Ann was 73. Her husband had died a year ago after a happy 50-year marriage. In that year she had become reclusive: her kindly neighbours thought that it was just grief – but then they became more concerned.

Ann had started to forget things, like putting the bins out on time, or keeping up with the news as she used to.

She was losing her hair, had put on a stone or more in weight, and her face seemed somehow coarser and her expression duller. She kept on her winter coat on warm days, and complained that she was never warm enough.

Her neighbour thought that she was ageing very fast, and perhaps developing dementia, so she asked the district nurse to see her. Happily, the nurse recognised instantly what was wrong and arranged for her to see the doctor for a blood test.

Within days of the blood test results and starting treatment, Ann was her old self again. She was bright and alert, had her sense of humour back and began to look much younger. Her hair started to grow back, and her house was neat and tidy again.

The ‘miracle’? Ann’s thyroid gland had stopped working.

All her symptoms were the result of the loss of her thyroid hormones. Once the test had confirmed this, she was started on a tablet every day, and this had ‘cured’ her. She will need to stay on the hormone tablets for the rest of her life, but it is only a small inconvenience.

She is looking forward to the future again, and is coping well with her grief.