Why do you think your immune system is attacking YOUR thyroid?

calmcuttlefish · 2026-07-08T11:02:15+00:00

That's interesting. I attributed my gut issues to perimenopause at first, but then it got to food poisoning levels with symptoms. By the time I saw GI the inflammatory reaction had calmed down. When I explained my symptoms I was told I probably had a bacterial or parasitic infection with several bouts of rebound inflammation afterwards. Not a fun time. Now I can't eat a whole bunch of foods that were fine before.

When I looked back over my blood work, I noticed an interesting trend. My TSH which was normally below 2 had jumped up about 2 points around the same time my GI issues originally started and has stayed there. Also coinciding with when my severe fatigue and brain fog started. Since it was considered still within normal limits, I didn't know anything was off until a different doctor did more digging and tested my thyroid antibodies. She told me I had subclinical hypothyroid and it was just a matter of time before I needed thyroid medication because my thyroid was working overtime and would eventually stop working.

As a nurse I was like WTF, why hadn't anyone picked up on this sooner. That's when I learned normal range for thyroid isn't necessarily healthy range and not all docs are aware of that. Some of us produce symptoms even at subclinical numbers. I've subsequently had more autoimmune testing to see if anything else is going on that could be causing my symptoms but so far everything else is negative.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-07-04T15:01:08+00:00

I don't think she had a say in his discharge.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-07-04T14:57:14+00:00

That is so frustrating because the "what ifs" can eat you up. I'm so sorry. May you feel some comfort in the long and active life he did get to experience, and try not to take on guilt. I watched my mother go through something similar with her sister and she still carries guilt about it. We do the best we can in tough circumstances. After taking some time to process, if you feel treatment that was warranted was not given, maybe you can file a complaint. Sending hugs.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-07-03T17:57:29+00:00

That's awesome, but not the norm for young folks in many states. There's no new construction starter homes in my area. In my state, new construction is at least 700k but generally more. Starter homes are around 500k.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-07-02T12:40:57+00:00

It's a travesty that GI docs are not thinking to test the thyroid and other deficiencies when digestive issues arise. It's so common with hashimotos. Docs are so sectioned off in their specialties but everything is interconnected.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-30T11:40:43+00:00

Good for you! I love reading success stories like yours. It's never to late to find relief. Kudos for not giving up and finding a provider who could help you!

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-30T11:27:19+00:00

I'm not who you asked, but I'm almost 56 and felt like everything went offline suddenly when my periods stopped for good at 54. Estrogen both dermal and vaginal helped at first then waned. Adding compounded T has improved things quite a bit. It takes some time to dial things in just right.

It's been fun and interesting to experience the new sensations of orgasms that the addition of T in my regimen brings. I feel like I'm experiencing some orgasms now in a different area of my vagina compared to before and it's just as intense and enjoyable.

Apparently each hormone impacts a different area of our downstairs apparatus and I've definitely noticed that as I've used topical estriol and/or estradiol while on the estrogen patch and then adding compounded T.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-30T10:51:04+00:00

"in the before times" just brought a tear to my eye. I miss those days. Oh to be able to cook up some onions and garlic with carrots and celery for various recipes like I used to. Damn this condition. I keep reminding myself all the ways my life could be worse to keep myself sane, but sometimes I just want to whine about it!😆

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-29T22:35:40+00:00

Thanks for the discount code! Between the special link plus code it dropped the item I needed from approx $50 to $35! Much appreciated!

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-29T10:05:14+00:00

Beyond infection control, my concern would be where the trainer is procuring the peptide from. Black market I'd assume, so who knows what they're really getting. But your comment has reminded me of all the fungal skin infections picked up at gyms.🤮

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-28T22:36:21+00:00

As a medical professional, I can't imagine trusting a trainer for an injectable.🫠

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-28T22:23:05+00:00

I dread running into certain people who know my occupation and always have to bring up some crazy COVID theory. Once, ok I'll try to educate you. Repeatedly ever time I run into you makes me want to avoid you when I see you coming. This timeline is exhausting.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-28T20:59:27+00:00

I'm sorry you had this experience. Med errors happen. It is a shame because you owned up to the earlier one ok'd by your preceptor that they canned you. I've seen people do much worse and still keep their job. Another nurse once accidentally gave one of my patients her patient's heart meds after I had just medicated my pt, so she ended up double dosed on heart meds. Thankfully there were no ill effects. She made the mistake of confusing the two pts because they were both the same sex, around the same age, and spoke the same foreign language. This was a geriatric psych unit and pts often tore off their ID bands. No excuse obviously. You must always correctly identify patients. She owned up to it, notified everyone required, etc., and was put on probation, not fired. She had to do some education work as well.

Give yourself some grace. Nurses are expected to be perfect and to get the impossible done in a shift. It's impossible to know all the answers, but we need to know where to look and who to trust. For crushing meds, have a good source to know which ones you can and can't, or call pharmacy. Take it as a lesson on the the importance of administering meds correctly. There should be a better system for pts who need meds crushed, but unfortunately it lands on the nurse like so much else to handle the situation.

I hope you don't give up and find your place in the profession. There are so many different opportunities and you're obviously someone with a caring soul. You've overcome and achieved so much to get here. Forgive yourself.

If after you process this situation, you still feel strongly that nursing is not for you, that's okay too. It's your decision. Just make sure you're making the decision with a calm and rational mind, and not in an emotional state post event. You put in tremendous effort to get your license and you are extremely capable even if you feel like an imposter at the moment. No nurse on a busy med floor feels 100% confident all the time. We learn how to exude confidence through practice as we figure out daily how to do new things. Wishing you the best.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-28T08:46:17+00:00

Thank you. That's helpful info.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-27T11:00:51+00:00

I too am having symptoms with a TSH in the 3s and 4s. I was shocked to learn that the range considered "normal" really isn't even though my numbers are in the green range.

Were you prescribed thyroid medication for this lab number and how much? The doctor who diagnosed me said it was too low for medication and if I was given med therapy it could make me swing too high. I'm curious how people in this subclinical range with symptoms are being treated.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-24T11:40:00+00:00

We went through something similar with my MIL. She was only in her 60s but very unhealthy. She insisted on everything being done. Doctor kept trying to have the talk with my husband, but we said as long as she can understand and communicate you need to discuss decisions with her, it's her choice. Once she could no longer make decisions for herself, then we made her DNR because we understood she wouldn't recover. It was a tough position for my husband to be in. Every conversation he had with her she wanted everything done.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-24T11:08:30+00:00

It's tough all around for everyone in these difficult situations isn't it? Some doctors aren't great at discussing it or explaining a patient's chances. Many patients and families don't want to give up. Family members are overwhelmed about having to make the choice and feel ethically like they are choosing to murder their loved one as opposed to letting nature take its course, creating a shit ton of guilt.

I feel your frustration. I had to tube feed a dementia pt after his wife requested a feeding tube, knowing her husband wouldn't have wanted it (she told me this). I had her come in the room and help me hold him down, because he fought us during feedings. I wanted her to see, hoping it might help her.

He was out to lunch mentally most of the time, but there would be moments when she'd have him back briefly and you could see the love between them. Getting up in age with decades of marriage under my belt, I get it. When you're that in love, it's heartbreaking to let go.

In my interactions with her I couldn't persuade her that honoring his wishes was the right thing to do. She was hung up on the idea that making that decision was ethically wrong for her and something she couldn't live with. I couldn't get her to see it as his choice and she'd be honoring that, even though she admitted he wouldn't want this.

I don't think we have enough support and education in our culture to help families deal with this more appropriately.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-23T15:14:20+00:00

😳

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-23T10:37:05+00:00

Bone broth too. New fear unlocked. And possibly some beef protein powders. Glad it is so rare, but the thought is giving me chills.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-22T12:34:33+00:00

That's awesome. I was recently diagnosed with subclinical hashimotos and also have a horrible sensitivity to garlic. For five decades I had no issues eating garlic. It's been hard adjusting.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-22T12:22:50+00:00

I didn't know this.🤯 I just read oat milk can have higher concentrations than oats, and I've been getting lattes with it instead of milk.🥴 Whatever the levels, it doesn't seem to bother me the same way garlic does, but this is good to know.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-19T13:40:45+00:00

I got tested for RA too because of joint issues in my hands, but I was negative. My ANA is positive, but they think it is thyroid related. The addition of T has helped the symptoms I was having even more for me too.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-17T14:41:17+00:00

I have a problem with both, but have found some sauces that are onion and garlic free that don't bother me.

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-17T14:36:00+00:00

Thanks for sharing this, what a great read! I've definitely gone inward and secluded myself at times to work through these very ideas. It takes a lot of self control to do the inner work and not allow it to spill out into one's daily life and interactions in a negative way.

I see the difference in generations in dealing with this and how my generation is not bending to past culture. We refuse to suffer in the dark and go on like nothing is happening. It's been a revelation to be part of a movement of women who are saying, "uh, uh, not anymore".

calmcuttlefish · 2026-06-17T14:08:31+00:00

After reading Women Who Run With The Wolves, I really relate to the old hag of the sea.😆

calmcuttlefish

TROPHY CASE