To keep or not to keep- the big question for your thyroid

Before I begin I just want to point out that this information is only based solely from my experience. Removing your thyroid is a personal choice, or may be medically necessary. Discuss with your doctors ❣

When newly diagnoised with an autoimmune disease, I felt like I wasn't given proper direction of what my treatment plan looked like. While all of my doctors are amazing, I wish they would have been more honest with me.

"Take this pill everyday and you will feel like your old self" I took that literally. I wanted nothing more than my old self back. To go back to being care free, symptom free, anxiety free- but that wasn't the case.

I wish a doctor would have looked at me and said "This pill will help with some of your symptoms, but you will still experience discomfort and side effects. This medication may not work for you, and you may need further treatment"

Regardless my path lead me to getting a full thyroidectomy, and I am very pleased that it did.

So here are some reasons to why I decided to have my thyroid removed

♡ My TSH was nonexistent <0.00 even with medication increases, my TSH would not budge

♡ I was in the hospital bi-weekly. My symptoms would become hard to control at home. Minimum three visits a month

♡ I could not work. I started a new job and got fired within two weeks because I was in the hospital. Luckily the job I have now is AMAZING and I would be lost without them

♡ My thyroid was enlarged and caused a goiter. I would choke on foods, breathlessness, and it was extremely uncomfortable

♡ My heart rate would spike for no reason into the 170's or higher, even while on a beta blocker

♡ My life revolved around doctors appointments and specialist

I had to fight to have my thyroid removed

I had to fire doctors that were dismissive

I had to prove that I was sick enough to have it removed

I eventually found my voice and pushed my endocrinologist to refer me to a surgeon so I could have a consult. I had to know if it was actually in my best interest to keep or not to keep my thyroid.

My surgeon was amazing. I made sure I was educated on the procedure to ask the proper questions. I made sure to ask the hard questions that would be scary. He informed me that having my thyroid removed would be the best decision. We talked in length of what my new life would look like without a thyroid.

Having a chronic illness or autoimmune disease, is difficult already. I knew having surgery would not take away my disease, but I prayed if would make it more manageable.

Always advocate for your health. You only have ONE body that you have to live in for the rest of your life. Never let a doctor tell you that you are "okay" when you feel that you are not