Do you have thyroid disease? Join the club!
Fatigue, weight gain, depression, anxiety, constipation, body aches, memory problems, dry hair, and skin, welcome to thyroid disease! According to the American Thyroid Association, about 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, with up to 60 percent of those affected unaware of their condition. The most prevalent thyroid disorders in the U.S. include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules. Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders, and the risk increases with age. However, thyroid disease can affect people of all ages and genders.
I've had Hashimoto's thyroid disease for over twelve years, and what a journey it has been. I would love to help you avoid everything I went through to feel better. It’s hard to do all the research when you always feel tired. I relied on medication for a few years while developing a program and lifestyle to promote healing for both my body and mind.
Hashimoto’s and Graves disease are autoimmune conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s results in a sluggish thyroid, while Graves causes the thyroid to be overactive, causing the opposite symptoms, such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, heat intolerance, anxiety, irritability, and protruding eyes. Both are debilitating.
When I was initially given the thyroid medications, I asked the endocrinologist why he wasn't addressing the root cause by balancing my immune system to stop its attack on my thyroid. He said,” The medical establishment has no idea why it happens, so we don’t deal with the immune system.” What???? This perspective was starkly contrary to the Eastern approach, which aims to treat the underlying cause. I decided the healer had to heal thyself. I decided to take the meds to help the fatigue so I had the energy I needed to push forward. However, approximately six weeks later, they began causing debilitating muscle pain, forcing me to stop taking them.
Around the same time, I discovered Ayurveda, the beautiful medical system of India. My Ayurvedic Doctor determined that my body was acidic from being a vegetarian for so long and put me on a regimen to make it more alkaline and bring it into balance. For a while, I eliminated dairy, gluten, and whatever little sugar I consumed from my diet. I started doing yoga, meditating, energy healing, body treatments, acupuncture, and added some herbs. It was also a time of evaluating what needed to change in my life. I learned so much and was able to heal. I haven’t taken medication in eight years and am more energized than ever.
My best advice is to be patient. This didn’t develop overnight, so it will take time to heal. Slow and steady is the way to go when dealing with a chronic illness, and you must address all areas of your life…mind, body, spirit, and environment. Evaluate everything toxic in your life, from food to relationships. Never believe that anything is incurable or impossible. You have the power within to heal.
Throughout my journey, I received invaluable support from health professionals, coaches, and healers, which was pivotal in my healing process. Having accountability and support was essential for implementing the necessary changes.
Sending you health and healing,
Maria