A lump in my throat, the size of a boulder*
Goiters! They’re not just for old ladies anymore.
Actually goiters are pretty common, especially among women. I’ve been the proud owner of a goiter since I was about 26.
At that time, I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, or hyperactive thyroid, which is characterized by shakiness, heart palpitations, weight loss, and an increase in appetite. Yup, increased appetite and weight loss. Those were good, good, unhealthy times. Sadly, as is often the case, my Graves’ turned into Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is hypothyroidism. Low energy, weight gain, and—so unfair!—no decrease in appetite!
Goiter is just another way of saying “enlarged thyroid gland.” My thyroid is about 4 times bigger than normal. That sounds huge, but believe me, there are WAY more huge goiters out there. If you’re curious, just Google-image “goiter” and then see if you can swallow normally for the next 15 minutes.
I take a pill to keep my goiter from getting any bigger and also to regulate my thyroid function. I’d love to blame my excess weight on my slow thyroid, but I just ate 4 donuts in one sitting, so maybe I’m partly responsible.
Speaking of food, have you ever heard of goitrogenic foods? If you think you may have thyroid problems, you’d best be avoiding rutabagas, millet, and turnips.
A goiter, tho lumpy, doesn’t fall into the category of “lovely lady lumps,” I’m sorry to say. I don’t think it’s that noticeable, but my doctor does, and he would love to slice open my neck and scoop it out. However, it’s really not causing me any problems (other than having to chew my food for 10 minutes so I can swallow without choking and dying).
You know, I kind of like my goiter. I think I’ll keep it.
Did You Know?
- Your thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly (aww, pretty!)
- Thyroid disease is an auto-immune disease, which is medical jargon for “We don’t know what causes it!”
- George H.W. Bush, his wife, Barbara, and their DOG, Millie, all had thyroid problems
If you think you may have a goiter:
- Don’t panic! They’re common and treatable. Get your big bulging neck to an endocrinologist, who can perform some simple and painless tests
- Visit Mary Shomon’s site for all things goiterous and thyroidian
- Consider purchasing some of these attractive neck-wear items to hide that disgusting bulge in your throat:
Please check back for what I’m sure will be an exciting update on my thyroid after I have a suspicious nodule biopsied in October!
Today’s lyrics are courtesy of Dream Theater.
19 Comments
19 Responses to “I Have a Goiter”
- 1 Pingback on Sep 28th, 2007 at 8:13 AM
- 2 Trackback on Sep 28th, 2007 at 3:41 PM
aw, i am with you: i don’t think your goiter is at all that noticeable…unless accompanied by a diagrammed photo with lovely arrows for those of us who actually though of “gaiter” and wondered what a photo of someone’s throat was doing up here when we should be looking at legs.
and how did all the Bushs, including their dog, get thryoid problems? Maybe it was some sort of osmosis?
I love the humorous blog theme you’ve got going here. And, haha…the arrow pointing to “pre-cancerous freckles” made me laugh out loud!!
Thanks, Joanne! Hey, I’ve read about you in a certain Pirate Story, haven’t I? I’ve checked out your blog a few times–it’s really good. And curly-haired women RULE!
Thanks, Miki. Yeah, I usually don’t walk around with a giant arrow pointing to it. How many people even know the word “gaiter”?? That’s so funny.
I didn’t think thyroiditis was contagious; maybe it was something in the water? Not enough salt? WEIRD!
Dang. I did this too. If I had know you had already done it… I wouldn’t have?!?!?
Kimberly: Maybe this is one of those things you had to do, even tho I did it so you didn’t have to…? I hope yours went well and you got good results. Dang, indeed!
JD’s last blog post..I Love the 80s so you don’t have to
so what is the best solution for goiter? and how it will be prevented? what if its from heredity? it can be treatment or not?
Mary: I’m no expert, but if a goiter is big enough, a doctor will prescribe medication to keep it from getting any bigger. Then it’s usually just monitored. Thyroid disease is definitely hereditary (tho not always). I’m not sure if it’s possible to prevent a goiter, but the treatment, like I said, is usually thyroid replacement medication that you take for the rest of your life.
Hope this was of some help!
It looks like “madam’s” apple
Mark: All right, now that is just damn funny. Why haven’t I thought of that before? HA! I’m stealing it . . .
If your thyroid has simple cyst in it, the PEI treatment can shrink the cyst, making the goiter less noticeable
O.T.: Thanks, O.T. But mine isn’t simple, so I have to keep having it tested. One of these days I’ll just have the whole thing ripped out.
People too weak to give a shit about their body sicken me. If you want to fix your problem and influence others positively, take this page down and eat healthier foods. In fact, fast for a week, then eat healthier foods. Stop seeing your doctor. Take kelp and seaweed supplements regularly. Drink raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar twice a day (two shots — normal shot volume), eat raw vegetables and fruits, drink 10-20 glasses of water a day, stop taking your “medicine (drugs),” and generally stop acting like a disgusting zombie.
That is, if you want to stop being ugly and unhealthy… the world is better off without such a pathetic hindrance. Also, anyone who breeds with this filthy example of a human being should expect a nice little retarded baby. My trash bags at home are less sickening than this page.
Could you pls change the color of the comments below? I can't read them, but since I have Graves Disease, I am interested in them.
Thanks!
Hi, Pita!
I'm working on fixing the color of the comments section. Until then,
here's a copy and paste. Hope you find it helpful! (The comment that
appears first is kind of nasty, but I kept it, just to prove I'm not
bothered by such things.)
*
Colby [Moderator] 1 week ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
People too weak to give a shit about their body sicken me. If you
want to fix your problem and influence others positively, take
this page down and eat healthier foods. In fact, fast for a week,
then eat healthier foods. Stop seeing your doctor. Take kelp and
seaweed supplements regularly. Drink raw, unfiltered apple cider
vinegar twice a day (two shots — normal shot volume), eat raw
vegetables and fruits, drink 10-20 glasses of water a day, stop
taking your “medicine (drugs),” and generally stop acting like a
disgusting zombie.
That is, if you want to stop being ugly and unhealthy… the world
is better off without such a pathetic hindrance. Also, anyone who
breeds with this filthy example of a human being should expect a
nice little retarded baby. My trash bags at home are less
sickening than this page.
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/f85ab020d1286cd7e378983...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 1 year ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
*O.T.:* Thanks, O.T. But mine isn't simple, so I have to keep
having it tested. One of these days I'll just have the whole thing
ripped out.
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/eb420d02436f31413946882...> O.T.
[Moderator] 1 year ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
If your thyroid has simple cyst in it, the PEI treatment can
shrink the cyst, making the goiter less noticeable
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/f85ab020d1286cd7e378983...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 1 year ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
*Mark:* All right, now that is just damn funny. Why haven't I
thought of that before? HA! I'm stealing it . . .
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/e3e87653ba251ad660173ec...> Mark
[Moderator] 1 year ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
It looks like “madam's” apple
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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*
<http://disqus.com/guest/f85ab020d1286cd7e378983...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
*Mary:* I'm no expert, but if a goiter is big enough, a doctor
will prescribe medication to keep it from getting any bigger. Then
it's usually just monitored. Thyroid disease is definitely
hereditary (tho not always). I'm not sure if it's possible to
prevent a goiter, but the treatment, like I said, is usually
thyroid replacement medication that you take for the rest of your
life.
Hope this was of some help!
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/c255e9419d976d03fc696d7...> mary
[Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
so what is the best solution for goiter? and how it will be
prevented? what if its from heredity? it can be treatment or not?
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
LikeReply Reply
*
<http://disqus.com/guest/9e944c9082708fbe9d1fa3e...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
*Kimberly:* Maybe this is one of those things you had to do, even
tho I did it so you didn't have to…? I hope yours went well and
you got good results. Dang, indeed!
/JD's last blog post..I Love the 80s so you don’t have to
<http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/idothings/%7E3...
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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*
<http://disqus.com/guest/5bec37f4f13eab30b74185d...>
Kimberly <http://keepsmelaughing.com/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
Dang. I did this too. If I had know you had already done it… I
wouldn't have?!?!?
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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<http://disqus.com/guest/9e944c9082708fbe9d1fa3e...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
Thanks, Miki. Yeah, I usually don't walk around with a giant arrow
pointing to it. How many people even know the word “gaiter”??
That's so funny.
I didn't think thyroiditis was contagious; maybe it was something
in the water? Not enough salt? WEIRD!
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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*
<http://disqus.com/guest/9e944c9082708fbe9d1fa3e...> JD
<http://idothings.info/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
Thanks, Joanne! Hey, I've read about you in a certain *Pirate
Story* <http://www.dcrblogs.com/2007/08/29/pirate-links/>, haven't
I? I've checked out your blog a few times–it's really good. And
curly-haired women RULE!
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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<http://disqus.com/guest/12884f44a288477d3d47fd9...>
Joanne <http://j-amusement.blogspot.com/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
I love the humorous blog theme you've got going here. And,
haha…the arrow pointing to “pre-cancerous freckles” made me
laugh out loud!!
Moderate
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
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*
<http://disqus.com/guest/09e6be827aa78998d1a2384...> Miki
<http://domestitchery.com/> [Moderator] 2 years ago
<http://idothings.info/i-have-a-goiter-so-you-do...>
aw, i am with you: i don't think your goiter is at all that
noticeable…unless accompanied by a diagrammed photo with lovely
arrows for those of us who actually though of “gaiter” and
wondered what a photo of someone's throat was doing up here when
we should be looking at legs.
and how did all the Bushs, including their dog, get thryoid
problems? Maybe it was some sort of osmosis?
Hey JD…quite late to this post I know.
Found you through Kathy (The Junk Drawer) and I’ve been reading backwards through your blog for the past week or so and quite enjoying myself. Sorry you got hit with the idiot up there who has no concept of thyroid conditions or auto-immune disorders.
I actually have Hashimoto’s myself…although my dr caught it very early on and I haven’t had as many of the side effects as most people deal with; although I did have a lovely panic attack (or “what-if” syndrome) as one of my main ‘markers’. I know that tends to be a hyper symptom but what can I say…I don’t do things right way round.
I was wondering what they have you on…natural or synthetic replacement. We tried synthetic on me at first but most of my symptoms didn’t clear up so my Dr switched my to Armour (until the lovely FDA debacle with that) so now I get to pay through the nose for compounding so I can get the meds that work (vs the ones that don’t)
ANYway…just wanted to let you know how much I’m enjoying reading (and passing along) your blog.
Aloha
Laura´s last blog ..A little Epiphany
Laura: Hi, Laura — and welcome! Any friend of Kathy’s, etc., etc.
You know, I used to have pretty bad panic attacks, but I really don’t think they were related to thyroid issues. But who knows. It’s a weird disease. I haven’t always reacted “normally” to either the medication or the condition itself. I’ve always taken Synthroid and done well on it. I’ve heard about the issues with Armour, and it sucks. Why do insurance companies and government agencies make it so hard for us to get the drugs we need?
Well, thanks again for reading and for chiming in. Very nice to “meet” you!