Hypothyroidism

[user670098]

I have a friend/colleague who suffers with hypothyroidism due to having no thyroid.
She broke down at work today and told me that some days she really struggles with fatigue and brain fog and she is worried she is going to make a huge mistake at work.
She told me she has no confidence in herself anymore and feels embarrassed that there are colleagues twice her age who have more energy and work quicker than her.
Is this normal with hypothyroidism?

Yes these are very typical symptoms although if her levels are under control and she has the right replacement therapy the symptoms should be very much under control.
I have this condition, have done so all my life, and even though I have good treatment and levels are stable, I do have fluctuations around my menstrual cycle and other times and need to pace.myself accordingly.

Sadly very normal. Thyroid issues are really poorly understood with GPs handing out a “one size fits all” medication that leaves many of us feeling like absolute shit. But nobody cares, as it’s mainly women who suffer with it. And they will tell you that these numbers look fine on paper so whatever you’re feeling is either all in your head or because you’re not exercising, even though you feel like death warmed up and can barely get through a day. It makes me so angry that we are left to try and function at a fraction of our potential because nobody listens or cares. Your poor colleague

Very true unfortunately

It's horrendous. I have episodes where i am so tired i sleep for hours and hours for weeks. I get so cold at times the only place i can be is in bed with the heating on and 3 duvets and i still shake. I can't make 1 flight of steps most days and i feel like my heart is going to stop at times. Brain fog is so bad i could take my tablets and still have the glass of water in my hand and think, did i take my pills or not. Poor colleague.

I feel sorry for her, she told me that some days she feels great and others are so difficult and she gets bad anxiety.
She won't speak to our manager about it because she is scared that she will think she is not capable of doing her job.