Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 1/9
#ThyroidDisease #WomenAndThinningHair

I guess it is time for something else.
Until the age of 40, I had long thick hair. Never thought about it much.

Then I started to feel weak. Ignored it. My hair started to become a bit thinner on top. I did not worry about it.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 2/9
I moved back to Victoria. After a few years, I started to feel worse. I felt I was not sleeping, though I knew I was sleeping.
This continued to get worse over the months. It became so bad that when I was standing at the bus stop my legs would shake and I felt as if I could not hold myself up.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 3/9
Then came the day I was sitting outside having a coffee at a local cafe waiting to go to work. My hands shook so badly I could hardly hold my cup of coffee. Oh oh! Even I knew this was not a good sign.

I walked around the corner to the clinic.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 4/9
The incredible doctor took one look at me. Thyroid disease.
What?
Yup.
He got me on heart pills. What? Yup.
I was in danger of a thyroid storm. You just drop dead.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 5/9
Long story, short. Graves Disease. I went on pills, lucky it was not cancer, and I did not need an operation. I went into remission.
My hair became very thin on top, you can see my scalp very easily.
Thyroid disease affects mostly women and runs in the female line.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 6/9
Please get tested if you feel ill. Thyroid disease mimics many other diseases and is insidious.

I found out my paternal grandmother wore
a wig.
Did she have thyroid disease, I don't know.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 7/9
Many diseases, and aging, can cause hair loss, and sometimes it is just in the DNA. It is hair, it is not who you are. I see many women these days with thinning hair or bald who do not wear a wig. I am glad.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 8/9
But I ask those who think it is fine to make jokes about incontinence, shaking hands, thinning hair, weight, height etc.

What jokes do you want to make about me, what names would you like to call me?
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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thread 9/9
Do you truly believe it won’t hurt someone?
Would you like me to hide away in shame?

Think more. Listen more. Hold yourself to a better standard.
01:42 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Haruka (RELOCATED)
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In response to Carla Reid + Chilla.
I’ve had hypothyroidism since I was five, so have been medicated my whole life. All has maintained steadily until the last couple of years where we had to play with my meds to reach a balance again. You went through much worse, I’m sorry.
02:54 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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In response to Haruka (RELOCATED).
Oh, Haruka, I am so glad you are doing well, (sad that you had to have this as a child) and the doctors know and can keep you on the right medicine.
I am terrified for women and men who don't know about this disease and how awful it is.
🥰 Thank you.
02:57 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Myles Higgins ?
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In response to Carla Reid + Chilla.
This spout was removed because the account associated with it was suspended.
02:48 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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In response to Myles Higgins ?.
💜 Thanks, Myles.
Cuddles sweetest Jake. :)
02:49 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Socio-gen
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In response to Carla Reid + Chilla.
This hits home for me. At 48, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Not surprising as I already had one endocrine disorder (Addison's) and if you have one, chances are high you'll eventually develop a 2nd (or 3rd).

Started with thinning hair, then extreme fatigue and weight gain. A lot of weight.
02:02 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Carla Reid + Chilla
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In response to Socio-gen.
The fatigue was off the charts. I just could not figure out what was going on.
So you are doing better now?
02:04 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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Socio-gen
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In response to Socio-gen.
The internalized fatphobia I held made itself known. I'd had anorexia as a teen, and then developed Addison's. One of the key traits of Addison's is that you don't gain weight, you fight to maintain.

And it's real easy to say "Eat whatever in moderation" when you're on a 3500-calorie a day diet.
02:06 PM - Jan 06, 2024
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