Where do I begin...

First off, no, I am not pregnant again - in fact, a bit far from it. 
Before I scare any of you, I am doing ok, Elliott is doing amazing and changing every day.  But alas, I have some not so great news to share. 

Around early summer last year, I started getting alot of comments from my hubby, friends and family, about how skinny I'd become, I was wearing shorts (and I never have, since I was 15), and buying new clothes because nothing, not even my pre-pregnancy clothes, would fit.

I attributed it to running around chasing E, and of course, not really putting myself first when it came to eating properly.  I never picked up exercising regularly like I used to (the last time was likely when E was about 6 months old when we went to Baby F.it classes) but I really, truly did not think much of it.

I went in for a physical late November, about 2 weeks before I went back to work, and let me say here, that I never went for a physical/check up my entire mat leave.  Big mistake - please go to your doctor 2-3 months postpartum, I realize how important it is now!

So I asked my family doctor to test my thyroid levels because of the drastic weight loss, and wouldn't you know it, my th.yroid levels came back off the charts.  A normal person's T(4) levels would be from 9-23,  and I was charting >65. 

So yes, something was definitely off. I was considered to be in the Hyper.thyroid state.

I was referred to an endocr.inologist, specialist for hormones and also went to get an ultrasound on my thy.roid.  Nothing spectacular was found (thankfully) but there was enough concern of my blood test results that the endo wanted me to do a uptake scan to see how much iodine the thyroid would absorb, thus telling us what the issue was. 

This all took place between mid-Dec to beginning of January. 

I had a very strange suspicion that the reason I was hyperthyroid all of a sudden now was because all throughout my pregnancy (if you recall) I was on a low dosage of Thyroid medication, at the time, prescribed to me by my Auto-immune specialist whom I was seeing for unsuccessful pregnancies.
I don't ever recall being tested throughout my pregnancy but I do recall having enough refills to last me until 30 weeks. 

At the same time I was referred to the endo, I also did some research on my own and found a Naturo.path to take a look at my case and help me look at the causes of this vs. treating the symptoms.  It turns out I did the best thing I ever could for myself because the Naturo I found is honest, straightforward, and very logical in his way of talking to you.  He definitely thought that the catalyst for me going from a slightly under (hypo) thyroid state, that the medication and the pregnancy spun my hormones of out control.  It wasn't until we stopped breastfeeding did the weight start to come off drastically. 

The reason for weight loss in hyperthyroid individuals is because every organ in your system is kicked into high gear, but your thyroid is the one that controls your metabolism, therefore, overworked means high metabolism.  This has also had an adverse effect on my heart.  I had begun to feel slight palpitations about a month or so ago, even when I'm at rest.  Work got so stressful one day that I had to step away from my laptop and lie down on my couch.  Definitely NOT a fun experience. 

So as far as the iodine scan goes,  it turns out that I definitely have the beginning stages of what is called G.rave's Dis.ease.  It's a condition that, untreated, can be severely damage the thyroid to the point of it not working at all any more.  When talking to my naturopath, he says that he is not concerned that I am getting any worse any time soon because I have responded to some detox treatment very quickly already, but that I definitely have to change my diet and eat more of some things and less of others (darn it, chocolate)  I am also taking some natural supplements as well, and now I just need to commit to doing some regular exercise (like yoga, something easy) to help with my stress levels.


I have changed roles at work into something I really love right now so that part is definitely helping,  and overall, I am feeling ok, just the random heart palpitation will remind me that something's off. 


My naturo also said that in some cases, a 2nd pregnancy can even reverse the condition to a normal state, but I am not in a hurry any time soon until I am feeling more energy back and ready to take that plunge into yet another unknown. 


So big sigh and breath.


I'd like to use that whole issue as a reason for me not posting as often anymore but it wouldn't be fair.  I have been exhausted going through a number of tests (again, felt like a lab rat) but me not writing and updating is no excuse. I guess I just wanted to get all the 'facts' first, and lessen the questions raised here, in addition to my own worry in my head. 


I am thinking positive, and this is something I WILL overcome.  I just really hope that there is another rainbow baby in our future but of course, that cannot happen until I am on the path to being healthy again.



Long ramble.....appreciate all of your prayers and support if you can send some my way. Hugs and I miss you ladies very much!