Attention Vampires!

[kelliebeth]

Today I made an appointment to give blood next week. This is something I've been wanting to do for years, but haven't quite gotten around to it. Years ago I had my blood taken every few months for awhile to keep tabs on my thyroid (subclinical hypothyroidism. I feel like it's gotten worse, but I no longer have a doctor), but I've never actually

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[sic_gurrl]

Yesterday I almost donated 10 inches of my hair while getting it cut. But then decided "nah" ... :/ I know that sounds horrible!! The lady before me donated hers. But I just wasn't quite ready yet for that much to be taken. :/ Event though the girl tried convincing me my hair would still "be long" by showing me where it'd be if I had the appropriate amount taken off to donate. ... I think it would feel really good to do it. Just knowing my hair is out there somewhere to "help chemo patients" would be awesome. But I just couldn't bring myself to doing it. :/ Yet.

What exactly is subclinical hypothyroidism? (It's better to ask than to google it probably right? )) and why would you think it's gotten worse?

[kelliebeth]

I donated my hair this year =)

Hypothyroidism is basically when your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Subclinical means that it wasn't bad enough for them to want to put me on meds yet, so they were just monitoring it. I feel like it's gotten worse because I don't feel entirely healthy and "symptoms" have gotten worse. Weight gain/can't lose weight, depression/anxiety, fatigue, hair loss, joint pain... Which could be a number of problems, but I can't really afford to go to enough doctors to figure it out, unfortunately. Such is life!

[sic_gurrl]

Such is life! .. I feel that. :/

Oh. I don't have any of those "thyroid symptoms" (I've had it tested before during a regular general checkup but that was like over 10 years ago)) but I don't have any of those symptoms BUT I have like a pain sometimes at the front of my throat. :/ I thought maybe that might have something to do with thyroid. ..

[kelliebeth]

Well those are just a few of the symptoms of hyprthyroid, which is certainly not the only thyroid disorder. I'm certainly no expert, but I suppose it's possible that your pain is thyroid related. It's just so hard to tell, even regular doctors aren't always very knowledgeable when it comes to these issues and a lot of people who can't get treated by a regular doctor have to go to an endocrinologist to actually get help.

[strangemelodies]

giving blood is one of those things that you think "yeah, why not?" but you just never get around to do it...just inconvenience, i guess.

good for you that you're actually doing it! hopefully i'll do the same..sometime...lol

[kelliebeth]

I would like to do some real volunteering or something since I have so much time on my hands, but I'm terrified of people (and it's hard to get around). But starting small is still something, right? I mean, it's possible I won't even go through with it, but I made the appointment, so that's one step farther than I've ever gotten before!

[dizoburo]

yea. i'm no interest in needles either haha. but good for you for like caring and sharing or whatnot. and good luck

[kelliebeth]

I don't like needles either, really. I mean, I've done the whole tattoo thing (you know, you've been there with me) but I was still always afraid of doctors needles. It's not exactly pleasant.
I think there's a bit of a shortage of blood (around here at least) because a lot of people would donate through work, so since lots of people have lost jobs, less people are donating. And I'm certainly not working, so I feel like I should do something useful with myself, however small the contribution may be.
Not really sure what to expect, but it's worth a try, right?