If you're trying to lose weight, you've probably heard about hoodia gordonii, the appetite suppressing cactus from southern Africa that has taken the diet world by storm. Now, another succulent cactus plant -- this time from India -- has just been introduced to dieters in the U.S. and Europe, and the results are potentially quite promising. Find out more about Caralluma fimbriata -- known as Slimaluma extract -- and how it may be able to help you successfully lose weight.

Read about Caralluma now.

Could your thyroid be making you gain weight, or sabotaging even the best efforts to lose weight? Take our quiz, and find out whether or not you may be one of the millions of people who are struggling with extra pounds, thanks to an undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated thyroid condition.

Take the quiz now!

With February "sweeps" upon us, it seems to be a hot topic for TV news shows. The promos show overweight women stuffing cookies in their mouths, while the voiceover says, "What if you could lose 15 pounds a month -- while eating COOKIES??!! Find out why people are loving the Cookie Diet, tonight, on the six-o'clock news." If it sounds vaguely familiar, you're right -- because it used to be known as thyroid doctor Sanford Siegal's "Thyroid Cookie Diet."

Take a look at this latest diet craze now.

I just updated the Thyroid Top Doctors Directory, and HUNDREDS of new doctors have been added, and some doctors have been removed. Find a great new practitioner, see if your current practitioner is on the list, or contact me to recommend -- or cross off -- a doctor now!

Thyroid Top Doctors Directory

If you want the latest thyroid disease information, sign up for "Sticking Out Our Necks," my free email newsletter on thyroid disease. Just send an email to news@thyroid-info.comwith "Subscribe Thyroid News" in the subject, and I'll get you on the list. Or, use the easy sign-up boxes online.

The February 2006 issue of Elle magazine (look for Madonna on the cover) features a story by writer Joe Hooper on thyroid disease. I was interviewed for this article, and really felt that Joe Hooper understood the issues surrounding thyroid diagnosis in 2006!

If you can get a copy of this article, I highly recommend reading it!!

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) kicked off their activities for Thyroid Awareness Month in January. Their annual promotional and awareness efforts are funded by Synthroid manufacturer Abbott Laboratories.

Find out more about the objective of this year's campaign.

When it comes to thyroid disease, who deserves your support -- and whose efforts may be working against patients -- over this past year? As I did in 2003 and 2004, I've taken a look back at some of the important thyroid news and personalities of 2005, along with the highs and lows -- the cheers and jeers so to speak -- of the year -- all from a patient perspective! Did the American Association of Endocrinologists, Synthroid, Dr. Thierry Hertoghe, Dr. Steven Hotze, and the makers of Thyrin get "cheers" or "jeers?"

Find out now!

We're finding out more and more than high fiber intake is one of the keys to diet success, and may just be the make or break factor for many of us, especially thyroid patients trying to lose weight. If you're trying to get the recommended 30 grams of fiber a day, check out Dr. Levine's Ultimate Weight Loss Formula, a fiber "shake" mix that, mixed with water, makes a zero-calorie shake (chocolate, raspberry or vanilla) with 17 grams of fiber per serving!!

I love the chocolate flavor, and I hear the raspberry is the latest favorite flavor of my readers.

Find out more now.

There are so many things to keep track of with a thyroid condition, but when it comes down to feeling better, there are really 10 key ways that you can truly improve your health in 2006. A quick read through these 10 items, and you'll be ready to tackle the upcoming year feeling healthier, happier, and more in control of your wellness!

Find out the 10 key ways now!

Wondering if I've already written an article about a topic of interest? Pop over to my search page, and see what I have, at both the thyroid.about.com and thyroid-info sites.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/search.htm

There are so many different supplements and foods on the market -- the new Caralluma fimbriata featured in this issue, and hoodia gordoni, cinammon, even conjugated linoleic ccid (CLA) -- that thyroid patients can try to lose weight. Share your thoughts about which supplements you think work well now in this exclusive Thyroid Poll!

Take the Poll Now!

If you don't have the time or energy to websurf, read and research, and want someone to talk to -- now -- then book a phone consultation with me. In a one-on-one telephone coaching consultation, we'll brainstorm your thyroid questions, and I'll share ideas and resources with you on where to get more help so you can feel and live well. We can usually schedule your session for a convenient time in the next 48 hours! Find out more, or book your consultation now.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/consult.htm

• Living Well With Hypothyroidism, New 2nd edition published 2005
• The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss, 2004
• Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, 2004
• Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, 2003

• In-depth Overview of Thyroid Drugs
• Levothyroxine Details Comparison Chart, including dyes, fillers, and more for each brand
• Detailed Chart on Antithyroid Drugs
• Thyrolar, Cytomel and Natural Thyroid Comparison Chart
• Thyroid Drug Manufacturers Reference Chart
• Thyroid Hormone Replacement Equivalence Chart: Levothyroxine to Thyrolar

Mary Shomon
P.O. Box 565
Kensington, MD 20895-0565
Fax: 425-977-1175