Danna Bowman, Founder
Thyroid Nation

A personal experience from Danna Bowman, founder of ThyroidNation.com

One of my girlfriends (you know who you are) asked me the other day, “what’s it like having your gland problem?” as she shifts in her seat while at the same time slightly leaning back, making sure not to catch anything that my rotten gland is spewing forth. Rolling my eyes and trying to explain again, “It’s my Thyroid… and it’s like I’m on a roller coaster to HELL!”




It’s frustrating enough having a mountain of symptoms hovering over you, threatening to avalanche at any moment. Then add to that misery, the fact that your mind is scattered, even as you try to manage the simplest tasks. I will often pause mid-step, wondering, “Why am I in the bathroom? Oh, right, to use the bathroom!” Geez!

And, for me, just trying to concentrate long enough to manage the kids’ school backpacks in the morning is as sketchy as a monkey solving a math problem. More than once, I must confess, vital ingredients did not make it into those school lunches. So sorry, baby bears!

Let’s face it, having a “thyroid issue” is a strange and lonely journey. People—even those who really love you—just don’t understand the depth of the disease and how debilitating it can be. The truth is, most people don’t know what the thyroid gland is, what it does, or why it’s so important that it functions properly.

I remember when I was finally, accurately diagnosed. I had been through multiple doctors (be sure to FIRE yours if he isn’t listening to you) a litany of tests, and finally I had a name for my pain, Hashimoto’s disease.

Which was great on the one hand. As I’ve come to learn however, it really is more about getting to your root cause. Putting a pill to the ill, as Dr. Mark Hyman suggests, is not the best way to heal yourself. That is more like a band-aid. Getting out from underneath that thinking can be difficult, for sure. Sometimes, you just want an answer. An end to your quest. To be done. And to feel better. Believe me, I get it. I am still on my thyroid healing journey.

Even more difficult, when your family looks at you with puzzled expressions, and asks, “Okay, so when are you going to get out of bed, really?” What? Really?

Of course, it’s not their fault. No one can blame them when thyroid disease is so vague and confusing, like most autoimmune diseases.

There’s no Black Tie Gala’s being thrown for Thyroid Awareness in my hometown, which is probably for the best as most of those suffering from Hypothyroidism wouldn’t have the energy to attend, and certainly wouldn’t have the strength or mental alacrity to put such an event together! That said, we do now have a national Thyroid Awareness Month, in January and Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, in September. It’s a great start for getting the word out.  A lot more work is needed, however, to make all doctors aware of the updated TSH lab standards. What is normal doesn’t really matter. It is how you FEEL that matters.

There are some amazing women out there– thyroid advocates–who are on a roll, spreading the message and actively fighting the good fight.  They are also authoring several best-selling books on the disease, as well.  Go, Thyroid Thrivers!

As Dr. Kelly Brogan says about digging until you find your root cause,

Take the invitation that your symptoms are offering you – begin to explore what could be driving your struggle and find a new kind of health through a truce with your body. ~Kelly B.

With what I’ve learned so far, there is more to Thyroid Disease than meets the eye. Your symptoms could be masked as other issues. Other issues, could be making it seem like you have thyroid disease. Convoluted is often a word you’ll hear me say when discussing my health and thyroid issues.

Consider these things when you start investigating your symptoms as you navigate your own roller coaster:

My personal roller coaster continues on a daily basis to have more ups and downs than Six Flags can dish out. But like the millions of other people, some that are undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed, who are out there suffering, you are not alone on this crazy ride. Keep digging.

I will not give up fighting to understand the symptoms related to thyroid disease and neither should you! Danna B.

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About the Author

danna-bowman-thyroid-nation-profile-1Danna Bowman is the founder of Thyroid Nation. She developed Hashimoto’s after years of unknowingly suffering from hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances and adrenal fatigue a real-life roller coaster. Hypothyroidism runs in her family but it was never discussed, unfortunately. Her husband, 2 kids and her, picked up and moved, sight unseen, from Texas to Costa Rica in 2008. She was accurately diagnosed, however, they only offer Levothyroxine or Thyroidectomy as a solution for the disease. After a year of suffering, she turned to the internet. She found a doctor in Arizona that would consult with her and send Natural Desiccated Thyroid to her. After learning and realizing the misinformation and lack of information in Costa Rica and worldwide, she founded the website to help educate others. In 2015, she launched Thyroid Nation RADIO, a weekly thyroid and health, LIVE radio show with her co-host, Tiffany Mladinich.

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Questions or anything to add about your thyroid life on a roller coaster?  We want your thoughts in the comments section–Please!

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