At first, I thought I was going bonkers. I had no clue why I was feeling totally exhausted and lethargic or why I was freezing cold (especially my hands and feet), gaining weight, losing my hair, and not able to concentrate. When a girlfriend complained that I was walking at a snail’s pace vs. my normal peppy tempo on our walks on the Soos Creek Trail, it finally occurred to me that maybe I needed to see my doctor. It turned out I had hypothyroidism.

Although this column strays from my normal quilting genre, I thought I would share some information about hypothyroidism in the hopes it might heighten awareness about this disease. I’m not a clinician or expert in this field, but I am a self-advocate for my own wellness and have done considerable research about this disease.

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by an underactive thyroid and causes widespread consequences throughout the body. There are many different types of thyroid disorders and a long list of symptoms that accompany Hypothyroidism. In addition to the symptoms listed above, those suffering from Hypothyroidism may also experience long recovery after activity or exercise, depression, constipation, nausea, swelling, puffy face, swollen painful joints and muscles, broken or peeling fingernails, brittle hair, dry skin, anxiety, and feet disorders such as Plantar Fasciitis.

Many people, once treated with a synthetic thyroid replacement medication, are able to lead a normal, productive life and stay on the same dosage of their medication for life. There are, however other forms of the disease that require more intensive treatment. I fit into a category called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. My thyroid hormone levels go up and down like a roller-coaster, with more symptoms, so I require close monitoring by my endocrinologist

As with everything in my life, I approach my disease with humor. When my thyroid levels plummet, I pretty much become a basket case. If I sit down in the recliner, I’m usually asleep in 30 seconds or less. If I try to concentrate, my brain feels like it is full of cotton balls instead of information. When “retiring” for the evening, summer or winter, you’ll find me sleeping under flannel sheets, a thick comforter, donning a flannel nightgown, and thick socks. If I’m not warm enough, I’ll throw on a bathrobe and maybe a quilt or two. Before I was knowledgeable about drug interactions with thyroid replacement medications, I sat on the sofa for almost a year, unable to participate in normal activities. I told my husband, “I am worthless, you might as well just shoot me….”

My family practice physician couldn’t figure out what was going on so I finally went to see an endocrinologist. In 30 seconds, this doc had the answer to my problems. Apparently I wasn’t supposed to be taking hormone-replacement medications and vitamins at the same time as my thyroid medication. A whole year wasted sitting on the sofa with “cotton ball brain,” when I could have been creating quilts or writing books. I seriously considered screaming at my pharmacist but instead, insisted he inform patients with hypothyroidism about drug interactions when taking synthetic thyroid replacement medications.

Many people with Hypothyroidism are able to receive treatment with their family physicians. Others, like me, need to see an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease. When I was “interviewing” prospective endocrinologists, I came across a doc who patted my hand and said, “You just need to take more Paxil, dear.” Although I wanted to wring his neck, I told him I didn’t think Paxil would solve my problem with unbalanced thyroid levels and walked out. I am now seeing an endocrinologist who treats symptoms as well as thyroid levels and is helping me learn more about my auto-immune Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

For those of you who might be experiencing any of the symptoms I’ve listed in this column, I suggest you contact your physician and ask for a complete thyroid panel of blood tests. Hypothyroidism often runs in families. If you are related to someone with thyroid disease, please ask your doctor to test you when you have your yearly physical.

If you end up with hypothyroidism, I encourage you to research this disease and become your own advocate. One of my favorite on-line sources is: www.about.com:thyroiddisease with thyroid advocate Mary Showman. You can also subscribe to a free online monthly newsletter at this site that is very informative. Mary’s book, “Living Well With Hypothyroidism,” is a wonderful and informative resource.

Be healthy and don’t forget to laugh.