Hypothyroidism & Nursing School?

sparklie.lady · Sep 16, 2011

If you are full-time at school, do they offer a policy to students? It might not be great, but would eliminate any gap in coverage.

I have nothing else helpful to say, but good luck!

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

I have never had any problems getting insurance; I have hypothyroidism due to treatment for Grave's disease. I take 150 mcg of thyroid replacement daily. I buy mine at Walmart for $4; or a 3 month supply for $11. Really cheap. I have never had any problems working with this, nor have I ever had any problems with memory, etc. As long as you take the replacement thyroid as prescribed, you really shouldn't have any problems.

StrwbryblndRN · Sep 16, 2011

I completely understand how you feel. Before I was diagnosed I displayed all symptoms and it took awhile to find. But I am under control for the most part except for my occasional roller coaster rides of symptoms.

It does not affect my work but I found during school that I could not go on long study sessions. I would study in spurts and use multiple sources to comprehend because memorization just did not work for me. And that was with small children too.

Nice thing about the med I am taking is that it's $4 at Target or Walmart without insurance. I had to go a year without insurance and never skipped a beat with getting meds. Cheap to control.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

I am 30 years old and have had thyroid disease for nearly half of my life. Despite the ups and downs that come with a malfunctioning thyroid, I still have managed to establish my nursing career.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves disease when I was 17 years old, and my family practice doctor assured me that my thyroid would eventually 'slow down' on its own and 'burn out.' At age 24, I was still hyperthyroid and experiencing horrid signs and symptoms, so I chose to undergo the radioactive iodine ablation. My endocrinologist confirmed that I was becoming hypothyroid about 2 months after I first swallowed the radioiodine, so I have been hypothyroid since 2005. I swallow my generic pill about 30 to 60 minutes prior to my first meal of the day.

I completed prerequisite courses and graduated from an RN completion program with a 3.5 grade point average while hypothyroid. I have maintained steady employment, first as an LVN, then as an RN, over the course of the past five years. My main issue is that my metabolism is now very slow and I have difficulty losing weight, even though I do 1 hour of aerobic exercise on most days of the week, anaerobic exercise at least 2 days per week, and consume about 1,500 calories per day. My hair has become dry and brittle, my skin is dry, my nails are brittle, and my teeth are more prone to decay, even with thyroid panel labs that are within normal limits.

ORoxyO · Sep 16, 2011

So you worked full time with 15 credits and maintained a 4.0...what are you worried about?!? As long as you take your pills and folllow up with your blood work, you should be able to funtion as any other person! And right now, you are functioning way better than the average person with those stats.

I've had this my whole life, as I was born without a thyroid. This was back in the day when they didn't know what to do. I was pretty much expected to be a vegetable or die off, but my parents had a wonderful doctor who wanted better for me. But that's a distant past that I don't dwell on. If you don't make it a big deal, then it is not. Every person has things they have to deal with in life, and yours just happens to be this. My memory sucks, so I have to be repetative with my studies. I take lots of naps, and I always have lotion and chapstick in my pockets. But that's just me. Maybe I'd be that way with a thyroid, you never know. What I am trying to say is, don't make it a big deal unelss you have to.

I've never had an issue with insurance. As far as conditions go, this really is not an expensive one so maybe that is why? I'm pretty sure though with all those healthcare laws that are new something is kicking in that says that previous health conditions cannot exclude a person from being insured. I haven't really followed it but I wouldn't worry about it.

sugarmagnoliaRN · Sep 16, 2011

Thank you all for the support! I really appreciate it. I'm glad to know that this won't be something that'll interfere with me reaching my goals. I'm also really glad to know the meds are so cheap!! That was another concern I had but forgot to write it in the original post. Thanks again y'all!!

sugarmagnoliaRN · Sep 16, 2011

My main issue is that my metabolism is now very slow and I have difficulty losing weight, even though I do 1 hour of aerobic exercise on most days of the week, anaerobic exercise at least 2 days per week, and consume about 1,500 calories per day. My hair has become dry and brittle, my skin is dry, my nails are brittle, and my teeth are more prone to decay, even with thyroid panel labs that are within normal limits.

This might be a stupid question, but you mean after the ablation right? Not as a result of the levothyroxine?

Lifeofanurse · Sep 16, 2011

I just completed a tough LVN program and am horrible about taking my hypothyroid meds. My dr calls and yells at me because my numbers are off the chart...which makes me tired ALL the time and I have a hair trigger temper and some serious mood swings. Overall it makes me a bit loony. I have tried to be compliant but it honestly is just the last thing I think about...so my Dr and I have decided that as long as I take it...I can take it any time during the day. While my numbers aren't what they should be they are a whole lot better than they were and I really feel much better physically and would no longer consider myself to be 'loony'...my family may disagree (lol!).

As for school...if you've done well in the past w/out meds...your life is about to get much easier! As for the insurance issue. I had that policy you get through school because it was required. It was USELESS. I gave up trying to find out what they covered and continued to go to my dr. who I always have seen. She is actually a nurse practitioner who opened a clinic to provide care to those w/out insurance. She doesn't accept any insurance, is generous with samples and will give you a $4 drug if at all possible and charges a minimal office visit fee. I would call around. It was cheaper for me to go get my blood work every couple months at her office for $30 than pay to be added to my husbands insurance. And...once your numbers are stablized you normally only need blood work every 4-6 months or so. Call around and ASK...one great source is your local elementary school nurse...they often know of low cost clinics who handle minor things very inexpensively. Good luck w/ school...and don't worry. You'll do great!

PediNurse3 · Sep 16, 2011

Pre-existing conditions become a problem when you have a lapse in coverage. As long as you don't go X amount of time without coverage it shouldn't be a problem.

mrsshifflette09 · Sep 17, 2011

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in my second semester of nursing school. I was doing really bad in class prior to my dx, and I was sleeping all the time, couldn't remember a thing, and I gained at least 20 lbs. After I got on my meds and started feeling better, all my school work started to fall into place. Thankfully, the dose they put me on in nursing school was the right one for me. It wasn't until I graduated that I started feeling crappy again, and they had to up my doses. I'm up to 150mcg now, and hopefully I will keep feeling good!!! Best of luck to you, and make sure you take your medication correctly!!!

aprilfresh · Sep 17, 2011

I have hypothyroidism, I was diagnosed in 2010 after I gained 50 pounds in 2 months. (21 year old female) I graduated in 2011, never had any problems with schoolwork just generally tired and depressed about my body being forever ruined but hey it could be worse! :)