I forget what I was doing. Why did I come into this room again? Why am I taking a picture of myself? Oh well, may be it will come back to me. *never does*'

‘Hypothyroidism makes me unable to… hold on… wait a minute… I forget what I was doing. Why did I come into this room again? Why am I taking a picture of myself? Oh well, may be it will come back to me. *never does*’

'Hypothyroidism ripped my clothes and my body apart'

‘Hypothyroidism ripped my clothes and my body apart’

'Hypothyroidism took away my confidence'

‘Hypothyroidism took away my confidence’

'Hypothyroidism stole me. The real me. The kid who could run and play and have fun. Now, I'm 18 years old stuck in an old lady's body.'

‘Hypothyroidism stole me. The real me. The kid who could run and play and have fun. Now, I’m 18 years old stuck in an old lady’s body.’

'Hypothyroidism makes me want to up and leave my family... Just disappear and not look back!'

‘Hypothyroidism makes me want to up and leave my family… Just disappear and not look back!’

'Hypothyroidism change my life from thrive to survive!'

‘Hypothyroidism changed my life from thrive to survive!’

There are many people out there, people in your life, living with hypothyroidism or other forms of thyroid disease. They may well be struggling; their quality of life affected, from weight gain to brain function, mental health issues, extreme fatigue and pain, just to name a few. See a full list of symptoms here.

If you look closely, our invisible illness isn’t really invisible.

You can click on the hyperlinks in the above post to learn more and see references to information given but more information can be found at:

An Open Letter to Friends, Family, Work Colleagues and Doctors of Those with an Underactive Thyroid/Hypothyroidism.

An Open Letter: “Dear Doctor, It’s Not All in My Head.”

You, Me and Hypothyroidism Book CoverSee also:

You, Me and Hypothyroidism: When Someone You Love Has Hypothyroidism, a book for those who know someone with hypothyroidism.

About Author

Rachel Hill is the highly ranked and multi-award winning thyroid patient advocate, writer, speaker and author behind The Invisible Hypothyroidism. Her thyroid advocacy work includes writing articles, authoring books, producing email newsletters and speaking on podcasts and at events about the many aspects thyroid disease affects and how to overcome these. She is well-recognised as a crucial and influential contributor to the thyroid community and has a large social media presence. Her bestselling books include "Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate" and "You, Me and Hypothyroidism".

Further Reading...

I Don’t Want to Take Thyroid Medication. Can I Take Something ‘Natural’ Instead?

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Weak and Splitting Nails and Hypothyroidism 

3 Comments

  • Angela Irving
    July 22, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    Hello, I have suffered with an under active thyroid or over 20 years ….I can relate to everything I read on this web site … I am tired of being tired ..and I have told Dr’s over the years I don’t feel well… .all I get is ‘ well your within the range ‘ so you must feel ok …..But in reality I don’t ..I take my Thyroxine and can’t but can’t get through a day with out 3 + hours sleep ..The sleep just takes over … I am so sick of feeling exhausted, Confused,Foggy headed, ..And no one truly understands ..unless they suffer ..it is truly an invisible illness …I have never been the same since my thyroid took over my life ..Please keep up the good work …Sincerely Angela

    Reply
    • Rachel Hill
      July 25, 2018 at 11:32 am

      Sorry to hear this Angela. As you may already know, it is so important to get our thyroid levels to optimal and not just in range. Thyroxine, T4-0only medicine, doesn’t work for everyone. It sounds like you could benefit from a thyroid medication containing T3.

      Reply
  • ashmirmom2221
    May 3, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    You are an amazing writer!! Thank you for being the voice for what I’m thinking and feeling! ?

    Reply

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