In "Curious, George: Graves Disease"

Some endocrinologists even prefer just to fully ablate the whole darn gland rather than futz around with keeping the level just right over time. (Just to add to the chorus that taking the synthetic hormone for long periods is supposedly very benign, which is pleasant and unusual news from the medical sciences.)

Er, sorry, that was a little self-absorved: I believe it's quite idiosyncratic, but I think the symptoms of the untreated disease often include depression and anxiety, which I find quite spooky. Don't mean to be pollyanna, but I think the treatment is relatively safe and routine, for what that's worth.

Hmm.. What other side effects do you have in mind? I was diagnosed with Graves disease a few years ago (just what my young male ego needed - the disease everyone's mom seems to come down wiith) I currently have the bugger in remission but have been told to expect it to come back some time in the short-/medium-/long-term. As I understand it, I'll be on that synthetic hormone sooner or later, but I've been there are basically no side effects outside of what you experience when your level needs tweaking. (I'm no fan of taking drugs long term of course, but at least you're just replacing a hormone you normally produce.) But I'd be real, real interested if you know about particular side effects associated with the synthetic hormone.

In "Curious George: Hactivist Friendly Graduate Programs"

Well, I quit my software job a couple of years ago and started a PhffD in economics because I was interested in globalization issues. I sort of agree and disagree with Xeny above. I think you'd have to be nuts to spend 4-5 years on a professional credential. It only makes sense if spending that long eating beans+rice slaving over your research sounds like heaven.

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