Assembled by Mary Shomon, Your Thyroid Guide
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Dear Oprah,
I am sitting here trying to think of a way to explain my story in a way that will catch someone's attention. I realize that the only way is to just be honest and try to make it precise and short.
I am 31 years old woman which was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis this past March. I suffered for months with too many symptoms to list, physical and cognitive. Every doctor I spoke to either said that my symptoms were not related to my thyroid disease, or worse, they were just in my head. No one believed me, not the "experts" and not even my family. I was sick and alone and never been so scared in my life.
I desperately searched the internet for months looking for information that may be able to help me. After a long time, I accidentally stumbled on a website that changed my life. At the About.com network, there is a site on thyroid disease, it's "guide" is a woman that seemingly found herself in a similar situation as myself and has dedicated her life to being a patient advocate and helping others find information on this "common" yet misdiagnosed and mistreated disease.
I can honestly say that finding this website was a turning point for me and changed my life when it seemed that no one else would or could help me. I found valid, accurate and important information regarding thyroid disease and found a doctor that knows how to properly treat it.
The point I am trying to make is that I ACCIDENTALLY came across this vital information about my disease. It wasn't provided by my doctor, a family member, or a magazine or television show. For a so-called " common " disease in women, I just can't understand why doctors aren't more educated and the "general public" doesn't really know what it is and what it can do to your body and mind.
I can absolutely guarantee you that thousands and thousands of women are suffering from symptoms that directly effect the quality of their lives unneccessarily and if they were introduced and educated to the symptoms and problems related to hypothyroidism, they would RUN to their doctors and demand to be tested and treated.
You, and your show, have an amazing opportunity to make a difference in many peoples lives.
I hope and pray that my story is told and that it will help someone that feels as scared and alone as I did.
Thank you.
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