My thyroid: the story so far

In a few days I will be undergoing surgery to remove my thyroid ( a total thyroidectomy) and I've found great comfort in reading others' stories about their personal experiences with the process. So, I decided on a whim that I would create my own blog dedicated to documenting my thyroidectomy to help others in the same situation as I. But first, I'll give you a run down of the story so far.

In 2013, at 19 years old, I went to see a nurse for a routine check up. While checking my blood pressure, she noticed that my pulse was very fast and asked if maybe I was nervous about having it taken, as possibly that could be the reason behind the elevated heart rate. She advised me to get an appointment to see my GP as soon as possible and genuinely seemed concerned. I had always had a fast heart rate; I first noticed it at the age of 10 when a teacher got us all to check our heart rates. I first thought I had counted wrong when everyone else said a number much lower than my own, but then in following years I just came to terms with the fact that my heart just beat faster than everyone else's. I didn't think it was a big deal, I just thought that was the way I was made.

So, I booked an appointment to see my GP and as she checked my pulse she asked me if I had been running or if I had just had coffee, to which I replied "no, that's just how fast it beats". At that point it was at its fastest at about 110 bpm. She immediately sent me to the hospital for a blood test and she called me in for the results the following morning. I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about because I thought, in all honesty, I was fine and everyone else was just overreacting. When I saw her for my results my mum came with me and she explained to us that I was displaying signs of an overactive thyroid, with my T4 levels being over 100 (the normal range is 12-20). I didn't even know what that was and what it did so my GP explained all of that as well; also noting that I had developed a very small goitre too. I was prescribed then and there with Carbimazole for my thyroid, the beta-blocker, Propanalol, for my pulse, and referred to an endocrinologist.

A couple weeks later I was seen by a consultant at University College London Hospital (UCLH/UCH) and was diagnosed with Grave's disease. I've had a lot of issues with the care I've received while being a patient at UCLH as for the majority of the time I wouldn't be seen by my endocrinologist so for years I had my bloods taken and a couple days later have a new doctor adjust my medication. My thyroid has NEVER been stable and so my goitre got increasingly larger month by month, and I suffered from an array of other symptoms including: hair shedding, excessive sweating, problems with my nails, mood swings, and the biggest pain of my life, thyroid eye disease.

I used to suffer from watery eyes when I would lay down and the occasional dryness but it was always very mild. However, now, the slightest breeze results in tears streaming down my cheeks, my eyelids are puffy due to extra fat, and they bulge slightly which makes me always look surprised. I've suffered psychologically with these symptoms because, of course, it shows in my face so I always refrain from making eye contact or even going out in the first place. I've seen a specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital after being referred by my lovely GP and I have been told that I will receive treatment once my thyroid is removed as the symptoms may lessen after this. I really do hope they do because this has been what has impacted me the most.

In the coming days and weeks I will continue to post my progress in the hope that it may bring comfort to someone else about to go through the same procedure.