h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A682968

I was diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, several months ago-- and in that time I've learned more about thyroids, immune systems and eye diseases than I would have ever thought possible.

What I have compiled in my entry is a synthesis of everything I've researched about my condition from the moment I was diagnosed-- including a history of the disorder, symptoms, treatments and the day-to-day maintenance of living with Graves' disease.

This is obviously a very important topic to me, but the more I discuss my condition with others the more I realise that there are literally millions of people who have been affected in some way by this disorder. Unfortunately, Graves' is not a well-known illness and few even know of its existence until someone close to them is diagnosed-- myself included. Therefore, I have done my best to give a thorough overview of a disorder that deserves more public awareness-- with the intention of educating both those who are familiar with the condition and those who have no clue... but should.

Brilliant!

There are two occurrences of 'effected' where it should read 'affected' instead. That's about it from the typo side.

I knew next to nothing about the disease other than the relation between Basedow's syndrome, goiter and the thyroid gland. Now I think I know it all
Bavaria is a region where people are advised to use iodised salt and lots of fish in their diet because the soil doesn't contain significant amounts of iodine.


Top notch entry!

* rummages in Scout's calendar to find his next picking day *

Thanks! *runs off to fix the "effected-affected" problem*

The United States also began iodizing to salt somewhere around 1924 to prevent and treat endemic goiters caused by iodine deficiency-- as did most of the world, I would imagine. Speaking of global-- I searched and searched for world-wide statistics on Graves' disease, especially UK statistics, but to no avail. I think it would be a nice balance to provide European statistics, but I'll probably need help looking them up.

Thanks again

Amanda

Oh sorry, I am confused... did that mean you were recommending my entry, or just enjoyed it? Not that I'm anxious to see it edited, or anything.

I enjoyed it (well, as far as you can enjoy an entry about the disease and knowing you're suffering from it), and I checked the calendar & all. There's one pick left for me to do. However, I can't recommend it right now because an entry needs to stay for 1 week in PR

Aha-- I did not know that! Well, thanks for the information and the feedback, and the time you took to read my article. I'll be patient now.

Hi there!

From scanning through it quickly (I will read it when I have more time..., but this is more Witty Ditty's thing to look at) just one thing for me to pick out...

'goiter' should be spelt 'goitre'.

Looks good!

Caper Plip

Do you know exactly what Marty Feldman suffered from? I think it may have been the same disesase. Are there any other famous sufferers?

I'm not suggesting that you lengthen your entry to include any. I was just curious.

Awu

a quick google search yields:
Martin Feldman
Barbara Bush (ex US First Lady)
Gene Wilder

I wouldn't have guessed but from hindsight it's quite obvious that they are victims.

Several famous people have had thyroid problems-- Tipper Gore and Rod Stewart both had suspicious growths removed from their thyroids, Isaac Asimov survived thyroid cancer and Joe Piscipo also survived a much rarer form of the cancer, and Olympic medalist Carl Lewis and supermodel Kim Alexis both suffer from hypothyroidism.

The most famous people suffering from Graves' would be both Barbara and Former President George Bush. Gail Devers, once called "the world's fastest woman", has been an extremely outspoken advocate of Graves' treatment and research as she herself suffers from the condition. Carla Overbeck, a captain for the US natinal soccer team, was also diagnoed rather recently (2000 I believe).

When I went in for my initial thyroid scan several months ago, my doctor made a comment about Marty Feldman possibly having Graves' because of the way his eyes looked, and that it was something he always wondered about. Turns out he was right-- Mr. Feldman also suffered from the condition. Men rarely suffer from Graves' so there aren't a lot of male examples I can give you. And I have no information showing that Gene Wilder suffered from the condition, although I did see that he is now battling lymphoma.

Hope that helps!

Amanda,

Thanks! That's a very thorough response

I'm sure your entry will be in the guide soon.

Good luck, too, with your own treatment.

Awu

Hiya!

I like this - comprehensive and covering all the points - well done

I just have one thing which could be added...

>The sign of 'Lid Lag' (probably what you describe as 'eyelid retraction') can be elicited by asking a person with Grave's to follow an object (with their eyes) from above the head down to eye level - what should be seen is 'lid lag' - where the eyelid doesn't move as quickly down (as the eye follows the object) as it should...

Feel free to reject that if you feel so - again, I think your entry is really good, and deserves to get in right away

Stay ,
WD

something's telling me that Awü has got a point there (talking of the line which begins with 'I'm sure...')

Hi Witty Ditty! That is a great definition of lid lag, but unfortunately lid lad and eyelid retraction are two separate problems. Eyelid retraction takes place when the muscles of the upper or lower lids (usually the upper) are pulled back for some reason... in the case of a Graves' patient, the eyelids may pull back because the tissues (muscles and fat) behind and around the eyes are being attacked by the immune system. For example, lid retraction is the only symptom of Graves' eye disease I have so far. My upper left eyelid does not close all the way, and my eye is exposed to too much air. My cornea dries out if I don't constantly use eyedrops and ointments, and sometimes I patch it at night to keep the air out. My eyelid retraction makes my eyes (especially my left) look like they are "bugging" and I have the trademark Graves' disease "staring" expression due to the retraction.

But that was a great definition of lid lag (I'd forgotten to explain what that was in my article, thanks) and when I get time tonight I'll make sure to incorporate it.

BSE and Awü -- Thank you also. I'm glad others are interested in this topic, as it means a lot to me. My treatment is going pretty well-- I'll take my radioactive iodine next week, along with another throid scan, and I'm on a double dose of beta-blockers to lower my heart rate, so I'm a little wonky right now. But this is the last step, and I'll be feeling better soon... *fingers crossed* And I'll be able to tell everyone I was radioactive for a day or two.

Thanks again!

I've recommended that this entry goes into the edited guide, and it has been accepted, so this entry will be part of the edited guide. Well done! You can (If you want to) watch your entry go through the system towards the front page, on the new ComingUppage

I think the entry is very informative, and well written, and interesting. Congratulations Amanda!

have some !

Congrats!

Have some to go with your !

Stay ,
WD

Woo-hoo!

Drinks for everyone, on me.

and some more , of course!

Thanks everyone for your interest and help, it means a lot.