I shared last week that I have a reoccurrence of my pituitary tumor that I’m in the process of taking care of. I also mentioned in that post that it was recently discovered that I have an unrelated health issue, and I want to share more about that with you today. Back in December I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease: Hashimoto’s disease.
What is Hashimoto’s disease?
It is an autoimmune disorder, which means it occurs when immune cells attack healthy tissue instead of protecting it. In the case of Hashimoto’s, immune cells mistakenly attack healthy thyroid tissue, causing inflammation of the thyroid. This is a chronic illness with no “cure” and will be something I’ll have to manage the rest of my life.
How are you diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease?
For me personally, my thyroid levels have been checked every 6 months since I was initially diagnosed with my first pituitary tumor back in 2017, along with many other hormone levels. My thyroid levels have been getting increasingly higher and outside of the “normal” range every time they are checked. At my last appointment in December, my doctor ordered a test to check my thyroid antibodies. The results of that test in conjunction with my increased thyroid (TSH) levels confirmed the Hashimoto’s.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease?
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Coarse, dry hair and dry skin
- Hair loss
- Sensitivity to cold
- Muscle cramps and aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
I am experiencing all of these to some degree. Some I have been experiencing for years. The majority of these issues can be attributed to so many different illnesses, and some of these symptoms also overlap with my pituitary tumor, so it’s a little hard to know for sure what is what. In fact, had I not already been getting my thyroid levels checked due to my pituitary tumor, I highly doubt this would have been caught and diagnosed so soon. However, some of these symptoms have definitely gotten worse over the past 6 months or so which makes sense in hindsight knowing how my levels have increased. The fatigue and the muscle aches come out of nowhere and can be debilitating. The hair loss and weight gain are obviously physical issues, and while I have always had a pretty healthy body image, it still isn’t easy to deal with. The weight gain is especially frustrating when I eat healthy and work out regularly. While most people who follow that routine lose weight, I’ve still been steadily gaining weight. The hair loss is really the main reason why I got extensions. It was getting to a point where I was self-conscious. The irritability and memory loss are more annoying to those around me, mainly Shelby who understandably gets frustrated with it, but I’m trying to be more aware now that I know it’s a symptom of this chronic illness.
What is the treatment for Hashimoto’s?
My treatment for Hashimoto’s disease will likely include observation and use of medications. My doctor has proposed a “wait and see” approach for now. My levels are being closely monitored, but I have not yet reached hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid. Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism so more than likely that’s where I’m going to end up. I am not currently on any medication but there are things I am doing to help manage my symptoms. I’m going to do a separate post on this soon as it’s kind of it’s own topic.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you if you also have Hashimoto’s disease or know/follow anyone that does. I’d love to connect with others in this autoimmune community so we can share resources and ideas. You can DM me on Instagram or e-mail me at astoldbyashandshelbs@gmail.com.
-Ash