My Story

My name is Tess Gordon. I have Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis. I have lived with thyroid disease probably since I was a teenager. I was not formally diagnosed until 2002. I had suffered for years with symptoms but my doctor told me I just needed to eat less and exercise more. I knew that something was very wrong with my body, but my doctor made me feel as if I was losing my mind. Until one day when fate intervened. I was reading a magazine and came across an article about hypothyroidism. As I read, I realized that I had most of the symptoms described. The article went on to say that an easy way to determine if your thyroid was enlarged was to look in the mirror with your head back and swallow while watching the lower part of your throat. There was a diagram of the thyroid gland and where it was located, as well. I immediately followed the directions and felt a clearly defined lump in my throat. It was visible when swallowing, too.

I made an appointment with my doctor immediately and told him what I found. He ordered an ultrasound and found two clearly defined nodules on my thyroid. He tested my thyroid, which apparently had not been done until that point, and my TSH came back over 50. He ordered a Radioactive Iodine Uptake Scan and sent me to a Otolaryngologist. I was given Synthroid and told all would be well. Of course, it was not.

That is where my real journey as an advocate began. I learned everything I could about hypothyroidism. I questioned my parents about family health history related to thyroid disease. I subscribed to thyroid disease websites. But, I continued to trust my doctor even when my health continued to deteriorate. I went from my Otolaryngologist to an Endocrinologist. Gallons of blood were drawn and tested.

As I continued to educate myself, I began to realize that my doctors had no idea how to treat hypothyroidism, much less Hashimoto’s. Finally, in desperation, I reached out to a doctor that didn’t accept insurance but was listed as a top thyroid doctor on one of the websites I followed. She saved my life. She took the time to help me understand and learn about my disease and how to best treat it. She taught me about foods that affect the thyroid negatively. She taught me how to recognize changes in my body and to listen to it and respond to what it needed.

Since then, I had to undergo a total thyroidectomy due to the complete and total destruction of my thyroid by my immune system. I have learned so much throughout my journey and continue to learn each and every day. I have good days and bad days. There are days when I cannot physically function. There are days when I am extremely frustrated. But, there are a lot of days that I feel good and every day, I thank God that I am here and living well with this disease.

My oldest daughter was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s a few years ago and just recently, my mother was diagnosed with it, even though she has most likely had it her entire life. It is hereditary, and usually is passed through the maternal side. My maternal grandmother also had thyroid disease, but we do not know if it was Hashimoto’s. Most likely it was, and just undiagnosed. My youngest daughter is tested annually for it, but so far has not had abnormal test results.

I want to live my best life with this disease and help others understand this disease earlier so they do not suffer needlessly the way that I did. I am not a doctor. I do not claim to be able to heal you. I just want to help you become educated and be the best advocate for yourself on your journey with hypothyroidism so that you, too can learn to listen to your body and live well.

I’m so glad you’re here.