Hypothyroidism is a combination of two words: “hypo” meaning “under, reduced, or below normal,” and “thyroid”, which is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that secretes hormones,located just below the Adam’s apple in the front of the neck.  Therefore, “hypothyroidism” means the under-functioning of the thyroid gland in the body.

One hormone normally secreted by the thyroid gland is known as thyroxin (also spelled thyroxine.) It is also referred to as T4, indicating that it has four iodine molecules. This hormone is very versatile, and is carried from the thyroid gland throughout the body, ensuring that the cells, tissues, and organs, function correctly. Other hormones secreted by the thyroid are triiodothyronine (T3), diiodothyronine (T2) and monoiodothyronine (T1). They are all important to your health.

Thyroxin aids in the operation of the heart, brain, muscles, and also energy generation. When there isn’t enough thyroxin, the body processes are interfered with. This is the reason people frequently feel tired when they have hypothyroidism. The body’s ability to break down calories and carbohydrates to ensure energy increase, is greatly hampered. This inability to properly break down food components can also result in weight gain, because the individual feels too tired to exercise.

If you notice you are frequently tired and are gaining weight, see a nutritional specialist as soon as possible. If the problem is hypothyroidism, supplements can be taken to nourish the thyroid back to health.

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“We asked 17 pilots from across the country to give us straight answers about maddening safety rules, inexplicable delays, the air and attitudes up there—and what really happens behind the cockpit door. What they told us will change the way you fly.

“I’m constantly under pressure to carry less fuel than I’m comfortable with. Airlines are always looking at the bottom line, and you burn fuel carrying fuel. Sometimes if you carry just enough fuel and you hit thunderstorms or delays, then suddenly you’re running out of gas and you have to go to an alternate airport.” -Captain at a major airline

“Sometimes the airline won’t give us lunch breaks or even time to eat. We have to delay flights just so we can get food.” -First officer on a regional carrier

“We tell passengers what they need to know. We don’t tell them things that are going to scare the pants off them. So you’ll never hear me say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we just had an engine failure,’ even if that’s true.” -Jim Tilmon, retired American Airlines pilot, Phoenix

“The Department of Transportation has put such an emphasis on on-time performance that we pretty much aren’t allowed to delay a flight anymore, even if there are 20 people on a connecting flight that’s coming in just a little late.” -Commercial pilot, Charlotte, North Carolina

“The truth is, we’re exhausted. Our work rules allow us to be on duty 16 hours without a break. That’s many more hours than a truck driver. And unlike a truck driver, who can pull over at the next rest stop, we can’t pull over at the next cloud.” -Captain at a major airline

“Some FAA rules don’t make sense to us either. Like the fact that when we’re at 39,000 feet going 400 miles an hour, in a plane that could hit turbulence at any minute, [flight attendants] can walk around and serve hot coffee and Chateaubriand. But when we’re on the ground on a flat piece of asphalt going five to ten miles an hour, they’ve got to be buckled in like they’re at NASCAR.” -Jack Stephan, US Airways captain based in Annapolis, Maryland, who has been flying since 1984

“The two worst airports for us: Reagan National in Washington, D.C., and John Wayne in Orange County, California. You’re flying by the seat of your pants trying to get in and out of those airports. John Wayne is especially bad because the rich folks who live near the airport don’t like jet noise, so they have this noise abatement procedure where you basically have to turn the plane into a ballistic missile as soon as you’re airborne.” -Pilot, South Carolina

“At some airports with really short runways, you’re not going to have a smooth landing no matter how good we are: John Wayne Airport; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Chicago Midway; and Reagan National.” -Joe D’Eon, a pilot at a major airline who produces a podcast at flywithjoe.com

“I may be in uniform, but that doesn’t mean I’m the best person to ask for directions in the airport. We’re in so many airports that we usually have no idea.” -Pilot for a regional carrier, Charlotte, North Carolina



More next week (they’re not all bad.)

Back to studying all the new developments in the social media world, i.e. Twitter is unveiling a new format. Trying to decide if I like it. They’re also going to iframes (iFrames?) and won’t be supporting fbml after awhile. So don’t bother learning fbml.

Facebook is always changing something, so that’s a near-constant challenge to keep up. Tra la. That’s why I’m involved with social media management. Always something new to keep your mind alive. (Maybe not happy, but alive.

Alert!! Our karaoke man, Ed, had a minor (hopefully) health relapse. He’s back home now, so everyone’s well-wishes for his continued improvement are greatly appreciated. With the holiday season coming up, I certainly hope he’ll be fit and ready to go.

We’ve had an invasion of mice ever since Goodie, the dog, scared away the skunk who lived under our porch. So we’re thinking of getting a baby de-scented skunk to catch the mice. We’ll see.



More developments to come…