Thyroid Disorders and Diseases When I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. My symptoms included; goiter (swelling of the Thyroid gland, makes you look like you swallowed a tennis ball),'bug-eyes'(your eyeballs protrude), irritability, sudden, extreme weight loss, among others. I didn't realize the seriousness of this illness until I went to an Endocrinologist (a specialist in glandular medicine). He said I needed to be treated right away, that I was at great risk. The dreaded word death even came up in the conversation. Fortunately, I didn't have to have surgery (that is reserved for extreme cases!) I drank Radioactive Iodine (It tasted like the bottom of the Koolaid container, very thick and sweet, I hear its different now. You have to remember, this was 20 or so years ago!) This reversed the disease, basically 'killing' the thyroid gland. Now I suffer from Hypothyroidism, which is controlled with medicine that replaces the hormones synthetically that were once released by the thyroid gland. You see, the Thyroid Gland regulates metabolism. When this gland 'slows'(hypothyroidism) or 'speeds up'(Graves Disease or hyperthyroidism), it affects the heart, liver function, brain activity just to name a few, and either one can be VERY SERIOUS if left untreated! There are many people who have this and other glandular diseases, and don't even know it (some 13 million, by latest estimates) These diseases seem to effect more women, however is not uncommon in men, and can be Hereditary. If you think you are at risk; Please have your Doctor do a simple blood test, its a matter of looking for the TSH (Thyroid Stimulation Hormone) level in the blood. How do you know if you are at risk? Here are some symptoms: Does anyone in your family suffer from Hypothyroidism? Are you suffering from unexplained memory loss and/or fatigue? Ladies, are your cycles irregular? Sudden weight gain or loss? Depression? I have added some helpful links here to give you more information. There are other symptoms that you'll find out more about if you visit these sites. National Graves Disease Foundation Endocrine Web; Hypothyroidism American Thyroid Association About.com/Thyroid Information Thank You for your time and interest in this important subject. Heres hoping I've answered some of your questions. I am no Dr, but I've suffered with Hypothyroidism for some 20 years now. I still have some symptoms, #1 being a slow metabolism, but lead a relatively normal life, as long as I take my medicine every day!! Send a Spirit Flower!
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