🤒 Do Thyroid Patients Get More Sick in Winter? | Issue 167
I have spent the last week feeling dreadful from my toddler's latest lurgy.
Welcome to all members of our Thyroid Tribe, new and old. It is lovely to have you here as a part of our community of thyroid patients wanting to thrive. 🤗
Does having Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroidism mean your immune system is way less effective than everyone else’s?! I discuss this in this weeks newsletter.
This newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to keep up to date with all my work in the thyroidsphere and hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms.
I hope you'll find this issue inspiring, reassuring and practical in your own journey back to good health with Hypothyroidism and/or Hashimoto’s.
Each of my newsletters include a blend of thyroid research, events, news, articles, discounts, tips and links to popular social media posts from the last week. Enjoy reading!
- Rachel 🦋
Social Media Spotlight
My most popular posts online in the last week were:
Follow Rachel on » Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Tiktok
Thursday Thoughts
Does having an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism reduce your immune function? In other words – do we get sick more easily than others?
I’ve definitely had my fair share of being sickly, catching all and any bugs, colds and viruses going around, and this was at its worse when my autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s) was first triggered.
In fact, I was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia at just 17, when I should have been the perfect image of health, youth and vitality, but my body just couldn’t fight it off, so I ended up in intensive care on breathing support.
I wasn’t diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism until four years after this bout of extreme sickness, but the pneumonia was a marker in the downward spiral. From 17, I caught countless colds, bugs and viruses, seemingly one after another and it quickly became an ‘in joke’ that I was “Rachel, the sickly friend” and “Rachel, the sickly one in the office”.
And just this past week, I have contracted my toddler’s latest nursery lurgy which has floored me. I always contract illnesses easier than the rest of my family as well as take longer to fight them off.
It’s certainly common to hear other thyroid patients complaining of always feeling unwell, and, whilst we do need to bear in mind that hypothyroidism itself causes symptoms similar to that of a cold or the flu (aches and pains, heavy fatigue, trouble sleeping, a hoarse voice) separating the chronic health condition with a short term illness is important.
Many of us experience thyroid flare days, where we may be convinced we’re coming down with a virus or flu and then find we’re over it a day later. These are often flares.
So the question remains: Are we more prone to illness?
Overall, yes, we can be more vulnerable to catching illnesses due to our thyroid condition. And this can be down to a mixture of reasons, such as low vitamin and nutrient levels which may be common in thyroid patients, not enough sleep and rest (we are often known for running ourselves in to the ground!) and poor gut health. Please read about all of this in more detail here.
And don’t forget that can find everything you need to know about living well as a thyroid patient, in my first book Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate!
Personal Health Check-in
I completed and posted off my Medichecks blood test last week, checking thyroid levels as well as Vitamin D and Iron. I was told my sample couldn’t be processed! So they sent me another kit free of charge (standard for all orders) and I’m going to do it again this week!
Also: Managing Your Thyroid Health in The Winter
Sponsor a future issue of this newsletter and share your services or product with thousands of readers. 😊
Email me for more info: rachel@theinvisiblehypothyroidism.com
I am currently writing my fourth book, due to be released next year. Make sure to follow me on Instagram for sneak peeks as I write it!
My LetsGetChecked discount code is 25INVISIBLE for 25% off.
My Medichecks discount code is INVISIBLE10 for 10% off.
October: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Having a thyroid condition puts you at a higher risk for miscarriage.
Read this awareness article for October here.
World Mental Health Day and Thyroid Disease
Last week saw this important awareness event. Being sick, I completely forgot to include it in last week’s newsletter, so I hope you’ll still give it a read this week.
Read this awareness article for here.
What Happens If You Stop Taking Your Thyroid Medication
I’m often asked:
What happens if I don’t take my thyroid medicine?
Can you stop taking thyroid medication once you start?
I feel worse on my meds, so why should I take them?
Untreated ‘Borderline Hypothyroidism’ Leaves Many Unwell
“…borderline levels are no excuse to not treat someone. They are no excuse to withhold crucial medication or imply someone is a hypochondriac. Every person is individual, so we should be treated as such and this includes those with ‘only borderline’ results who have mounting, debilitating symptoms.”
That's all for this issue of The Invisible Hypothyroidism Newsletter, but you can find more information and support by:
⭐ Reading my website articles
⭐ Following my Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Tiktok pages
⭐ Listening to the podcasts I have been on
⭐ Reading my thyroid book reviews
⭐ Checking out my Amazon Storefront
Keep an eye out for the next issue in a weeks time!
Please Note:
None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including any sponsored content.
I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. Rachel Hill / The Invisible Hypothyroidism is not medically qualified and does not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here. By reading this newsletter, you agree to understanding this information.
This newsletter may also contain affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through it. This does not change the way I work or the products I link to, and it doesn’t change your user experience. To find out more information, please read my disclosure statement.
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