Your ‘NORMAL’ the ultimate T-shirt analogy whic... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,948 members166,085 posts

Your ‘NORMAL’ the ultimate T-shirt analogy which highlights the absurdity

Charlie-Farley profile image
23 Replies

Anyone who knows me will know I like to be able to translate things into real world analogies. I think I have hit on one that really works 😉🤣👍

Here’s an analogy ……let’s look at T-shirts. So let’s say that 90% of the female population will find a T-shirt that will fit them from range 8 to 22 (reasonable) but it is not reasonable to say 90% of people will fit into ANY T-Shirt from a size 8 to a size 22. Saying you are within range is like the Doctor going over to a box of T-shirts all mixed up (sizes 8-22) plucking one out randomly and whatever size they pick out will be YOUR normal. There is no attempt whatsoever to get a T-shirt for you that fits, if it fits it’s by pure luck - not judgement.

🤪🤞

Written by
Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
23 Replies
Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

Oh Charlie-Farley, that is brilliant. Thank you. 😊

It ties in with what I’ve always thought that the range being so wide that the chances of not coming somewhere within it are almost impossible - that doesn’t mean to say you will be feeling well.

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot

Hi Charlie-Farlie

That's WoW!

And possibly for many of us we need a size 22 and being offered a size 8 one strand at a time! Meanwhile, we suffer!

🤗🤗🤗

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toWwwdot

Yes well I’m 15 stone and my doctor had me on a dose that was suitable for 2 1/2 stone child! So I’m on your page.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toCharlie-Farley

Lol had to chuckle at that one Charlie, honestly you have to laugh or you'd cry 🤣

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toSparklingsunshine

I fancy trying this analogy out. Next time I visit a doctor. They are not stupid. They are just ignorant as they haven’t been taught anything about how to interpret blood tests properly and understand the limitations of the tests. I want to see if the blood drains from their face.🤪👍

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley

example of what happens when doctors don’t think about the thyroid hormones and what they ACTUALLY DO. Courtesy of Forestgarden - big thank you!

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

Calceolaria profile image
Calceolaria

At least as good as your coal bucket analogy!

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toCalceolaria

😂👍. It helps when explaining to doctors.

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Maybe we could all get ourselves T-shirts specifically to wear when we go to GP/Endo appointments. Something along the lines of:

I'm MY normal, not YOUR normal

Suggestions for improved wording welcome!

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toRedApple

Echoing the Prisoner "I am not a number". Taking someone's identity away and giving them a number is a way repressive regimes and prisons dehumanise and degrade people. Its not something the so called caring profession should be doing.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toRedApple

And for the back of the shirt?

This is a link to a very good article in the British Medical Journal discussing what the 'normal range' really is. Very readable.

The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range

helvella.blogspot.com/p/the...

Screenshot of "The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range" in bold red
Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply tohelvella

I love that paper- I used it when I was sending a report with fresh data from blue Horizon blood tests to my doctors surgery. I did this a week before and then we had the follow-up telecon. It helped to control and direct the conversation….

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toRedApple

How about?

Should I wear a size 8? No I didn’t think so - so why does anywhere in the range fit?

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toCharlie-Farley

I’d need two size 8’s sewn together to attempt even to cover! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply toCharlie-Farley

Hmm, might be too many words... for a medic to read and comprehend! 😉

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply toRedApple

And anyway, how many medics do you think would know how big a size 8 is, especially as the majority are males (who are typically clueless about womens sizing)?

Kowbie profile image
Kowbie

oh very good

malohant profile image
malohant

Could we stretch the analogy by saying that those t-shirt sizes are normal for people who have no problem fitting into t-shirts (people with normal thyroid function), but when you have problems finding t-shirts that fit anyway (thyroid issues) that t-shirt that's been chosen for you is even less likely to fit?!?

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply tomalohant

I don’t see why not malohant 🤗. It’s whatever works. I’ve done a ping pong analogy before now. 🤣👍

serenfach profile image
serenfach

Its a bit like those beenie hats that say one size fits all. I must have a strange head as they creep upwards until it looks like I keep my sandwiches in there!

I used to have a T shirt that said "I am a martyr to my hormones"

That would not work now as doctors dont think of thyroid hormones as hormones!

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toserenfach

Ha Ha I have a funny head too the hat thing yes absolutely and hairbands slide off my head - you are not alone! and as far as thyroid hormones, well... When doctors think TSH is more important than actual thyroid hormones, I wonder if they understand TSH is NOT actually a thyroid hormone - I mean do they realise it is made in the pituitary?????

serenfach profile image
serenfach

Maybe thats why they say "its all in your head!"

Charlie-Farley profile image
Charlie-Farley in reply toserenfach

Well it has to be in our heads because it certainly isn't in theirs! I have just had my 'health check' and the new surgery checks by TSH alone - they are going to have kittens. Oh well the next battle begins........

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Explanation of what *high TSH is telling us when our fT4 level is ''normal' on Levothyroxine ~ the Shoe Size analogy. (* over 2.5/3 ish )

I thought i would make a new post just to store this explanation, since several people have found...
tattybogle profile image

I am fatter than 3 years ago. Am I hypothyroid?

I am fatter than 3 years ago. I used to be 38 waist (and 20 years ago I was 33 waist) but now I am...

Taking meds with "Normal : TSH

My last Ferritin was 16 and no one did anything and the one before that was 6 and also no one did...
HMBradley53 profile image

What’s the Potency of T3 Versus T4?

Hi all, My T4 was showing well above range with adequate T3 on 7th December and I decided to stay...
TiredMummy profile image

TSH levels!

Ha ha! There is me going on about suppressed TSH levels and I have just had a phone call from the...
JOLLYDOLLY profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.