Category: thyroid

Posted on by

Hashimoto’s and Hair Loss

Anyone who has Hashimoto’s knows that hair loss can be a big concern. I know it was for me. Right before my doctor diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s, I was losing a lot of hair. I would find large clumps of it in the shower. Each pass through my hair with the comb was a death sentence for my hair. Every day I’d look in the mirror and notice the skin on the sides of my forehead becoming more noticeable. It got to the point that I was afraid to comb my hair.

It didn’t dawn on me that my hair loss might be due to Hashimoto’s. Other warning signs pointed to Hashimoto’s, but I didn’t make the connection. I thought I was getting older and my body was not functioning optimally; when we get older our body’s slow down. Right?

Not necessarily. I’ve learned a lot since my diagnosis. I’ve spent many hours researching and educating myself on Hashimoto’s. I may not be a doctor, but I know enough now to be able to share my experience and any information I’ve learned about coping with Hashimoto’s.

Hair Loss and Hypothyroidism

I mentioned at the beginning of this blog my ignorance about the reason for my hair loss. I had many symptoms of hypothyroidism which I discuss in my blog “Let the Lesson Begin.” If you look at those symptoms, you will realize they are symptoms that could be related to many disorders and illnesses. Hair loss is one in the long list of symptoms.

Thyroid imbalance is the most common form of hormonal imbalance leading to hair loss. It is also the most underdiagnosed hormonal disorder. Many people are diagnosed and treated for (let’s say) depression when they have a thyroid disorder. It’s scary but true.

When I was twenty-nine, my doctor diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. My symptoms were those that mirrored hypothyroidism. I didn’t know it at the time because my labs came back within the normal range for a thyroid condition. That statement brings me to my next one.

Confusion and Thyroid Labs

Conventionally recommended labs for thyroid ranges are too broad. Many doctors look at the lab, versus the symptoms and condition of the patient. The oversight causes many doctors to overlook a lot of thyroid-related symptoms.

Thyroid symptoms can be too high (hyperthyroid) or too low (hypothyroid). Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid is unable to process the thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) necessary for healthy functioning body systems.1 Often hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s which is an autoimmune condition. I go into more detail in my blog “Let the Thyroid Lesson Begin.” Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). We will be focusing on hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s for this post.

Keeping Your Hair With Hashimoto’s

Thyroid function affects every part of your body. We are talking about hair loss here, so we’ll leave other functions and symptoms for another post. Hair loss is one way your thyroid affects your hair. Hair loss usually follows earlier conditions such as brittle and dry hair. We are all familiar with the make-up of hair. Each strand of hair is made up of medulla, cortex, and cuticle. The root of the hair is lodged in a follicular involution of the epidermis or “follicle.”3 The hair follicle has a receptor site for the thyroid hormone, which binds to the receptor site. The thyroid hormone that resides within the receptor site is what turns on and off, normal hair growth. It doesn’t matter if it is insufficient or excess thyroid hormone production, the disruption will cause hair to shed.

Adequate T3 and T4 hormone cause the hair follicle cycle to last longer causing increased or healthy hair growth. The T3 and T4 hormone also encourage pigmentation of the hair. When T3 and T4 levels are inadequate, you see thinning all over the head or in some cases on the sides of the head. I experienced hair loss on the sides of my head along the temple area.

Complete Thyroid Testing Requires More Than the Thyroid Panel

If you are experiencing hair loss along with any of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s, you should check with your doctor. You should ask your doctor to test the following 2:

•    Thyroid panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, TPO Antibodies, Anti-TGB Antibodies.

•    Vitamins and minerals – these are key in converting T4 (inactive) hormone to T3 (active hormone): Ferritin, vitamin D and B12 at the very least.

•    Sugar levels: glucose (fasting blood sugar), HA1C and insulin.

•    Lipid Panel: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL triglycerides.2

Part of having healthy hair is being healthy. The best way to accomplish good health is by changing your diet. I discuss diet in my blog “Healthy With Hashimoto’s.” When we change our diet, we affect the symptoms of Hashimoto’s and begin to feel better.

Looking Good, Feeling Good

We live in a society that constantly reminds us of how important it is to look good. More importantly, we should feel good. Part of feeling good is having a healthy body and properly functioning body systems. If you have Hashimoto’s you know how difficult it is to focus on feeling good and looking good. When we lose our hair, our confidence is affected. When our confidence is affected, we feel worse and accomplish less.

If you are looking at your hair loss as a symptom of Hashimoto’s, I encourage you to look at all options available to help you return your body systems to normal. Talk to your doctor about natural alternatives to synthetic medications on the market. You may be surprised when you realize it is possible to control your symptoms naturally.

Resources

1. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/93/11/4381/26272732. 2.https://hormonesbalance.com/articles/what-thyroid-labs-to-ask-for-in- order-to-manage-your-thyroid-and-hashimotos-disease/ 3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair

Posted on by

5 Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis Due to Hashimoto’s

Two months ago, I went to the chiropractor with a complaint of left shoulder pain. When I mentioned it to the chiropractor, he did a range of motion test.  When I told him, the pain increased with specific movements, he said he thought I had a torn rotator cuff. When I left his office, I was confused.

How Could This Happen?

A torn rotator cuff? How could that happen. A month earlier I fell on the ice and injured my right leg and hip. Nothing was broke, thankfully, but I struggled with limited mobility for a little over a week. It was once I regained full use of my leg that my shoulder started bothering me. Originally, I thought it hurt because I was somehow over compensating for my right leg and it affected my left shoulder. That is what prompted me to see the chiropractor.

Initially I did nothing about the shoulder. I think I was in denial and hoped it would heal on its own. When two weeks later I still suffered with pain, I called and made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon that specialized in shoulders. The week before the appointment I was talking to my father about the shoulder and he said I should see a different chiropractor; I should get a second opinion.

I gave some thought to what my father said and called another chiropractor who was willing to see me the following day. The result of that appointment was not a confirmation of the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff, but a diagnosis of calcific tendonitis.

Torn Rotator Cuff or Calcific Tendonitis?

The symptoms of calcific tendonitis are like those of a torn rotator cuff. One major difference, at least as far as I can tell, is with a torn rotator cuff your strength is gone, while with calcific tendonitis (of the shoulder) you retain some strength and the range of motion isn’t as limited. When the second chiropractor did a muscle strength test, I still had some range of motion and strength in the arm. Once he completed the exam and adjusted me, he determined I suffered with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder.

I was relieved that I didn’t have a torn rotator cuff. I know surgery is not always necessary, but the thought of it didn’t please me. I didn’t want to be without use of my shoulder over the summer. That would keep me from my garden. Now I know what ails my shoulder. The chiropractor suggested exercises to help me through what I believe will be a long process of healing, yet without having to be immobile.

Through research I found many people suffer or have suffered with similar complaints as what I mentioned above. In some instances, people suffer such debilitating pain that it keeps them from enjoying life in its simplest form.

Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis

  • The pain often occurs in the morning.
  • Stiffness in the shoulder – which leads the physician to assume frozen shoulder or a torn rotator cuff based on primary examination.
  • Significant sleep disruption due to pain. I wake up when in my sleep I turn on my left side and experience pain with movement.
  • Reduced range of motion. I can only lift my arm at a 90-degree angle.
  • Limited activities of daily living due to pain. I can’t lift anything over my head or to my left side.

I am fortunate, because I went to a chiropractor knowledgeable enough to recognize the signs of calcific tendonitis. Others haven’t been so lucky. Some of the stories I’ve heard tell of people who have suffered in pain while making visits to orthopedists, physical therapists, and neurosurgeons which resulted in prescriptions and injections and ultimately unnecessary surgery. This, only to experience pain again with no explanation.

Does Any of the Above Sound Familiar?

If so, please have it examined to rule out problems related to joints and surrounding tissue. If you have Hashimoto’s you may want to check your T3, T4, and vitamin D levels to be sure levels haven’t changed. If your lab results change and your thyroid may be under stress it could prompt a secondary condition such as frozen shoulder of calcific tendonitis.

I went to a knowledgeable chiropractor who was able to recommend the proper exercises and massage techniques. If your shoulder pain is due to a change in your thyroid condition, you may want to refrain from rigorous therapy. It may increase the pain.

I began the exercises recommended by my chiropractor and began using Arnica Rub to ease the pain. It helps relieve the pain associated with massage and exercise. Follow your doctor’s guidelines when it comes to exercise. You don’t want to over exert yourself.

On the Mend

It has been a long three months, but I’m on the mend. I have increased mobility of my shoulder. The exercises have helped tremendously and knowing what points to massage has relieved the pain. I’m not fully recovered but expect to be back to my old self in a couple of more weeks.

I share this story with you today because I have been researching shoulder pain with regards to Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease. At this point it is not known why, but people who have thyroid disease often suffer from shoulder pain. Sometimes the pain is a result of adhesive capsulitis also known as frozen shoulder. In other instances, it is a result of calcific tendonitis as in my case.

I hope that by sharing the information in this post it will make more people aware of the possible connection of shoulder pain to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I am living a good life and continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle medication free. However, on occasion I still experience these little symptoms that remind me I need to focus on good health. I will continue to share these experiences to bring more awareness to Thyroid disease in hopes to help others recognize and heal.

Posted on by

Let the Thyroid Lesson Begin

I drove home that morning, determined I wouldn’t be medicated. I would spend every waking hour researching ways to manage Hashimoto’s without medication. Every indication told me it couldn’t be done.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease. The thyroid is dead and can’t be brought back to life, I was told. Don’t always believe what you hear. That’s my motto. With that statement ringing in my head, I began to learn about the thyroid.

Our thyroid is the largest endocrine gland in our body. No wonder people have problems. Think about it. This little butterfly-shaped gland works 24/7 to keep our body systems operating properly. Compare that to your computer, and consider this. If you turn on your computer and open 20 different tabs in your browser, one of two things will eventually happen. The computer will either lock up or crash.

Our bodies are similar on many levels. We don’t eat right or get enough sleep. The food we put in our bodies if packed with chemicals that we are not meant to digest. This one abuse causes our organs to work on overload to clean out toxins that eventually cause health issues.

Consider your thyroid. It is one small gland that we pollute every day. From brushing our teeth to eating meat injected with hormones and antibiotics to slathering our skin with cosmetics that are loaded with carcinogens. That’s only the beginning. We’ll discuss this in depth in a future blog.

So, we know the thyroid is busy. It produces two types of hormones, T3 and T4. These hormones control how and at what rate your body will burn energy. It also regulates how you respond to stress hormones. That’s a big job, considering the stressful lives we live. I will discuss this in a future blog as well.

We now know basically what our thyroid function is. So, it’s time to quickly look at two ways it can malfunction. There is hyperthyroidism, where the production of hormones is excessive. Then there is hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid produces too little hormone. Both situations can be disastrous if left un-checked. There are many things that are affected by your thyroid:

  • Rough skin
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Fatigue
  • Being too hot or too cold (excessively)
  • Depression/Anxiety
  • Digestive issues
  • Frequent urination
  • Low sex drive
  • Trouble breathing
  • Hair loss
  • Vision issues
  • Migraines (a biggie for me)
  • Muscle aches/tenderness

We’ll be talking about all of these and more as the blog develops. My goal is to provide information I’ve found throughout my journey to reconcile my thyroid to my lifestyle. It is also my desire to have as many of my readers share what works for them too. We are all in this together. It is my hopes to bring to the attention to women (and men) everywhere that the thyroid is most likely causing problems for people without realizing it. Again another topic for a future blog. Thank you for taking the time to read, I hope to see you all back here for the next post. I wish you much success in your fight for great thyroid health.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Hashimoto’s – Help!

I left the doctor’s office in shock. No, I’m not dying, I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. At first, I thought, “This has to be a mistake,” but once I had some time to process, and research Hashimoto’s, everything began to make sense.
For years I had been tired, unfocused, and in pain. When I started reading about the symptoms of hypothyroidism, I felt like I was reading about my life. When I was 29 years old, I found myself exhausted. I was the single mother of two small girls, working full time, and balancing parenting and career. I went in for my physical and was given a clean bill of health. Blood work came back fine.

I was still tired. For years I was tired, unfocused, irritable and in pain.
My doctor thought I had fibromyalgia, which was a new medical diagnosis at the time. I gave up and lived with the pain.

When I turned fifty, everything changed. I was still in pain, tired, and unfocused. Plus, now I was having trouble remembering simple things; tasks that I performed at work on a regular basis, and at home. I went in for my physical and again was given a clean bill of health. This time, however, the blood work revealed something new. Hashimoto’s, as it turned out.

My doctor wanted to put me on medication. “I’m a healthy person,” I thought. “I can’t be on medication for the rest of my life.” I shook my head and looked at her and said, “No. Give me 30 days to try to get it under control without medication.” To my surprise, she agreed.

For the next 30 days, I spend every free moment researching, reading, and changing my diet. What you will read in the following posts will show you how I managed to defy Hashimoto’s hell and live a life free from pain and the fog that I lived in for all those years.
I hope my journey will save you time and money and sanity. Here’s to enriching and renewing your thyroid health.

Posted on by

Thyroid Awareness Month

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Before my diagnosis, I’d never heard of Hashimoto’s. I knew it was possible for a person to have a hypothyroid or Hyperthyroid. But I thought it was genetic and didn’t give much thought to the possibility that I would have to worry about it. My grandmother had Grave’s disease and had her thyroid removed when she was young, but again I didn’t think about how it affected me.

Healthy with Hashimoto’s

Today, many years later, I’m 54 years old and living with Hashimoto’s.  I spent the last three years working my way back to good health. Some days I struggle, and I spent many hours researching Hashimoto’s and how I could “beat it” or at least live a healthy life without having to take medication. Well, I continue to be a work in progress, but I’m at a point where I feel healthy, and I don’t need to be on medication. Some days I think that is a miracle.

Thyroid Awareness Month

Now I think back on the journey and realize I shouldn’t be stingy with what I have learned. So, I think it appropriate to begin this blog in January, which I now know as Thyroid Awareness Month. I am celebrating my good health by giving back to those who share my diagnosis.

Real Life Credentials

I’m not a doctor, I have no medical background, with the exception, of being the mom of a nurse. I spent many hours studying with her as she went through nursing school. She is now a nurse, I’m still only her mom; no degree, no real medical knowledge. I’m proud of her though.

So, when you read through my blog please remember I’m only a woman living with Hashimoto’s, trying to find the best way to be healthy and happy. I’m happy to share what worked for me, but please take my words for what they are; mine; my journey, my body, my results. If you have Hashimoto’s or think you do, please talk to your doctor, and if you like what you read here, share the information with him/her and use what information you can, leaving what isn’t possible for you.

Why Now?

I’m going out on a limb publishing this blog. I’m doing it because we need to make people aware that thyroid disease is serious. Twenty million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Sixty percent of those don’t realize it. They may have symptoms of thyroid disease, but their bloodwork doesn’t show it. We need to be educating people to ask the right questions to get the correct diagnosis. I will discuss this dilemma in future blogs.

Now is the time for me to do my part. I want this blog to be interactive. If you are reading and have questions, please comment. We can help each other by supporting one another and educating others to see the signs. I hope it will help many to live with a healthy thyroid.