I’m honoured to be running the Great North Run in 2023 for British Thyroid Foundation (BTF).

After a thyroidectomy at the age of 11, I’ve lived without my butterfly-shaped gland for over 20 years. In 2022, I suddenly found myself in a balancing act with my levothyroxine medication and struggled with symptoms of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism over a period of six months.

The knock-on effect on my mental health was staggering. I battled insomnia, depression, anxiety, weight loss (and then weight gain), and some pretty awful brain fog. At times it felt like I was drowning. Things reached a breaking point in August when I started to have suicidal thoughts.

Thanks to a brilliant support network and the right medical support, my symptoms are now under control and I’m feeling like ‘me’ again. The me who has bags of energy, a zest for life and runs half-marathons!

So I’m excited to be taking part in the Great North Run 2023 to raise more awareness of the British Thyroid Foundation and the fantastic work they do. Thyroid disorders impact roughly 1 in 20 people, but there is still a lot of misdiagnosis and misinformation out there. I hope to be able to play a small part in helping those affected.

Any donations towards this brilliant charity would be hugely appreciated.

All my love and gratitude,

Rach x

Rachael Taylor