One of the amazing things about volunteering with MAGIC Foundation and about starting this blog is all of the amazing parents I have met. I am very excited to introduce you to my friend, Julie Lopez. She has very openly and honestly written this guest blog post for Thyroid Mom so that you can learn more about congenital hypothyroidism and about thyroid resistance. It's so important to understand that not everyone's journey with congenital hypothyroidism is the same. We can all learn from each other. Thank you, Julie, from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story about David's journey.~Blythe aka Thyroid Mom My son, David, was 5 days old, and we showed up at his scheduled newborn checkup. The pediatrician our daughter … [Read more...]
My Child Has Congenital Hypothyroidism: A New Mom Confronts the Diagnosis
I am Thyroid Mom. I have been talking to parents and grandparents of children who were diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism for several years now. Until this year, I had never met (face to face) with another mother of a child with congenital hypothyroidism. I had never met another child, another than my own, who had congenital hypothyroidism. Imagine my surprise when one day my endocrinologist said to me that she had a patient I needed to speak with. She told me that another patient of hers had just had a son diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism and that if it was okay with me, she'd like to pass my email address along to her other patient. A few months later, I met my friend Shelley and her son, Gavin. I am … [Read more...]
I’m a Pediatric Endocrinologist and My Son has Congenital Hypothyroidism
Imagine being a pediatric endocrinologist and getting the call that your newborn son has the same disorder that you treat. Well, that's exactly what happened to my guest blogger, Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger. I stumbled across her blog when I was doing research for my Wednesday Weekly Roundup and knew immediately that she's someone you would want to learn more from. I pleased to introduce her as my guest blogger today. Hello, Thyroid Mom readers! Blythe contacted me after reading on my blog (the SHU box) that I was in a rather unusual situation: I am a pediatric endocrinologist who treats thyroid disease every day at work, and I recently had a beautiful baby boy -- Cameron -- who was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism. After a failed … [Read more...]
I was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism
Introducing Teresa Rodgers. Parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism, have you ever wanted to look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds for your child? I have. I worry a lot about what it will be like for them as they get older. Will they take their medication when they go off to college? Will puberty be more difficult for them? How can I make sure they stay healthy during those times? One of the best things about starting my blog is meeting other bloggers and thyroid advocates. This journey has introduced me to so many wonderful and amazing people, including Teresa Rodgers. Teresa, now in her mid twenties, was born with congenital hypothyroidism. I recently chatted with her and am thrilled to share her … [Read more...]
Chat about Congenital Hypothyroidism Symptoms follow up
What does it feel like to be "off"? A follow-up Q &A with my oldest son about his Congenital Hypothyroidism Symptoms Recently, a reader asked me if my son could help articulate what "off" feels like using feeling words like tired, achy, etc. to help her better understand what her child was experiencing. In other words, better describe the symptoms of congenital hypothyroidism. Interestingly, her question coincided with a period of him being "off". We noticed that he seemed to be more tearful and have more difficultly sleeping. Both boys have an appointment coming up with their pediatric endocrinologist and so just had their thyroid levels (TSH, FT4, & T4) checked. The results revealed that my oldest (the one interviewed) is … [Read more...]
Graves’ Disease – A Family’s Struggle with Thyroid Disorders
Graves' Disease - A Family's Struggle with Thyroid Disorders I got such a great response on my interview with my oldest son about life with congenital hypothyroidism that I decided to interview my husband about his experience with Graves' Disease. I think I may be obsessed with interviewing people, especially family members. Watch out family! Just a heads up for Thanksgiving! Anyway, here's what my darling husband had to say. What is Graves' Disease? Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the overproduction of thyroid hormones, in other words hyperthyroidism. When were you diagnosed? At age 28, I had lost some weight and wasn't sleeping well. I decided to go in for a physical before our first son was born, … [Read more...]
Out of the Mouth of Babes: A Child’s Perspective on Congenital Hypothyroidism
That’s me with my oldest at Disney when he was 3 years old and then again just recently. He’s 7 now. Those 4 years certainly flew by - way faster than he drove me around that race track a few weeks ago. He’s turned into quite the amazing kid - wise beyond his years. I recently interviewed him about what it’s like to have congenital hypothyroidism and here’s what he had to say: What does congenital hypothyroidism mean? It means that your thyroid doesn’t work that well. You don’t want to have it. You have to take a pill every morning. Where is your thyroid? In your throat and it’s shaped like a butterfly. How did you learn to take a pill? My wonderful mom and dad just told me I had to. I said I don’t want to … [Read more...]