I used to smoke and had a unique way of quitting. I was ten years old and used to buy cigs and smoke about a pack a day... big shot George. I actually quit smoking after my mother caught my brother smoking when I was was 10 and a half.
Former Member
Geek is right. The majority of overwieght Americans (50-60% of the population) are not hypothyroid. The problem for most of them is lack of exercise and an atrocious diet. Several years ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, at which time my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, which increases when there is inadequate circulating thyroid hormone) was 117 (normal being about 1-2). Nothing subtle about that, although I wasn't that symptomatic. I was swimming regularly (much less than I am now, however) and weighed 170 pounds.
You know the difference between God and a Cardiologist?
God knows He's not a Cardiologist.
The problem with all these blanket rules (let's limit health coverage to anyone over X% body fat) is that there are just too many exceptions. What do you do with someone like Lynne Cox, the long-distance swimmer? I remember reading that her body fat is something like 35%, but she's clearly a tremendous athlete and in better shape than the majority of Americans.
Originally posted by aquageek
My wife and my best friend's wife are on thyroid medication but they were never fat. You shouldn't generalize based on soley your experiences.
I don't see where I said everyone who suffers from hypothryroid is fat. What I did say was that I had spoken to a lot of overweight women who had had the same experience with doctors that I have had. We are dismissed as lazy and stupid and not worthy of the 'medical god's' help.
I see the point about some older smokers getting hooked when they were younger. I feel for those folks... my mom is one and I've seen her try to quit many times, she goes through out and out withdrawal, shakes, sweating, nausia, headaches, etc. She has yet to be successful.
Lainey
Originally posted by aquageek
OK, Capt Cardiologist, let's delve deeper.
Henceforth, you may address me as "Medical God."
By the way, did I mention that you're lazy and stupid?
