Clare - hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism runs in my family so I had been warned by my GP that I may be affected in the future. I can remember at the time not seeing this as an issue. In my twenties I had lost over three stone.

I carried on for many years after this, going to the gym and being sensible about what I ate and was able to keep the weight off. However, two years ago I started ballooning in weight and went from being 10 stone up to 14 stone 7.

I initially went to my doctors as I felt frustrated that I was not able to shift my stubborn weight. I also felt unconfident about myself. However carefully I ate, I just ballooned and ballooned. I was finally diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. At the time I was told that there was little I could do and it looked like I would have to accept the way I was. I was told my weight gain was down to my age and the slowing down of my metabolism which comes with it.

I refused to give up. I was soon put on levothyroxine; 75mcg and then up to 100mcg. I remember struggling with the medication to begin with. I went back to the doctors as I soon started feeling anxious and depressed. I had noticed little difference in my weight, which I thought would fall off overnight. I also didn’t feel any better. I made a point of going back to the GP, who made adjustments to my medication increasing the dose to 125mcg. I then made a point of having regular blood tests.