Thyroid PSA

This is the main reason my posts are getting fewer and lamer in my opinion. For those of you who may not know I am taking thyroid meds.... errrr.... supposed to be taking thyroid meds...... I have been taking them on and off this whole pregnancy.

My thyroid not working properly was first brought to my attention three years ago. I was exhausted all the time, more so than one should be with an infant. It was a challenge to do simple tasks. My brain was always fuzzy. I could tell wasn't working right. Turns out my thyroid is not producing enough of it's hormone to convert to the usable thyroid hormone. It's not drastic hypothyroidism in the medical community's eyes in fact the doctor I saw felt I didn't need medication, but agreed natural methods would work to give my thyroid a kick. I found homeopathic ways to stimulate my thyroid and once I was feeling better again about a year later I did what everyone does. I quit taking those supplements.

I completed half marathons, triathlons, and worked out nearly every day of the week with no problems. However, no matter how strict a meal plan I went with the weight didn't really want to come off, but I was fit so it didn't really matter to me that the scale couldn't get below 180. I could still run circles around a lot of the skinnies so I was happy :)

Anyway, after two miscarriages at the end of last year I asked my OB if hypothyroidism could be linked to miscarriage. Sure enough it can. She tested me, but didn't feel it was out of range so far that anything needed to be done. I ignored her and went to an endocrinologist anyway. By the time my appointment with the endo happened I was already pregnant again. The endo put me on a very low dose of a thyroid hormone replacement. I don't like taking modern medicines. I've always heard that once you start taking thyroid replacement pills that your thyroid will shut down. After a lot of research and talking to naturopaths I found out it's not that it kills your thyroid, your thyroid just goes dormant. So once I have Lydia and am done nursing her I should be able to put these pills away and take supplements to make my thyroid start working properly on its own again. But for the time this is what was safest for her and me.

The more I researched I was shocked to find out most doctors still think anything over 5 TSH is hypothyroidism, turns out most people need it closer to 3 to function properly and others have trouble keeping a pregnancy unless it's under 2 (not everyone of course, but some do). There is a huge range of TSH and it's effect on people, the trick is to figure out what your body needs. Mine was in the 7s and I was not functioning properly. I was doing pretty good once we got in around 3. To the OB this was all unnecessary, but the endo was willing to humor me.

The later in pregnancy you get the less of a big deal these hormones are. I've eased off taking them a week or so at a time, then I start to feel lousy and start them back up again. I've not taken it in over two weeks and it shows. I hardly want to get out of bed. I'm not sleeping properly. My brain is in a fog. I have little patience for anything. I was going to cook an elaborate meal for Chris for our anniversary, but didn't. I don't even want to blog. In the past I would have assumed this was just me and the fact I have three kids, but now I know it's not. I wonder how many other people out there just assume they are always tired because that's life and it turns out it's not. Anyway, there is my public service announcement for the month. If you want more info of the symptoms check here. Make sure you find a doctor that is up to date on thyroid ranges. Get tested if this sounds like you. If you can go the natural path I highly recommend it. It worked for me, if only I had been smart enough to continue it.