"Am I The Only One Nervous About Docs Appointments?"

ISSUE 152, 2nd May 2024

Welcome to all members of our thyroid family, new and old. It's lovely to have you here and a part of our thyroid family. 🤗

This free email newsletter goes out every two weeks on a Thursday.

I hope you'll find this issue inspiring, reassuring and useful in your own thyroid journey.

My aim is to share the information you need to live well with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's, as well as keep you up-to-date with what I'm doing in the thyroidsphere!

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Thursday Thoughts

Am I the only one who gets nervous about doctors appointments?

As I write this, I am waiting for the GP to call me about my ferritin levels being low, but still “in range”.

I am currently experiencing tiredness, achiness and very heavy periods, so the fact my low-but-in-range ferritin has been deemed normal and “no further action” has me feeling anxious for the appointment.
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After all, I want to make sure they understand how these symptoms affect my daily life. I want to make sure they understand that my ferritin level needs to be higher for me to feel well (I know my ‘optimal’.)
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I want them to know the iron supplements don’t seem to be working. And I want to know why?
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I have the phrase underlined in my notebook “it’s important to me that you understand just how heavy and inconveniencing my periods are and how exhausted I’m feeling with ferritin this low.”​
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I am a thyroid health advocate and yet I’ll be honest about this: I still get very anxious about medical appointments and I worry that they will be a waste of time or I will come away feeling like a hypochondriac.
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I prefer over the phone appointments because at least I know they won’t be wasting time out of my day with travelling to and from and sitting in a waiting room for possibly quite awhile. And over the phone appointments also make me feel more prepared as I will write out my notes like this so that I can feel as if I have said everything completely and succinctly.
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Am I the only one?

See Rachel's bestselling thyroid patient book "Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate." Full of tips on navigating doctors appointments.

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Thursday Health Check-in

Currently awaiting more tests and scans to find the root cause of the super heavy periods causing low ferritin levels. Oh the joys! At least my thyroid is stable?!

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Outro -

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​This newsletter includes thyroid research, events, news, articles, discounts, tips, advice, and links to popular social media posts from the last fortnight. Enjoy reading!

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- Rachel Hill, The Invisible Hypothyroidism

Follow Rachel on: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Twitter​

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Sponsor a future issue of this newsletter and share your services or product with over 8,600 readers. 😊

Interested? Email me for more info!

• My LetsGetChecked discount code is 25INVISIBLE for 25% off.
• My Medichecks discount code is INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.
• I'm currently working my way through the hundreds of articles on my website and updating them one by one. Making sure information is still up to date and relevant is really important.

Social Health Awards!

I have been nominated for 5 Social Health Awards! Please consider taking a few minutes to vote for me so we can shine a spotlight on thyroid disease if I become a finalist!

​Click here and vote for me by finding my name under the headings:

- Social Media Master

- Advocacy Trailblazer
- Community Cultivator
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Revolutionary Researcher

Here are some of my newest or recently updated articles!

How I Got Hashimoto’s into Remission

When I revealed to you all that my Hashimoto’s was in remission for the first time ever in February 2019, I unsurprisingly received a huge amount of messages asking me how I did it. And although each person’s thyroid journey is unique and what interventions or changes may help each thyroid patient can differ, I agreed to write a post about what exactly helped me get Hashimoto’s in to remission.

​Read this article here.​

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How To Take Your Thyroid Medication Correctly

Advice on how to take your thyroid medication, whether given by doctors, pharmacists or even on medication box leaflets, can be confusing and contradicting. Let’s explore various factors that can influence our thyroid medication and how best to take it, so that you’re getting the most out of it.

​Read it here.​

The Most Popular Post from My Instagram page in The Last Fortnight:

Most Popular Reels From My Instagram in The Last Fortnight:

• ​Things that got rid of my thyroid symptoms​
• ​Causing a thyroid flare​
• ​Should we stop drinking alcohol?​
• ​What is hypothyroidism?​

This is where I share my favourite thyroid health supporting tools and resources every fortnight. 😊

📖 Book: Thyroid Disease in a Nutshell by Jules Chandler

I've finished this book and will get a review on my site soon! If you're looking for a thyroid book that is easy to follow, humorous and doesn't take itself seriously, this may be the one for you.

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👂 Podcast Episode: How to choose yourself​

In this episode of The Therapy Edit Podcast, the topic of prioritising your needs so you can be there for others, is covered.

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🥘 Recipe: The Hormone Healing Cookbook​

Thanks to this thyroid cookbook, I have changed up my breakfast to a power smoothie which is really helping me feel my best in the morning. I also love how the recipes are realistic and uncomplicated.

You can read more on my approach to diet / dietary changes with thyroid disease here.

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🧪 Test: Thyroid Function with Antibodies Blood Test​

This at-home finger prick blood test checks your TSH level, free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4), as well as thyroid antibodies, for an in-depth picture of your thyroid health. Looking at thyroid hormone levels as well as markers for Hashimoto's.

And you can get 10% off with the code INVISIBLE10

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💙 Self-Care Nugget: Epsom Salts

I have been sharing on social media how much Epsom salt baths help with my achy muscles.

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🌟 Other things I'm loving at the moment:

• Books covering growth mindset for my children. Learning how to change my way of thinking to this was a big part of changing my life with thyroid disease. I would like to expose my kids to it as well.
  Books: Growth Mindset Ninja: A Children's Book About the Power of Yet and The Growth Mindset Workbook​

That's all for this issue of The Thyroid Family Newsletter, but you can find more information and support:

⭐ In my website articles​

⭐ In my books​

⭐ In the 'Thyroid Family' Facebook Support Group​

⭐ On my Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Twitter

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Keep an eye out for the next issue in two weeks' time!

Rachel Hill, The Invisible Hypothyroidism

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Please Note: None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including any sponsored content. I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. Rachel Hill / The Invisible Hypothyroidism is not medically qualified and does not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here. By reading this newsletter, you agree to understanding this information.

This newsletter may also contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through it. This does not change the way I work or the products I link to, and it doesn’t change your user experience. To find out more information, please read my disclosure statement. For example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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