⏱️ Do We Even Have The Time to be Chronically Ill? | Issue 197
It's time-consuming to have so many appointments and medical paperwork to keep on top of.
The topic of this weeks newsletter is around how time-consuming it is to keep on top of blood tests, medical appointments, paperwork and more when you have health conditions, and why this feels so frustrating when we have so much else to juggle on top of managing a health condition. Families, child, work, cooking, everyone’s schedules and other responsibilities…
It also includes a blend of thyroid news, podcasts, thyroid book reviews, my personal health updates, discounts and more.
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This Week’s Topic: The Admin of Being Chronically Ill is A Lot.
Yes, thyroid issues are often a chronic illness.
A chronic illness or chronic health condition is defined as being persistent or otherwise long lasting e.g. 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.
On Wednesday of this week, I had not one, not two, but SIX health admin tasks to do. I needed to:
Have a blood test for my thyroid levels as well as Iron, Vitamin D and B12
Have a review of my current medication with the doctor to continue having it prescribed for another 12 months
Collect prescriptions from the pharmacy
Complete paperwork to renew my medical exemption certificate (hypothyrid patients can access this)
Pick up paperwork from my surgery (in person) for an MRI Scan referral
Call around to find somewhere with space to book me in for the MRI scan (ideally soon)
Doing all of this easily took up two hours of my morning. Having left the house to drop my child off at school, then run these errands, I finally got home, ready to start work at 11am and was reflecting on how lucky I am to have fleixble work that allows me space to do this - because a lot of people do not.
It is time-consuming and requires a lot of energy, something we thyroid folk (and chronic illness spoonies in general) do not tend to have. I’ve been feeling particularly fatigued lately and with my back injury having flared up, I was in a lot of pain completing these tasks. That’s what got me thinking: do we even have the time, energy and capability to be unwell? To keep on top of all of this? Many do not.
How are we expected to juggle everything else alongside this; working, childcare, running a household, responsibilities and more? Society isn’t set-up to support people in this way, yet all of us are at risk for potentially fragile health. I have felt fortunate that my health has been a lot more stable these past five years or so, but more recently I have been reminded of just how quickly this can change and why my move from the more conventional world of work to working for myself has made things easier in this way.
I am frustrated for those who didn’t ask for these health issues, do their best to do the juggle and keep on top of it all but ultimately, aren’t supported. Many just won’t make the blood test, collect their new prescription or book the MRI.
What are your thoughts on this? You are welcome to share in the comments section.
I Want To Hear From You
Which thyroid questions or topics would you like to see covered in future newsletters? Reply to this email or leave a comment below with your suggestions.
Personal Health Check-in
My back has been angry this past two weeks, so I have had to slow exercise down, including pausing pilates, on recommendation from my PT. Truth be told, I’m feeling quite down and frustrated by it all and have been quite emotional about it. I have been committing so much time, energy and also money to try and resolve this back injury and feel as if I’m not getting anywhere. I am going for an MRI… stay tuned.
I have also completed and sent off another Medichecks thyroid and vitamins blood test this week. Hoping it may show why I feel so tired… You can get 10% off any Medichecks order with the code “INVISIBLE10”. This is the thyroid test I did this week.
Social Media Spotlight
My most popular online posts in the last week were:
Follow Me On Facebook | Instagram | Threads
Recent newsletters you may have missed:
🦋 Don't Make These Thyroid Medication Mistakes
🦠 Why Your Gut Health is an Important Thyroid Puzzle Piece
💊 Supplements That Help Thyroid Disease
You can receive 10% off any Medichecks order with the code “INVISIBLE10”. This is the thyroid test I always use.
Thyroid UK Online Event
I will be speaking at the online event hosted by Thyroid UK for International Thyroid Awareness Week!
Taking place on 29th May, you can sign up here!
Hypothyroid Chef Podcast Episode!
They say pregnancy is a miracle, but for those of us with thyroid disease, it can also feel like navigating a medical minefield.
From fertility struggles to confusing lab results to postpartum flares, pregnancy with a thyroid condition brings unique challenges. Many of us are left feeling unprepared, overlooked, and unsure of how to advocate for ourselves through it all.
I was so excited to be on this podcast. Listen to the episode here!
Let’s Talk Thyroid Podcast Episode!
In this episode of the Let's Talk Thyroid podcast, we discuss the critical relationship between thyroid health and pregnancy. We explore the importance of optimising thyroid hormone levels for fertility, the challenges faced by those struggling with infertility, and the necessary steps to take once pregnant.
Listen to this podcast on Spotify here.
International Thyroid Awareness Week
International Thyroid Awareness Week begins on 25th May 2025 and continues through to 31st May.
Book Review: The Hashimoto’s Handbook by Mark Pilja
The Hashimoto’s Handbook covers thyroid basics, Hashimoto’s, why meds do not always help, diet, exercise, sleep and stress when it comes to having a thyroid condition, as they are so often very important jigsaw puzzle pieces.
Read my last newsletter here: “Most Doctors Only Test TSH and it's Keeping Us ILL | Issue 196”
That's all for this issue of The Invisible Hypothyroidism Newsletter, but you can find more information and support by:
⭐ Reading my books and website articles
⭐ Following me on Facebook | Instagram | Threads
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.
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