Hidden Disability: Hypothyroidism

My name is Fatima, and I am 65 years old. As an art history enthusiast, I love working at my local museum. Some time ago, over the last year or so, I started gaining weight and feeling fatigued. When I worked in the museum, I felt like I could never keep warm. At first, I thought I was just exhausted, but when I started to forget the locations of some of our paintings, I went to see a doctor.

My doctor noticed that I had a slow pulse and high levels of cholesterol in my blood. After he ordered a thyroid stimulating hormone blood test, we discovered that I had an under active thyroid gland. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a disorder of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital bodily functions.

I have learned that it is common, especially among older women. Because symptoms can be vague and different for each individual, hypothyroidism can be a tricky disease to diagnose. Hormone replacement therapy has helped the levels in my blood return back to normal, so I'm feeling less fatigued. I hope my story helps others understand how much hidden illnesses impact daily life. You may not know what someone is going through.