"Busy May!"
ISSUE 127, 18th May 2023

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Intro -

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. 🤗

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

"Days when your thyroid symptoms are particularly bad are known as 'flares'. But many thyroid patients are unaware of this."

Do you ever have a seemingly random day of worsened thyroid symptoms? Fatigue, aches, headaches and a feeling of generally unwell?

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Thyroid flares often follow triggers such as:

• Drinking alcohol​
• Eating a lot of sugary or processed food; not giving your body enough nutrient dense food
• Consuming a known food allergen or sensitivity (such as gluten, dairy, soy etc.)
• Overexertion (mentally and/or physically) – See this spoons info
• Stress
• Not getting enough sleep
• Viral, bacterial, fungal infections
• Being on your period or due to start on your period (hormonal fluctuations)
• ​Pregnancy​

Usually lasting for a day or few, flares can be highly annoying.

Each time you experience a flare, try to pinpoint which thing/s (such as the triggers listed above) may have contributed to it. The main thing to do here is then avoid them in future if possible, so as to reduce the chances of another flare.

If you're parenting during a flare, this can be particularly tricky. I have an article all about surviving flare days as a parent here.

I also have a new book released on 25th May 2023, called Thyroid Superhero. This book will explain to children why their grown-up has flare days and what they mean. A great answer to "Why is mummy / daddy / Grandma soooo tired today?"

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Thyroid Superhero will be released on World Thyroid Day, 25th May 2023. Mark it in your calendar!

And stay tuned to my social media and emails. On release day, I'll send out a link.
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For a concise reading of all you need to know about thyroid flares, including reducing them and coping with them, you can find it in my first thyroid book: Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate.

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Thursday Health Check-in

I need to get better at a work-life balance. At the moment, I have so many projects bubbling away at once, that I am finding I'm working until midnight many days and as a result, am exhausted.

Part of my work right now is getting involved in a bunch of thyroid talks! I'd love to see you at the ones for World Thyroid Day! Linked below!

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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 | Twitter | Pinterest​

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Sponsor a future issue of this newsletter and share your services or product with over 7,600 readers. 😊

Interested? Find out more here.​

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• Join me for an Instagram LIVE on 25th May from 4pm for a LIVE Q+A about my new book!
• My LetsGetChecked discount code is now INVISIBLE25 for 25% off.
• My Medichecks discount code is now INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.

Social Health Endorsements Are OPEN

These awards are the best way to recognise and celebrate the work of patient advocates!

​Please consider 'endorsing' me here! It works as a 'vote' and if I make it as a finalist, I'll have a chance to put thyroid disease in the spotlight and further my thyroid advocacy efforts.

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Online Seminar: "Coping with the psychological symptoms of thyroid conditions."

I will be speaking at this online event hosted by Medichecks, all about mental health and thyroid conditions. Join us to learn crucial information from thyroid experts, as well as taking part in a Q+A session. Stay tuned to my social media for details on how to join us.

All attendees will receive a 20% discount code to use on a Medichecks thyroid blood test after the webinar and will also be entered into a prize draw to win a Medichecks Advanced Thyroid Blood Test.

​Sign up to attend the seminar here!​

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World Thyroid Day Webinar with Thyroid UK

This year, Thyroid Federation International have chosen the topic of Thyroid and Genetics for International Thyroid Awareness Week and World Thyroid Day.

This online event will include talks from Dr Nirusa Kumaran, Virginia Blake, Professor Catia Montagna and myself.

This webinar is free to attend and we look forward to seeing you there!

​Sign up here!​

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7 Ways Hypothyroidism Affects Your Appearance

Symptoms of hypothyroidism are far-reaching. A lack of thyroid hormone can impact you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

Symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches, brain fog and acid reflux demonstrate how much of the body can be affected when thyroid hormones are low, but many thyroid patients’ self-esteem is knocked more so by the effects it can have on their appearance.

When we feel low in self-esteem, it can impact how we perform in our work lives, whether we feel up to maintaining a social life, and even whether we feel like being sexually intimate with others.

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​Read this article here.​

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What to Expect When You Change Thyroid Medication Dose

The questions I hear often include:

• How long will it take until it takes effect?
• How long until I feel better on the new dose?
• When do I need my levels testing again?

Let’s explore these.

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​Read this new article here.​

This recent post from The Invisible Hypothyroidism's Instagram page was very popular:

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The caption said:

"Biggest Giveaway Ever! Win All 3 Books!"

​Click here to see the full Instagram post.

​You can also enter the Facebook giveaway here.​

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✨ Other Popular Instagram Posts From The Last Two Weeks

• ​Medical gaslighting​
• ​What is it like to live with a thyroid patient?​
• ​How to break flare cycles​
• ​I'm always exhausted​

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🎬 Latest Instagram Reels 🎬

• ​How hypothyroidism changes your appearance​
• ​Doctor won't run full panel​
• ​What causes weight gain?​
• ​When you don't have health, you don't have anything​
• ​I was glutened​
• ​Thyroid meds change in Spring​
• ​Going to bed at 8pm!​
• ​Struggling with mental health​
• ​How to live symptom-free with thyroid disease​
• ​You're too young to have hypothyroidism​

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Sleep Complaints

Issues surrounding sleep can be one of the most frustrating parts of having a thyroid condition. Trouble falling asleep and waking up frequently are often asked about in my Facebook support group.​

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​Read my article about sleep and thyroid health here.

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

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📖 Book: Rethinking Hypothyroidism by Dr Antonio Bianco ​

I have just started reading this thyroid book! I'll add a book review of it to my website when I'm done. It has caused a lot of excitement in the thyroid world lately.

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👂 Podcast Episode: All About Sleep by The Therapy Edit​

Includes some tips for parents and sleep. Optimising sleep can make such a big difference to thyroid patients.

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🥘 Recipe: Loaded Mexican Sweet Potatoes from The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook​

I shared this favourite dinner of mine on my social media and so many of you were excited to give it a go yourselves!

Taking baked sweet potatoes and topping them with a yummy spiced sweetcorn, kale and cheese topping makes a great, thyroid healthy dinner option.

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

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🧪 Test: Thyroid Function Blood Test​

As the 25th May is World Thyroid Day, I felt it important to share a test that checks the full thyroid panel. This awareness event is a great time to get the full picture of your thyroid status.

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💙 Self-Care Nugget: Bath Oil​

This lovely bath oil relaxes achy muscles and a stressed mind while nourishing and conditioning dry, tired skin.

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🌟 Others:

• My iron levels are low for ferrous fumarate from the doctor's constipates me, so my doctor recommends bisglycinate instead. I got some here.
• This scalp spray for an itchy scalp: Suu Balm - Scalp Care Rapid Itch Relief Spray Moisturiser​

Reasons to upgrade to the ⭐ Premium ⭐ Thyroid Family Newsletter:

• You'll receive exclusive thyroid health content written for my premium subscribers only.
• You'll receive easy to implement tips to get you back to good health!
• If you already find this FREE newsletter helpful, the premium newsletter gives you even more.

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The Next Issue explores...

✨ What we need to do about Hashimoto's✨

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This issue goes in depth about:

• Why ignoring the Hashimoto's part of our thyroid puzzle can be detrimental to healing
• The steps we need to take to get it under control.

This newsletter will be sent out on 1st June 2023 and once it's gone, it's gone. Join those of us taking back control of our health and learn more here.​

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Join the exclusive email community!

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

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⭐ In The Premium Newsletter​

⭐ In my website articles​

⭐ In my book: Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate​

⭐ In my book: You, Me and Hypothyroidism​

⭐ In the 'Thyroid Family' Facebook Support Group​

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You can also follow on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest​

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If there’s anything you'd like to see in a future issue, let me know. Keep an eye out for the next issue in two weeks' time!

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Be your own thyroid advocate. 🦋

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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Copyright © 2022 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

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