I believe that Sarah Shea and colleagues mistook a bat for a belfry and misdiagnosed Pooh completely, but then they're psychiatrists.1 Pooh is a classic example of a patient with hypothyroidism. He's pudgy and always craving carbos, and then there's his brain fog, mental confusion, slurring or juxtaposed speech patterns, hesitancy at speaking, spaced-out look and obvious dyslexic problems, along with attention deficit disorder, slow and plodding gait, tummy aches, insulin resistance with upper body weight gain and a need for lots of naps — I'm pretty sure Pooh's hibernation period lasts longer than those of the average bear.
Of course, congenital hypothyroidism would lead to simplistic communication skills and mental and physical retardation if the disease were undiagnosed and untreated. The symptoms of acquired hypothyroidism come on more gradually as the body runs out of thyroid hormones. I wonder if his coat sheds easily and if he's got lots of aches and pains. Poor, poor Pooh.
Tigger, on the other hand, is a perfect example of hyperthyroidism. His excessive energy is translated into rapid speech, jerky movements, high-flying stunts and acting before thinking. His throat has an enlarged profile and his eyes are always bugging out. I imagine he sweats a lot and has diarrhea. Many disorders like panic attacks and compulsive disorders are seen even in subclinical hyperthyroidism. Someone give Tigger a β-blocker.
Reference
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