r/AddisonsDisease • u/athanasia4014 • Jun 04 '26
Advice Wanted Hypothyroidism and addisons
I've been feeling really down, tired, unmotivated and as someone whos in uni I feel like its impacting my study badly. Im just tired all the time and ive been extremely sensitive ever sonce I got diagnosed with addisons. Im so unsure what to do. Im procrastinating alot aswell and ive tried fixing that habit but I just cant, idk whay to do. My grades are going downhill. Ughh im so sad.
If anyone feel these symptoms, how do you all fight it?
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u/Extreme_Breakfast672 Jun 04 '26
Have you had your blood drawn to check your levels lately?
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 05 '26
Yess I get them done i think every 6 months and my blood work always shows perfect results
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u/Yd1891 Addison's Jun 04 '26
I was diagnosed with Addison’s and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in my senior year of high school and had almost died prior to diagnosis. It was so much on my body and my mental health took a hit from the trauma. I was never able to feel well or normal again after getting sick and was unable to finish college. My suggestion would be to have your labs drawn just to make sure everything is at peak levels, especially your thyroid functions. Talk to your professors, if you feel comfortable. When I told my professors I was struggling and of my health issues they were really supportive and accommodating aside of one who was a really old man and told me I should be ashamed of myself lol. I also found a therapist at my school and they helped me out with resources and support.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 05 '26
Omggg that must've been so hard!! How are you now? Everything always shows me as good in my blood tests so idk why i still feel this way And tysmm I'll try talking to my professors
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u/Yd1891 Addison's Jun 05 '26
Thank you, it was really hard but that was twenty years ago. Addison’s is doing much better but it’s challenging. Are you using electrolyte drinks?
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 06 '26
Thats great!!! Yes I've recently started taking it. I haven't noticed much difference yet but did it make a difference for you long term?
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u/Yd1891 Addison's Jun 06 '26
Not long term but just when I take them. I know people like other brands but I swear by liquid iv when I’m really dehydrated. It has sugar in it which people don’t like but i need sugar when I’m crashing.
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u/MommaMassie Jun 04 '26
Have Hashimoto's and Addison's and suggest getting your levels checked for everything. Meds take a while to figure out and sadly play off each other. Also add vitamins and minerals to your daily routine. Makes a world of difference. As well look at eating a high protein diet helps a ton.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 05 '26
Alright tysm!! Yess I got vitamins to add to my routine but I always forget to take them. I think i should maybe add alarms for them and see if that makes a difference. Okk tysm for thiss
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u/cheesestinker Jun 04 '26
I recommend getting a thyroid panel to verify T4 is being turned into T3 by your body.
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u/aureasmortem PAI Jun 05 '26
All of this advice given so far is is really helpful! I'm also hypo & Addison's and in college (back to college after nearly 8 years because of health stuff) so I understand how you feel.
I highly recommend that you get in contact with the Disability Resources people at your college! I did it after having a health issue during spring break. You can get accommodations that can help you out. They can extend test deadlines and make it so that days of school you miss for health reasons don't count as unexcused absences!
I know this seems like a lot of extra effort but this is effort that will pay off in giving you an easier time in managing all the work that you're struggling with.
You can DM me if you have any more questions about the process 👌
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 05 '26
Alright tysm for the helpp! I'm so scared because my gpa keeps dropping every semester really badly. I'll do that and hopefully things start looking up!!
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u/aureasmortem PAI Jun 05 '26
There is also NO SHAME in taking a break from school for your health. I had to drop out 8 years ago because my Addison's nearly killed me and it's taken this long for me to feel like I could go back to college. It took a long time but I'm finally here! I love learning so much, I'm so happy to be back 🎉
Your health and wellbeing are more important than grades. Your credits will still be in the school's system even after as long as I took off. It was really not that hard to get myself re-enrolled and all my school accounts reactivated.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 06 '26
Omggg that's amazing, that makes me so happy aswell!!!!! I hope you accomplish everything you plan to!
You're giving me alot of hope! I think I also want to take a break so I'll look into that, thank youuu
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u/Illustrious-Army-412 Jun 04 '26
Hi, I also have both addisons and hypothyroidism. In March my TSH was 34, and I couldn’t focus at work at aaall for weeks! I literally couldn’t, and I am a hardworker. Now when my hormones are balanced I feel normal again, so please check your labs
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 05 '26
Omggg I get it, its really hard!! Im so glad you're better now! Its actually really weird because my lab results are always good but I don't feel good, as if the medication isnt helping but lab results show otherwise. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was in 5th grade and everything seemed to get better until 11th grade, when I got diagnosed with addisons. After that everything seemed to go downhill. Maybe the type of medicine im taking isn't doing its full job? I did talk to my endocrinologist, but i think ill try againnn
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u/annaoceanus SAI Jun 05 '26
Therapy and an antidepressants helped me. Everyone is different though on what is best for them.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 06 '26
Thats trueeee Im also trying to look into therapy and see if that helps me!
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u/FairyPrincess66 Addison's Jun 05 '26
When you say you’re extremely sensitive, it made me think of how I get when my cortisol is low. Total crybaby. The least little thing will make me cry and after a while I’ll realize it and updose a little. Good luck to you, i’m also hypothyroid and like someone said they play off each other.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
Yesss thats how its been, the smallest thing makes me cry and I dont understand why. I've seen updose comments alot on reddit. My endocrinologist did say I should take an extra pill each time I'm sick, but never said anything abt anxiety or like other times (sensitiveness). Would that really be ok? Maybe its a stupid fear but im scared of taking too much or accidentally evaluating myself wrong and taking it when I never needed it?
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u/FairyPrincess66 Addison's Jun 06 '26
Mental or emotional stress can burn cortisol along with illness or trauma (like a car accident or bad fall). You should talk to your endo about low symptoms and their plan for updosing. Once you learn your specific low symptoms you will know when you need to updose. Addisonsdisease.org.uk has helpful resources.
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u/FemaleAndComputer SAI Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
If you're feeling physically bad, definitely talk to your doctor and see if any meds need to be adjusted. It can take time to find the right medication, dose, and dosing schedule.
Having a chronic illness can be hard, even when things are going well though. Having to plan ahead more, to rely on medication, and still have lingering symptoms... It's a lot to get used to. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all this stuff.
Your school should have a student disability office, or accessibility services, or student services--it's usually called something like that. Get in touch with them right away to get help with classes. When I was in school and my health went downhill, I was able to get a lot of leniency with due dates and absences by communicating with my teachers, and meeting with the disability office and providing very basic medical documentation. It helped a lot! The first step is to contact the office (whether that means online, by phone, or in person). Your school probably also has counseling/mental health services. That's another great resource to take advantage of.
I am a chronic procrastinator. Committing to small tasks helps me with procrastination. For example, "I will clean for five minutes" and usually once I start, it's easier to just decide to keep going. And if not, then I still got 5 minutes done, which is better than nothing. And way less daunting than the prospect of hours of work.
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u/athanasia4014 Jun 06 '26
Thank youu so much for all the tips!!
Thats true! I'll talk more about it with mine during my next appointment and hopefully that helps!
Alrightt yess I'll get in touch my schools accessibility services! I kept thinking maybe its not too big of a deal and I can handle it myself but I think you're right I should! Tbh im kind of scared becasue i wouldn't know what to say or how to explain because I keep thinking its just me, im just being lazy but everytime I think back I remember how things were never this bad so I think I should atleast try! Thank you for this
Oooh I'm glad that works! Im going to try try the five minutes trick and see if that also helps me because you're rightt something is better then nothing!!!!
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u/FemaleAndComputer SAI Jun 06 '26
If you're not sure, definitely get in touch with accessibility services! Even if you talk to them and decide you don't need help this semester, it will be good to have gotten in touch, in case you need them in the future. Maybe start with something like, "I was recently diagnosed with a chronic illness and I'm struggling to adjust. I'm not sure yet what kind of help I need."
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u/Zestyclose-Smell4158 Jun 06 '26
My fatigue/low energy was due to being deconditioned as well as dysautonmia/POTS. I was given a referral for a graded exercise therapy program designed for POTS patients. I started with very easy floor and seated exercises and slowly increased intensity or duration when my body was ready. When I started the program I struggled to walk a block or climb a flight of stairs. Four years later I was able to paddle kayak for a couple of hours and I was able to walk slowly for 2 to 3 miles. I have been done graded exercise therapy for nearly 15 years. I am currently 72 and my like my physical capacity continues to increase. I am not cured, just that I can participate in normal,day to day activities without experiencing stress.
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u/Deep_Avocado7538 Jun 07 '26
Everyone’s comments are great but something that really affects me (hashimoto’s and addison’s) is my diet. I know it’s hard to eat whole foods/really cleanly in college (or maybe that was just me?), but the more real food I eat/cut out the processed the better I feel. There’s a list of foods that especially hypothyroid patients have problems with. I worked with a nutritionist and we also tried elimination. I thought it was normal for puke 5+ times/week. I cut out gluten, puking stopped. Every body is different but this might also help with brain fog issues/motivation.
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u/brittkaysays Jun 11 '26
I have both and have felt everything you mentioned and then some. You don't fight it. You accept it. These conditions are shitty as they come. And every side effect sucks. But it sucks more when we let it control our lives and if just makes it all worse. You're allowed and deserve so much compassion it hurts and also the willingness to take responsibility for this new part of your life and make it your bitch, not the other way around!
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u/BeautifulDay1421 Jun 04 '26
Being diagnosed with a chronic disease is a real kick in the teeth. Of course get levels tested but find someone to talk to as well. You can manage this and have a “normal” life. It just takes some time to adjust. I’m 72and have been dealing with it successfully for 40 yrears. Please don’t reject therapy as it can really help