Hypo H-E-L-L

I apologize for the language but that is really the only good word to describe it.  So far I think I've been a good sport about what my body is going through but I'm going to claim a hypo symptom and be moody and complainey for a post.  According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are (with some comments from other sources):

Fatigue (with insomnia)

Sluggishness

Increased sensitivity to cold (more like intolerance)

Constipation

Pale, dry skin

A puffy face

Hoarse voice

An elevated blood cholesterol level

Unexplained weight gain

Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness (also numbness)

Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints

Muscle weakness

Heavier than normal menstrual periods

Brittle fingernails and hair (including hair loss)

Depression (also forgetfulness, poor cognition)

As hypothyroidism is left untreated, symptoms become more severe.  If left unchecked for a long period of time(shorter time if you have no thyroid and no meds), you get lowered blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temp, unresponsiveness, coma and even death.  This is the reason that my RAI was scheduled so quickly when they found my TSH was rising a bit faster than “normal.” (took me 2.5 weeks to get to 35.67, this is expected at 3-4 weeks)  So who knows what I am today TSH-wise but I'm guessing I'm nearing the 60.0-80.0 range now. (purely a guess based on being told once it starts rising it rises more quickly and the fact my TSH was drawn 4 days ago now…)

So currently I can say that I am experiencing all but 2 of the above symptoms and those 2 are a maybe… (its not that time of the month and i haven’t had a cholesterol test in the last week) I am feeling absolutely miserable! The fatigue is not merely feeling tired its more like I don’t think I have enough energy to sit up – not exaggerating. And when I do get some blessed sleep, I wake up often, find it hard to get back to sleep, and get no relief from the fatigue.  As of today I feel like lifting my hand is like trying to lift it through a mud pack.  My muscles and joints ache constantly, especially my wrists. My voice is getting more hoarse (but I can blame that on the wedding this weekend can’t I?). My cheeks are puffy and I don’t even want to go near a scale…

Ok so I can deal with all this because I know its temporary (but will be repeated yearly for scans – oh fun) but the one thing that is bothering me most is the hair loss.  I know, I know… I shouldn’t complain because I'm not getting chemo and won’t go completely bald! I’m so thankful and lucky in that respect… but if I hadn’t started with very thick hair, I believe I would be nearly completely bald at this point!  I have pictures for your comparison, both were taken approximately the same time of day give or take an hour.

Taken the week before surgery w/ thick hair	Taken today almost 3 weeks hypothyroid

So as stressful as getting RAI sooner than expected is, I'm thankful that it will be done and I can start taking my synthetic thyroid hormones again so I can start feeling like normal and grow back my hair!!!