Either Way It's a Dang Nuisance

I've mentioned my thyroid problems frequently of late. Until you've dealt with it, you've really no idea how important that little gland just below your Adam's apple is to your health. While it's tiny -- it weighs in at less than an ounce -- the hormones it exudes affect every aspect of your metabolism. In short: when it's out of whack, so are you.

I've been studying it of late at the Mayo Clinic's wonderfully informative site on all things medical. It provides excellent tools to learn about your diagnosis and treatment as well as a symptom checker to help you make the decision to see a doctor. Actually, it's a hypochondriac's dream and can scare the hell out of you if you're of that ilk. I'm just one of those people who, when I or friends and family have medical issues, I have to know everything about it.

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) two years ago after much testing and the discovery of tiny nodules (goiters) on my thyroid. The doctor put me on medication that made me feel better and I've had frequent blood tests to measure certain hormones that create this imbalance. My doctor took me off my medication almost a year ago so they could measure the difference in my blood work and decide how to proceed. Later this month I will be learning my fate and hopefully, something will be done so I feel human again. However, the powers on high are messing with my health care programs so don't count on it. I really believe people are dying because of the bureaucrats.

If y'all read Incurable Insomiac, you know that Steph is not only an insomniac but she suffers from Hashimoto's Disease, a variation of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It's an auto-immune disease unlike the other two. It's interesting that all make a body feel totally exhausted. They all affect one's memory and sleep patterns and mood. Whether your thyroid is working overtime like mine or a is slowpoke like Steph's, you are a hurtin' unit and tired all the time. Amazing that such a tiny thing has such power.

I wanted to upload a chart I made with all the symptoms but Blogger wouldn't let me so I wasted lots of time and had to put links up instead. Copying and pasting it is far too messy. The symptoms of any of the three make a body tired and miserable but the only one that has "nervousness, anxiety, and irritability" listed is hyperthyroidism. So now you know why I'm such a Cranky Old Broad.

Here's a video by The Godfather of Soul (at age 63) that states what my goal is and demonstrates the energy I want back. And I hope Doc Smith makes it happen -- soon!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!