She's got it nailed

This article describes so well what we deal with sometimes!

Part Four

I have finally been officially diagnosed as hypothyroid.  I am quite certain that I've been hypo for many years.

Hypothyroid symptoms can include these:

Breathing difficulties, particularly "air hunger" or the inability to inhale a good breath.
Course skin on the soles of the feet.
Ridged Fingernails
Low body temperature
Stubborn overweight
Low Blood-pressure
Hair loss
Muscle pain
Brain fog
Fatigue
Insomnia
Infertility
Menstrual irregularities
Anxiety
Depression
Dry eyes
Dry skin

and eventually...

diabetes
heart disease
high cholesterol

I am pretty sure that's not a complete list, but why would you want more?

I had a lot of these symptoms.  After several months on thyroid medication, in my case Cytomel, I still have many of these symptoms.  What I have noticed is that my skin is softer, my hair is thicker (and curlier??), my mood is much, much better.  My energy level is better (but not great, yet) and brain fog is decreased.  My breathing is also easier.

There may be more room to increase the Cytomel.  At some point I will likely be switched (only with MY agreement) to some form of natural thyroid, like Erfa, which does not have to be taken as often and which has a more complete range of the various thyroid chemicals.

I will also ask to be tested for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  This is a common cause of hypthyroidism, so the theory goes.  It is an autoimmune condition.  Knowing whether I have this will not change my treatment much, but I will probably look in some different directions, as there seems to be a strong association between Hashimoto's Thryoiditis and gluten intolerance.

Not that I'm thrilled about giving up gluten.  It seems like SO much work.  But if you must, you must.

I have not returned to LDN, as described in my previous post.  Once I started on thyroid meds and my sleep improved, I was not in a hurry to do anything that might interfere with that!  LDN's effect on sleep is usually transitory, but I'm just not that patient right now.  I am learning that LDN can positively affect autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  That would force the issue, and I would get back to taking LDN.

I am completely off anti-depressants and don't miss them.  I am down to, most nights, half of one sleep prescription.  I would call that a net gain!