Can You Blow Out Your Thyroid and Bounce Back, as Oprah Claims?
Thursday November 8, 2007
The Chicago Sun Times' Kara Spak tackles the question of an "out of whack" thyroid in this refreshingly blunt article. And, she also visited our own About.com Thyroid Forum, and her article has even highlighted some of the forum members' comments on Oprah. Definitely a must-read!
Photo: Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images
Comments
I believe that Oprah’s soy consumption caused her to develop a thyroid problem.
After I developed a severe soy allergy in 2003, I did a lot of research and learned that soy is not the health food it’s cracked up to be.
http://www.hiddensoy.com
I wish Oprah luck. The rest of us, with REAL thyroid problems, will be on medication the rest of our lives and are grateful we finally found out why we were gaining weight, going bald, losing our minds, had crackly skin, persistent infections….let’s just say that a month in Hawaii is an irresponsible suggestion for a real health issue for millions. Shame on her and her so-called “doctor.” What a load of crap!
WOW!!
Who is this person and where did they take Oprah??!!
How absolutely ridiculous and irresponsible to downplay a medical disease in this way. Oprah has a responsibility to people and she definitely missed a wonderful opportunity to actually make a difference here. There are those that respect her opinion and believe what she says who could decide to not go to a doctor, receive proper care or go off their meds because of what she has said. I am very disappointed in her.
I agree with the rest of you! After a 9 month “vacation” unable to work at home primarily sleeping and unable to do simple chores around the house, all I can say is that this is very demeaning to those of us who truly suffer with thyroid problems each day! Oprah needs to fire any doctor who tells her that soy is good for her! Anyone whose had this disease for any amount of time will tell you that soy is bad for the thyroid!
This is unbelievable. I have Graves Disease, now officially “in remission”. I read everything I could get my hands on (no matter how far “out there”)when diagnosed, and had to perforce become my own patient advocate. I read that the “metaphysical” parallel was the same as stated by Oprah’s quack. I considered it, and it certainly gave me a good cause for reflection…I DO believe the healing of mind/body/spirit is an important perspective. But it’s NOT a “cure”. But if some doctor had told me that what I needed was a vacation in Hawaii, I would have walked out the door. I have bounced from hypo to hyper all of my life. Now I am in the very “low normal” range, and no meds. But I am gaining weight despite my best efforts. I tried soy when I went into menopause (which, by the way, coincided with my hyperthyroidism going into “spontaneous remission…hmm”). One week after I took a soy supplements in a “women’s” combination, my thyroid started “buzzing” so much that I could feel it with my fingers. No more! But since life is interesting, it appears that I am going to have to explore the hypothyroidism realm now. Frankly, I dread it. My thyroid has stayed enlarged, though small by comparison to its former massive profile. Now I have to find a doctor who can treat this without sending me back into the dreaded hyper cycle (with my heartbeat at 110 beats a minute at rest!). Anybody want to give me a vacation in Hawaii?
Seriously though, as those of us long term thyroid strugglers know, it ain’t over even when the “fat lady” sings. Oprah, educate yourself.
I agree with all of you. I suffered for years with weird diseases, one would get better, to be followed by another, weird symptoms like extreme swelling of the eyeball explained as conjunctivitis, bouts in hospital. No one figured it out until I met a doctor who actually listened. I have been on medication for 8 years, am really well and healthy and have re-organised my life as stress definitely made me worse. Haven’t lost any weight but at least I’ve stayed the same and got fitter at the gym. This is what people need to know - it takes time to heal and while you are never cured, you can improve and lead a quality life.