During my well-woman exam and IUD removal appointment my gynecologist felt a lump on my thyroid. One and a half months later I was sitting at the endocrinologist’s. He diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s. It wasn’t a fun month–not terrible, but not what I was expecting the first month we were trying to conceive.
What Is It?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. The result is inflammation in the thyroid, often leading to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). It’s relatively common and most frequently seen in middle-aged women, though men and women of any age (like 29 year-olds), can have Hashimoto’s. There’s a strong hereditary component.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the lower front of your neck; its job is to produce thyroid hormones. It’s part of the endocrine system, which produces hormones coordinating many functions and activities in the body.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made through blood tests measuring thyroid function (serum TSH, Free thyroxine, and TPO antibodies). My hormone levels are normal and I’m asymptomatic with the exception of the nodule my doctor found.
How is it treated?
I don’t require treatment now because my thyroid function tests are all normal (praise the Lord!). If my tests indicate low thyroid function, I’ll be treated with thyroid hormone replacement–synthetic levothyroxine, a synthetic form of what my body is supposed to be producing on its own. Treatment is relatively simple, inexpensive, and effective. There are no side effects with appropriate dosage.
Hashimoto’s and Pregnancy
I talked to my endocrinologist about trying to get pregnant and he said,”When the test is positive, I should be the second person you call.” I’ll have blood tests done every 4 to 8 weeks to monitor my thyroid levels during pregnancy.
Pregnancy has a significant impact on all your body’s systems, including the thyroid. If you have Hashimoto’s it’s crucial that your thyroid function be closely monitored to ensure everything is as it should be so you can begin taking medication if necessary. Untreated or under-treated hypothyroidism (including Hashimoto’s) has been associated with a variety of complications to both mother and baby. The treatment during pregnancy is the same as it is for non-pregnant women and men.
It definitely adds an edge to getting pregnant that I wasn’t expecting since there’s no history of thyroid disease in my family and I am feeling great! The week between my doctor’s initial discovery of the nodule and my first ultrasound was a little rough. But nothing compared to the weeks between my doctor’s call, indicating I needed a biopsy, and the pathologist’s preliminary diagnosis afterward. I was a mess for 48 hours after being told I’d need a biopsy ASAP and hearing the “C” word. I wondered if we should be trying to get pregnant at all! Then, I pulled myself together through prayer and meditation, and carried on. Life can’t be lived always making accommodations for the what if’s.
Resources and What Not To Do!
Do not, I repeat DO NOT, search “Hashimoto’s” on Pinterest (my biggest mistake). All you get are depressing memes and anecdotal advice. If you have Hashimoto’s or think you may have symptoms of hypothyroidism, go to your doctor. Let the doctor answer your questions before implementing any sort of “self-treatment.” The internet is full of people who aren’t doctors but talk as if they are. I read one woman with a whole blog about thyroid disease. Her doctorate is in nutrition, which is great but doesn’t qualify her to treat thyroid or endocrine issues. My actual doctor doesn’t even treat it; she sent me to a specialist.
Here are two sites my endocrinologist recommends:
American Thyroid Association — Talks in-depth about everything thyroid related, including pregnancy and thyroid disease. When friends and family ask about it, I send them here.
Mayo Clinic — A great site for health related concerns and questions and they have a really good description and definition of Hashimoto’s with details about treatment.
