Hypo but untreated for years.

[mischa]

I met a woman at the bus stop today. She has been a neighbour of mine for over 20 years. We both raised our children and they are now living their own lives. We've never really had conversations but merely acknowledged each other when we passed in the street. Recently we have struck up a conversation on a couple of occasions. I've always noticed that she wears a wig but never gave it much thought.

Today at the bus stop we struck up a conversation and I noticed that her eyebrows are gone and are pencilled in and her eyelashes have all gone. I immediately thought "thyroid".

She asked me how I was and I told her that I was diagnosed hypothyroid several years ago and still am trying to get better.

She told me that she has had symptoms for many years and has never been treated despite all of her sisters being hypo and are treated. She said her voice has become hoarse and she is now having difficulty swallowing. Her GP has referred her to, wait for it, a "Speech Therapist". I was left with my mouth gaping as she got on her bus.

There was so much I wanted to tell her. But there will be a next time when I will meet her.

[shaws Administrator]

It is time for both to go and have a cup of coffee and you will be able to help in some way. It is unbelievable that there's history within her family yet the doctor has paid no attention while an autoimmune disease is left to rampage throughout her body. We have all accepted the doctor's diagnosis not believing there could be a mistake.

[mischa in reply to shaws]

I am still reeling from what she told me. I will speak to her again and as you say over a cup of coffee.

[shaws Administrator in reply to mischa]

She may not have access to internet and has gone along according to whatever GP told her. If she is completely bald she could have Alopecia Areata also having no body hair whatsoever is also a hypo symptom. Many hypo women have to paint eyebrows as they may have disappeared or very feint.

[mischa in reply to shaws]

I wasn't quite sure if she had Alopecia Areata or that she had lost all hair over time through sheer lack of treatment. Neglect in other words.

[shaws Administrator in reply to mischa]

You could well be right and, being a stranger, she might be embarrassed somewhat and to not know what the reason might be.

[mischa in reply to shaws]

If it wasn't for her bus coming along I got the strong impression that she wanted to talk when she heard I was hypo.

Yes Shaws, she may well be embarrassed and I will keep that in mind when I see her again.

I was more concerned about her difficulty in swallowing. That could be an ingrowing goitre. I'm guessing here.

[humanbean]

When you have the chance to talk to her again, let her know about this forum.

[mischa in reply to humanbean]

I will - most definitely.

[lucylocks]

How must this lady be feeling, I hope you can give her lots of advice when you next see her

I wonder why her sisters have not pushed her for a proper diagnoses from her Doctor.

I hope she gets the help she needs soon.

[mischa in reply to lucylocks]

I thought about that - her sisters that is. I honestly believe it has a lot to do with her TSH figures falling within reference ranges that she is not being treated. Because no doubt she had been screened.

It does make you feel angry.