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symptoms. TSH tests may not always show real problems, that show up in the form of symptoms. Many of the people who receive an underactive thyroid diagnosis may have a TSH in the normal range. If a patient has all the symptoms of thyroidism, but a normal TSH, they may have to talk to their doctor about their symptoms and ask for continued testing.

7. Thyroid problems are an old lady' disease.

While elderly women are much more likely to develop thyroid problems, they can be developed at any age, even before a baby is born. Women are especially vulnerable during post-partum and the hormone changes beginning in the late 30s. Men can also develop thyroid problems.

8. If I have thyroid problems, it will be easy for my doctor to diagnose and treat me.

Many doctors will look at your TSH test and tell you there is no problem with your thyroid. However, many who suffer from the symptoms of underactive thyroid will have normal tests but still have an underactive thyroid. This is where diagnosis by symptoms comes in. It often isn't easy to find a doctor who will believe you though. I have talked to a doctor and an endocrinologist about my symptoms, but to no avail. They run the test and tell me I have no problem. It's like the doctor is saying, "It's all in your head". This can be frustrating for people struggling with the symptoms of thyroidism. So you've finally found someone who will diagnose and treat you. Your problem should be under control, right? Often this is not the case. The medications given may leave them ill and still hanging on to the symptoms that drove them to the doctor. Obviously the medical community needs to rethink some of the myths they still believe about thyroid problems.

8. If I've been diagnosed with Grave's Disease or hypothyroidism, my eyes will bulge.

Thyroid Eye Disease is what causes the bulging eyes some have. It can develop in those with Grave's Disease, autoimmune hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyrodits or even no thyroid problem at all. However not all people with these conditions will develop Thyroid Eye Disease.

9. If I have been diagnosed with Grave's Disease or hyperthyroidism I can expect to lose weight. Not everyone with these diagnoses will lose weight and some may even gain weight.

10. I won't be able to get the natural "thyroid hormone replacement drugs", i.e. Armour Thyroid" for my condition because they aren't made any more or soon won't be.

No plans exist to discontinue the production of this natural hormone made from thyroid glands taken from pigs.

11. I will get an enlarged thyroid or goiter if I have a thyroid problem. Some do develop goiter, but the majority of thyroid patients do not.

12. I won't have symptoms for hypothyroidism unless my TSH is over 10.0.

Many people have symptoms for hypothyroidism when their TSH numbers are still in the high-normal levels of 6.0 to 10.0. If not treated, you may be at risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and other conditions.

13. I found a lump (nodule) in my thyroid so I must have thyroid cancer. 95% of all nodules are NOT cancer, so chances are you do not have thyroid cancer. Your doctor will run tests to see if it is benign or cancerous.

Now that you are armed with knowledge about these issues, you too can be a thyroid myth-buster'.

Resources:
http:// www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/Dummi esArticle/id-962,subcat-MIND.h tml?print=truehttp://thyroid.a bout.com/cs/newsinfo/l/aa08010 0a.htm
http://thyroid.about.com /library/weekly/aa080100b.htm

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
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