"My Poem about Hypothyroidism's Invisibility."

ISSUE 157, 18th July 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 and is the best way to keep up to date on all my work and hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms!

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

“Why did you call your website and social media “The Invisible Hypothyroidism”?”

This is the most common question I am asked on podcasts or in interviews.

🦋 Back at the beginning of my thyroid journey - when I was freshly diagnosed and feeling terribly unwell - I wrote a poem. It was one of the first things I posted to my website.

🦋 It was describing my thoughts and feelings around this invisible health condition - one which is not obvious to spot when you look at someone with it.

🦋 Yet, although it’s invisible, it definitely does not reduce the huge impact it can have on someone’s life.

🦋 Thyroid disease is invisible, yes, but it wreaks SO much havoc.

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Here is that poem:

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The Invisible by Rachel Hill

Close or not, they don’t understand
That each day is a battle
And it’s out of your hands.

Inside there’s a fight you cannot control
Yet you’re the host
You’re stuck in this hole.

Some days you feel like you’re dying
Others, barely surviving
And it’s completely out of your hands.
Some nights are horrendous
Days even worse
‘Plans’? What even are ‘plans’?

It’s invisible, you’re broken
This isn’t you
Trying not to let it consume you.

Yet it’s difficult, it’s a war
It’s visible to you​
But nobody seems to believe you.

The invisible consumes and attempts to define
Who exactly you are
And with every person who doesn’t understand
It leaves this invisible scar.

Belief! Someone listens
You sigh a deep sigh
A weight lifts off of your shoulders.

You make progress, move forward and look to the hope
You can start to move aside the boulders.

Alas, it passes
Just a false alarm
Impatience spreads like fire.
“Why are you not well?”
“Why are you dragging it out?”
You question, “Am I really a liar?”

“Be patient”, “be patient”
It’s easy to say
When you’re not the one who’s fighting your way every day.
When days are heavy and you’re barely OK
It’s hard enough moving an inch anyway.

This elephant sat on your shoulder all day
All night, all the time
It won’t go away.
It debilitates
It controls and it changes who you are
At first for the worse, but know that this is just the start.

You fight and you push, you can’t give up
Life wasn’t meant to be easy for someone so tough.

You’re incredibly strong, go on and take a bow
Ride out the bumps, and take each day for now.

It’s unapologetic
It doesn’t care
If you fight with all of you or weep in despair.

You’re more than the invisible
It only defines who you are
In the sense that it’s taken you on a journey so far.

Whether you’re at the beginning, or tying it up
​Be proud for showing the invisible who exactly is tough.

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This poem is included in my bestselling thyroid patient book "Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate."

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Thursday Health Check-in

I have started tranexamic acid for the heavy periods as all investigations came back negative for now and my iron levels have continued to drop further with each period.

I am being referred to specialists for acid reflux and itchy scalp causes... so I am hopeful to find out what's finally going on there.

And my iron levels will be retested again soon.

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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 9,000 readers. 😊

Interested? Contact me for more info!

• My LetsGetChecked discount code is 25INVISIBLE for 25% off.
• My Medichecks discount code is INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.
• I am still updating all articles on my website (of which there are hundreds) to make sure they're up to date.
• I also plan to continue working on my fourth book this year and be able to publish it next year! Exciting!

Unraveling the molecular architecture of autoimmune thyroid diseases at spatial resolution

"Here, we use spatial transcriptomics to explore the molecular architecture, heterogeneity and location of different cells present in the thyroid tissue, including thyroid follicular cells (TFCs), stromal cells such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and thyroid infiltrating lymphocytes."

​Read this in full here.​

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Effect of orbital decompression surgery on the choroidal profile in patients with thyroid eye disease

This study aimed to investigate the effect of orbital wall decompression surgery and reduction of proptosis on the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED).

​Read it in full here.​

Difficulties Having Blood Drawn

For as long as I can remember, it’s never been easy to draw my blood for tests. It can take as many as ten attempts, where I’m left very sore and bruised afterwards!

​Read this here.​

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How Thyroid Conditions Affect Your Mental Health

Hypothyroidism often comes hand in hand with mental health conditions such as mood swings, anxiety and depression. I continue to speak about this at great length as mental health is such a big part of many people’s experiences of thyroid disease. After all, it was mine.

​Read more here.​

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

Most Popular Reels From My Social Media in The Last Fortnight:

• ​When the doctor only tests TSH​
• ​"Just have a tiny bit of gluten."​
• ​Mental effects of thyroid disease​

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

📖 Book: What You Must Know About Hashimoto’s Disease by Dr Henderson

Read my thyroid book review here.

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👂 Podcast Episode: Girls Gone Wellness - Acne, Eczema and Skincare

I found this episode interesting.

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🥘 Recipe: Becky Excell's latest gluten free cookbook!​

The whole family loves her gluten-free recipes, and as my husband is now lactose-free, it helps that her recipes are so easily adaptable for this too.

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

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🧪 Test: Thyroid and vitamin levels test​

I have just reordered this test to check on my full thyroid panel again but also iron.

You can get 10% off with the code INVISIBLE10

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💙 Self-Care Nugget: Hair Cut

I decided it was time for a change last week and cut my very long hair back to mid-length, which has definitely gave me a bit of a boost and provided that form of self-care we often overlook - simply, some time to look after ourselves.

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🌟 Other things I'm loving at the moment:

• New slippers!
• Making time for walks everyday.
• Making time to read before bed.

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!

⭐ 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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