One of the most powerful things we do as a community is talk honestly about what life with  a thyroid condition is really like. When we share our stories - the confusing symptoms, the setbacks, the things that
help us - we remind each other that we’re not alone.
 
We don’t shy away from the difficulties and frustrations, or the long waits for answers. Yet through our stories, we offer hope, reassurance, and the kind of insight that only lived experience can bring.
 
When stories are shared, empathy grows - and that benefits us all.
  
For you: writing can be cathartic, reassuring, and therapeutic. It helps you process what you have been through, and still are going through, however well you manage your condition.
 
For others: your story can be the moment someone feels seen and understood.
 Together: we form a collective voice raising awareness — and compassion.
 
🦋 We welcome stories from:
Adults (18+) living with thyroid disease
People recently diagnosed or long‑term patients
 Family members, partners, friends, or colleagues
 
You don’t need to be a “writer.” Honest, everyday experiences matter most.
 
💜 ✍️  Format & Submission
  
Written stories (300–1,500 words)
 Short reflections, poems or letters - to yourself, to others.....
 ​...or the one you wish you had received
  
🔒 Privacy & Consent
 
You choose how you are identified: full name, first name only, pseudonym, or anonymous
 Stories are edited collaboratively, with care and respect
This project shares lived experience, not medical advice
  
How to Submit
 
Send your story to [email protected] with the subject line:
 Sharing Our Thyroid Stories
 
Share as little or as much as feels right for you. 
Every perspective matters.
 
🪶 By submitting, you agree that:
 
Your story may be used by The Thyroid Trust on their website, in publications, or  
promotional materials
 You remain the author and retain ownership
 You can choose anonymity or use a pseudonym
 You will not receive payment for publication
 You may withdraw consent at any time (previously published uses remain in place)
 
🌷 Why Your Story Matters
 
Many people with thyroid disease feel dismissed, misunderstood, or alone - especially at diagnosis.
Your story could be the one that reassures someone that what they’re experiencing is real and that they aren’t failing or imagining it.

 “Sharing our stories helps us feel less alone - and lets others know that they are
 not alone either. Thank you for sharing a piece of your journey.”
  
💡 Optional Story Prompts

Getting Started
What first made you realise something was wrong?
 How did you receive your diagnosis?
What does “living with thyroid disease” mean to you?
  
🌈 Exploring Your Experience
 What has surprised you most — good or bad?
How has thyroid disease affected your day‑to‑day life or relationships?
Have you found unexpected strength or joy?
 What do you wish you’d known earlier?
 
🌻 Connecting & Supporting
 
What would you tell someone newly diagnosed?
 Are there myths or misconceptions you’d like to challenge?
 How has connecting (or wanting to connect) with others helped you?
What is your main message of hope or realism?
 
🌿 Reflecting & Looking Forward
 
How has this journey shaped who you are?
 What tools, strategies, or support have helped?
If you could speak to yourself at the start, what would you say?
 What are your hopes for the future — health or otherwise?

You can write in any style: paragraphs, poetry, bullet points, letters, or just 'moments'.
 All emotions are valid: humour, sadness, anger, hope.
 
Your experience is unique and valuable. 💜
 
Thank you
 from all at The Thyroid Trust
 
​Just email your story to [email protected] 

In a moving prose and poetry book, This is Not My Nose, renowned writer and broadcaster Michael Rosen tells the the story of his long undiagnosed hypothyroidism and recovery and how he felt very unlike himself for a period until he was successfully treated. 

Molly's story shows how we often need to know ourselves really well, and keep asking questions of the specialists.​

Karen's story starts with a thyroid storm, describes life without a thyroid, explains how The Thyroid Trust has helped her and reveals what she got up to on International Thyroid Awareness Day 2020. 

Helga's story tells how specialist treatment for hypothyroidism finally resolved difficult symptoms she had struggled with and got her running again!  (And read about Helga's amazing fundraising too). 

Read Michelle's story where she explains the benefits of practicing mindful self care and keeping moving. 

Read Kelly's story, about having Graves disease, which was diagnosed in her twenties and caused both an overactive thyroid and thyroid eye disease, then fifteen years later attending the EUGOGO Conference in Pisa as a patient representative for The Thyroid Trust.

Look out for Maureen's story, as told by Lord Borwick in the House of Lords and hopefully resolved, thanks to our interventions and support from her local CCG. 

Also Jenny's story - of postpartum thyroiditis - originally published on the National Childbirth Trust website, NCT Matters.

Some stories are more difficult - and we feel it is important that those  are collected and used to inform research, health policy and clinical practice. 

Read Pamela's story about being misdiagnosed with depression. 

Una Cavanagh writes about the negative impact of shaming on diagnosis on our thyroid friends blog. 
​
If you would like to share your thyroid story with us - either to help inspire others or because you feel it is important that it is documented and may be used to help improve care for others - we would love to hear from you and you can submit it via the following form. 

Submit Your Story

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If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please email [email protected]