I have Hashimoto's disease.
At age 13, I went in for a routine physical. The doctor noticed a large bump in my throat. He said it was cancer. (I think he was a med student). For many months, I saw an endocrinologist. I eventually learned I had a problem with my thyroid and have been on medication ever since. I never really knew how important it was, so I was not always great about taking it. When I didn't take it, I noticed I'd get extremely fatigued, so that's when I'd remember to take it.
But I was never diagnosed with the cause of my thyroid dysfunction. Your thyroid doesn't just stop working for no reason. Especially at 13.
Today, I got the results back from a blood panel that confirms I have Hashimoto's. (That's right, I was never officially diagnosed until today. And that is probably because it may not matter why you have hypothyroidism, the treatment would be the same). Except, if you have ever experienced infertility, then knowing you have Hashimoto's means a lot.
In a nutshell, Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disorder that leads to hypothyroidism. An autoimmune disease occurs when your own immune system attacks your organs, cells, tissues, or glands. In Hashimoto's, it targets and destroys the functioning of the thyroid gland.
Why is this particularly important to me? Well, although my thyroid has been "controlled" for a long time with medication, for many years it was not controlled or not well controlled. It has very likely led to an effect on my egg quality, and hence, our inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. Especially because it was diagnosed (and who knows for how long had been previously untreated) right at the time I started menstruating as a pre-teen.
Another interesting insight about Hashimoto's? It also explains my sensitivity to gluten. I did go gluten-free for 4 months before we got pregnant, and until the second trimester.
To not be doom and gloom, many many people with Hashimoto's successfully conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. But, it is at least helpful and interesting to know that it is probably the biggest reason why we have had so much difficulty.
AND? God is SOOOOOOO much bigger than this. This diagnosis today was not at all a surprise to Him. He's known it all along. And, He got us pregnant.
Whenever I start to think about how big my problems are, I just remember how BIG my God is!!!!!! There is nothing He cannot overcome.
"Who is like you among the gods, O Lord, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? -- Exodus 15:11
Wow - Is it kind of a relief to have an "answer"? Even though it doesn't really change anything... just KNOWING seems like it would give you a little bit of closure. And you're so right - God IS so much bigger.
ReplyDeleteHow about that! I have Graves Disease (autoimmune hyperthyroid) affected my fertility AND I am very sensitive to gluten. I am now in remission.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got an answer. Know that I have 3 wonderful friends who have Hashi's under control and have become PG and delivered adorable babies!!
p.s. just to file away somewhere... you want your TSH under 2 and your FT3 & FT4 in the upper third of the normal range for TTC. For PG, TSH isn't watched as closely with autoimmune. Those FreeTs need to stay in that upper third of normal. Everyone's normal TSH is different. I feel best at 0.8-1.6 I have to start getting tested now every 6 weeks. My Graves showed up postpartum with Pookie, and I want to be on top of it this time just in case.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have an answer! I was hypothyroid after my first miscarriage, and was finally able to stay pregnant after going gluten-free. I hadn't realized until now that the two could be connected.
ReplyDeleteI've had Hashimoto's since I was 9. My antibodies change so much it can be tough to regulate. We found out I was hyopthyroid at the time of my EA transfer and then again several times through out the pregnancy despite increasing my dose.
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts for you. First, if you take vitamins watch for vitamins with soy based binders as soy can interfere with syn.throid absorbtion. Second, talk to your doctor about running tests for other autoimmune conditions as they often come in multiples. I had a doctor do this and one of the antibody tests came back positive for autoimmune gastritis, which can affect vitamin B absorption.
Glad you finally have an answer.
What a relief to finally have an answer! Really really amazing. xo
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