Thyroid Awareness Month 2002
Three Generations of Thyroid Disease - Julia, Wanda and Denise
In 1994, as part of a routine physical exam, Julia Spayd was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Because her thyroid failure was mild, Julia did not feel symptomatic upon her initial diagnosis and opted not to start treatment. A year later, as part of her 1995 physical, her primary care physician recommended she consult with an endocrinologist regarding her Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test results. After confirming that her abnormal TSH level required treatment, Julia began taking medication for her thyroid condition.
Concerned with the fact that she would have to take medication for the rest of her life, particularly when she did not notice strong symptoms, Julia spoke to her daughter, Wanda Rockwell. Julia explained that her endocrinologist said she might experience increased fatigue, insomnia, hair loss and weight gain if she did not begin treatment for her condition. As Wanda listened to her mother list some of the most common symptoms of thyroid disease, she realized that she was experiencing these same symptoms, but had attributed them to the stress of having a toddler, son Kevin.
Wanda immediately consulted with her physician, who performed a TSH test. The test results showed that Wanda also had an underactive thyroid. Her doctor explained that thyroid disease is often genetic, particularly for mothers and daughters. After learning about this genetic link, Wanda became concerned about the health of her own daughter, 8 1/2-year-old Denise.
Denise had been inexplicably gaining weight and frequently felt fatigued. After being told that thyroid disease rarely presents itself in pre-pubescent children, Wanda took the precaution of bringing Denise to her pediatrician for an examination. The exam revealed quickly that Denise had a goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism was confirmed with a TSH test. Denise was immediately placed on thyroid hormone replacement therapy and is today an active teenager with no sign of growth retardation or weight problems, common side effects of undiagnosed thyroid disease in children.
Six years later, Julia, Wanda and Denise are all stabilized on thyroid medication and are regularly checked by an endocrinologist. Since their diagnosis, all three women have encouraged their friends and family (men and women) to be tested for thyroid disease. By keeping an open dialogue amongst themselves, they were able to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment for their thyroid conditions. They encourage all families to know their individual health histories and be tested for thyroid disease if they are at risk.
Previous Thyroid Awareness Month Campaigns
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2007 How's Your Thyroid - Who needs to know?
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2006 A Thyroid Imbalance? Target Your Numbers
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2005 A Healthy Thyroid: You Make The Difference
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2004 Take Control of Your Health: Keep Your Thyroid in Balance
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2003 Thyroid Undercover Hiding in Plain Sight
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2002 The Necks Generation
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2001 The Necks Time is Now Think Thyroid
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2000 Take Cholesterol by the Neck
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1999 Thyroid: The Missing T in HRT
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1998 When the Blues Hit
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1997 1995 Not available on AACE Online