08/ 03/ 2016
Since having my thyroid removed, my endocrinologist and I have been working to figure out what’s causing me to feel fatigued. I’ve had my blood taken so many times I’ve lost count. We’ve run additional tests that monitor fatigue levels, metabolism and blood flow. It’s taken a lot of time and patience.
It’s not uncommon for folks without thyroids to have low levels of calcium and Vitamin D. I started taking supplements to keep those levels in range. Then my doctor switched me to a different brand of thyroid medication, hoping it would correct the fatigue. But it didn’t. We then learned that my B12 levels were low, so I started taking another supplement. I did start to feel better then.
Before my latest appointment, My mom suggested I ask about my diet. I’ve been a vegetarian since age 8, so could something be off there? Sure enough, it was. My insulin and cholesterol levels are high, meaning my body is using more energy than it needs to on balancing my blood sugar.
Thankfully, I’m not in the pre-diabetic or diabetic range. Basically the results mean making dietary changes.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated. Every appointment cost time and money, and now I’ll be adding a nutritionist into the mix. But I’m staying focused on the positives. At least we caught this now before reaching the diabetic range.
Right now, my day to day centers around going to work and seeing doctors. I don’t mean to sound like an ungrateful jerk. It’s amazing that I have access to this high caliber of health professionals. I’m grateful to have good health insurance, but this routine is hard.
This past weekend, I spoke to a very wise woman who reminded me about joy.
“Joy,” I thought, “how could I have forgotten about joy?!”
She called joy a spiritual practice, something you have to constantly cultivate everyday.
She explained that you have to discover the things that bring you joy, making them a part of your life.
I certainly was not nor have I been making a joy a part of each day. Heck, I think I’ve lost sight of what brings me joy. It’s time I remember.
Leave a Reply