Health Update

Yes another one. I think we’ve figured out why I’ve been so tired and in pain lately. This could even be a factor in my high blood pressure. I have Hypothyroidism and Hyperparathyroidism.

From the Mayo clinic’s site:


Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. Although it weighs less than an ounce, the thyroid gland has an enormous effect on your health. All aspects of your metabolism, from the rate at which your heart beats to how quickly you burn calories, are regulated by thyroid hormones.

As long as your thyroid releases the proper amounts of these hormones, your system functions normally. But sometimes your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, upsetting the balance of chemical reactions in your body. This condition is known as hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid disease.

Hyperparathyroidism

You have four small parathyroid glands, one located on each of the corners of another gland, the thyroid, which is located at the base of your neck. In spite of the similarity in name and location, the parathyroid glands and thyroid gland are separate glands with very different functions.

Your thyroid gland helps regulate nearly every aspect of your metabolism, from how quickly your heart beats to the rate at which you burn calories. The parathyroid glands, on the other hand, produce a hormone that helps maintain the proper balance of calcium and phosphorus in your body.

In hyperparathyroidism, your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone. The resulting imbalance in calcium and phosphorus can create a multitude of health problems — including affecting your teeth, bones, nervous system and muscles.


This is not exactly a common problem for men, go figure. What it means is I’m going to start seeing an endocrinologist and may have to have another surgery on my throat. Yes, another. Some of you may remember, I have had similar problems in the past. I have already had one parathyroid removed, which makes this a little more disturbing – I only have three parathyroid, and they are still over producing, flooding my body with calcium. Last time I had the surgery, I lost my voice for six months – they bruised my vocal chords.

The good news is, once this is taken care of and under control, I will feel a hell of a lot better.

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