On her hit HGTV television series, “No Demo Reno,” Jenn Todryk, 35, is known for her energetic approach to renovating homes without total demolition.
Through her blog and Instagram account, Todryk speaks candidly with her fans about her design work, her family and how she lives with Hashimoto’s diseasea chronic autoimmune thyroid disease that affects approximately 5 people out of 100for most women.
About 20 million Americans suffer from some form of thyroid disease, and up to 6 in 10 people don’t even know it.
Although the American Thyroid Association recommends checking your thyroid function starting at age 35, Todryk was 26 when he was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) in 2014 after experiencing unusual symptoms.
“I remember being bundled up in a sweatshirt and still freezing,” Todryk said. “Or it would be 100 degrees outside and while everyone was complaining about the heat, I would be cold.”
Since his mother had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism years before, Todryk knew that symptoms like fatigue and sensitivity to cold could be signs of an underactive thyroid. A simple blood test confirmed his suspicions.
Two years before her diagnosis, in March 2012, Todryk learned she was pregnant for the first time. Three months later, she had a miscarriage. Seeking answers and knowing that hormonal imbalances (including prolactin, thyroid hormones, and progesterone) can often lead to miscarriage, Todryk asked her obstetrician-gynecologist if she could have blood tests to check her levels. hormones.
« I was very disappointed when the obstetrician-gynecologist I was seeing at the time of my miscarriage told me he didn’t want to check my hormone levels until I had three miscarriages, » she said. Todryk said. “I thought it was crazy and immediately changed doctors.”
Read: 5 steps to take when your healthcare professional doesn’t listen to you >>
2023 (Photo/HGTV)
After running blood tests, Todryk’s new obstetrician-gynecologist discovered that her progesterone levels were extremely low. She learned that an underactive thyroid makes it difficult for a woman’s body to produce progesterone and that low progesterone levels are also associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
“My doctor explained to me that progesterone is the hormone that keeps the baby alive until the placenta can take over and do its job,” Todryk said. “I truly believe that by checking my hormone levels, my second OB-GYN saved me from having another miscarriage.”
In 2013, Todryk and her husband, Mike, welcomed their first son, Von, followed by daughters Berkley in 2015 and Vivienne in 2018.
It took four years after the birth of her first child before Todryk learned she had Hashimoto’s disease, a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to hypothyroidism or, in some cases, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). ).
« I began to see a wonderful doctor of functional medicine who decided to conduct further medical testing,” Todryk said. “After learning I had Hashimoto syndrome, I started taking a natural form of thyroid hormones.”
Although her Hashimoto’s is finally under control, Todryk said she experiences occasional flare-ups during which she feels extremely tired and becomes intolerant of the cold.
“When I have flare-ups, the fatigue can be so intense that I fall asleep even sitting up,” Todryk said. « I’ve learned that there are days when I have to be honest and say, ‘I can’t do this.’ Today.' »
She’s posted about days when her fatigue is so bad that she needs to listen to her body and take a break. Todryk receives many comments from fans who say they appreciate his openness about the realities of living with thyroid disease as well as tips for managing the condition.
“I found that it was very important to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and avoid stress as much as possible,” she said. “I also take vitamin supplements.” Todryk also decided to change his diet.
“I tried to go gluten free and dairy-free at the same time and I saw some improvement in my symptoms,” she said. “Today my diet is about 70% dairy and 40% gluten. »
Todryk emphasized that what works for her might not work for everyone. Since each person has different requirements for managing their thyroid condition, she encourages women to talk with their health care providers about the approach that is best for them.
« I often get messages saying, ‘If you can do it, I can do it too.’ Thanks for saying you had a bad day or were tired,' » Todryk said. « A woman wrote to me saying she thought she was suffering from depression when it really was. severe hypothyroidism.
In addition to letting women know that they are not alone in their health journey, Todryk believes that many women are misdiagnosed with depression when they are actually dealing with hormonal issues.
“I think women should get an annual hormone test, just like they do Pap tests,” she said.
Todryk hopes that sharing her health journey will help educate and empower other women to take charge of their own well-being.
“It’s very important for women to advocate for themselves and find a good (health care provider) who can work with them to improve their health.” »
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