Hi I think more people are aware and being diagnosed. Years ago thyroid was never thought of unless extreme. Certainly I had it 20 years before being diagnosed., by myself!
Before the blood tests were introduced in the 60's people with symptoms were given NDT on a trial basis initially and dosed till well.
Nowadays doctors take no notice of clinical symptoms nor do they recognise them. They have been instructed to only rely on the whereabouts of the TSH level, rarely test T3 of FT3, so many people remain untreated until the TSH reach 10 (in the UK) if it ever reaches that number.
I, despite, many visits to GP and hospital never once had a blood test for thyroid hormones being diagnosed by a first aider. I was also ignorant about the Thyroid Gland.
Even today thousands remain undiagnosed either through not getting a blood test or the interpretation of their TSH, with ignorance of the clinical symptoms. Or might remain very unwell because doctor keeps the TSH in the 'normal range' but willingly gives other medications for their 'symptoms' when they actually need a decent thyroid hormone which suits them.
I think the internet has been a great way for people to finally get diagnosed, particularly Healthunlocked and Thyroiduk.org.uk.
The Company 23andMe do genetic testing if you are brave enough to learn the results. Those who are find it helpful to learn what conditions may be inherited and then take as many preventive measures as they can to avoid the continuation of whatever disease afflicts their family. It is worth noting that if a disease is exposed in the testing it does not necessarily mean you will get it but helps you look at the possibility and prevention measures which perhaps previous generations were not aware of. It costs £125 to have this test done. When funds permit I will take the test, apparently there is a lot of interesting information coming out of these tests to fascinate families anyway.
I think its a case of more areas being fluoridated, there are clear scientific statistics to prove the link between thyroid problems and fluoride. There may be more cases or just that there is more reporting now.
Environmental factors may have sparked it in your family and many others, RFU. Once things like fluoridisation have set it off, perhaps it is passed down the generations. Aluminium pans were a wonderful innovation. Also tin foil. Who knows what other chemicals in our lives may be responsible for the epidemic?
Every time I posted the petition on FB another friend would comment to say that she had thyroidism too. I shared it at least 6 times. I didn't know any of them had thyroidism until they posted. We don't talk about it! And that doesn't count all the people who, as mentioned elsewhere on this thread, don't even know their thyroids aren't functionally properly. I post everything that comes my way about thyroidism on my wall now, just in case its helpful for friends struggling on Levo, or undiagnosed. So for most of my friends I am now, officially, a crank. Sigh.
If you use wifi you are subjecting your body to pulsed radiation. In rats and mice this leads to lowered thyroid hormones, as well as lower seratonin and melatonin, increased cortisol (stress hormone), disrupted sleep and lowered cognitive function. Switch it off when you're not using it, definitely switch it off at night, and if you can, cable your whole house and talk to your neighbours.
For the published, peer-reviewed studies justproveit.org, or the Citizens for Safe Technology website, the website of the organisation founded by Frank Clegg, the ex-Vice President of Microsoft Canada.
Incidentally Lloyds of London have refused to insure telephone companies against the health risks from wifi since 1999. Last month they extended this to any organisation or individual who is sued for health damage. They read the scientific press.
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Canary in the Coal Mine: Thyroid Disease 
Thyroid problems was Lyme disease.
Graves disease and Hashimotos thyroiditis
Myopathy due to thyroid disease.
Finally diagnosed with thyroid disease
