Hashimoto's Disease :(

  I have had a thyroid problem for many years but back in June I decided to see a specialist as I was having some real periods of strange symptoms.  I really just thought that my doseage of medication just needed to be altered.....possibly increased or decreased!

  This Dr. is a diabetic/thyroid specialist who is about 45 minutes away from me.  I was a bit discouraged at first because it took me three months to get into her but it was worth the wait.  I just really needed some answers to these strange occasional symptoms I was having.  I had actully decided to log them in a little "thyroid diary" that I started to keep.  I am guessing it happens about twice a year and yes...I would say that stress seems to help this little episode of symptoms along.  It lasts about two weeks and I appear to have some confusion (typing can be a bit rough and discouraging), as I can't seem to hit the right keys, heart palpitations, irritabilty, can't sleep, can't remember things, I'm super tired and I feel totally "scattered!  It's like a "fog of confusion" and that is so............not me. 

  I started to notice this about a year ago and decided that I needed some real answers and not the ones from my general practioner!

  She did several tests when I went in and one was to check to see if I have Hashimoto's Disease.  Well, of course I do!  Hashimoto's disease is a disorder that affects your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck, below your Adam's apple. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body's activities.

  It is an autoimmune disease and it tends to run in families!  YOUR OWN IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACKS YOUR THYROID AND  THE IMMUNE SYSTEM CREATES ANTIBODIES THAT DAMAGE YOUR THYROID.  It can be caused by a virus or it could simply be a genetic flaw.

  The thing I enjoyed most about my visit it that she said these little "episodes" that I am having are normal for the disease!  HEY.....thats all I ever really wanted to know.  Now I can deal with it! 

  So........you would think that I should be boosting my immune system with supplements right?  WRONG.......After all, an autoimmune disease represents an over-response of the immune system to its own organs and cells, so why would you want to give the immune system even more ammunition?

  The right thing to do is to "balance" the immune system!  I have learned so much the past few months. 

For more information please check this website out. http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/immunebalance.htm