In honor of Thyroid Awareness Month, we have our very own Chloe Trout (she/her), associate managing editor at The Newsette, talking about her experience with a (literal) pain in the neck disease. Some of you may know that she has type 1 diabetes, but she also lives with Hashimoto’s, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland.

Here, Chloe shares the symptoms that led to her diagnosis, how diabetes and Hashimoto’s are related, and what it’s like dealing with both chronic conditions.

Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in countries with widely available iodized salt, but many struggle to get diagnosed. How did you find out you had it?
Before my diagnosis, I noticed my weight fluctuating in high school but didn’t think anything of it as I thought I was just growing into my adult body. (Later, I discovered that Hashimoto’s can take years to detect, which then made the above info make sense.) But sometime in 2017, I suddenly lost 20-25 pounds without changing my diet or exercise routine and began dozing off throughout the day, even if I got enough sleep the night before. The most prominent sign was the lump that formed in my throat that was so noticeable, my family and friends pointed it out with concern.

I then got lab work done which included testing for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), thyroxine (T-4), and antibodies, as well as a scan of the throat lump. That same day I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.

You also have diabetes. How do these two diseases relate? Does it make it harder to manage either of them?
Absolutely. Although I was not warned by my previous endocrinologists that Hashimoto’s could occur, having another autoimmune disease like diabetes can increase your risk of getting it.

It definitely makes it harder to manage my diabetes at times, as the thyroid plays a major role in regulating many of my body’s functions like metabolism, blood sugar levels, and insulin resistance.

Do you know of any common symptoms that people with Hashimoto’s share?
To my knowledge, some common symptoms are: fatigue/sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, increased sleepiness, dry skin, constipation, muscle weakness and/or aches, irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding, problems with memory or concentration, swelling of the thyroid, a puffy face, brittle nails, and hair loss.

Are there any treatments for Hashimoto’s that you use?
I do have to take a medication called Levothyroxine every morning for the rest of my life. But since I’ve been dealing with diabetes in a similar manner for many years, it could be worse.

Can Hashimoto’s flare? If so, what does that look like?
It sure can! Even on medication, flare-ups might happen while your doctor tries to find the correct dose of your medication or if you’re not taking your pills regularly. But, I’ve learned it can also happen from a physical or emotional trigger like lack of sleep, infection, something lacking in your diet, stressful changes (moving, new job, etc.), anxiety, and depression.

Signs of a flare-up include fatigue, sleep problems, sensitivity to heat, irritability, and rapid heartbeat. To work through or avoid flare-ups altogether, it’s best to take your medication regularly, follow an anti-inflammatory diet (aka eats lots of yummy fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and salmon which I personally love), check your iodine level and reduce it if it’s too high, lower your stress however you deem fit, and talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not to add vitamin D and selenium to your daily supplements.

What’s your advice for those who assume they might have Hashimoto’s?
If any of the above sounds familiar, go get your neck checked ASAP. If your condition is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive issues, fertility complications, and more.

And finally, what’s your advice for those already living with Hashimoto’s?
You are not alone! One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime which seriously sucks, but leads us to have deeper connections with each other and more compassion for others. If you do feel alone, ask for help from a healthcare professional or loved ones, search for a support group, or find a community online.