Finding Thyroid Support and Support Groups Online

You'll find a great deal of information about thyroid disease here at the About.com thyroid site, as well as at locations and sites all over the Web. Sorting through all the information and options can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you are new to thyroid disease.

Some thyroid patients -- whether newly diagnosed, or long-term patients -- find online support is an important part of their overall approach to wellness. Online, you'll find a number of thyroid support groups, forums and listservs, where information and experiences are shared among patients.

At online support groups, thyroid patients compare notes on doctors, talk about tests and treatments, discuss their medications, compare symptoms, and more. Many experienced patients also volunteer in these support venues, helping their fellow thyroid patients who are having a difficult time finding answers to questions.

Online support groups also allow members a much-needed opportunity to vent their frustrations, and to give – and get in return -- information, support and compassionate understanding.

If you're interested in thyroid support online, there are a number of places you can start.

First, we have eight thyroid support forums right here at the About.com Thyroid site. At a forum, you can post a question, and get responses from other forum participants, or share your own thoughts in response to "threads" (conversations/posts) started by other support group members.

Here at About.com, your starting point can be the main About.com Thyroid Disease Forum, which features hundreds of active discussions each day, on a broad cross-section of thyroid-related topics.

We also have a number of other specialized thyroid support forums, including the following:

• Thyroid Diet and Weight Loss for Thyroid Patients: Support Forum
• Thyroid Disease Support Forum for Patients in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• Hyperthyroidism & Graves' Disease: Support Forum
• Thyroid & Hormones, Fertility, Menopause Support Forum
• Thyroid Cancer Support Forum
• Discuss Top Thyroid Doctors & Thyroid Support Groups
• Alternative Medicine for Thyroid Disease

Listservs

Some people prefer a listserv format for support, in which case, you might want to join one or more of the following groups:

• The Thyroid Listserv on Yahoo -- which covers all facets of thyroid disease, diagnosis, treatment and support
• Save Natural Thyroid Listserv on Yahoo -- is an online support listserv for patients and practitioners interested in protecting the right to natural thyroid drugs
• Yahoo Thyroid Support Groups USA -- features regional and state-based support groups
• Thyroid UK -- a UK-based thyroid support group
• Thyroid-Disease.org.UK -- a UK-based thyroid support group
• Thyca: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association -- support group for thyroid cancer patients and survivors

Usenet

Altsupportthyroid.org -- homepage and information about the Usenet thyroid support group

Facebook

For those who prefer Facebook for support, here are some resources:

• Facebook: Mary Shomon
• Facebook: About.com Thyroid Page
• Facebook: Thyroid Books
• Facebook: Save Natural Thyroid -- a Facebook support group for patients and practitioners interested in protecting the right to natural thyroid drugs

Looking for In-Person Support?

In-person, community support can be helpful for some patients instead of -- or in addition to -- online support. Find out more in the article: How to Start Your Own Community Thyroid Support Group.

Thyroid patient advocate and About.com Thyroid forum co-moderator Leslie Blumenberg contributed to this article.