"Your Test Results Are Normal."

ISSUE 139, 2nd November 2023

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

"Your test results are normal." But you feel anything BUT normal!

I hear this from my followers on a daily basis. You're told your thyroid test results have come back normal, so why do you still feel terrible?

YOu were sure the results would show a drop in thyroid hormone levels or SOMETHING. ANYTHING.

But you're declared 'fine' by the doctor and sent on your way. Why does this happen?!

😣 If test results come back “normal”, we can ask 2 questions: what does optimal mean? And what do we test / consider next?
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😣 Many of us are told for years that tests come back normal and sent back out the door with no follow up on what happens next.
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😣 How do we find out what is actually causing the issues then?
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😣 Examples of this situation for me: I complained of fatigue for years. Iron came back normal. So I was told to just get more sleep.
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When my thyroid function WAS finally checked, my TSH was deemed ‘normal’ as it was at 9, within “acceptable limits” but nowhere near optimal.

Being optimal is different to just 'in range' on thyroid tests. And many of us alsop have low iron, Vitamin D, B12 etc. alongside our thyroid condition.

These are two places I would start if you're hearing this frustrating remark!

For the number 1 bestselling thyroid book walking you through all of this, check out Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate and join the thousands of other thyroid patients who have reclaimed their health.​
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Thursday Health Check-in

I had a sickness bug last week... I'm really not enjoying all the illnesses my two young children are bringing home from nursery constantly at the moment. I find I'm way more prone to coming down with illnesses worse than the rest of the family. Anyone else relate?​

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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 8,800 readers. 😊

Interested? Find out more here and email me for more info!

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• I now run an online thyroid support group monthly via Zoom, as well as a thyroid book club! Join us here!​
• My LetsGetChecked discount code has changed to 25INVISIBLE for 25% off.
• My Medichecks discount code is INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.
• I am slowly but surely working on my fourth book... about fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting with thyroid disease.

TONIGHT: Online Support Group Meeting, 8pom GMT

My next Thyroid Family Online Support Group Meeting will be held TODAY, on Thursday 2nd November.

We will be talking about what hypothyroidism is, thyroid symptoms and where they come from, which symptoms we all had in the run up to diagnosis, and how we're feeling on current treatment.

However, the floor will be opened up for you to ask thyroid questions more generally, too.

It will start at 8pm GMT and last for half an hour.

​Sign up here by registering as a Chrysalis or Butterfly member.​

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Next Thyroid Book Club Meeting

The next Online Thyroid Book Club will be held on Sunday November 12th.

It will start at 8pm GMT and last for half an hour.

​Sign up here by registering as a Chrysalis or Butterfly member.​

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UK Patients To Have Access To Health Records

By 31 October 2023, GP surgeries in England were required to give patients online access to their health record entries, such as consultation notes, test results and letters.

This can be a huge help to thyroid patients who want to confirm that they have had the full thyroid panel tested and where in range their levels sit.

​Read more here.

Thyroid Patients Explain How Hypothyroidism Has Impacted Dating

I received an email saying:

“Do you have any articles on advice and experiences around dating? I know it’s been hard for me to in the dating world. Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s has definitely affected my dating life and finding any romantic relationships. I was wondering if there were others experiencing the same?”

So I asked my followers.

​Read this article here.​

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How To Solve Acne With Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

I have just updated this article!

​Read this article here.​

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

The caption said:

"Many of us have heard this ignorant comment. Of course it’s not an ‘excuse for gaining weight’. And whilst weight gain with an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism IS a legitimate symptom of the condition, some patients also don’t experience this."
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​Click here to see the full post.

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✨ Other Instagram Posts From The Last Two Weeks

• ​Cold intolerance​
• ​Tell me you have a thyroid problem without telling me...​

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🎬 Latest Instagram Reels 🎬

• ​We can't always avoid flares​
• ​Missed thyroid symptoms​
• ​Your test results are normal​
• ​Stop making these exercise mistakes​
• ​Why you need to try Epsom Salts​

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Order Your Own Thyroid Tests

Do you still feel unwell on thyroid medication even though your doctor is insistent that your test results are coming back ‘fine’ or ‘normal’?

Perhaps your doctor isn’t running all the thyroid tests that you need?

Many thyroid patients benefit from being more involved in their thyroid care and treatment, which is where self-testing and the ability to order your own tests can be critical tools for empowering yourself.

More and more thyroid patients are ordering their own tests online, including myself, because they’re wanting to become more involved in their own health and treatment, or to perhaps fill in the blanks where their doctor is letting them down with thyroid issues.

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​Read this article here.​

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

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📖 Book: Rethinking Hypothyroidism, Why Treatment Must Change and What Patients Can Do by Dr Antonio Bianco​

I have finally finished this book! Whilst I didn't agree with all of it, I did enjoy the history of thyroid medication and understanding why Levothyroxine is so favoured these days. A full book review will go on my site soon!

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👂 Podcast Episode: The Therapy Edit: "On 2 ways to help you worry less about what others think."​

​I felt a lot of my fellow thyroid patients would also appreciate this 10-minute boost.​

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🥘 Recipe: Rose and Pistachio Gluten-Free Cake

Adam and I try to do weekly date nights, and for last week's we baked! We made this lovely rose and pistachio cake! From this gluten-free cookbook.

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

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🧪 Test: Vitamin D Blood Test​

Many thyroid patients also have Low Vitamin D yet have no clue. Low Vitamin D can cause fatigue, joint, muscle and bone pain, hair loss, skin complaints and more. I always retest mine in the autumn when daytime sunlight drops. This at-home test is a great option.

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💙 Self-Care Nugget: Massager

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 minute:

• Going pumpkin picking and sweetcorn harvesting was a lot of fun. Highly recommend going veg picking in your area! We thyroid patients need extra fibre.
• Walks in the cooler air this year really wake me up and make me feel more energised on more tired thyroid days.

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

⭐ In My Patreon Community (online Zoom calls)

⭐ 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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