Thyroid Update

Last week Ashley had a biopsy on her thyroid (a butterfly shaped gland on the base of the neck), we are relieved to have received benign results for cancer this week! However, through blood tests and biopsy results an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s was discovered. In Hashimoto’s antibodies build up and attack the thyroid, nodules sometimes grow as the gland is slowly destroyed. Thyroid function slows down (hypothyroidism) and as a result many other organs in the body are also affected. Over the course of Ashley’s life, this disease will completely destroy her thyroid. There is no way aside from removal of the thyroid to stop the antibodies from attacking it, only medication to help the body produce the hormones the thyroid no longer can. Yesterday was the first day of medication and her energy levels are already much higher. There may be adjustments that need to be made to ensure she does not go into hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone production) or hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone production). It may take a few months or more to figure out a good balance and dosage will need to be adjusted whenever the thyroid becomes less functional. 

Though there may be other unknown reasons for our miscarriages, we are praising God for revealing this disease to us, as it was probably a major contributing factor. Studies have shown that hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s increases the risk of miscarriage significantly when not monitored or treated properly by medication. Thank you to all who have been praying for us this year, please continue to pray we would trust the Lord through the trials and uncertainties. May the power of Christ shine through our weakness. To Him be the glory!   

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9