Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

A new US NDT (natural desiccated thyroid) medication has been launched and my readers have asked me to cover it, so here we are. I hope it helps!

This newsletter will also include a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support and insights for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Access to an exclusive chat

Paying subscribers also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Amerithroid

The New NDT medication.

For those of us with hypothyroidism who don’t respond well to T4-only synthetics such as Levothyroxine or Synthroid, thyroid medications containing direct T3 can be a lifesaver.

They skip the need for your body to convert the T4 to T3 and deliver it directly, meaning that active thyroid hormone is readily available and it is this which works so much better in many of us (including myself).

And here is where the new NDT option (launched last month) comes in, Amerithroid, which claims to:

• be manufactured entirely in the US

• be moving towards a Biologics License Application (the issue that has threatened to take other NDT’s off the market this year)

• be consistent in potency

This is new NDT option may be worth considering if you’re wanting to address any of the above concerns, if other NDT brands have not worked for you, if your current healthcare provider has been concerned about the above concerns, or if your current thyroid meds just aren’t working for you. We’re all different, and it can be worth exploring what works best for your body.

This new brand of NDT will not be the right choice for everyone, but your doctor can help you determine if it is.

This information is not sponsored at all, I just wanted to share this important thyroid news that I hope will benefit my readers in the US. We don’t know when this medication may become available in the UK or other countries.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

Well, the Propranolol seems to be reducing my migraines because I somehow didn’t have any for a whole month, when I usually get them quite often throughout heatwaves and the summer months. I know a lot of my readers also experience migraines with their thyroid condition, so I’ve written a lot more on this here.

My Recent Newsletters:

😳 The Missed Signs of My Thyroid Condition

❌ Not All Experiences of Hypothyroidism Are the Same

😳 What “Cankles” Taught Me About Thyroid Disease

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were…

• Things you shouldn’t say to a thyroid patient

• The ignored thyroid symptoms before I was actually diagnosed

• The famous 3pm SLUMP

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

Thyroid Medication RECALL

A recall for some lots of Levothyroxine Sodium is in effect.

This recall is for tablets distributed by Major Pharmaceuticals (also known as Major Rugby) and some distributed by Cardinal Health. The tablets were found to be “subpotent” which means they deliver LESS medication than intended - according to the FDA’s report.

If your medication is affected by the recall, please speak to your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Recalled tablets were in 10-count blister packs, sold individually or bundled into cartons containing 10 blister packs.

They can be identified by the lot numbers and expiration dates:

25 mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02212
• Expiration date: 07/2026

50mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02200
• Expiration date: 10/2026

75mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02172, N02296, N02288
• Expiration date: 07/2026, 12/2026

88mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02310
• Expiration date: 01/2027

112mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02203
• Expiration date: 09/2026

125mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02266
• Expiration date: 11/2026

150mcg, 100-tablet carton
• Lot number: N02167
• Expiration date: 07/2026

25mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02212A, NO2212B
• Blister lot number: N02212
• Expiration date: 07/2026

50mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02200A, N02200B
• Blister lot number: N02200
• Expiration date: 10/2026

75mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02172A, NO2172B, N02288A, N02288B
• Blister lot number: N02172, N02288
• Expiration date: 07/2026, 12/2026

125mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02266A, N02266B
• Blister lot number: N02266
• Expiration date: 11/2026
150mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02167A
• Blister lot number: 07/2026
• Expiration date: NO2167

150mcg, 10-tablet blister pack
• Bag lot number: N02167A
• Blister lot number: 07/2026
• Expiration date: NO2167

FDA Notice.

Questions To Ask at Your First Endocrinologist Appointment

Your first endocrinologist (often referred to as an ‘endo’) visit can seem daunting, so the below information covers what to expect from your first visit and the sorts of questions you may want to ask.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s newsletter will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

This week, I wanted to cover some of the many signs that I had a thyroid condition, before I was actually diagnosed. The symptoms that were missed or written off as something else. How many of these did you have? Or perhaps you had others?

This newsletter also includes a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support and insights for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: The Missed Symptoms

Ignored and left to get worse.

Constipation

An embarrassing symptom of hypothyroidism for many of us, I experienced really bad constipation. From as young as I can remember, I never used the loo regularly. My bowel habits were unusual, but I never knew any different, passing a bowel movement just once every two weeks or so. This often lead to pain and a lot of discomfort.

Now that I have regular, daily bowel movements, I’m shocked at how little this bodily function used to occur for me.

Anxiety

As a HSP, I’ve always been prone to anxiety, but now that my Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism are well-managed, I realise just how much of my anxiety was down to the undiagnosed thyroid condition.

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

I had a few posts go viral on Facebook and Instagram a couple of weeks ago, and the downside to this, I was telling my husband, is that you also pick up negative comments.

Yes, I reach more people, hopefully helping more thyroid patients feel less alone, but I also reach people who my content was never intended for. Those who don’t have thyroid disease or those who do but have responded to the first type of treatment well.

When this happens, there is guaranteed to be some people who seem to think that we all have the same experience with the same disease.

I am going to break down why this is so problematic.

This newsletter will also include a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support and insights for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Access to an exclusive chat

Paying subscribers also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: The Ignorant Assumptions

“I’ve worked hard my whole life. Nothing will ever stop my work ethic. People are using their thyroid condition as an excuse to be lazy.”

So you’d sort of think that when people are united through having the same health condition, that they would be able to be sympathetic. You’d think that they would be aware of how little awareness the general public already have about it.

However, as part of a community brought together by the same health condition, thyroid disease, I am always surprised by those who are not being supportive but instead are being the total opposite.

Let me explain.

There are always people who feel the need to leave comments like:

“I have this condition too but I can do things fine.”

“You’re making excuses. Stop being lazy!”

“I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for 50 years, take my meds and I’ve always been fine. Stop talking absolute nonsense!”

Which claim that their experience of thyroid issues MUST be the same for everyone else diagnosed with it too. Which is very backwards because you’d think that having the condition would mean they would be able to recognise that different people experience it differently.

For some people, their Hypothyroidism is a disability. It can leave people bed-bound, in excruciating muscle pain, unexplainably fatigued, depressed and more.

What I want to say to these commenters is this: If you’re a thyroid patient who is lucky enough to find that they actually feel rather well, count yourself very lucky that you don’t experience what so many others do when the disease has devastated their life.

And I do. I actually have a standard reply saved in the notes app on my phone for these comments!

Because to imply that because you’re pretty healthy with hypothyroidism therefore everyone else must be, is incredibly ignorant. And embarrassing to be honest.

I was almost signed off from work due to the heavy fatigue, depression, indescribable muscle pain and more, which left me incredibly ill from hypothyroidism. I was in pieces.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that at one point I couldn’t get up the stairs in my house unaided due to this condition. I was bed-bound for days at a time, unable to move apart from using the toilet in the next room.

I’m a determined, motivated and generally positive person, too, so don’t think that I used my thyroid condition as an excuse to not try. I wanted to work. I hated feeling controlled by this disease at just twenty-two years old.

Nowadays, I am doing well in terms of my health. I work, I take care of my two young children and live a very busy life without my thyroid condition getting in the way for the most part and my mental health is the best it’s been, but I know how bad it can be. Some people are left suicidal with thyroid disease. Just because I am in good health now, doesn’t mean I can’t understand how some people are struggling just to get to the end of the day.

I think some people must forget that all this isn’t a competition.

It isn’t a competition to out-do fellow thyroid patients with “Well I can do this, so you should be able to as well!”

You don’t get points for invalidating someone else’s struggles.

It makes those who are struggling feel even more alone, even more misunderstood and it takes us steps backwards.

I’ll never understand why some people who are part of a community that provides help and support to those struggling with the same condition, will then dismiss all the effects this same condition can have on someone else and their life. You can’t compare these experiences. Everyone is individual and so is their individual experience. Everyone’s experience is valid.

To claim that your individual experience is the same for everyone else is incredibly close-minded, don’t you think?

Have you heard comments like this? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section below.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

I currently have a cold which I caught from my 4 year old, but I’m hoping that the same practises which have kept any illnesses away for the last 7 months or so, will help me get rid of it quicker too.

Since prioritising nervous system support, taking my supplements everyday, eating healthier, getting more sleep and rest, my immune system has definitely improved. Who knew this stuff really worked?!

My Recent Newsletters:

✍️ When Someone Says I’m Too Young to Have a Chronic Illness

😳 Two Things That Kept Me Sick With Hypothyroidism

🩸 Are You Making These Thyroid Blood Test Mistakes?

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were…

• The TWO THINGS that kept me sick

• What made my thyroid condition BETTER

• “Eat less and exercise MORE”

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

“Doctors failed to spot my hidden condition for so long I was left permanently disabled”

A personal story about endometriosis, a condition that often goes hand in hand with thyroid issues.

Read it here.

5 Do’s and Dont’s for Exercising With Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and can help us to feel better and manage symptoms with a thyroid condition, but it’s important to get the balance right.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s newsletter will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

"Cankles" is a term for ankles and calves that appear as one - swollen and with no clear definition between one ending and another starting.

Many thyroid patients are surprised to learn that “cankles” can be a thyroid symptom. Perhaps you have noticed it in your own legs?

In this weeks exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter, I am exploring this symptom.

As always, I also include the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: “Cankles” and Thyroid Disease

Have you noticed that your ankles feel puffy?

“Cankles” are a common thyroid symptom with a few possible causes.

Read more

So that I can share my more personal and vulnerable writing safely, they are fully accessible to paying subscribers only.

Notes From a Thyroid Patient

A chronic illness or chronic health condition is defined as being persistent or otherwise long lasting. For example, a health condition you will have for life.

A chronic illness usually cannot be cured, which is why you are expected to have it for life.

Hypothyroidism, in most cases, is not curable and so we’re given thyroid hormone replacement medication to take for life. Thyroid blood tests are then usually tested regularly to keep on top of managing the condition by tweaking treatment as needed.

Hashimoto’s is not curable.

Whether each of us do or do not like to use the term ‘chronic illness’ when referring to our thyroid condition, is purely preference.

I once worked with someone who saw me go from good health, to terrible health, back to OK health and everything in between, and he still had the audacity to say

“You’re too young to have a chronic health condition.” (doubting that I actually had a real, chronic health issue)

and

“You won’t be really ill for years yet.” (Erm. I have been really ill.)

What has age got to do with it?

Does my body care if I’m twenty or eighty?

Unfortunately, not really…

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

This week, I wanted to cover some fundamentals in thyroid disease. The two biggest reasons why so many of us still feel unwell despite being on thyroid meds. The two biggest reasons why my health was on the floor.

This newsletter will also include a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support and insights for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Access to an exclusive chat

Paying subscribers also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: The Gold Standard of Thyroid Care

Where we’re massively letting thyroid patients down.

Two Things That Kept Me Unwell With Hypothyroidism

Let me share two major things I had to uncover, understand and resolve before I could get better with thyroid disease.

Only TSH Being Tested

TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. It is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone, and as such, gives an indication of your thyroid levels but that’s all. It doesn’t give the full picture.

And I was initially told that I was “only borderline” hypothyroid and didn’t need treatment for it (and that I was “fine”) because my TSH level was “only just” outside of the normal reference range.

The range went up to 4.5 and my level was 9 by the way…

And so anyway, I felt terrible.

But as my TSH wasn’t too bad, I was told to come back in a few months’ time for a review.

When I was eventually retested, my TSH was about the same, but with my FT4 and FT3 levels now tested (which I recommend should always be checked) they were very low. Going by TSH alone was giving my doctor the idea that it was mild. It wasn’t. And I certainly didn’t feel ‘only mildly unwell!’

I Was Kept on Medication That Didn’t Work

When I was eventually started on thyroid medication, I was given Levothyroxine, which is the standard first treatment option. It brought my TSH back in to range, and this is where the same mistake was made again - the focus was on my TSH being normalised (not optimised) and there was no consideration for my FT3 and FT4 levels.

However, according to the doctor, since my TSH was now within the normal range, this was good enough, and therefore, any ongoing symptoms I had must be down to a ‘low mood problem’… so I was gaslit, given some antidepressants and told it was all in my head. Helpful!

Months passed and I continued to feel unwell, only getting worse.

Even though the doctor continued to tell me that levothyroxine was the gold standard of thyroid treatment and TSH was the gold standard of thyroid testing, I just didn’t seem to benefit from this. Turns out that my body couldn’t convert the T4-only meds to enough T3 (active thyroid hormone).

Maybe I’d been left hypothyroid with no treatment for too long by this point?

Anyway - staying on Levothyroxine and only testing TSH were the two biggest things stopping me from recovering from the devastating symptoms of autoimmune hypothyroidism.

T4-only meds such as Synthroid and Levothyroxine do not work for everyone. A lot of people, yes, but not everyone.

I learned that I could be well, happy and actually live life again on a different medication, Natural Desiccated Thyroid, which gives you direct T3.

I no longer had to heart-achingly drag myself through painful, lonely and horrendous days anymore.

And most importantly, I learned that I deserved to feel well again. I deserved to be listened to. I deserved to receive a treatment that made me better. I deserved to be treated like the individual that I am. And so do many other people who are undiagnosed and inadequately treated from thyroid disease.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

In February of this year, I made a promise to prioritise regulating my nervous system and creating a better relationship with food, as part of my 2026 goals. Almost 6 months on and I feel the difference is night and day.

I have better routines in place, my phone usage is under control, I no longer feel bloated and overwhelmed.

Just a reminder that you’ll never regret starting whatever it is you’re putting off.

My Recent Newsletters:

🗡️ The Overlap Between Low Iron & Hypothyroidism

✍️ What My Thyroid flares feel like

🩸 Are You Making These Thyroid Blood Test Mistakes?

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were…

• MUSCLE pain and thyroid issues - This has become my first 1 MILLION view reel on Instagram!

• Levothyroxine doesn’t work for EVERYONE

• Thyroid patients get honest!

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

Northern Ireland consulting on medicines - including Liothyronine

Northern Ireland is consulting on restricting or stopping several medicines in primary care.

Liothyronine is not a “low‑priority” item. It’s essential for thyroid patients who don’t respond to Levothyroxine alone.

Grouping it with things like Bio‑Oil and probiotics is misleading and risks real harm.

If you’re in Northern Ireland and willing to help lead or coordinate a response from thyroid patients, please respond to the consultation before October.

Join the ITT group and ask to get involved here.

People in 50s urged to complete bowel cancer screening

Many people diagnosed with a thyroid condition are over 50, so I wanted to include this important news. If you’re asked to complete a bowel cancer screen, don’t skip it.

You can read more about this here.

Weak and Splitting Nails and Hypothyroidism

Our nails can perhaps surprisingly tell us quite a bit about our health (and thyroid health). Weak, brittle nails which break, split and peel easily can be a common sign and symptom of hypothyroidism and or Hashimoto’s.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s newsletter will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

1. Do I take my thyroid medication as normal before the blood draw?

2. Do you need to fast for thyroid blood work?

3. How often should thyroid tests be done?

4. Does it need to be in the morning?

In this weeks exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter, I am exploring these commonly asked questions on thyroid blood tests!

As always, I also include the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: What You Need To Know About Thyroid Blood Tests

Because many of us aren’t told this from the start.

Probably the most important thing to be aware of as someone with a thyroid condition, is whether you should take your thyroid medication before or after having any testing done, and this can be slightly different depending on which thyroid medication you are taking.

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

Did you know that low levels of iron, or ferritin (stored iron), are commonly seen in those with thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s?

However, many people are never checked for this common deficiency, despite symptoms of low thyroid hormone and low iron being virtually the same.

In fact, when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, I was found to be anaemic at the same time.

This newsletter will cover this topic, while also including a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Access to an exclusive chat

• to know they’re supporting thyroid advocacy, so I can continue to make these newsletters

Paying subscribers also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: What if you have low iron levels?

Low levels of iron can mimic a lot of the same symptoms of a thyroid condition.

Do you experience any of these?

• Tiredness/fatigue

• Needing to nap often

• Heart palpitations

• Poor stamina

• Dry skin

• Brittle hair and nails

• Hair loss

• Breathlessness

• Feeling cold

• Depression

• Body aches and pains

• Pale or ‘washed out’ skin tone

• Dark bags under the eyes

• Brain fog

If yes, then have you had your iron levels checked, as well as your thyroid?

Low iron levels can be a major puzzle piece in the health and ongoing symptoms of many thyroid patients, and they’re easily checked with a blood test, so it’s often very quick and easy to find out.

Having good iron levels is important for many reasons. As well as Iron deficiency impairing thyroid hormone synthesis, correcting low iron levels when you have a thyroid condition can help lingering symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, depression, brain fog and more.

The major reason everyone needs adequate iron levels is that it helps to transport oxygen throughout the body, which is why low levels of iron can cause breathlessness and poor stamina. Having low levels of iron can also affect your ability to fight off infections or illness.

You should always have your iron levels tested before starting an iron supplement, as taking extra iron when you do not need it can be dangerous.

However, if you are found to be low in iron, then Bisglycinate is a popular form as it doesn’t tend to cause stomach issues or constipation, unlike other types. Taking Vitamin C with iron triples the absorption rate.

Iron supplementation, increasing iron in your diet, optimal management of your thyroid condition, optimising gut health and treating heavy periods if present, is generally what’s needed in correcting iron deficiency. As well as improving my diet and gut health, I also needed to address my extremely heavy periods which were depleting my iron stores very quickly.

The highest dietary sources of iron are red meat and organ meat (such as liver).

Others include:

• Pork

• Poultry

• Eggs

• Mollusks (such as oysters, mussels, clams)

• Lentils

• Chickpeas

• Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds

• Soybeans

• Spinach

• Dried fruit (such as raisins, apricots, and prunes)

• Iron-fortified bread, pasta, or cereal

It is worth knowing that when on thyroid medication, any supplements containing iron should be taken at least four hours away from taking your thyroid medication, as taking these together interferes with the absorption of your thyroid meds.

Test results for Iron, Ferritin, T.I.B.C., Transferrin Saturation etc. should all be well within range to help avoid symptoms. Although a ‘normal range’ for women on many tests for iron is 20-200ng/mL, a lot of thyroid patients find that their symptoms improve upwards of 70ng/mL. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/mL.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

I have been working harder to stick to an evening routine so that I get better sleep and wake feeling refreshed in the morning. This has included an app blocking all social media on my phone after 5pm (or when I reach an hour of usage earlier on in the day), and half an hour of winding down before going to sleep - washing my face, brushing my teeth, doing stretches and reading my book until my eyes feel heavy.

It’s funny - I know this works but every now and then I drop out of the habit of doing it. For now, I’m back on to it and, shock horror, I feel a lot less fatigued and grumpy the next day!

My Recent Newsletters:

⚠️ What Actually Causes a Low Sex Drive with Thyroid Issues

🥱 Why Social Events Are Hard With Thyroid Disease

🤕 Why Migraines Can Be Connected to Your Thyroid

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were…

• The SUPPLEMENTS I take

• TIRED of Hashi’s being treated like nothing

• Gut health LIES

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

New ATA Guidelines for Thyroid Disease in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum

New evidence-based recommendations aim to guide clinicians and improve care for women across the reproductive continuum.

You can read more about this here.

Black Thyroid Disease

Black Thyroid, also called Black Thyroid Syndrome or Black Thyroid Disease, is a rare pigmented change of the thyroid gland.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s newsletter will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

So that I can share my more personal and vulnerable writing safely, they are fully accessible to paying subscribers only.

Notes From a Thyroid Patient

Body weighed down with fatigue.

Hot and cold flushes.

Room spinning.

Apounding migraine.

Legs feeling like jelly.

My body is crashing and I don’t know why. I woke up this way.

When I woke up, I knew I was in a thyroid flare.

I had slept for around 10 hours but felt more tired than when I went to bed last night.

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

A lot of people living with thyroid issues also experience a low libido (sex drive).

And I know... it’s a touchy and embarrassing topic for many, but that doesn’t mean we should just not talk about it whatsoever. Just like with my newsletter on constipation and thyroid disease, we need to talk about it even if it’s embarrassing.

In this weeks exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter, I am exploring why your sex drive is often impacted with thyroid disease and what you can do about it.

As always, I also include the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: A Low Libido or Loss of Sex Drive with Hypothyroidism

It’s much more common that you think and, if you’re reading this, the chances are you’ve experienced it. In fact, you may still be experiencing it and it might be causing you stress.

Your thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that are needed for every cell and function in your body. Thyroid hormone is needed for regulating metabolism, heart rate, temperature and blood pressure. They even affect our immune system and sex drive.

Yes, thyroid hormone is vital in the functioning of both the ovaries and testes. Not enough available T3 (active thyroid hormone) can cause your sex drive to disappear. Thyroid disease can also cause people to feel low in mood, irritable, extra emotional, fatigued beyond words and achy. Not feeling up to sex when you feel so unwell is understandable.

Hypothyroidism also has the tendency to change our appearance, with weight fluctuations, skin changes – such as acne and eczema for example, hair loss and more. We may lose some of our confidence if we don’t feel as attractive but know that a sexual connection usually goes much deeper than appearance alone.

Be Kind To Yourself

Understand your thyroid condition. You’re ill. It’s normal for your body to not prioritise sex when it is struggling.

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

Social events and activities are great. Spending time with friends, family or meeting new people is good for our mental health and promotes a good work-life balance. It’s easy to stay home all day or become a recluse, but it takes extra effort for many people with hypothyroidism, to muster up the energy and enthusiasm to socialise. I want to explore why.

This newsletter will also cover a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Why Do We Get So Drained From Socialising?

For many of us with hypothyroidism, social events can drain us in several ways and can even leave us with a ‘hangover’ effect.

Mentally, we may feel exhausted from trying to maintain enthusiasm for discussions, a smile on our face and the ability to follow a lot of stories and updates from several different people, due to hypothyroidism affecting how our brain functions.

Thyroid hormone is needed to ensure our brain works optimally, and when thyroid hormone is low, we can seem forgetful, withdrawn, confused and strained.

Focusing on making sure we pay as much attention as possible, when we have thyroid brain fog is very mentally draining.

After a social event, often we get home and sit in silence for a good while, whilst our mind is still buzzing and trying to process the day! This can have a knock on effect where we feel physically tired, achy and withdrawn and so we often need a day or two to recuperate afterwards. We may even experience a flare up day.

And then there is the physical fatigue of a thyroid condition.

People living with a chronic illness such as hypothyroidism may have a limited amount of energy, and sometimes need to plan their energy wisely so as to make it through the day.

This can result in a shower, getting dressed or brushing your hair becoming exhausting, so before we even arrive to meet a friend, we could already be exhausted!

Having to stand at an event can be hard, too, let alone if we’re walking from bar to bar.

Drinking alcohol can also worsen hypothyroid symptoms. I personally gave up drinking alcohol altogether so that I could enjoy social events more and not have thyroid flare days afterwards.

If a social event is in an unfamiliar place, then this can also be tiring for a few reasons. It can be concerning to be in an environment where, if we suddenly feel unwell, we have nowhere to escape to, or we feel unsure if they cater to our dietary needs (many thyroid patients follow gluten-free diets etc. to help with symptoms).

We may have also had to travel or walk a certain distance to reach the location of the event, which uses up more of our energy.

If the event is at our home, then we’ve got the hosting to juggle – cleaning the house beforehand, doing the food shopping, preparing food and generally being the host – looking after guests and their needs. For the average person, this might be a bit draining or stressful, but it soon wears those with health conditions down.

Conclusion

So as you can see, we can easily become depleted; emotionally, mentally and of course physically from social events!

Many of us have to plan to have a day or two to recuperate afterwards, and if it’s a longer event, say a weekend-long wedding affair, we may even need double the recovery time!

Many will find that it gets easier and that they maybe don’t even need to think about it, once their thyroid condition is optimally treated and managed. However, this isn’t the case for all and whereas some respond well to thyroid medication, not all do, or perhaps take years to get it well-managed.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

My thyroid levels came back optimal on my blood test last week, as well as my Vitamin D, B12 and iron. Hashimoto’s is still in remission.

My Recent Newsletters:

✍️ To the Girl Who Just Got Diagnosed With Hypothyroidism

😥 The Overlap Between Menopause & Hypothyroidism That No One Talks About

🤕 Why Migraines Can Be Connected to Your Thyroid

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were…

• How to take your thyroid MEDS correctly

• TRAUMA Gave me thyroid issues

• Thyroid flares aren’t REAL

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

An Open Letter to Fathers with Hypothyroidism on Father’s Day

Father’s Day was last weekend. Here’s a post I wrote for it.

Read it here.

Heat Tips

It has been very hot here in the UK this week, so I wanted to include some tips for coping, because many people with thyroid conditions struggle in the heat.

Read it here.

Why It’s Important to Know if You Have Hashimoto’s

In mainstream medicine, there is no standardised treatment for Hashimoto’s, so for many doctors, checking for this autoimmune disease is seen as a waste of time because it doesn’t change how they treat you.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

A lot of people living with thyroid issues also experience migraines.

More than regular headaches, migraines come with a throbbing pain behind the eye, sensitivity to sound and light, nausea and even vomiting. Visual disturbances are also common with migraines. Maybe you’re one of the many thyroid patients who also experiences these debilitating episodes?

In this weeks exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter, I am discussing migraines and the connection with thyroid disease.

I also include the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Migraines and The Thyroid Connection

A migraine is more than a regular headache. Migraines are debilitating and are not helped by regular painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. The pain often felt behind one eye or on one side of the head is a deep, distracting piercing feeling that is often accompanied by nausea, disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and movement.

The Thyroid Migraine Link

A study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, suggests a connection between thyroid disease and migraines. It included over 8,400 participants, observed over twenty years, and the data collected from the study suggests that those with a pre-existing headache disorder such as migraine, have a 41% greater risk of developing hypothyroidism. Also very interestingly, those already experiencing migraines are a whopping 41% more likely to become hypothyroid! [1]

Hypothyroid patients frequently have a history of migraine issues during childhood, prior to developing hypothyroidism. So this may be an indicator of a predisposition to developing hypothyroidism and a warning of the condition to come.

Read more

These aren’t how-to posts. They’re for the days when you need someone to say:

“I understand what that feels like.”

So that I can share my more personal and vulnerable experiences safely, they are accessible to paying subscribers only.

Notes From a Thyroid Patient

To the “Me” in 2015, aged 21…

I know you’ve only just been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and it all seems scary and overwhelming right now. But I wanted to tell you that you really do get it figured out with some time and get your life back again. Honestly.

The first medication you try, Levothyroxine, sadly won’t work for you and you’ll feel confused and doomed to feeling unwell forever, but know that you eventually start a new type of thyroid medication (called “NDT”) and do SO much better on it. This will be just one trial and error that you go through!

Being a thyroid patient won’t be easy on you and you’ll learn to fight for your health in more ways than one over the next few years…

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

A reader reached out to me to ask if I had covered menopause, HRT and hypothyroidism before and I somehow haven’t! So that’s the focus of this weeks newsletter - I do hope it’s useful, because I know a large percentage of you will be experiencing both thyroid issues and menopause right now.

This newsletter will also cover a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Menopause, HRT and The Thyroid.

Did you know that declining oestrogen levels during the menopause can warrant an increase in your thyroid meds?

Did you know that the most common time to be diagnosed with a thyroid issue is during middle age? This is also when women experience the menopause - the time when menstruation stops and oestrogen levels in particular shift massively.

During the perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to the menopause - during which the ovaries gradually produce fewer reproductive hormones - women see their hormones shifting too.

For this reason, many women are experiencing both a thyroid issue and the perimenopause / menopause at the same time.

This leads to common questions like:

• “How do I know which symptoms are thyroid related or peri/menopause related?”

• “Can I take HRT when I have a thyroid condition?”

• “Is there a connection with thyroid hormones and reproductive hormones?”

So let’s take a look at them.

Symptom Confusion

Both thyroid and peri/menopause symptoms are non-specific and overlapping. Fatigue, sensitivities to heat or cold, trouble sleeping and restless legs or cramps. Picking apart where symptoms are coming from can be tricky, however, we can rule out thyroid hormones being too high / low as a cause with a full thyroid panel check. By checking TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies TPOAB and TGAB, we can tell whether the thyroid is to blame or at least contributing.

If levels are not optimal (often cited as a TSH below 2.5, FT4 midrange, FT3 in the top quarter of the range and antibodies within normal limits) then we can safely suspect that they likely are thyroid symptoms or at least partly cause by the thyroid condition.

When you are peri/menopausal, it is also helpful to optimise treatment for this too, which is usually with HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Optimising the management of both hormone conditions is crucial. It can take some time to get the dose of HRT correct, so work with your doctor to find this.

It is worth knowing that your dose of thyroid medication may need adjusting while you are going through the peri/menopause and perhaps on HRT, as the changing oestrogen levels (and other factors, such as if it is impacting your weight) can change your needs. With each HRT adjustment, you may also need a thyroid medication adjustment.

Keeping up with thyroid blood tests every 6 months (if you have no symptoms and levels are optimised) is a good idea. Otherwise, testing should be sooner if you’re not stable or if symptoms return.

HRT and Thyroid

Medication for hypothyroidism is usually safe to take alongside HRT and vice versa. As perviously mentioned, you may need an increase in your thyroid meds when you start taking HRT, due to oral oestrogen impacting how much of your thyroid medication is being effectively absorbed.

Therefore, oestrogen patches, sprays or gels may be a better option due to this.

Some people who have less intense menopause symptoms choose to avoid HRT, for various reasons. And this is their choice. HRT may not be recommended based on other / previous health condition or it may not help everyone, or even make symptoms worse. For this reason, I am also asked about ‘alternative, natural treatments for peri/menopause.’

I would always stay on the side of caution when it comes to ‘natural treatments’ for any condition, thyroid and perio/menopause especially. I have written at length about why before, here. Please give it a read! (remember that to close the pop-up box, just click the ‘X’ in the top right corner)

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

I need to organise my thyroid and vitamin levels to be tested again soon. Hopefully I’ll get that done this week.

I did have to get more thyroid meds from my doctor because I think I left them in Bulgaria on a recent trip… doh!

My GP was a bit sneaky the other week and sent me for some liver tests, but failed to mention she was also checking my thyroid. Had I have known, I wouldn’t have taken my thyroid meds before the test, so of course the results came back really abnormal. The private doctor who monitors my thyroid condition fed back to say it’s essentially useless so to ignore it… Ahh.

In terms of everything else, I’ve had an MRI on my foot which confirmed plantar fasciitis and I’m being referred for more physiotherapy, as well as possibly a pain injection and shockwave therapy. There is always something else going on with my health!

My Recent Newsletters:

😳 “Normal” Thyroid Test Results Don’t Mean We Feel Well

😳 Is It Ageing Or Your Thyroid?

😴 Why Thyroid Fatigue Feels So Different To Normal Tiredness

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

Facebook now shows how many views your reels (short videos) have amassed… I am apparently at 24 million views! Crazy! Thank you for all the ongoing love and support for my thyroid advocacy work.

My most popular posts in the last week were:

• “Not all health conditions are VISIBLE.”

• What it’s REALLY like to have thyroid issues.

• What causes thyroid FATIGUE.

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

I have been nominated for the Social Health Awards!

My paid subscribers heard about this first last week, but yes, I am being shortlisted for these amazing awards which recognise health advocates!

I’ll have more information soon, but I wanted to include it now because it’s so fantastic to be recognised as a thyroid patient advocate. We need more light to be shone on thyroid issues.

Why It’s Important to Know if You Have Hashimoto’s

90% of people with Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) also have the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s as the cause.

Yet many of us are never told if we have Hashimoto’s, or even tested for it.

However, knowing if this autoimmune disease is the cause for our thyroid condition is important.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

A lot of people living with thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s struggle with serious fatigue.

However, when they mention this to other people, it is often met with “Oh yeah, I sometimes feel tired too.”

It’s just not the same.

In this weeks exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter, I am discussing how that deep, aching thyroid fatigue is so much more than the ‘normal tired’ everyone else feels.

It also includes the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more, curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

• More open and vulnerable posts. It is safer for me to share all behind a paywall.

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: “Thyroid Tired” is Not The Same as “Normal Tired”

Thyroid fatigue is overwhelming, debilitating and unlike anything else.

Fatigue caused by hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s is really not the same as ‘regular tired’. Thyroid fatigue is described as an overall exhaustion of every inch of the body; as if you’re dragging a dead weight along. It’s heavy, it’s struggling to keep your eyes open and it is all-consuming. It’s not the same as being tired from a late night or busy day.

It’s not ‘I had a late night and feel a bit groggy today’ tired, it feels as if you could fall asleep with every blink you take.

When your eyelids are so heavy that it’s seriously dangerous

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

Many symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic the process of getting older.

Fatigue.
Feeling Cold.
Brain Fog and Memory Issues.
Hair Loss.

How do we know it is just ‘getting older’? What if it’s actually low thyroid levels?

I will dive in to this further in this newsletter.

This newsletter will also cover a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

ALSO: for May being such a huge thyroid awareness month, you can upgrade to my exclusive paid content with a 30% discount. Click here to find out more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

UPGRADE FOR 30% OFF - LIMITED OFFER

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

UPGRADE FOR 30% OFF - LIMITED OFFER

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Ageing or Hypothyroidism?

Many symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic the process of getting older.

Thyroid function is required for every cell and function in the body. It is needed for cognitive function, heart health, energy levels, regulating weight, cholesterol and even skin health. So when thyroid hormone is abnormal, such as being too low (as is the case with hypothyroidism) a lot of issues and symptoms can arise.

Here are some symptoms of hypothyroidism that are often put down to ‘just getting older’, yet addressing them with thyroid hormone replacement for example, can vastly improve them.

Poor Cognitive Health

Forgetfulness, confusion, brain fog, mood swings and more can all be signs of low thyroid hormone levels.

Brain fog is especially common with hypothyroidism and is often described as feelings of mental confusion or lack of mental clarity. The phrase comes from the feeling of a fog that reduces your ability to think clearly. It can feel like a mental block. It can cause a person to become forgetful, detached and discouraged and even depressed as a knock on effect.

Being slow in movement, speech and thoughts can also be a sign of hypothyroidism, as can changes to mood and mental health. Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand with a thyroid condition.

Not to be mistaken with dementia and Alzheimer’s which are conditions in their own right and common among older people, however, it is useful to rule out a thyroid condition if these symptoms present themselves.

Low Energy Levels

Tiredness, fatigue, napping more often and poor stamina are also among the most common signs of hypothyroidism. It makes sense that as our bodies age, we may feel more tired and less able to do as much physically as we used to, but if it’s more than usually seen with ageing, thyroid function should be checked.

Muscle and Joint pain

Many people with hypothyroidism complain of muscle and joint pain, however, so do many older people. As well as ruling out vitamin deficiencies such as B12, Vitamin D, iron and ferritin for example, it would be useful to check thyroid levels.

Muscle and joint pain caused by hypothyroidism is known as hypothyroid myopathy, and can occur all over the body, though most commonly in the legs, feet, arms, hands and back and can range from mild to severe. It also includes cramping, stiffness and weakness, but hypothyroid myopathy can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or frozen shoulder.

Some thyroid patients may have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a separate condition that causes pain all over the body or at specific points, when they are actually experiencing hypothyroid myopathy.

Weight Gain or Loss

As the thyroid gland’s main job is to regulate the metabolism, when there is less than ideal thyroid hormone, the metabolism can slow down, leading to a loss of appetite and thus, weight gain or loss.

Poor Heart Health

Hypothyroidism is linked to high cholesterol levels. An underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism can cause cholesterol to increase.

Both high and low blood pressure can also result from hypothyroidism. People are often able to avoid taking additional medications for these conditions by treating the cause - hypothyroidism.

Poor Skin, Hair and Nail Health

Without adequate levels of thyroid hormone, skin can become dry and flaky, nails brittle and poor quality and hair can shed and dry out.

Cold Sensitivity

Cold intolerance is defined as feeling very sensitive to cold temperatures and it is more severe than the normal feeling most people get when they are feeling cold. If someone has it, they likely feel too cold when everyone else feels ‘just right’ or even too warm

As the main purpose of thyroid hormones, produced by the thyroid gland, is to ensure the metabolism is running properly, people with an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism (and often not optimally treated) may have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism, such as cold intolerance, due to lack of energy for body heat being produced.

Constipation

With the slowing down of many bodily processes and functions due to hypothyroidism, bowel movements can also be included. Constipation is another common symptom of hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

Past jobs of mine have included caring for elderly residents of care homes, so I know that many of these symptoms of hypothyroidism are seen in older members of the population, yet they don’t have a thyroid condition.

Although they can indeed be a normal part of ageing, if you know an older person who presents some of these and especially to the extreme (i.e. they may sleep most of the day away or always feel too cold), it is definitely worth having their thyroid levels checked as thyroid hormone replacement medication could really improve their quality of life.

A full thyroid panel is required to rule out a thyroid condition, so please note that TSH alone isn’t enough (despite many doctors only running a TSH check). Free T3 and Free T4 should also be checked as a minimum, with thyroid antibodies (Tpoab and Tgab) also forming the thyroid panel.

🦋 A Message From This Newsletter’s Sponsor 🦋

This newsletter is sponsored by Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC (Sigmapharm), the manufacturer of LIOMNY™. T3 medication helps so many thyroid patients, so I hope you find this informative.

What is LIOMNY™?

LIOMNY™ (Liothyronine Sodium Tablets, USP) is a T3 medication indicated for patients with hypothyroidism. LIOMNY™ is a gluten free tablet that is suitable for patients with celiac disease or other gluten intolerances, and its five-year shelf life can handle diverse administration schedules for different patient needs. Sigmapharm has tightened their internal manufacturing specifications for this product to support its potency and consistency.

How Does LIOMNY™ Support Consistency?

Sigmapharm has tightened its internal manufacturing specification for LIOMNY™ Tablets’ assay and content uniformity, more so than the USP/NF standards. Their hope of tightening such standards is to potentially establish consistent therapeutic outcomes for their product and for patients on a day-to-day basis.

• Content Uniformity: A measurement describing the homogeneity of active ingredient dispersed consistently within a drug product.

• Assay: Measures the amount of active ingredient present in a pharmaceutical dosage form.

*The USP–NF is a combination of two compendia, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF). It contains standards for medicines, dosage forms, drug substances, excipients, biologics, compounded preparations, medical devices, dietary supplements, and other therapeutics. The current version of USP–NF standards deemed official by USP are enforceable by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medicines manufactured and marketed in the United States.

United States Pharmacopeial Convention. (2024). USP-NF. Retrieved from https://www.uspnf.com/purchase-usp-nf

Why Do These Tightened Specifications Matter?

The FDA describes liothyronine sodium as having a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). To put it simply, too much of this product can cause you to have negative side effects and not having enough may leave your symptoms untreated.

Liothyronine sodium is measured in micrograms, a very small unit of measurement, therefore it follows that this medication should be both:

1. Uniform in content and

2. Precisely dosed

What Does This Mean for Patients?

Tight assay and content uniformity manufacturing specifications may lead to more accurate reflections of a dosage strength displayed on a bottle or label, potentially providing consistent therapeutic outcomes for patients.

To learn more about LIOMNY™ visit www.liomny.com

About the Manufacturer

Sigmapharm is an American pharmaceutical manufacturer located just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The company has been a manufacturer of specialty medicine for over 20 years and has been producing liothyronine sodium tablets for over 13 years. Sigmapharm is committed to maintaining quality standards, providing unique medicine, and prioritizing the safety of all its intended patients. Sigmapharm has dedicated the past two years implementing these changes in LIOMNY™ to support the needs of the thyroid community.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Boxed warning:

LIOMNY™ should not be taken either alone or with other drugs, for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss. Similar precautions for weight loss also apply for euthyroid patients. Be careful when taking larger doses of LIOMNY™, because it may produce serious or even life-threatening health issues. Always consult with your physician before increasing or decreasing your prescribed dose.

Warnings and Precautions:

- LIOMNY™ may cause irregular heartbeat, especially in older adults or those with heart disease. It is recommended to start at a less the full replacement dose.

- Do not use LIOMNY™ for myxedema coma.

- Acute adrenal crisis in patients with concomitant adrenal insufficiency should be treated before starting LIOMNY™.

- Too much or too little of LIOMNY™ can cause thyroid problems. Proper dose titration and careful monitoring are critical to avoid under treatment or over treatment.

- LIOMNY™ may worsen glycemic control for diabetes. Monitor while starting, changing, or discontinuing therapy.

- High doses may weaken bones. Use the lowest effective dose.

Adverse Reactions:

The most common adverse reactions for LIOMNY™ are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage: arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, dyspnea, headache, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, increased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, and skin rash.

Contraindications:

Do not take LIOMNY™ with uncorrected adrenal cortical insufficiency.

The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more about LIOMNY™, talk with a health care provider or pharmacist. The full FDA-approved product labeling can be found here.

My Recent Newsletters:

😳 Why “Normal” Thyroid Test Results Don’t Always Mean We Feel Well

🌿 What Actually Helps Constipation With Hypothyroidism

⏰ How to Stop Forgetting Your Thyroid Meds

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were:

• Foot pain and thyroid disease

• Exhausted all day but can’t sleep at night

• When the endocrinologist appointment doesn’t go to plan

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

International Thyroid Awareness Week

International Thyroid Awareness Week begins on 25th May and continues through to 31st May.

Read my awareness article here!

25th May is World Thyroid Day

Every year, the 25th May is World Thyroid Day; an international event for raising awareness of what the thyroid gland does, what different types of thyroid conditions there are (and symptoms of them), the importance of diagnosis and treatment, but also, the many struggles that we may face as thyroid patients.

Read more here.

Mark your calendars for these awareness events! There will be posts to share online!

6 Tips For Achieving a Good Work-Life Balance with Thyroid Disease

Having a good work-life balance is defined as feeling as if you have enough time and energy to devote to both your work and your personal activities separately. Not having this balance right can lead to feeling stressed, anxious, overworked, as if you do not have enough time for your own personal tasks and activities and your physical health can also deteriorate as a result.

Read this article here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

Many of us know the commonly represented signs of hypothyroidism - fatigue, weight gain and feeling cold.

However, there are hundreds more recognised symptoms, which many of us are not linking with our thyroid condition and worse - doctors might not be linking and thus, missing a diagnosis. What then happens is someone stays unwell for longer than they ought to, because this crucial diagnosis is missed.

This exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter will cover:

The many symptoms that are often overlooked or that you may not even realise could be connected to your thyroid condition.

It also includes the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more, curated by myself.

ALSO: for May being such a huge thyroid awareness month, you can upgrade to my exclusive paid content with a 30% discount. Click here to find out more.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

UPGRADE FOR 30% OFF - LIMITED OFFER

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

UPGRADE FOR 30% OFF - LIMITED OFFER

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: The MANY symptoms of thyroid disease

How many do you have?

Did you know that there are hundreds of symptoms of a thyroid condition?

It may seem surprising, but when we understand that thyroid hormone is needed by every cell and every part of the body, in order to function correctly, it all makes sense.

Your fertility, brain function, metabolism, heart and so much more requires enough thyroid hormone to function correctly. When thyroid hormone is in short supply, a lot can be impacted, yet thyroid conditions are rarely taken seriously.

Below is my curated list of symptoms, which link out to my information on addressing them. Please check them out if you have ongoing symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, acid reflux, muscle pain, hair loss etc.

We shouldn’t have to live a half-life.

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

When your doctor runs a thyroid blood test and you receive the results, your levels will either fall inside or outside of the range. When they fall inside, no matter where inside, the doctor is likely to tell you they’re fine. Normal. Great perhaps.

However, we don’t just want to fall within the range. We want our thyroid levels to be somewhere more specific. I will dive in to this further in this newsletter.

This newsletter will also cover a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Optimal Thyroid Levels

Optimal thyroid levels are so much more than just falling in range, yet many thyroid patients don’t know.

Whenever I hear from someone on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism but still feeling unwell, the first thing I ask is “Are your thyroid levels optimal?”

And the response I usually get is “What does that mean?”

In short, optimal thyroid levels mean they’re not just within the reference range given with the results (the range classed as ‘normal’), they are in a more specific part of this range. The place most thyroid patients seem to feel best at.

But first - you need to confirm when your last thyroid test was ran and what was checked. Hopefully it was the full set of thyroid tests: TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, but also Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies if possible. Not checking all of these means you do not have the full picture of your thyroid health.

Next, we want to check if your levels are actually optimised, which is a lot more specific than just falling in range.

Always get a copy of your test results - printed or digital - and remember that they can’t be refused. They are your medical records.

You will find that many thyroid experts agree that when testing a thyroid panel:

• a TSH less than 2.5 (and not below the bottom of the reference range)

• a Free T3 around the top quarter of the given range

• a Free T4 around mid-range

• Antibodies as low as possible / within the normal range

are considered ‘optimal’.

These optimal areas within the given range are where a lot of thyroid patients say they feel most well. It is more specific than just falling within the very wide reference range.

If you’re on thyroid meds and still have ongoing symptoms, it’s well worth considering this as your first puzzle piece to check and slot in to place.

Important Points:

1. It is important to understand that different labs/doctors use different ranges, so you must interpret your results individually; don’t compare them to anyone else’s. You must use your lab’s reference ranges.

2. A Free T4 at 14, with a range of 9-19, is mid-range for example, but a Free T4 at 11 is mid-range for a range of 7.5-14.5. So both are considered optimal readings.

3. You must look at your result in comparison to the given range, usually stated in brackets, beside it. Where does it fall?

We’re all individuals and there is no ‘one size fits all‘, but there are obviously health risks if your thyroid hormone levels are both too low or too high for an extended period of time.

For you personally, you may feel best somewhere else within range, but you should try to find out and maintain levels at what you feel best at. This is the definition of optimising your thyroid treatment.

Your doctor should be open to adjusting your dose to move you within the reference range – this really isn’t an unreasonable request, but some persuading, listing your ongoing symptoms, will be needed. So go in prepared!

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

The Propranolol seems to be working - I’ve had no migraines since starting it. Shall I do a future newsletter on migraines with thyroid disease? Let me know!

My Recent Newsletters:

• 🌿 What Actually Helps Constipation With Hypothyroidism

• ⚠️ This Common Supplement Ruins Your Thyroid Test Results

• ⏰ How to Stop Forgetting Your Thyroid Meds and Supplements

Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were:

• Scalloped Tongue!

• Hair loss happens before heart failure

• Celebs with thyroid issues PART 2

  ---

Follow Me On » Facebook | Instagram | Threads ​

May for Thyroid Awareness

In May every year, we have both International Thyroid Awareness Week and World Thyroid Day! Stayed tuned for more information on these awareness events.

The 10th May was Mother’s Day for my readers in the US

“Being a mother with thyroid disease can make parenting even more of a challenge. Many mothers with hypothyroidism are even more exhausted, even more stressed and struggle even more so mentally, as well as physically, than other parents.”

Read my open letter for hypothyroid mothers in full, here.

As this newsletter is a free issue, next week’s will only be viewable to paying subscribers.

Want to learn more about thriving with thyroid disease?

BUY ONE OF MY BOOKS // FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THREADS // READ MY OTHER NEWSLETTERS // VIEW MY WEBSITE //

Please Note: 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. I suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. By consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer. This newsletter may contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This does not change your user experience or the products I link to, but does support the ongoing publication of my work. None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product. Disclosure statement.

All Content is Copyright © 2026 The Invisible Hypothyroidism. All rights reserved.

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

Before the age of twenty-five, I didn’t have experience of not being constipated.

For as long as I could remember, even as a child, I had never gone to the toilet regularly and only passed a bowel movement once every 1-3 weeks. And even when I did, it was uncomfortable and not a healthy passing. I never felt the release of fully emptying my bowels.

And this used to be an embarrassing topic for me until I realised - I can’t be the only person with thyroid issues struggling with constipation, so if I don’t speak up about it, the only thing it achieves is all of us staying bloated, uncomfortable and isolated in these struggles. By talking about it, we can share what actually helps and improve this symptom for others.

And since addressing my bowel health and now thankfully having daily bowel movements, my health is a lot better. And I now realise just how bad it used to be.

This exclusive paid-subscriber-only newsletter will cover:

Why constipation occurs in those with thyroid issues and what helps to resolve it.

It also includes the latest thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, and more, curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: Constipation

Regular bowel movements are crucial to good health, therefore constipation shouldn’t be ignored.

Although constipation is a very common symptom of thyroid disease and many thyroid patients still experience it despite being on thyroid medication, it isn’t “normal” to still be experiencing it in the sense that we shouldn’t just accept it and put up with it. Doing so increases our chances of many health concerns.

The consequences of ignoring poor bowel movements include:

• Rectal Prolapse

Read more

Navigating Life with Hypothyroidism: Insights, Support and Advocacy.

2026 Best Hypothyroidism Website
2026 Best Thyroid Website
2025 Social Health Award Finalist
2022 Social Health Award Winner
2020 WEGO Health Award Winner

Welcome to this week’s newsletter.

It’s a common scenario: person is diagnosed with thyroid condition. Person is given medication for it. Person also buys supplements with good intentions to support their thyroid health. Person then forgets to take these supplements most days and thyroid medication adherence also becomes patchy. Is this you?

This newsletter will cover my top tips for ensuring you take your meds and supplements, as well as include a blend of thyroid research, news, articles, social media posts, personal updates and more, all hand-picked and curated by myself.

📝 Newsletter Housekeeping 📝

My informative newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to:

• Get regular support, insights and boosts of motivation for your thyroid condition

• Keep up to date with thyroid related news, research and events

• Hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms to actually show you my posts

My newsletters alternate between Free Access and Paid Access in order to make this publication sustainable.

Free subscribers get:

• the full newsletter once a fortnight

• previews of premium content

Paying subscribers get:

• full access to all newsletters and posts

• Discounts on my online workshops

• Access to an exclusive chat

They also get told first about exciting updates, events I’m running and behind-the-scenes news.

Become a Paid Subscriber!

Feedback from paying subscribers:

“The info in your newsletters has helped me get my Hashimoto’s in to remission!!”

“I have resubscribed [as a paying member] after a break. My health is super wonky again so I’m back to get some inspiration, good factual support and to not feel so isolated.”

“Thank you for such informative newsletters, Rachel. My first year of dealing with hypothyroidism, and your writing and posts have been absolutely invaluable.”

Become a Paid Subscriber!

I’ve been creating these informative thyroid newsletters since March 2018. Thank you for being here!

This Week’s Topic: How To Remember Your Meds

In order to get the most out of your medications and supplements, you must take them consistently.

When you live with Hypothyroidism, it can mean taking medication and supplements every day. However, how many of us are guilty of not taking them consistently?

Add in having thyroid brain fog and fatigue and remembering to take them gets even trickier! So here are my top tips.

1. Use Your Phone

Setting an alarm on your phone, putting reminders in your phone calendar or keeping a list of medications and times to take them can be effective. I personally prefer apps that send me a push notification when a medication or supplement is due. iPhones have this in-built with the ‘Health’ app.

2. Incorporate Them in to Everyday Routines

What definitely helps me, is tying the need to take something with an activity I do each day. I take my supplements in the evening and this is tied with cleaning down the kitchen as I never miss this (I can’t start the day with a dirty kitchen!). As soon as I finished cleaning up in the evening, I take my supplements.

I take my thyroid meds before I leave my bed in the morning.

3. Leave Yourself Notes

You can also leave yourself notes on the mirror, fridge, or even on top of your phone if it’s the first thing you check every morning!

4. Use Pill Boxes

Pill boxes are probably the most traditional way to remember tablets, but I never remember to sit and fill them once a week.

5. Ask Friends and Family to Remind You

Some of your friends and family may also take medications, so you could create a group chat that aims to remind one another. If you live with someone, make them aware of your meds schedule and ask them to try and remind you too.

6. Keep it Visible

“Out of sight, out of mind,” is a phrase we’ve all heard before and it’s even true when it comes to remembering to take your pills! I keep the medications I forget to take most often on my bedside table so that I need them first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

What about you? What works for you? Let me know in the comments.

🦋 Personal Health Check-in 🦋

After a crazy increase in migraines, I have started a daily preventer for them, called Propranolol. Hopefully it reduces the amount I get because oh my gosh, they were impacting every area of my life and have been really getting me down. I’ll let you know.

My Recent Newsletters:

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Weekly Social Media Round-up:

My most popular posts in the last week were:

• Medical Exemption card

• Angry that apparently Levo should fix everything

• Many thyroid patients don’t know about these med options

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Risk of TED Emerges After Cataract Surgery

“Patients with existing thyroid conditions before the procedure had 30% higher odds of developing thyroid eye disease within three months and 50% by the end of the first year post-op.”

Read in full here.

We Don’t All Get Better on Thyroid Medication Straight Away

Despite what many doctors would have you believe, not everyone starts thyroid medication for hypothyroidism and feels better soon after.

Read this here.

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Please Note:

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 consuming this newsletter, you agree to this disclaimer.

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