Weight gain, hair loss and fatigue – could it be a thyroid problem?
From fatigue to fitness – Cindy Pillay is thriving after she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Thyroid Federation International is a global network of organisations that supports people with thyroid disorders by providing information and raising awareness. May 25 was declared World Thyroid Day and now forms part of International Thyroid Week, commemorated from May 25–31. This year’s theme is ‘Thyroid and Genetics’.
AS World Thyroid Day is commemorated today, May 25, we reached out to Durban resident Cindy Pillay, an ICU nurse who was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, also called ‘underactive thyroid’.
Pillay said she was diagnosed at the age of 21 after noticing several symptoms.
“My hair started falling off in locks. I had slight memory loss – I would forget where I put my pen or what I was doing. It wasn’t normal behaviour for me. I also noticed I was gaining weight despite eating structured meals. I am not a junk food or cooldrink person so it was very unusual for me to be gaining and retaining weight while eating a healthy diet,” recalled Pillay.
She visited a doctor who ran blood tests to check Pillay’s thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and iron levels.
“We found my TSH levels were extremely low as well as my iron levels. I had to go on iron-therapy treatment and also take thyroid hormone medication. I’ve been on this medication ever since then. Every year, I have to test my TSH levels,” said Pillay.
This has alleviated her symptoms.
“I used to feel very tired, and it was unexplainable. I had no energy, no motion to go forward, and I was yawning constantly. I thought my sugar levels were just low,” said Pillay.
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She encouraged others not to ignore similar symptoms.
“The best advice I would give is to listen to your body. When I first noticed symptoms, it didn’t ring any alarm bells, but it got worse to the point where I was battling to get out of bed and losing big clumps of hair. Rather listen to your body – if there is a slight change in your health, go and see a doctor. Prevention is better than cure,” added Pillay.
She took up running as a way to stay fit after she was diagnosed and discovered a passion for it. Pillay went on to compete in the Two Oceans Marathon this year. She is currently training for the 2024 Comrades Marathon.
While she has been able to treat her condition through medication, surgery is necessary in some cases.
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Different types of thyroid conditions
While there are different types of thyroid conditions, Pillay was diagnosed with a goitre, a condition where the thyroid gland grows larger. In Pillay’s case, hypothyroidism is genetic and has affected her mother and grandmother, as well.
“Around the same time I was diagnosed, my mother confirmed that my late grandmother was also diagnosed with a goitre and it was in her genes. My mom was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, as well, although she does not need medication or intervention,” said Pillay.
Pillay’s condition, hypothyroidism, refers to an ‘underactive thyroid’, which is indicated by low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
For more information, visit Thyroid Federation International.
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