Yesterday morning, I went and got my TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels checked. It wasn’t so much “getting checked” as it was just me getting my blood drawn. I thought that it would take a couple of weeks to get results back. However, this morning I woke up to find a new email in my inbox from MyMedLabs. My test results were in – so exciting!

Just a little background on TSH levels (click here for more detailed info). Depending on your practitioner, “average” readings are anywhere between 0.3 and 5.0, with anything under 0.3 (in many cases, under 0.5) implying that your thyroid is overactive – hyperthyroidism. Again depending on practitioner, anything over 5.0 (and in many cases, over 3.0) implies that your thyroid is underactive – hypothyroidism. My TSH levels were at 5.175 this morning, hypothyroid by all standards.

I was shocked and upset when I first saw the results. Sure, I expected to be sick, but it’s one thing to expect to see your fears confirmed, and another to have it actually happen. But all in all, I’m happy to have some solid proof that I’m not going crazy.

The next part is going to be the hardest. How to find a doctor when I have no money at all, no health insurance, and my taxes from last year show me making too much money to get Medicare? Welcome to the good ol’ US of A. I’ve reached out to friends, and they’re all being sweet and supportive. Hopefully someone will be able to help me find a doctor who’ll work with my financial situation rather than bleeding me dry. It seems like a lot to ask for, but maybe, right?

I’m exhausted. It’s time for bed. My throat is hurting, and I feel a lump in my throat whenever I swallow. Pretty sure that it’s psychosomatic, as it started today after opening the diagnosis email. Now I’m just bitching, so it’s definitely time to sign off…