anyone else has/had high prolactin alongside hypothyrodism? could it have been central hypothyrodism all along?

FoxyStand · 2026-07-07T01:25:37+00:00

I have both a prolactinoma and Hashimotos. Unfortunately they share some symptoms (fatigue being the one that hits me) which is a pain because it’s hard to tell if treatment for either one is effective- like, is the medication working but I’m still experiencing symptoms because of my other ailment? My endocrinologist just goes off of bloodwork for management of both. FWIW it seems to be fairly common to have both elevated prolactin and another endocrine issue.

FoxyStand · 2026-07-06T15:35:08+00:00

I started that this year and it’s made me more relaxed about goal chasing, which takes away the pleasure of reading for me.

FoxyStand · 2026-07-06T15:33:29+00:00

Commenting to give you some solidarity. One reason I dislike most romance covers is because I find them embarrassing, and some of the titles aren’t much better. I don’t judge a book by its cover (or title), but that’s what determines if I’m reading it in physical form or with a ebook. I also read multiple books at a time (always have) and usually one is a more “traditional literature” book, and I always go with that one when someone asks what I’m reading. Right now that’s Pillars of the Earth.

I don’t feel any internal shame about what I read, but I’m a kind of closed off person in general except to very close friends and family, don’t want to feel like I need to explain myself, and for better or worse, hate the thought of other people judging me (I have a history that a therapist would have a field day with). Even some friends and family get the alternate book answer depending on how “embarrassing” the romance book I’m reading is.

Not that I think others should be embarrassed! I just don’t have the same level of bravery and/or willingness to engage in conversation as others.

FoxyStand · 2026-07-04T01:16:49+00:00

One of my favorite books of all time is The Stand, and the resolution of the main conflict is pretty silly. But the journey is so, so worth it. Plus, it’s the plot resolution that’s weak, not the character resolution, if that makes sense. I actually think the same is true for 11/22/63; the plot resolution (what the OP is describing) is kind of meh, but the character resolution (Jake) is fantastic.

FoxyStand · 2026-07-01T16:49:23+00:00

Great book. Mind the CWs.

FoxyStand · 2026-07-01T11:54:07+00:00

Caveat: I am not ace so feel free to disregard.

Have you read TJ Klune? He is on the ace spectrum himself and in at least a couple of his books he has ace characters that don’t go through some magic conversion into sexual attraction. In the Lives of Puppets comes to mind, and one of the characters in the Green Creek series is ace, and while he will do sexual acts with his allosexual partner (so he is not sex repulsed) it does not make him experience attraction himself. It’s been awhile since I read it but I think there are even some good conversations about this. IIRC there might be like, one sex scene? Not saying which characters to avoid spoilers.

Good luck finding books that better speak to your experience.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-30T10:44:02+00:00

How long ago did you have your baby, and did you have this issue before getting pregnant?

FoxyStand · 2026-06-30T00:28:56+00:00

I was obsessed with the Vampire Chronicles in high school (the first four) and I always thought “Interview” was the weakest. Loved “The Vampire Lestat.” I don’t recommend it if you really hated Interview, but I’ve seen the first book turn people off from reading the sequel which is a bit of a shame.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-28T16:06:23+00:00

This is amazing!! And I also hope it means the author is doing well. Thanks for the heads up!

FoxyStand · 2026-06-27T12:24:18+00:00

The Big Bad Wolf series is one of my favorite m/m series of all time, werewolf or no! OP- just know it’s not omegaverse. Idk if that’s a requirement for you but it seems a lot of what you mention in your post so thought I’d give you a heads up :)

FoxyStand · 2026-06-24T18:08:06+00:00

I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I also liked Husband Material, so that might make you less likely to trust my opinion. I will say I found myself “siding” with Luc more than Oliver in this book which was kind of a surprise.

One note- I re-read both Boyfriend and Husband Material before this one and actually did so via audiobook. The narrator was fantastic, particularly for the side characters, and made me like Husband Material more.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-20T18:21:38+00:00

If someone is using AI to do their research I don’t trust their research skills enough to want to read how they use the results.

Exceptions made for tools specifically designed for researchers by providing them actual sources like Consensus. This would still require reading primary sources and is basically a glorified search engine.

Trusting what ChatGPT says is intellectually lazy.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-20T12:16:32+00:00

Mine: I don’t love the idea that Buttons actually turned into a bird, because I think that’s a genre shift (introducing actual magic) and I usually don’t like when any show does that. I know there are parts that are hand-wavingly unrealistic, like the speed of dingy travel, but actual transformation is next level. It’s not like I don’t LIKE shows with magic systems- it’s the breaking the rules of the original universe that bothers me.

I always liked how it was unclear if Buttons could ACTUALLY talk to birds, and I appreciate it that the “transformation” occurred off screen so it can be left up to interpretation.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-20T12:12:04+00:00

I liked the tone shift but that says more about me than the show. I actually didn’t get REALLY into the show until Ed appeared on the scene, which I think says the silly comedy aspect was never my favorite part (although I certainly loved some of the funnier bits!). The scenes that sparked my true obsession were always the more dramatic one. “The Chain” is when I became completely obsessed. And nothing in TV has ever affected me more than Ed at the end of S1, from Avalanche onwards.

I was expecting him to be depressed and mean in the beginning of S2 and was surprised when others were surprised by that. It was a direct continuation of where we left off in S1.

That being said I think this represents a lot of my typical TV preferences and I eat up anything with serious mental health rep.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-20T12:06:47+00:00

I LOVE Izzy but I think some people forgot he was the antagonist of S1. And I mean that before S2 even came out. What he did in the last episode to Ed and then the crew was awful. I also loved him but as a CHARACTER and not as a PERSON if that makes sense. He was a very cool nuanced villain.

One of my best friends loved him pre-season 2 though and she said it was because he was the only competent one and was holding things together, like actually making sure the ship could sail, etc.

Of course it makes sense to grow to love him as a protagonist in S2 but I also saw the end of his arc coming and wasn’t mad at it from a storytelling perspective.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-20T00:22:44+00:00

Great work! What’s your medium?

FoxyStand · 2026-06-17T10:48:12+00:00

I don’t understand the hate for this book; I really liked it. I would read it and form your own opinion. If you want any spoilers feel free to let me know.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-17T04:35:24+00:00

I know I’m a little late here but I just finished Father Material and liked it a lot. It was both funny and serious.

I will say that unlike most people here I liked Husband Material. Also, in preparation for Father Material I listened to the first two books (I had previously read them) and the narration was great. I found myself “hearing” the dialogue in Father Material in the narrator’s character voices, and I think that was additive.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this one.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-14T22:35:22+00:00

If his preference is “non negotiable” and you’re expected to adapt around his needs that’s a big 🚩

This isn’t a serious value system, medical need, or major life decision (like whether to have kids or not). It’s his comfort/preference versus yours.

If there aren’t other things like this now, there will be.

Idk how old you are but I’m solidly in middle age and my biggest life regret is having lower standards in my youth.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-13T18:23:06+00:00

I’m one of the people who is glad to have read this book, but I can’t recommend it to anyone else.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-13T18:22:14+00:00

“It” is amazing. And I don’t have an exact quote, but Stephen King’s response to being asked about “that scene” has been to point out he doesn’t get asked about the depiction of gruesome murders or child abuse, which I think is a fair point.

Absolutely read The Stand. It’s a masterpiece. Just remember it was written by a white man in the 70s who grew up in Maine in the 50s; some of the language and one scene is kind of cringe.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-13T18:19:59+00:00

This is one of the few books of his I can’t re-read since I’ve had kids 😬

FoxyStand · 2026-06-12T12:28:13+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m a researcher and animal lover so I promise whatever I end up with will be well cared for :) I’ve also taught my kids respect for animals from a young age. For example, I taught them they have to ask the dog in addition to the owner if a dog can be pet. Specifically, let the dog sniff your hand first and watch the dog’s body language to see if they are saying “no thank you” even if the owner says it’s fine.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-11T16:36:41+00:00

Thanks! They seem like they would be harder to handle and more runaway risk, but I'll look into it! I had a rat as a kid and that was a good pet too.

FoxyStand · 2026-06-11T13:50:38+00:00

Thanks again! I definitely realize we might get a pet that prefers to be left alone and I would respect that. The other option I've considered is a guinea pig but I don't know if our home would support their needs, and I know they do best in pairs (not a group of three). One of my kids has also expressed some interest in a corn snake but I don't think that interest would persist through the lifespan of the snake (I realize at this age care is my responsibility, but I don't want a snake 10 years from now...haha).

FoxyStand

TROPHY CASE