“It’s not your thyroid.”
That’s what the doctor told me earlier this month when he had a cancellation and could squeeze me into his schedule. After a long discussion of my symptoms and quick exam, he told me he was 97% sure that my thyroid wasn’t causing all my problems.
Based on all the research I’ve done on hypothyroidism and discussions with my doctor in Wisconsin, I don’t know that I agree that we can completely rule it out. It may very well be hypothyroidism + another condition that are leading to all my symptoms. Or it may be that it was never my thyroid at all. It still isn’t clear, which is unbelievably frustrating.
At the very least, I appreciated that he didn’t brush off my symptoms entirely. He didn’t tell me that it was all in my head or that I just wasn’t practicing healthy habits enough, for which I was grateful. And he did order some thyroid blood tests in addition to copious other tests to help narrow down the problem.
Four vials of blood for testing later, and I’m still no closer to an answer. I have another appointment in two weeks, where it sounds like we’ll be doing even more blood tests to rule out food allergies.
Note: I also appreciate the nurse who allowed me to lay down while she drew my blood and gave me juice afterwards. I have a tendency to get light-headed with blood draws and shots.
A new symptom has cropped up lately that makes working out difficult. Some days, I can bike and lift weights just fine. On others, I am so tired and weak that I get shaky, feel sick to my stomach and simply can’t keep moving when I try to exert myself. It is hard to predict when a ride like this is coming, but I think I’ve figured out my body’s signals for it. It is difficult, though, convincing myself that my symptoms are real and that I’m not just being lazy.
So in the meantime, I’m focusing on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water and getting plenty of sleep. I still get some movement in when I walk to my errands, work in the garden, and do some canning and cooking. And I’m trying to not be too hard on myself.
After all, healthy living is about doing the best you can do, right?
For more about my experience with hypothyroidism (or whatever this is), check out this post:
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
You are so wonderful. Thanks for sharing, J! I’m wishing you all the well thoughts I have
Thank you so much, dear
Aw Julie. I hope that you and the doctors are able to identify the issue soon. I would feel so helpless and frustrated. I think your attitude is fantastic.
Katie H recently posted..Twenty-two & Twenty-three
Sending you positive vibes! Hope you feel better soon and the doc has some answers.
Lots of positive thoughts your way. Hoping you feel better and the doctor figures out what’s wrong SOON!
Danielle recently posted..Hi, Hi, Hi!
You and me both, Danielle! Thank you!
Ugh that had to be frustrating to hear! I hope your next appointment gives you some more answers. When I was diagnosed with endometriosis, it was so frustrating to hear them constantly go back and forth and then retract what they said it might be earlier.
My symptoms also mimic yours in that, some days I can run forever, have boundless energy, and other days, it takes all I can just to run a mile, or lift weights. Don’t get discouraged, just do the best you can and listen and take care of your body.
<3
Jessica recently posted..Kimchi Prosciutto Pizza
So glad to hear I’m not alone in this, but I’m sorry you go through it too!
I hope you feel better soon. I had a similar issue in high school (weak, shaky), and doctors and nurses who listen and care help so much!
Jess@atasteofconfidence recently posted..Banana Bread (improvised)
I hope you get some answers soon. It can be so frustrating when doctors don’t know what’s going on.
Sending hugs & positive thoughts to you! Hoping you & your doctor figure out what’s going on soon so that you can feel like your normal self again. Thanks for opening up & sharing even the not-so-good stuff with us
Amy recently posted..Wrangling:{Here Comes the Sun}
I can’t imagine how frustrating this whole thing must be for you. Stay strong!
I also pass out after blood draws, so I bet it was a relief to be able to lie down. I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. Have they checked for PCOS?
Victoria (District Chocoholic) recently posted..Ritter Sport: Nutty Bars
I always warn the nurse before a blood draw now. Better for them to find a place for me to lay down than for them to have to catch me!
They didn’t think it was PCOS, but at this point, who knows
awww i am so sorry to hear the frustration sometimes it must feel like you are just going around! i hope some relief is in the near future. I am sitting here racking my brain, it might seem simple but have they check insulin/blood sugar?
I think so, if I’m remembering correctly. Thanks for your comment!
That is REALLY frustrating! I hope more tests and such can help figure this out!! Love the positive attitude you still have!
Sara recently posted..Slow down
I assume they are testing you for hypoglycemia, low iron, diabetes, etc. How’s your BP? I have low BP and get uber-dizzy very easily. And we also assume there’s not a little one causing all this trauma?!
Hang in there — and make sure you’re getting rpotein with all those fruits/veggies!
No, definitely not a little one! I know my iron and BP levels are fine, and don’t think they’ve found anything with hypoglycemia or diabetes.
And I’m doing my best on the protein front! Some days I can only stomach so much, but try to get some eggs or nuts in!
I imagine still not knowing is frustrating, but it’s always good to hear that there are doctors that don’t just brush people off. I sometimes get shakey/weak/not wanting to move when working out. After some work, I figured out that it was an electrolyte imbalance. It first started out when I was taking a medicine that mimics salt in the body, but it has happened since then when I’ve been working out a lot, in combination with sweating other times. (I eat very little packaged food, and tend not to cook with salt, so my diet is very low sodium.) The good news is, a sports drink, banana, or a couple of salted crackers and I’ll feel much better.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve figured out what works for you when you’re not feeling well!
I hope you get your health issues figured out soon – so frustrating. I cannot wait to read about the post where you write about how you are finally on the mend.
I can’t wait to write that post!
I’m sorry you’re still trying to figure this out. There’s nothing worse than being sick and not knowing why and everyone giving you different advice about what to do (been there). Hope you feel better soon!
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..Views from Ocean City
I hope they figure out an answer for you soon. How frustrating!
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..What {we} Ate Wednesday: Popeye Edition
Oh, I am so frustrated for you that everything with your body still isn’t figured out! But at least now you have a doctor that listens. And that is very good.
Lisa recently posted..Sunny Seed Story #14: Sunny Seeds at Potter World
Yes, for sure. I think he is going to refer me to something else if it isn’t endocrinology-related, because that’s his specialization. But I’m so grateful he’s doing what he can in the meantime!
Wishing the best for you
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes recently posted..Second the best! WIAW numba 2
I know how you feel Julie! I was recently diagnosed with Lupus and now finally have a concrete reason why I am tired all the time. Actually, I have been tired for over ten yeas, since I was 16. About six years ago I had a medical issue that led to a battery of blood tests, and although ithey actuakky tested me for Lupus antibodies, and it came up that I had them, for some reason the doctor never told me or followed up. I did not find this out until this year after going to a doctor for exhaustion and being told I have Lupus…my new doctor requested my medical records and found the specific test. It angered me that I tested positive for Lupus six years ago and yet the doctor didn’t seem to care! Anyway, long story, but now that I finally have a reason for napping and sleeping three hours more than my husband every night I no longer feel lazy.
Wow, that is terrible! I’m so glad you finally found out, but how terrible that this could have all been straightened out 6 years ago!
A lesson to us all: demand to see an actual printout of your test results!
I had a similar problem when I was on the pill a few years ago. I thought I was going crazy! Shaky, nauseous and weak spells that would pop up randomly. I had one on my way to a Christmas Eve service where I was preaching, completely freaked out and didn’t take the pill that night – and never again.
Not sure if this is relevant – but I did want to offer support!
Sarah @ The Strength of Faith recently posted..Musings Of A Twenty-Something Pastor Part I
That is such a frustrating experience having doctor’s tell you they don’t know what is going haywire with your body or how to fix it, even though there is clearly something not write there. You’re in my thoughts!
Elise recently posted..The Amazing and The Ugly
Keep your chin up, and keep pestering the doctors! I have a few chronic things that I had to basically demand tests for and I was 100% right in what I thought I had going on too. Sadly I had years and years of telling me that it was all in my head, or that everything was normal. Just remember that you are going to have to fight to get the answers you need, don’t give up, and good luck!
Aimee recently posted..Lazy Bones
I hope you get well soon. Don’t lose hope. Just pray. Consult the best doctors too. Take good care of yourself.
randykukuru recently posted..TempoPerfect Metronome Software
Hey there, I hope you can figure this out soon. Have you had any kind of saliva testing done? Chances are the serum results for hormonal imbalances can be normal, but when you do saliva testing it can reveal problems. If you don’t get any results, may want to look into adrenal fatigue and get saliva testing through BioHealth. ARK has a lot of info on this topic. Adrenal issues are very common and I’m learning more about it myself . . . Might just be something to look into
eatingRD recently posted..crash boom bang + a BBQ
I’ll look into it if I don’t get any answers at my next appointment. Thanks!
Sorry if I missed on other posts, but did you ever get an answer?
eatingRD recently posted..bridal shower blessings
You didn’t miss anything. We’re still working on it!