Hypothyroidism, weightloss, China
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was fifteen or sixteen years old, but I'd had symptoms for a bit before that. Which really means that I got a traditionally older person's disease when I was barely a teenager.
I should probably thank my grandmother for noticing the symptoms (will mention soon, promise) and taking me to the doctor to get checked out and then to a specialist. She really did so many things to turn my life around. My mother hadn't taken me to a doctor for god knows how long, so when my grandmother got custody of me she handled everything- doctor check ups, the dentist, eye doctor, vaccinations... For real, where my mother was a lying, delusional, abusive piece of shit, my grandmother was simply amazing. And she still is.
When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I didn't take it well. I was pretty angry and confused and just basically upset about why and how I got this disease and I was especially mortified that I was now going to be taking medication for literally the rest of my life. Which feels really...privileged? to say now, when so many other people have worse medical issues at that age. But back then it felt like a kick in the gut after having just escaped my mother and all her mental and emotional abuse/problems.
My first Levothyroxine dosage was 25mcg and quickly rose to 75mcg before I left high school. Now, at 28 years old, I'm at 125mcg twice a week, 100mcg the other days.
I still remember telling a teacher in high school I was getting my thyroid levels checked and she started going on about her own thyroid problem, only her doctor couldn't find any evidence of a thyroid problem. She then tried to tell me my thyroid was probably fine because I was too young and didn't look like I had any problems, but she most definitely did even if her doctor couldn't see the problem in her blood work because clearly she was putting massive amounts of weight too quickly.
When I think back on this conversation, I get so annoyed. People don't have to show off their issues to other people for there to be issues. Seriously, I still remember her mocha hair and tight curls pulled up on top of her head and her thin lined glasses and just... really try to concentrate on being a good person and hoping she got whatever problem she had sorted out.
Now, my family has a history of hypothyroidism, but usually a bit later in life so I continually did research off and on through-out the years as to why my thyroid was failing me so soon. I don't have Hashimoto's or Graves, so it's probably just my own thyroid gland politely telling me to fuck off and that it didn't ask for this life and would like to retire.
*Fun side note: I have read that there are studies linking childhood abuse to hypothyroidism, which I would love to see explored in more depth.
If you didn't know, hypothyroidism comes with...Weight gain! Mood swings! Constipation! Coldness! Chills! Poor memory! Along with a few other super undesirable side effects~
I noticed weight gain, but it wasn't too bad until after high school and I had to pay rent and I couldn't afford the blood work to get the prescription. If we're being real, I let it fall to the wayside of real life. So I ballooooooooned up to a size...20-22 after a year. And then I got back on the medication, deflating to about a size 18 before needing to up my dose but not realizing and going back up a few sizes.
I was the Oprah weight yoyo.
In university, I noticed the problem but only semi-cared. I had six classes and a job (usually) or a raid (more often); I didn't have time for exercise.
Then, I uprooted my life and moved to China. The cost of blood work in America? 60-80 dollars. Blood work in China? 23 dollars, max. The medication? America: 4-7 dollars without insurance (what's insurance?) for 50mcg/30 days. China: ~2 USD 50mcg/100 days.
Bonus: No prescription needed in China.
My thyroid upkeep became affordable and easy since I could just notice my prescription was running out, go to any nearby pharmacy and stock up.
Once I had the dosage under control and properly monitored, I was able to change my diet much easier. There was wayyyy less temptation to eat junk or drink once I knew the main issue was treatable. Not everything seemed lost. I got myself an accountabili-buddy (the husband) and upped my veggie intake and the amount of exercise I did. I dropped about... 30 kg in 8 months or so.
When anybody wants to talk about America and healthcare, I cite things like this. Once a person can get a seemingly uncontrollable aspect of their life under control, other bits and bobs start to fall in place with a bit of effort.
America makes money off of keeping people unhealthy. ...But that's a rant for another day.
What I want to say is: If you're suffering from hypothyroidism and you feel like it's outside of your control, that's not true. You can work that bitch into submission, I promise. Definitely find support somewhere and if your circumstances are holding you back, take the first opportunity to change those circumstances--move to China if you have to.
**Note: Felt a bit ramble-y, sue me.
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