Oprah and I have something in common
Posted by angela on 10/18/07 in Domestic Ramblings
“My body was turning on me. First hyperthyroidism, which sped up my metabolism and left me unable to sleep for days,” the talk-show maven wrote in the October issue of O, part of the multimedia empire that helped the magazine’s namesake bank $260 million over the past year. “Then hypothyroidism, which slowed down my metabolism and made me want to sleep all the time.” - E News
I think it’s great that Oprah is talking about this. I like the expression that Oprah used in her article about sort of blowing out her thyroid. I giggled when I read that because it’s a pretty good description.
Those that know me already understand that I did battle with my own thyroid in 2006. Now maybe you understand why I have a Hypothyroid Buzz category around these parts. - My New TSH Number
When I first heard about Oprah discussing her thyroid situation I felt horrible because I thought that she had done a show on it. When I realized that she had not done a show and that it was all in her magazine I thought about taking out a subscription just because I like Oprah and she does a really good job at explaining things and getting people to relate.
I do have a few questions for Oprah that I would ask her if I had the opportunity to… like do you have Hashimoto’s Disease? Did you feel as though the earth was sucking you down to the ground when you walked? Did you put on 20 pounds in two weeks like I did? Do you have to take Synthroid for the rest of your life?
Wouldn’t it be cool if Oprah came over here and answered my post!? I think I will see if she has a Myspace or Facebook. I think it’s really pretty cool when famous people have these things. It sort of makes me feel like I can really discuss things with them.
Ok, before I end this post I have to tell you guys that I have not been doing my exercise routine as I should be BUT I am losing weight and working out at least three times a week which is better than nothing. I stepped on the scale last weekend with my shoes AND clothes on and weighted in at a whopping 170 which is awesome because that means I’m not in the 170’s any more. Yippppieeee!!
tag this
E | Oct 19, 2007 | Reply
The correct spelling is “exercise.”
jafabrit | Oct 19, 2007 | Reply
Congrats on the weight loss. I am working on mine with walking daily and jenny craig. It is interesting that the one day I watched Oprah she had a show on menopause (I don’t usually watch her show). She had an expert talking about not eating enough to get your metabolism going and what menopause did (besides the usual stuff like hot flashes etc). It was very helpful.
I think it is a great service when a celeb talks about health issues.
angela | Oct 19, 2007 | Reply
Yes, I always spell that word incorrectly and don’t always catch it on the spell check.
I love it when celebrities use their position to bring awareness to the forefront.
cat | Oct 20, 2007 | Reply
Hi Angela, sorry to say I did not see the Oprah episode, we are a few months behind with Oprah here in Oz.
What i can say is that it was a very disappointing result. People with thyroid disease have been writing to Oprah for more than six years begging her to have a proper show about thyroid disease.
To have her patronising and ill informed medical “so called specialists” tell people to masturbate and take a bath with candles will make it all better is despicable.
Another vile disservice to the people battling for recognition with this debilitating disease.
For Oprah to say that she spent a month on an Island doing nothing but resting and eating fresh food to make it better is bizarre, something only in the world of Oprah.
Thyroid disease cannot be managed or diagnosed via TSH - TSH is a pituiatary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. Free T3, Free T4 and antibodies (three kinds, 1 graves and two hashimotos) are what is needed.
To commence thyroid treatment without testing for and treating if necessary adrenal issues is bound to fail.
Incidentally, to feel well on thyroid supplementation your free T4 should be in the top 3rd of the range, free T3 should be at the very top or just over, and TSH should be less than 0.5 to prevent further antibody attack (TSH stimulates antibody attack, but does not accurately reflect thryoid function, we suppress it for this reason).
links with more polite things to say than I:
http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=1472
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/257479.htm
I really could kick her a** to the kerb today
Cat
cat | Oct 20, 2007 | Reply
The debate on Oprah’s own message board:
http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/5147?tstart=0&start=0
angela | Oct 21, 2007 | Reply
Hypothyroidism is definitely not something that can be controlled via “feel good” techniques that only the rich can afford. That’s for sure…
cat | Oct 21, 2007 | Reply
Hi and thanks for putting up with me in rant mode yesterday - the good thing is that the show has spread the word more and more to people that there are other answers, and fired up those that know from bitter experience that we can do better than what is often offered to us by the medical profession - why it isn’t standard that we be treated properly is beyond me, but at least it isn’t standard that we are all undertreated, but it is the most common experience unfortunately.
Thanks for posting the sermons
You are always in my thoughts and prayers
Cat
jafabrit | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
I think it a bad idea to rely or expect an entertainment show like Oprah for serious medical issues to be addressed. They can bring attention to an issue, and offer a few tips and maybe direct viewers to a credible resource, but bottom line is her show is about entertainment and ratings.
jafabrit | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
The tips I picked up kind of reinforced what I had learned about metabolism, but it was nice to hear I wasn’t the only one.
I personally just don’t expect too much solid info from entertainment shows.
cat | Oct 22, 2007 | Reply
is it a bad idea to expect not to be misinformed?
jafabrit | Oct 23, 2007 | Reply
No, its not cat. I don’t want to be misinformed any more the next person, but it is a bad idea to expect an entertainment show will provide all the facts or the right facts. Their first priority is to entertain and choose people/experts who are entertaining.
angela | Oct 23, 2007 | Reply
I have to say something about Oprah. She’s more than just an entertainment show. When I think of entertainment shows I think of the gossip shows like Entertainment Tonight.. shows like that.
Oprah has a responsibility to get it right when she does a show about medical conditions such as thyroid disorders. When Oprah speaks people listen and they take her words to heart.
jafabrit | Oct 23, 2007 | Reply
Hey I am not knocking Oprah. I used to watch Oprah, but she is still an entertainment show, albiet better than a lot out there, but in the end I would never rely on an entertainment show to get solid facts about an issue. There is only so much she can cover on her show and her experts are limited to those who are tv worthy for an entertainment show, those who are flogging a book, those whose view is limited to their own agenda/style of training, etc. I didn’t watch the show so I am not in a position to claim there was any misinformation, but I bet there was a lack of scope of information and it was limited to *one* or *two* experts and their opinion. I am just saying that while it is great these shows highlight an issue they cannot really address the whole scope of an issue. I want the opinion of a broad range of doctors/scientists who are actively researching and working in the field and don’t have time to do talk shows or flog a book.
angela | Oct 23, 2007 | Reply
I don’t take issue w/your opinion. You make good points. However, for me this just goes back to being responsible for what you do w/a story.
jafabrit | Oct 23, 2007 | Reply
I don’t argue with that angela, but her ability to be responsible is limited by the venue, the amount of time, and choices of the experts, not by a lack of trying. It is amazing too how one can read the same event and see a completely different twist on it depending on which national or international news outlet is reporting it. It is one of the reasons I do not rely on one source for news or any kind of information really.
angela | Oct 24, 2007 | Reply
One thing to consider about Oprah is that she tackles serious issues that I would not ever deem to be entertainment. I guess that’s why I don’t put her show in that category. Take for example: Her molestation shows. To me that is responsible reporting and people do look to Oprah to get it right because she is such a highly responsible individual.