I'm incredibly honored to feature a beautifully written blog post today by Erin O'Brien, whose daughter was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism. Fellow parents of children with Congenital Hypothyroidism, you will undoubtedly relate to her thoughts and feelings. ~Blythe aka Thyroid Mom *********************************************************************************** I recently wrote an essay about finding the strength to be brave for our children when we feel anything but strong or brave. The story centered around my newborn daughter’s diagnosis with congenital hypothyroidism. Blythe read my essay, reached out with the kindest words, and asked if I would share a bit more with you. I immediately thought, “Yes! Of course!” but then … [Read more...]
Wednesday Weekly Roundup-Thyroid News-10.28.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for October 28, 2015. These are articles, abstracts or blog posts that either appeared in the news this week or things that I found this week that I wanted to share with you relating to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in both adults and children. Happy Reading! Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Graves’ Disease, etc. Discovery may lead to development of cell-based regenerative therapy to restore thyroid function 4 reasons your thyroid is underperforming RHR: Subclinical Hypothyroidism—What You Need to Know It's Time Body Shamers Are Shown The Mirror New Research Quantifies the Prevalence of Factors Known to Adversely Affect the Treatment of … [Read more...]
Wednesday Weekly Roundup-Thyroid News-10.14.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for October 14, 2015. These are articles, abstracts or blog posts that either appeared in the news this week or things that I found this week that I wanted to share with you relating to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in both adults and children. Happy Reading! Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Graves' Disease, etc. Pharmacist: Hidden toxin in food can cause hypothyroidism The Chemicals That Can Affect Your Metabolism Women are up to 8 times more likely than men to have thyroid problems Maine’s seaweed and your thyroid health HMC opens special unit for treatment of thyroid disorders (Qatar) Symptoms which can tell you that you have thyroid Doctor … [Read more...]
ADHD and Thyroid Disorders
Is it a thyroid disorder? Is it ADHD? Or both? Many medical conditions share symptoms. You've undoubtedly heard before that iron and vitamin D deficiencies have symptoms that mimic the symptoms many see with hypothyroidism. But, how could ADHD be confused with a thyroid disorder?! Here's how: Check out some of the symptoms of Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism) in Children from the Graves' Disease and Thyroid Foundation: nervousness -- visible shakiness, tremors, wringing hands, kicking feet, difficulty sitting still lack of concentration and attentiveness poor memory skills shaky hands that cause clumsiness and poor handwriting erratic thought patterns and behaviors irritability; mood swings attitude changes emotional … [Read more...]
Growth Awareness Week: September 2015
Is Your Child Growing Normally? That's the question The MAGIC Foundation is asking. Today, they launched Growth Awareness Week aka Growth Spurt in an effort to raise awareness of growth related disorders affecting children around the world. This year, they expect to reach over 70 different countries and over 1 million parents. They email, text message, post to Facebook, Tweet, share videos, spread handouts, and post fliers, all to tell people... "Growth is a major factor in a child's overall health". WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GROWTH AWARENESS: Measuring & plotting a child on a growth chart is one of the least expensive, most non-invasive forms of preventative medical care available. Normal children grow 2 to 2 1/2 inches per year, … [Read more...]
Congenital Hypothyroidism and Blood Draws and Courage
With regard to blood draws, I have been quoted as saying "it gets easier"... It's true. It gets easier. That doesn't mean they aren't still hard. Yesterday, both of my boys needed to go in for their routine blood draw to check their thyroid levels, as do all children with congenital hypothyroidism. Now that they are older, they only go every 6 months (unless there is an issue, then more frequently). Just enough time to forget they have to ever go again. I picked up my oldest from school. My youngest was already in the car. With my youngest, the less time he has to ponder the thought of having his blood drawn, the better. At the last draw, they both did well. No tears. This is a victory. For any other parent who has a child … [Read more...]
Wednesday Weekly Roundup-Thyroid News-5.20.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for May 20, 2015. These are articles, abstracts or blog posts that either appeared in the news this week or things that I found this week that I wanted to share with you relating to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in both adults and children. Happy Reading! Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Graves' Disease, etc. Thyroid Patients: T3 or Natural Desiccated Thyroid Treatments Anti-Inflammatory Ginger Tea Interpretation of Thyroid Tests Many Probiotics Taken for Celiac Disease Contain Gluten Which Thyroid Medication is Best? Do You Have Healthy Teeth? Dental Issues Linked to Thyroid Milk: Health Hero or Villain? 10 Things I Want You to Know About … [Read more...]
Congenital Hypothyroidism: The First Year
I am thrilled to share this touching letter with you from a mother to her daughter. Gabby, like my sons, was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism. Like all of us mothers and fathers who hear those words spoken about their newborns, Gabby's mother, Meghan, was so worried about what life would be like for her beautiful newborn daughter. Well, a year passed, and this is what Meghan has to say... Hi, everyone. We've just celebrated our baby girl’s first birthday. I write letters to my children on their birthdays, and I felt this was a great one for sharing. Gabby's one year birthday letter is for the day she leaves home, telling her story and diagnosis from the beginning. It brought me to tears many times thinking about the past year and the … [Read more...]
Thyroid and Mental Health
Next week is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4-10), which helps raise awareness around children's mental health and May 7 marks National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Why does this matter to me, as Thyroid Mom, you may wonder. Well, you have probably read or heard about the connection between thyroid health and mental health. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms you find on the hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism check list. In fact, in his article, The Thyroid and the Mind and Emotions/Thyroid Dysfunction and Mental Disorders, Dr. A.G. Awad, MD, PhD, writes: "The psychiatric disturbances which accompany hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, the two commonest thyroid disorders, mimic mental illness. People with an … [Read more...]
Trust Your Gut: Raising Children With Thyroid Disorders
Photo Credit: Wilmington Star News (www.starnewsonline.com) Recently, my oldest son, William, asked if he could run a 5K. He’s a swimmer and hasn’t done much running, but he really wanted to try. As I am still recovering from back surgery, I was not able to run with him and my husband had an obligation with our younger son. Reluctantly, I gave in and registered us both for the 5k. The plan was for me to walk the race and for him to run the race. Being the worrywart that I am, I decided to write my cell phone number on his arm with a sharpie. I figured that if anything did happen, a person helping him would be able to reach me. I lectured him about not leaving the racecourse with anyone, etc. I slowly jogged the beginning of the race … [Read more...]