A PSA of Sorts

[rolanni]

Those who have been reading along at home will perhaps recall that I have an underachieving thyroid. It's no big deal; is, as I understand it, fairly common, or at least not uncommon; and perfectly treatable with a daily dose of a prescribed medication. You can read about it here, if you're interested.

Now, one of the interesting things about the hormones produced by your thyroid, my thyroid, and the thyroid of the woman at the coffee counter trying to decide if she wants a double-shot of espresso, is that "normal" is a range -- between X and Y is normal function.

With me so far?

Good.

The aim of medicating people with hypothyroidism is to supplement hormone levels to "normal," which makes perfect sense.

Except that -- and despite the fact that hypothyroidism is a pretty common problem for Women of a Certain Age -- apparently no one takes a baseline of "normal" thyroid function when you -- General You -- are young and healthy and presumably firing on all cylinders, so that there's an on-file "normal" to return you to, should your thyroid suddenly come up lazy.

This potentially leads to circular discussions with one's doctor about if one's supplemented hormone level is "normal" on the scale, but one is still experiencing symptoms, could it be that one had been used to a higher "normal" production level of hormone, back in the day?

So! If you're a young woman -- ask your doctor about a thyroid test the next time you get blood work, so you have a baseline on-file, should the day ever come when you need supplements. You might have to get a little chesty with him or her, but, hey, it's your blood and your future.

Now! Another cup of coffee, and to the couch!

Comments

[rose-07.livejournal.com]

This has long been my opinion, too. What's normal for me is not necessarily normal for you. And, seeing as the medical system is that much better here in Australia (I've got one of the BEST doctors - and if I can't get to see her there are 3-4 others in the practice I'm equally happy to see), I've already organised with my doctor for all my children to get a series of blood tests done over six months so that we can get average base lines for them on All The Important Things after they turn 18 (when most of the hormones should have settled somewhat). Some of these I will have to pay for, but most will be covered by Medicare. Gotta love our health system! Oh, and our medication is decided by consultation with our doctor and has nothing to do with an insurance company!