Once I realized that my thyroid had retiredThyroid
Support Review to a cottage in the Cotswolds where it was unavailable for my future metabolic needs, I wasted no time in starting on thyroid replacement hormone. To my delight, not only did I feel better, but five pounds dropped off like I'd taken off a backpack. Our systems run with such precision that it doesn't take much slowing of your metabolism to put weight on. Your metabolism will slow as you age, but if you've gained a bunch of weight in a short time, and you can't easily assign a cause (well, there was the leftover Halloween candy, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas...), see your doctor for a chat and a blood test.
Of course, the opposite is also true. I have a good friend who was skinny all her life no matter what she ate and how little exercise she got, until the day her doctor realized her thyroid was stuck in overdrive. What with the long list of ill effects of chronic hyperthyroidism (including heart failure), she started treatment and now has a weight problem because of the years of bad habits she got into when those habits had no visible consequences. The angel on my right shoulder compels me to tell her how glad I am that she is no longer in danger of dropping dead of a heart attack. I try to ignore the devil on my left shoulder shouting, "Hah! Welcome to MY world!" Dying is a steep price to pay for being thin.
If you are lucky enough to still have your Mom (and your Dad, especially if you know you take after his side of the family more), make a plan today to talk about family health history, even if you've done it before. As successive generations live longer, they may encounter health problems that their parents died too early to experience. And give your Mom a hug from me. I lost my Mom a few years ago, and I miss her. When I consider all the amazing things she gave me, I guess getting an underactive thyroid is part of a package deal I can live with.
Of course, the opposite is also true. I have a good friend who was skinny all her life no matter what she ate and how little exercise she got, until the day her doctor realized her thyroid was stuck in overdrive. What with the long list of ill effects of chronic hyperthyroidism (including heart failure), she started treatment and now has a weight problem because of the years of bad habits she got into when those habits had no visible consequences. The angel on my right shoulder compels me to tell her how glad I am that she is no longer in danger of dropping dead of a heart attack. I try to ignore the devil on my left shoulder shouting, "Hah! Welcome to MY world!" Dying is a steep price to pay for being thin.
If you are lucky enough to still have your Mom (and your Dad, especially if you know you take after his side of the family more), make a plan today to talk about family health history, even if you've done it before. As successive generations live longer, they may encounter health problems that their parents died too early to experience. And give your Mom a hug from me. I lost my Mom a few years ago, and I miss her. When I consider all the amazing things she gave me, I guess getting an underactive thyroid is part of a package deal I can live with.
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