Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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!!!!!!!!

13 comments:

  1. Maybe that's my problem as well, I sure lack an abundance of energy these days.
    I agree some people are dying because of the bureaucrats and then others, like my mom, recently who when through a plethora of tests to finally diagnosis hydration from the stomach virus making it's way to everyone in the state including me.

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  2. I can't believe they took you off of it for a year. That's really dangerous!

    If they don't get you feeling better soon, you should look for another doctor.

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  3. Jan: I hope it's not your problem. It sucks.

    Steph: I know but with what I have for healthcare, there's not much I can do. I'm at the point where I'm just tired of being tired and don't much care what happens next. Hopefully Medicare/Medicaid in OK takes care of you better than they do in OH.

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  4. A relative has the same problem that you do but with one crucial difference.Our Canadian health care pays the shot with no bureaucratic crap to deal with

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  5. I have a friend who has Hashimoto's, and I've witnessed firsthand the wacky symptoms. It really is amazing that such a tiny gland can wreak so much havoc.

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  6. I hope so too, Kay. I've often suspected that I have hypothyroidism, but all tests are normal.

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  7. Kay D.

    I had an underactive thyroid and had it removed in 1984. It had 100 tiny benign nodes on it, and wasn't working well at all.
    It was amazing to me at the time and still is, to find out how the thyroid works and how necessary it is to the running of your body .
    I am surprised also that you were off meds for a year...wow!
    Good luck and keep pushing your health care bureaucrats it's just not right what they do sometimes.

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  8. I have two nodules on my thyroid and just saw the endocroologist for the first time yesterday. I am getting a biopsy next week on it but what you're saying about the symptoms and how you feel are right on to what I'm experiencing. This was just found in Jan. so I had no idea why I felt like I was up and down and every which way. Good luck with everything!

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  9. GFB: If they'd just leave everything in place that I had, I'd be okay but they got nutty and didn't. Now I have to fight and I simply haven't the energy. AND the crisis that was supposedly was to be solved today, isn't and the person handling it is off sick. I got no luck at all.

    Amy: It's a nasty no matter which one you have.

    Judy: Be glad -- be very, very glad.

    Peggy: I'm hoping to avoid the surgery. I think we're going to try radiation first. I just want it DONE.

    Steph: Not another one! LOL Just kidding!!!! Good to know I'm not alone. And back at ya with a bundle of good luck. Keep me posted!!!!

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  10. You are due for some good luck. I hope something gives you something to smile about and soon. I'm rooting for you.

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  11. You certainly provided us a lot of good information here. Thanks for sharing that. I hope you feel better soon.

    Ummm...you want the JB energy "Back". Wow! I never had it, not that much anyway.

    Take care and have a good weekend.

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  12. Gosh Kay,I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I hope you get to feeling better soon. So you think you're a "cranky old broad, huh? That is too funny! At least, you have a sense of humor about it. Thanks for the laugh, though you weren't making funnies at the time.

    Feel better. Have a good weekend.

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  13. Healthcare issues make me crazy and I'm afraid the Mayo Clinic site would put me over the edge. I have many weird symptoms, but I'm still paying for a few thousand dollars worth of tests from last summer that didn't tell me anything. I am either a hypochondriac (I'm hoping that's my problem) or I've got a horrible disease that they'll only discover at my autopsy.

    When I used to stress about old age and getting wrinkles and gray hair, my mom said, "At least those things don't hurt."

    I hope you're feeling OK.

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