My IQ & CH
Hi everyone
Today I did something I hate doing, this is personal. I Googled something I heard about CH. I am a young adult and growing up with a chronic illness there will be a day when you start to ask questions. So you think to yourself, let's Google stuff. I soon realised that the internet is a scary place, because you get lots of articles and websites writing about CH but it isn't written by people who have it. Groups on Facebook are scary for me too. What basically happens is that you read these lists of symptoms or claims and start looking for them in your own life. Lots of the times you either don't have it or you get so confused that you convince yourself you have that symptom too. It was shortly after making the conscious decision to not read up on CH that I started this blog. I want to write about my experience and share my story. Through this, people get real connections and honest answers. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have through Instagram or Facebook.
Not too long ago I got a DM from someone on Instagram asking me if I have a low IQ. Needless to say my first response was wtf, how rude. I replied politely and honestly, but this conversation has stayed with me. I mentioned it to my mom last night and she told me the doctors used to ask her all the time how I'm doing in school. That's why I Googled congenital hypothyroidism and IQ...
"Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common congenital endocrine disorder for children and it is one of the most important preventable causes of developmental retardation."
Just reading this freaks me out already, so here is my story....
I have been fortunate enough to be diagnosed a few days after birth and started taking Levothyroxine (Eltroxin) as soon as possible. My parents took me for blood draws and doctors appointments from the start. The hormones my body could not produce is very important for brain development and brain function as well as other bodily functions. Babies and children need to be looked after carefully and parents need to follow their doctor's instructions.
My parents did all this and told me how fortunate I am and how grateful I should be. They never treated me any differently from my younger brother and never like I'm sick. Neither me or my parents can remember at what age I was responsible for taking my own medication, but it was when I was quite young. This was and still is my normal. There is nothing wrong with me.
During school I never received any extra assistance or treatment. I didn't need continuous extra classes or extra time during tests or transcribing during tests. I was normal and I always achieved above average compared to my peers. In high school I was 17th in matric and went to university. I graduated with a Bcom degree in Investment Management last year. Needless to say, I don't have a low IQ.
I want to share my story on this topic as it is important to know how important it is to look after babies and children with CH. They can have fulfilled lives and achieve all they want to achieve in life. All that is needed is to follow doctors' instructions, go for blood draws and doctor's appointments and NB take your medication every single day.
Please don't believe everything you read online, rather ask your doctor. If you need advice fast, ask someone you know with CH or Hypothyroidism.
Have a great day
xoxo
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