Hypothyroidism is an "invisible" chronic illness, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored...

[lucidscreamer]

The following "open letter" is by Mary Shomon. I'm excerpting parts of it here because it really is extraordinarily difficult to explain to someone who has no experience with a chronic illness what hypothyroidism does to you (me) and how it affects every facet of daily life. Emphasis added.

Dear Friend/Family Member

Comments

[guardianlunnaei]

It's heartening to find things like this from people that understand and truly want to help. I don't deal with thyroid issues or know too many that do, but that's beside the point. It just one more thing that gets "ignored" or downplayed by even the "specialists". Thank you so much for sharing, things like this should always be passed along.

[lucidscreamer]

:nod nod: Too many people don't get that just because someone doesn't "look sick", it doesn't mean they're healthy and "faking it". I'm sure a lot of what this letter says would also apply to something like fibromyalgia, as well.

Feel free to pass it along, if you like.

[guardianlunnaei]

*nodnod!* Oh yeah, in many ways it does. I was twelve when I was first searching for a diagnosis, and thirteen when I finally got it. Saw a "specialist" on Fribro and he basically concluded that I was just scared of going to school and there was nothing he could do for me, I needed a shrink. *rolls eyes* Just because I was a /kid/ didn't mean there wasn't something /wrong/...

Thanks! I definitely will!

[myaibou]

Thanks for sharing that. Very informative!

[mythc_writer]

I remember when my doctor was testing for this because I lost some weight. I had no idea what it was until I looked for it.