Shakti Shukla
March 24th, 2008
For three decades I was the skinny girl with nonstop energy. I stayed thin effortlessly, wore sample-sized clothes and balanced a full-time job with a busy social life. Everything changed in winter 2006.
I started gaining weight, losing energy and developing painful and unsightly hives all over my body. This lasted for six months. I knew it was serious when I couldn’t stay awake to see my Georgetown Hoyas through a Big East tournament game!
My GP noticed that my thyroid hormone levels were low so I sought out several specialists, an endocrinologist, allergist and immunologist. They confirmed that my body was creating antibodies that were attacking my own thyroid. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, a condition believed to depress thyroid function and prescribed Synthroid, a hormone replacement. Within three weeks on Synthroid my energy level had noticeably bounced back, the hives cleared and the weight gain stopped.
One year later I can be found once again cheering my college basketball team to victory. Friends have noticed my more peppy self and I’ve even picked up some new hobbies. I’m grateful to Synthroid for helping me get my life back.
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