Hi fellow nice person.
Dropped Simon off at school this morning and stopped by the credit union to deposit a check. At the teller's counter was a framed sign that said,
hi fellow nice person
I love that. Seriously. How can you read that and not smile just a bit? I think it is a brilliant form of putting out there what you want to see in the world. I wonder if it has made an impact on how people treat the tellers? Or if a grouchy person has gone in and come out just a tad less grouchy?
A week ago Chris and I had an interaction with a very nice woman who made a pretty big impact on me. She is definitely on my nice person list.
We were at a local place that sells rocks and mulch and such (we are having our backyard landscaped). After looking around at all the different sorts of pavers we went into the office to talk about price and ask a couple of other questions. At the end of our conversation with the woman at the counter she asked me my name and said the following, "May I say something personal to you?"
Um, ok, thinking maybe she reads the magazine or has a child or relative with autism or wants to know what it is like being married to a politician.
"Sure." I said with a sideways glance over to Chris.
"It looks like your thyroid is enlarged."
First thought: um, what is my thyroid? And where do you see this? She touched her neck to show where it is and I touched mine (thinking I have always just had a big neck which Chris confirmed later on that was what he was thinking at that moment too). My response, "Oh, really?"
She went on to tell us about her mother and her daughter who have both had issues related to their thyroids. She talked about some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and other related issues such as Graves Disease and thyroid cancer. She mentioned words like depression, weight gain, and fatigue and I found myself listening a bit closer.
I could tell that she was somewhat uncomfortable bringing this all up but that she felt she needed to. She was kind and genuine and even though it was strange, it did not feel intrusive.
"You should call your doctor and get it checked out." She said.
I told her that I really appreciated her bringing it up (even though I still really didn't know what she was talking about) and that I would get it checked out. I think I said something cliche along the lines, "better safe than sorry."
Chris and I said goodbye and walked out to the car. Of course I am totally touching my neck the whole time.
We get home and the first thing I do is jump on the computer and google information on enlarged thyroid.
I start reading about goiters and then go into the bathroom and look at my neck in the mirror. My thyroid is totally enlarged. Not noticeable enough to me as I looked at myself every morning and evening while brushing my teeth, but now that I was aware it was definitely there.
So I call my doctor. Get an appointment for that afternoon. And yep, she tells me, I definitely have an enlarged thyroid. I tell her the story of what brought me to this point. We laugh. She schedules an ultrasound to see what's happening with the enlargement and I go have my blood taken to check for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
I call my mama. Of course I do. She tells me that my Grandmother has hypothyroidism and that she has taken medication for years and years. I call the doctor back and have that information added to the file.
The doctor called two nights ago to let me know that the blood test did show that I do have hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid) and that I will need to take medication (and probably will for the duration of my life). Based on what she saw on the ultrasound results she is also sending me in for a couple more tests (iodine uptake scan) related to the growth issue and to figure out the underlying problem more clearly.
How long have I had this? Who knows? When I look at the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, depression has been an issue for me for quite a few years now and I take medication to regulate that part of myself. Fatigue? Sure thing, who isn't tired these days? I am busy with a crazy schedule. Weight gain? Check. Irritability? I definitely have my moments...sometimes worse than others. In learning more about hypothyroidism it sounds like people can have any number or combination of symptoms ranging from barely noticeable to severe.
So why in the world am I sharing all this? Come to find out, hypothyroidism (not necessarily the actual enlargement of the thyroid - there are potentially two things going on here with me) is fairly common and often goes undiagnosed. It occurs more often in women than men. Maybe one of you out there will be helped by the information. I guess you could say I am paying it forward.
All of this because a nice woman at the rock yard decided to say something.
Yeah, pretty common. My mom's had it for a while. Sooo glad you were able to get the info and treatment that you need to live a happy, healthy life. :)
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Hey Ali, welcome to the club. I had a non functioning thyroid brought on by stress (mu hubby had cancer) and now i take sinthroid for life. I am so glad that lady was bold enough to bring it up to you!!
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Just made an appointment to get my blood work done as well. Because all those symptoms are checked off for me as well. Thanks for sharing, Ali, and I will be praying for you as well with all of this. Thanks for your honesty in all your posts. Erin :)
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Ali,
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 1993. It was the summer between my junior and senior years in High School. I spent 2 weeks touring Europe, then 4 weeks staying with a family in Japan. When I got home and we looked through my pictures, we noticed how much weight I had gained and how much hair I had lost. I was exhausted, but we just thought it was jet lag. I had gotten a perm just before my trips, so we thought that had something to do with the hair loss. My mom took me to the doctor to find out what was wrong. That was a scary time, because we had no clue. The doctor diagnosed my thyroid - it was practically not working, my levels were so low. I have been on synthroid or levoxyl since. My levels will change every once in a while (especially when I move or go through a very stressful situation). All of my doctors in these 14 years have insisted on blood tests before renewing any Rx, so that happens about once a year (every 3-6 months if they have to change my dose until it levels off). Also, the doctor wasn't sure my hari would grow back, but thankfully it has (for the most part). It is not as think as it was, but I don't have bald spots and I am still finding new hair growing back.
Thank you for sharing your story. You truly are an inspiration.
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A nice lady at the rock store took a minute to notice the people talking to her ~ thank goodness......Your story will have all of us at our annual check up having this test done. Thank you for sharing this with us !
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Awesome. Now you can work on your health and get it all in place!
xo
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Isn't it great that there are people like this who can make such a difference in our lives. When I was in college my bishop noticed that I had a small lump in my throat and had me go get it checked out. (His wife had been through several thyroid issues.) Turned out I had Thyroid cancer. I had it treated over 12 years ago and have had no problems with it since. I'm so glad he noticed it and alerted me that I should get it checked. I hope all your tests turn out well for you. I thought the ultrasound on my neck was the most odd feeling I've ever experienced.
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I am totally delurking...I was diagnosed with the same thing just two months ago. What I've learned since that time and beginning medication for it which yes, I will take for the rest of my life, is that many, many women have this and do not know. It's believed that misdiagnosed depression (and subsequent anti-depressant medication) is actually due to under functioning thyroids. And through talking about this with friends, have discovered that many of them have it too, I just didn't know. As you can tell by the comments, you're not alone. :) Okay, back to lurking...
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How funny you posted this - I just went to have check my yearly check done (yesterday), as I have taken meds for Hypothyroidism for almost 10 years now. In highschool I was once told that I "had a football players neck" (gee, thanks) and it was because of a goiter. I have had the iodine tests done as well. They are easy & painless. It's crazy just how common thyroid conditions are.
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So glad to hear that you are getting treatment. I worked for a dentist who, because of his daughters thyroid problems, would check new patients for enlarged thyroids and taught me what to look for. I do not claim to be a medical professional in any way, shape or form but with that small bit of knowledge, I was able to recognize my younger sister's enlarged thyroid. Sure enough, Grave's Disease. She underwent radio-active iodine treatment to basically kill her thyroid and is now on medication and feeling great. In a world where people are afraid to go out on a limb for others, I'm so glad this gal was in the right place at the right time for you!
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GOOD for you!! you are going to feel so much BETTER!! YEAH!! i have had hypothyroidism for 10 years now and it's really no big deal...i have done the Armour thyroid and the synthroid and now i am on the Levoxyl with a T-4 compounded supplement...I say it's no big deal but i guess it sort of is to get your 'right' dose...i would really recommend seeing an endocrinologist. They will really get you feeling good and know more about what your body needs specifically. Most importantly, don't be worried it's fairly common and easily taken care of with a pill....I am just so excited for you and the whole new world of energy that awaits....
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Hi Ali - I am sorry to hear you have this - yep I am a member of that club too!! In England you get free perscriptions for life so thats considered a bonus!
Other symptoms that they don't always mention are cracked heels, thining of your eyebrows - mine have gone from a decent shape to a drag queens! and totally not level- so many people comment on it! Extra sore throats, poor nail and hair growth- we have it all sister!! I gained 3 stone and have not been able to shift this extra weight for years now and have tried everything. I find myself avoiding people I have not seen for a while so they dont look at me and think - 'wow she has put on some poundage!'
And sometimes I feel I am the only person on earth to feel low, fat and snappy.
But it does help to know you are not alone.
You are such an amazing woman Ali- am totally in awe of you xxx
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That is a weird story.
I bet you will do the rest of your landscaping needs with lady for as long as she is there.
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GOOD for you!! you are going to feel so much BETTER!! YEAH!! i have had hypothyroidism for 10 years now and it's really no big deal...i have done the Armour thyroid and the synthroid and now i am on the Levoxyl with a T-4 compounded supplement...I say it's no big deal but i guess it sort of is to get your 'right' dose...i would really recommend seeing an endocrinologist. They will really get you feeling good and know more about what your body needs specifically. Most importantly, don't be worried it's fairly common and easily taken care of with a pill....I am just so excited for you and the whole new world of energy that awaits....
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Add me to the list. I was diagnosed several years ago with Hashimoto's. (auto immune Hypothyroid). Ali, you've only met me since having gained 100 lbs from back-to-back pregnancies and hypothyroid. If you'd met me 7 or 8 years ago, you'd have seen a fit (nearly fanatic) exercise-y me, who never got above 160 lbs... Now I'm quite a bit more than that...
I've been on medication for years now. It's very difficult (nearly impossible) to lose weight. I've actually been thinking about going to a homeopath...the medical doctors have had their chance...
I'm glad to hear you caught it early---before your weight became a health issue, before other unpleasant symptoms came on. Sorry you have to deal with it, but in the grand scheme of things, this is ok... we'll be just fine.
Tina J.
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Thanks for sharing.
Maybe I'll ask my dr about it tomorrow.
Some of the symptoms you mentioned are similar to how I feel...(gained 17-20 pounds since Christmas), depression, etc.
Hum.
Thanks for sharing.
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Hey Girl,
My eyes got wider and wider as I read your email. Being a woman living with Grave’s Disease, I often find too, I can spot it a mile away. Or recognize it when someone starts to tell me how they feel.
I was diagnosed in 2003 with Grave’s Disease. I was in a crash phase so to speak. Was sick for months and no one could find out why. I went through too many tests to count. I was tired, depressed, anxious, shaky all the time, constant heart racing, sweaty all the time, did I mention tired and depressed? I had a textbook list of symptoms. I had been trying to get pregnant for a year. Nothing. I went to the OB for my annual check up and began asking about pregnancy. In a routine examination, she felt me neck, stated my thyroid seemed enlarged and had I had it checked out? Deer in headlights? HUH? So they ran blood work, checking my T4, TSH, and free T3 levels. I got a call that same afternoon and they had taken it upon themselves to schedule me an appointment with an endocrinologist the very next day. My levels were so severely of kilter that I was at risk for heart attack and stroke.
I went in. I was told, “You have Graves Disease”. They told me what it was, how it would affect my body and what I could do to treat it. Most treatments left you taking a plethora of drugs always searching for the right “cocktail”. This was not an option for me. I wanted to be fixed. And I hate taking drugs. After weeks of countless hours of research, I opted for a total thyroidectomy. The iodine treatment to get an overactive thyroid in check was not an option for me. I also had the beginnings of TED – Thyroid Eye Disease… which can be so very gruesome. The thyroidectomy stopped the progression of that disease, so only one of my eyes remains a bit puffy as opposed to the other one. I had surgery in November of 2003, I take Synthroid every day, and I was able to get pregnant 8 months later.
I want to thank you for once again , putting it out there. I am always on the campaign trail of “Get your thyroid checked out!” It wasn’t until I found out I was sick, did my whole teen and adult life of ill health all begin to make sense. We figured I had probably been fighting it for about 15 years.
Take care of you.. and know there are tons of women out there that can relate. And PLEASE check out www.ngdf.org though it is for Grave’s Disease, you will find a wealth of information and links about other thyroid diseases.
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When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroidism, I also thought about my symptoms and realized that I had probably had problems since college (over a decade ago). I have now been treated and am on my way to recovery. A statistic I read once said that 1 in 5 women have thyroid issues, so why isn't it something that is checked when you go for an annual visit? I now tell every woman who mentions any of the symptoms to have theirs checked. I was miserable for so long and would not wish that on any other person. I've been through it all, the scans, the blood tests, etc. so if you have any questions about any of it, I would be glad to chat with you. :o)
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Hi, glad you found out. I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago because of all of those syptoms but my test came back negative. I was so bummed because when she told me it was probably my thyroid I thought, Thank God, now I can get back to the normal me. But no, this is not the case. I have another appt with my doctor so I hope to find out something can be done to help me.
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Wow. I guess it's true that you really do encounter people in your life for a reason. So glad the sweet lady mentioned it, and that you can get treated. Good luck my friend.
-Erin
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praying for you, fellow nice person.
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Amazing how a small kindness can mean so much. I love the sign too and may put one up of my own at work!
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Thank you for sharing something so personal with the blog world. Man, judging from the length of all these comments, this issue has touched so many lives. You are an amazing woman, Ali!
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what a lovely, COURAGEOUS woman... it must have taken some guts to just bring that up with a stranger... hope the meds work for you Ali
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Wow my best wishes to you,at least you know,i went to the Dr last week and he thought i had hypothyroidism i had some not all the symptoms,I'm grateful to say that my thyroid function is perfectly normal,which mean I'm just fat LOL seriously my best wishes to you,hugs,Rosa.
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