I hear that it's Motivation Monday in the social media world. Here's what I want to say to you today. I spend an hour or so every day answering emails and Facebook messages from fellow thyroid disorder sufferers. There is a common theme and it's this: "I'm taking thyroid medication and I still have _____ symptoms." Are there some things that you may always deal with when you have a thyroid disorder? Yes, of course! However, if you are doing everything else right (taking your thyroid medication regularly, eating well, exercising, taking your vitamins and minerals, etc.) AND YOU STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS (like depression, hair loss, weight gain, etc.), then something isn't working! It's not normal to feel like crap! Let me say that one … [Read more...]
Thyroid Disorders and Your Skin
Having a thyroid disorder can wreak havoc on your skin. I know this firsthand. One of my first symptoms of hypothyroidism was dry, itchy skin. Other skin issues that you can encounter include acne and swollen, puffy eyes. Actress Victoria Justice revealed in recent interviews that the skin issues that came along with having Hashimoto's caused her self-confidence to waiver: "I had the support of my family and friends. I knew that the people around me had my back. Now I really empathize with people who have issues with their skin, because it can get you down." I understand what she means. A few years ago, I began having trouble with rosacea. Rosacea can cause redness on your cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. It can also cause … [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-9.2.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for September 2, 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. Can Pregnancy Thyroid Levels Affect Math Ability Free Thyroxine Levels Higher in Women Treated for Hypothyroidism Potassium iodide may reduce congenital anomaly risk in pregnant women with Graves’ disease Levothyroxine absorption unaffected by metformin therapy Hyperthyroidism treatment modality does not affect cancer risk Familial … [Read more...]
Wednesday Weekly Roundup-Thyroid News-7.15.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for July 15, 2015. SPECIAL SUMMER EDITION!! Articles for you on beating the heat, sunscreens, water safety and more! 15 Foods That Help You Stay Hydrated Healthy and Hydrating Summer Recipes Study Finds Most Kids and Teens Don't Drink Enough Water EWG's 2015 Guide to Sunscreens Best Sunscreen Buying Guide - Consumer Reports Water Safety: Tips for Parents of Young Children Drowning Prevention Heat Intolerance: Causes, Symptoms & Complications (hint: thyroid problems can cause heat intolerance) Heat Exhaustion Symptoms in Children, Dogs and Adults 101 Summer Activities to do with Kids 10 Ways Families Can Use Technology to Connect to … [Read more...]
Wednesday Weekly Roundup-Thyroid News-4.22.15
Here’s your Wednesday Weekly Roundup of Thyroid News from Thyroid Mom for April 22, 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! Earth Day & Your Health Get the Skinny's Earth Day Nutrition Guide: 3 Ways to Help the Planet and Improve Your Health Earth Day: How Your Health is Linked to the Earth's Health 10 Health-Focused Activities for Earth Day 2015 Earth Day 2015: 10 Easy Ways to Help Save the Environment Health and Fitness: Go Green for Earth Day "Bee" Inspired to Eat Healthy this Earth Day General Thyroid Related … [Read more...]
Too Young To Be So Sick: A Young Woman’s Battle With Graves’ Disease
As many of you know, my husband suffered through Graves' Disease. It was one of the worst things he has ever been through and it was devastating to watch. One of the more rewarding aspects of having opened up about our family's struggles with thyroid disorders is meeting other people who have been through the same things. Connecting with them and sharing with them has been so helpful to me, and I hope that it's helpful to you as well. I am honored to introduce you to Camilla Bevington: an incredible woman who was faced with the harshness of Graves' Disease at a young age. Her story will undoubtedly give you hope and courage as you face your own struggles or as you care for your children who are battling thyroid disorders. ~Blythe aka … [Read more...]
Thyroid Imbalance: A Yin-Yang Perspective
I am pleased to introduce you to my acupuncturist, Ginna Browning. Ginna has been helpful in treating many issues for me, beginning with sciatic nerve pain when I was pregnant with my oldest son. The information she is sharing as today's Guest Blogger will hopefully help you understand more about thyroid imbalance and help you see the value of incorporating a holistic or balanced approach to treating hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). Happy Reading! ~Blythe aka Thyroid Mom ******************************************************************* In traditional Chinese medicine, thyroid disorders are treated depending on the patient’s symptoms and presenting diagnosis pattern. Low thyroid function often presents as a “Spleen and Kidney … [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...]
The Hyper-Hypo Roller Coaster
Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for the ride of your life! The first year of life with a child who has congenital hypothyroidism is quite the roller coaster ride. The first thing we heard was my son had a high TSH, and we needed to start medication. Then, the next blood test revealed that his TSH was still too high and we had to increase his dose. Soon after, the next results showed that he was severely hyperthyroid (his was TSH too low). This went on for the entire first year of his life – back and forth - always having to adjust his dose and then repeat blood draws. After the first year, though, he seemed to level off and we had many more results where his thyroid levels were in the normal range. When my second child was born … [Read more...]