While Julie Neville appears to be in perfect health today, just seven years prior, her situation was dramatically different.
For 11 years, Julie has been married to Phil Neville, the captain of Everton, but at that time, she was in poor physical shape.
After giving birth to their premature daughter, Isabella, via emergency Caesarean section, Julie felt an overwhelming fatigue unlike anything she had ever experienced.
‘This wasn’t your typical new mum tiredness,’ remarks Julie, 35.
‘I felt utterly drained and exhausted. Simply walking felt like a monumental task most days. Additionally, I struggled with a lack of appetite, persistent headaches, and a sore throat that wouldn’t go away.’
The situation grew more challenging with Isabella’s frequent illnesses, as Julie was also caring for their energetic two-year-old son, Harvey.
‘I was continually attending hospital visits for both Isabella and my own health, as my Caesarean wound was not healing properly.’
‘One day at the hospital, the doctors remarked on my dreadful appearance, which prompted them to refer me for blood tests.’
It was through these tests that Julie uncovered the cause of her symptoms; she was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland, known as Hashimoto thyroiditis.
This condition affects the thyroid gland located in the neck, leading to symptoms such as profound lethargy, muscle soreness, and dry skin and hair. While weight gain is a common symptom associated with this underactivity, Julie did not experience it.
Dr. Mark Vanderpump, a consultant and honorary senior lecturer in endocrinology at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust in London, clarifies: ‘The thyroid gland secretes a hormone called thyroxine that regulates your metabolism.’
‘If thyroxine levels are too high, your metabolism speeds up, and if too low, it slows down, resulting in weight gain.’
He further explains that this condition arises when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
‘The thyroid operates like a reservoir filled with a certain number of thyroid cells. When the immune system begins to destroy these cells, the reservoir depletes until it reaches a critical level where the body can no longer produce enough hormone, leading to symptoms.’
‘The exact cause remains unclear; however, we do know it tends to run in families. Individuals may inherit a genetic predisposition that certain environmental factors, like a virus, stress, or pregnancy, could trigger.’
Women are affected by underactive thyroid disorders at a rate ten times higher than men, with a connection to both pregnancy and menopause; about 5% of women aged 50-60 exhibit symptoms.
‘Hashimoto’s tends to be more prevalent during pre-menopausal years,’ Dr. Vanderpump states.
‘It is speculated that the interaction between dropping estrogen levels and the immune system during menopause plays a role, but the reasons behind the peak are still not fully understood.’
As part of the standard treatment for her condition, Julie’s endocrinologist recommended thyroxine medication to replenish her hormone levels, with the understanding that she would need to continue this for the long term.
‘I was heartbroken,’ she recalls. ‘The thought of being on medication for the rest of my life was unsettling. However, they assured me it would manage my condition and that side effects were quite rare.’
Initially, Julie began a daily dosage of 50mcg of thyroxine, and she underwent regular blood tests. Gradually, her dosage increased by 25mcg at a time until reaching a higher level.150mcg is often viewed as a typical dosage for a case like hers.
However, rather than alleviating her symptoms, Julie encountered severe side effects.
‘I continued to suffer from excruciating headaches, in addition to blurred vision and dizziness. Also, I was perpetually hungry.’
While thyroxine accelerates metabolism and can increase appetite, Julie was more concerned about her other symptoms.
‘I had heard from others using thyroxine about the significant energy surge they experienced, but I never felt that at all.’
‘I persevered with the medication for the following 18 months. Honestly, my health concerns took a backseat as Isabella had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months. She hadn’t met her developmental milestones and was still unable to walk. The doctors warned us that she might never walk, and my primary focus was on ensuring she received the best care possible. Philip was a steadfast support — he always maintained a positive outlook. Yet, he believed I was channeling all my energy into caring for the children and neglecting my health.’
The pivotal moment arrived when Julie found herself home alone with the children one day.
‘I was feeling so unwell that I thought I might be having a heart attack. I struggled to breathe, my heart raced, and I was shaking.’
Immediately, Julie rushed to the hospital, where tests revealed her thyroxine levels were dangerously high, and her heart rate was four times faster than normal. Dr. Vanderpump emphasizes that monitoring thyroxine levels is crucial for patients with Hashimoto’s.
‘Excess thyroxine can produce symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which may include palpitations, diarrhea, irritability, and excessive sweating. This is why regular blood tests are essential to ensure patients are on the appropriate dosage. Typically, patients take 100-150mcg daily, but this must be tailored individually and adjusted as necessary.’
As her doctors worked on modifying her medication, Julie resolved to do everything in her power to improve her health.
‘I began educating myself on traditional medicine, alternative remedies, and nutrition. I learned that the body needs two key nutrients to produce thyroid hormones: tyrosine and iodine, so I incorporated foods rich in these, such as seaweed, mushrooms, beans, seeds, eggs, leeks, onions, avocados, bananas, and garlic into my diet.’
Recognizing that stress is also a known contributor to thyroid issues, Julie embraced yoga and attempted to minimize stress in her life. As she implemented these changes, Julie quietly began to taper her thyroxine dosage.
‘I didn’t inform my doctors because I feared they would discourage me. Yet, I was desperate. Each month, I decreased my dosage by 25mcg. I realized that an immediate cessation wasn’t possible, as the medication had been supporting my thyroid function for two years. But within a few weeks, I felt like a transformed person. My blood tests indicated improvement in my thyroid condition. My energy levels surged, and the debilitating symptoms started to fade. Within six months, I discontinued the medication altogether, with my thyroid functioning independently.’
Though Julie firmly believes her lifestyle modifications played a role in her recovery, Dr. Vanderpump notes that thyroid conditions can naturally fluctuate.
‘It’s possible that Mrs. Neville experienced a bout of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis that required thyroxine temporarily, but subsequently, the thyroid may have healed itself for various reasons. However, I advise against reducing your dosage without consulting your physician. There’s no scientific backing for her lifestyle changes, but they haven’t caused any harm thus far.’
Julie has maintained her new lifestyle and, four years after stopping hormone therapy, claims to have never felt better. She has even launched her own health and lifestyle website.
‘I have so much more energy and truly feel like a different person.’
by Susan Floyd
