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

[Charlie-Farley]

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.

🤪🤞

[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]

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 in reply to Wwwdot]

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 in reply to Charlie-Farley]

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

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

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]

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]

At least as good as your coal bucket analogy!

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Calceolaria]

😂👍. It helps when explaining to doctors.

[RedApple Administrator]

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 in reply to RedApple]

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 Administrator in reply to RedApple]

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 in reply to helvella]

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 in reply to RedApple]

How about?

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

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Charlie-Farley]

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

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Charlie-Farley]

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

[RedApple Administrator in reply to RedApple]

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]

oh very good

[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 in reply to malohant]

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

[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 in reply to serenfach]

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]

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

[Charlie-Farley in reply to serenfach]

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........