thyroid

Another draft article for submission to yummy mommy club for their health & fitness edition in July.

My thyroid doesn't work properly. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) about 6 months after my daughter was born, but I'm pretty sure it was under-active for a while before that. I now take a tiny pill every day first thing in the morning to make up for my malfunctioning gland.
There are many signs and symptoms of thyroid disease and it affects an alarming number of Canadian women. I've heard statistics like 1-in-4 women in Canada are affected by thyroid disease and that thyroid cancer has reached an epidemic. However, I haven't been able to verify this information with my own research because there is no national campaign for public awareness. Plus, I haven't been able to find any evidence of research to find out why thyroid disease is on the rise or how it can be prevented.
Hypothyroidism is not life-threatening in the literal sense, but it is life altering. Hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) can be more dangerous - including a risk of heart attack!
The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped located in our throats. It functions to regulate all systems in our bodies. Symptoms of a malfunctioning thyroid include fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, sensitivity to cold, insomnia, anxiety, depression, decreased sex-drive, a swollen gland or nodules, etc.
If you have hyperthyroidism, one of the treatments is radiation depending on the severity of the condition. The treatment for hypothyroid is a pill. Unfortunately, the pill is not an one-size-fits-all answer. It takes 8-12 weeks to see the results of the synthetic thyroid in a blood test and then the dosage has to be adjusted. Wait another 3 months for a test... it can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years to get the right dose meanwhile symptoms may subtlety improve during this time. There is also some controversy over alternative medications.
It's not easy to live with thyroid disease. Talk about an invisible illness! No one can see your malfunctioning gland and unless they have thyroid disease themselves or know someone who does, it is hard to understand how difficult day-to-day life can be and the adjustments that have to be made over time to accommodate the lack of energy and other symptoms.
I am fortunate because my mom and grandfather both have hypothyroidism. They are both supportive and informative about what to expect when even health professionals don't. My doctor seems sympathetic, but is reluctant to refer me to an endocrinologist or to try anything other than the traditional medication. Information online can be helpful, but is primarily from the USA. There are discussion groups where people post their experiences.
If you have tried everything to be healthy - regular exercise, change in diet, etc. - and still feel fat and exhausted, ask your doctor about a simple blood test to find out if your thyroid is functioning properly. If it isn't, be patient and find out as much as you can about your condition so that you can get back to feeling good again!

online resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid
http://thyroid.about.com/
http://thyroid.erfa.net/