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Hashimoto hard time

Hashimum13
Community Member

Hi friends,

i just wanted to jump on board and voice how I’m feeling, hoping this will help me, maybe see if someone can relate.

im a 36 year old mum of two, a 3year old and a 9 month old. I have suffered bouts of anxiety and depression in the past, also PND after the birth of my first child. Along my journey I have learned to study myself and look out for early symptoms, avoid triggers and look after myself. I take AD and also have been diagnosed with Hashimoto disease which has been super difficult to manage as it is very unpredictable.

after the birth of my second child I was expecting a bit of a rough time- but surprisingly seemed to bounce back quite well- ( despite the mastitis Lack of sleep ect...) so I guess I thought I’d dodged a bullet- that was until a week and a half ago. I suddenly hit a wall, feeling anxious, loss of appetite, upset stomach, tired and wired, lethargic,depression, and crazy brain fog ....

i has a blood test and my TSH was in range but my thyroid antibodies had skyrocketed and so had white blood cells???...

my GP Didn’t really have to much to say ....

i don’t know if this related or return of PND? I know we are not doctors but I guess I’m just seeing if anyone else has had a similar experience?

any advice would be appreciated

thanks all, and hang in there!

2 Replies 2

Guest_7403
Community Member
My wife has graves disease, and her tsh levels rose sharply after giving birth aswell as the antibodies

We went back to the endo specialist, and she said that when pregnant the bodies immune system is lowered so much and it allows the antibodies and tsh levels to rise. It can take the body upto 12 months post birth to regulate its immune system.

Id book into the gp and get a referral to the endo to have them review your results and what the best course of action is for treatment

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Hashimum13.....🦋,

Welcome to the forum. It is great to see you reaching out here for support. Congrats on becoming a mother of two. I am recently a new mum and have a new found respect for the challenges of parenthood. You sound as though you have great insight to your symptoms and overall health picture which is fantastic. I am a bit disappointed that you GP didn't give you the education you need. I agree with Theborderline's post of getting another review with your GP and potentially a referral to an endocrine specialist for a more thorough assessment of your health picture. You could also re-engage some of the strategies that you used for managing your PND to see if this offers some relief.

In any case, getting some support during this time will be important. Parenting both a 9-month old and a 3 year old is a busy time and having the symptoms you describe would make things really tough. By going back to your GP and explaining that you want further education what your levels mean or a referral to a specialist may help you get some clarity around your symptoms and give you a better understanding the ups and downs of Hashimoto's. There is a resource that may offer some more specific support at the Australian Thyroid Foundation. https://thyroidfoundation.org.au

Whether your symptoms are related to your Hashimoto's or not, it would be a good idea to reach into your tool kit of self care strategies that you have developed and start enacting some of these. Even if you do get to see your GP and they refer you to an Endocrine specialist, they often have some wait list for an appointment. Getting some support towards your symptoms of low mood and worry is important. You have already started this by reaching out in the forum and your next step could be talking to a counsellor or someone you trust. You could even start a program like Mindspot which is an online program that helps people with anxiety and depression using a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy approach. You can read about Mindspot by going to the this webpage www.mindspot.org.au

Another resource you may have already explored is PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety aNd Depression Australia) who have a support line and very informative website. The number is 1300 726 306 and is available M-F 9am-7:30pm AEST
https://www.panda.org.au/

Keep posting on the forum and let us know how you are travelling.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn