Designed and created by a positive minded, Gluten-free, thyroid cancer survivor!

Wednesday 4 April 2012

It’s a Glandular thing



"One of the most perplexing stories of this past decade has been the increase in thyroid disease. Back in 2000, experts were still claiming that an estimated 13 million Americans had thyroid conditions. Now, the most conservative estimates indicate that some 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and some calculations suggest that as many as 60 million Americans -- 1 in 5 -- have a thyroid condition.
At the same time, we also have an increase in the rate of thyroid cancer -- particularly in women -- making it one of the only cancers that is actually on the rise in the U.S."

·         To see the full article, which includes some theories as to why there is such an increase in Thyroid conditions, disease and cancer visit: http://thyroid.about.com



When I first learned that I had a problem with my Thyroid I asked my doctor if there were any diets, foods or natural treatments I could go on or try in effort to help support its proper function. She said no. Flat out no.

Now some time has passed and I am now told that my whole Thyroid must be removed and I will be placed on “Synthroid” – a prescribed synthetic medication that I will have to take for the rest of my days. It will balance the hormones in my body – and will hopefully work better than my thyroid was before. Sounds great . . . right :S Still I worry – I really hate the idea of being on a synthetic medication for the rest of my life . . . If I have to, I have to. But surely, there must be a diet or natural remedy(s) out there that I can use to back-up the medication – maybe even cut down on the amount of medication I will need to take.

To be completely honest :S my biggest fear with the whole “thyroid” thing right now is not so much the surgery itself or the fact that I might have the dreaded “C” word – it’s how my life will change after all of that – namely: How fat could I get . . . and without even trying?


Vain – Yes. And I’m not afraid to admit it. I feel that I’m not afraid of having to go through the surgery or being diagnosed with thyroid cancer – I know I can survive all that. Mentally I know that I can deal with that. However – having to battle weight and the serious attack to my self-esteem that will cause (potentially) – the depression and anxiety that would go along with it . . .

I have battled weight and body issues my whole life – and depression and anxiety – like so many women (and men too) out there past and present.

I have come so far – and I don’t want to go back there again!
Some may read this and think how absolutely stupid it is for me to think this way. I should be lucky to have my life and I shouldn’t be so stupid to care about something as superficial as some weight gain. I agree – I am happy everyday to be here and to be living, and I will be grateful for everyday that comes to me in the future. But I have to say, that I want those days to be healthy and happy days where I am in the best shape both mentally and physically that I can be. I would also like those days to be filled with as little “synthetic” medication as possible.  Is that too much to ask?

I know that fat doesn’t automatically mean unhealthy and some people are quite happy in their skin, no matter their size. That’s fine and to each their own – that is not me and I don’t want that. I don’t want to be fat. I don’t want to have to say that I am overweight because I have a thyroid condition. What I want to say is that I have a thyroid condition, disease or cancer and I am still able to keep my weight and health in control.  I want to say that yes, there is a healthy alternative, that when combined with modern medicine, can help make a healthy, happy me.

It is my belief that the world of modern medicine at this time is failing those that suffer with Thyroid disease – at least the doctors I am dealing with so far are failing me in not knowing what to say when I ask if there is a natural alternative or addition to my lifestyle that I can make to help myself. So I intend to change that and I will try to learn from others out there who have found remedies, created diets and created recipes using foods that work in the treatment and/or balance of their Thyroid disease.

What I learn I will practice and I will share it with you – tips, treatments, recipes, natural remedies, foods and supplements.

. . . now, that said - I better find that I can still have my red wine! . . .


"Alcohol May Prevent Thyroid CancerStudy finds a beneficial relationship, though the exact mechanism remains unclear"


PHEW!!!! Good enough for me ;)
Cheers all and good night!!


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