In 2019, Natalie Clarkson began experiencing tremors in her hands and voice, initially dismissed as nervousness. Soon after, she noticed unintentional weight loss, followed by heart palpitations. Her condition worsened with the onset of swallowing difficulties, sometimes leading to choking.
After suspecting a thyroid issue, Clarkson consulted her GP, who suggested several other possibilities, including liver or heart problems. A blood test confirmed hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, just before the first COVID-19 lockdown. A subsequent examination revealed a goiter, a lump in the neck caused by a swollen thyroid, which was pressing on her windpipe and esophagus.
Clarkson was prescribed Carbimazole to manage her hyperthyroid symptoms. She anticipated weight gain due to the medication's effect on slowing the thyroid. This, combined with inactivity during lockdown, led to a significant weight increase of one-and-a-half stone. She also struggled with brain fog, fatigue, and hair loss, symptoms that overlapped with menopausal changes.
Seeking clarity on her menopause symptoms, Clarkson consulted a private doctor who was also an endocrinologist. This doctor's tests indicated Hashimoto's Disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). This diagnosis would explain her newer symptoms.
However, her NHS doctor disagreed with the Hashimoto's diagnosis, stating her readings did not support it. Feeling frustrated and anxious due to conflicting medical opinions, Clarkson found that the medication for an overactive thyroid seemed to be exacerbating her symptoms.
Following the private doctor's recommendation, Clarkson began taking Novothyral, a medication for an underactive thyroid that contains both T3 and T4 hormones. She noted that this prescription, costing approximately £240 annually, was more effective in managing her fatigue and weight than Levothyroxine, the NHS's standard T4-only prescription.
Clarkson is also exploring dietary changes, including a gluten-free and dairy-free diet, influenced by online discussions about managing thyroid conditions. She acknowledges that it is a slow process and is also focusing on improving her gut health, believing that reducing inflammation is key to managing weight gain alongside her menopausal symptoms.
She described managing her condition as a constant balancing act, where the dosage of her medication is crucial. Too much can trigger symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid, such as heart palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia, while too little can lead to further weight gain, increased brain fog, and joint pain.