Friday, July 24, 2009

My Raging War with Hashimoto

Last year I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Basically, my immune system developed paranoia, and thinks my thyroid is a foreign enemy, thereby attacking and destroying it.

There are two types of thyroid malfunctions: HYPOthyroidism and HYPERthyroidism. Of course I got the underperforming HYPOthyroidism which, among other things, has caused me to gain about 30 extra pounds. And I can't get rid of the extra weight - even with my medication. If I'm going to be cursed enough to get a disease, why couldn't it be the one that causes me to LOSE weight? I want hyperthyroidism, dadgummit! *pouts*

This butterfly shaped little gland wraps around the windpipe producing hormones that regulate just about every organ, tissue, and cell in the body. The pills I'm taking are supposed to mimic what my thyroid should be doing (I think), but if that's the case, why do I still feel so sluggish all the time? Why am I so forgetful? Why can't I lose this frickin' frackin' weight? It seems everything I eat is deposited permanently around my mid-section.

I'm trying to do my own research because, to a certain degree, I distrust doctors and prescription medicines. With so much information out there, maybe there is something else that can help me. One little click could change my life. So far, I've discovered that eating raw vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower are bad and must be consumed in limited amounts if cooked. Soy is bad, but I already knew that. Iron supplements are also a no-no. Before taking any supplement, it must be determined if it will interfere with the medication. *sigh*

When I start reading all the dos and don'ts, I feel extremely overwhelmed. And with the memory loss, how am I supposed to retain all this? Wait, what was I saying?

2 comments:

Mickey S said...

Holy Crap! I've had thyroid problems since the 9th grade. I didn't know about broccoli (which I consume in mass quantities) or some of the other things you were saying. I guess thyroid investigation is in my future. Just add it to the list! Ha!

Want to go together and buy a Trikke? That might help to take off the pounds!!! Lord knows I need it!!

Hang in there and don't get too discouraged.

Gail Dixon said...

What's a Trikke? Guess I need to google that. Sounds intriguing.

Yeah, I was shocked about broccoli. There is a class of food called Goitrogens that actually suppress the function of the thyroid gland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goitrogen Now why didn't my doctor say anything to me about that? Doctors!!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'll look into the Trikke and get back to you. :)