Myth #1: If you don’t do anything, Graves’ Disease will go away. How about I just pray?
Wrong: If you don’t do anything you may face a thyroid storm, which is a very dangerous, life threatening condition. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: high fever, severe palpitations, vomiting, delirium etc. – all of them are very serious complications that can lead even to a heart failure. Do not play with the fire!
Myth #2: There is a miracle pill, which I can take and I can get cured overnight from Graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism.
Wrong: There isn’t such a thing as a magical pill that can cure any disease overnight, not only Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism. That especially pertains to chronic or autoimmune disorders. Usually, it takes the same amount of time for healing as for the physical manifestation of the disease. You disease didn’t show up overnight, it can’t go way overnight! So, be patient!
Myth #3: RAI (Radioactive Iodine Treatment) is a safe and fast way to resolve my hyperthyroidism problems.
Wrong: Sorry to disappoint you, but if you believe that swallowing radioactive iodine is that safe, what’s the big fuss about the earthquake in Japan a few years ago? What about Chernobil a few decades ago? People wouldn’t be going around with masks and moving to different parts of the world, wouldn’t they if it was so safe? Hyperthyroid cats treated with that same radioactive pill wouldn’t be locked in metal containers for 2 weeks straight, right? But who believes that it is safe for people?
Myth #4: Proper diet for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism is the only therapy that can fix my health problems.
Wrong: No matter what you eat, no matter how much broccoli and cabbage you consume overnight that alone will not cure you from Graves’ Disease. Shoudl I eat junk food then? Definitely not! Keeping up with a good (goitrogenic or gluten free) diet will help tremendously but it’s’ not the only pre-requisite remedial factor for Graves’ Disease.
Myth #5: I have to trust my endocrinologist 100% on treating my Graves’ Disease and to do whatever they say I should do. Yes, of course you should trust your doctor, but…..
Wrong: Doctors, at least most of them, do their best to treat properly their patients, to the best they have been taught. However, all humans are different and sometimes same medications and treatment options may have a completely dissimilar impact on different people. Do your own judgment, watch carefully how you feel and what reactions you have to medications for example and finally, trust your intuition. In order to get cured you have to actively participate in the healing process and if your doctor is preventing you from doing so- don’t be afraid to fire him and get another one.