sun_3.jpg - 8243 Bytes STICKING OUT OUR NECKS | April 2005
Thyroid News for People Who Want to Live Well -- "We're Patients...Not Lab Values!"
from Patient Advocate Mary J. Shomon
Author of "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Success," "Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," and coming soon, "Living Well With Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism"


VIEW THIS NEWSLETTER ONLINE AS A WEB PAGE WITH CLICKABLE LINKS

This newsletter is located online at: http://www.thyroid-info.com/news/apr2005.htm
Back issues are online at http://www.thyroid-info.com/news/index.htm

LIVING WELL WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM: 2005 REVISED SECOND EDITION PUBLISHED
My big news -- and the reason I've been delayed again in getting out a newsletter, is that my latest book has just been published! Back in 2000, my book "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know" was published by HarperCollins. Since then, the book has gone to more than 20 printings, with more than 100,000 copies in print. But alot has happened in the world of hypothyroidism since then, and it was time to revise and update the book -- so the new edition -- 640 pages of information specifically for thyroid patients -- has just been published! More information and ordering details are online. This 2005 release is a revised and updated edition of the provides detailed information on the warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors for hypothyroidism, along with a checklist you can bring to the doctor. I review and explain a wide range of treatments -- from conventional to integrative to holistic – and not only shares my own struggles, but the experiences and advice from thousands of patients and doctors I've encountered. The new edition of Living Well With Hypothyroidism answers questions that often go unanswered, and features expanded coverage many upgrades, revisions and improvements, including: You'll find the book's table of contents, a list of key thyroid experts featured, reviews, introductions to both the 2000 and 2005 editions online, and other information online at: http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm.

Order from Amazon Now

Order from Iherb Online at the $8 copy discount price
Phone Orders: call Iherb.com toll-free at 888-792-0028

INTERACTIVE THYROID SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS CHECKER

Just click on the particular thyroid condition you're interested in, and this new interactive tool will provide you with a detailed list of possible symptoms, as well as tests typically used for diagnosis. Covers hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's, Graves', nodules/lumps, goiter, and thyroid cancer. Go to the Interactive Symptoms and Tests Checker now.

PRICE INCREASES FOR ONE THYROID DRUG AMONG HIGHEST FOR ALL BRAND NAME DRUGS

According to a report just published by the American Association of retired Persons (AARP) , one thyroid drug is one of the 20 brand name drugs with the highest average annual manufacturer price increases. Which drug is it, and is it the drug you take?

I'M A THYROID PATIENT, NOT A LAB VALUE: AND NOW YOU CAN TELL THE WORLD...AND YOUR DOCTOR!!

tsht.jpg - 20602 Bytes By popular request, I've put together the Thyroid Awareness Shop, where you can get items that will help you spread the word about thyroid disease, including the "We're Thyroid Patients...Not Lab Values!!" button, "I'm a Thyroid Patient, Not a Lab Value" tee-shirts and bumper stickers, and my personal favorite, tbe "Friends Don't Let Friends Have a High TSH" ladies tee.

Stop by the shop at: http://www.cafepress.com/thyroidhealth.





OTHER CANCER RISK BEFORE AND AFTER THYROID CANCER

Researchers looked at the risk of other cancer developing among people who had thyroid cancer. The studies, conducted in Europe, Canada, Australia and Singapore, followed approximately 35,000 people who had thyroid cancer over a 25 year period, looking for subsequent cancers. A total of 2821 people had second primary cancers after their primary thyroid cancer, and found out more about the risk of developing a second cancer. Read more...

FEELING FAT, FUZZY OR FRAZZLED? TWO DOCTORS HAVE SOLUTIONS

If you - like many of the patients coming to the medical office of Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames - have tried a variety of interventions without complete success, then you'll definitely want to read this new article from them, "Still Feeling "Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled" Despite Thyroid Care?" After 25 years of thyroid practice as a doctor-nurse team, the Shames have seen a great many people like all of us. And they've discovered some very interesting facts:
(1) Multi-gland imbalance is largely an unsuspected condition.
(2) Even when suspected, it is frequently undiagnosed.
(3) When it is diagnosed, it often goes untreated.
(4) When it is treated, it is seldom treated optimally.
Usually, they've found themselves creating individualized programs of multi-hormone rebalancing. But now, they've made their program and approach more widely available, so don't miss your chance to find out about Feeling Fat, Fuzzy, or Frazzled? A 3-Step Program to Beat Hormone Havoc and Feel Better Fast! Read about it now!

If you would like to hear more about when the book FAT, FUZZY, OR FRAZZLED? becomes available, & how to get a copy, please send an email to: keepmeposted@feelingfff.com


Search My Thyroid, Autoimmune & Diet Sites

Wondering if I've already written an article about a topic of interest? See what's already out there, at both the thyroid.about.com and thyroid-info sites.

www.thyroid-info.comthyroid.about.com

TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT?

If you want the latest weight loss news for thyroid patients, sign up for "A Weight Off My Mind" email newsletter. Just send an email to diet@thyroid-info.com with "Subscribe" in the subject, and I'll get you on the list. Or drop by my Thyroid Diet site, http://www.goodmetabolism.com.

FIBER SOLUTIONS FOR WEIGHT LOSS WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM

One of the basics for anyone with a thyroid problem who wants to lose weight is to up your fiber intake substantially. It's hard to do just with foods (I for one, simply can't eat wheelbarrows full of broccoli, high-fiber cereal and sweet potatoes!) so one of the best ways I've found to do this is to add a fiber supplement. My favorite? Dr. Levine's Ultimate Weight Loss Formula, basically 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 happen to like the chocolate best...) (See http://www.thyroid-info.com/fiber.htm for more information.)

High fiber is a very basic tactic that most hypothyroid need to follow in order to lose weight. Fiber has so many benefits for hypothyroid people trying to lose weight. With slowed digestion, and sometimes even constipation as a result, fiber can help promote regularity. Fiber also slows the digestive process, and can help prevent dramatic swings in blood sugar. Fiber can help lower cholesterol. And, fiber can also help you lose weight because it fills you up, and may reduce your hunger levels.

As I wrote in my book, The Thyroid Diet: "One study found that adding 14 grams per day of fiber was associated with a 10% decrease in energy intake and body, and weight loss of 5 pounds over 4 months. In another study, among a group of 53 women who were moderately overweight, following a 1200 calorie a day diet, over 24 weeks, half were given a fiber supplement, half received placebo. They were given 6 grams of fiber a day to start, down to 4 grams. After treatment, the fiber group lost a mean amount of 17.6 pounds versus 12.76 pounds in the placebo group."

levine.jpg - 10015 BytesAccording to Scott Levine, MD, who created the fiber formula, many people who use his product lose 1.5 to 3 pounds per week without doing anything else differently, a result achieved because of reduction of food intake, combined with reduced insulin resistance and blood sugar levels, due to the increased fiber in the diet. Because Levine's formula includes both soluble and insoluble fibers, it also has the various health benefits – including reduction of cholesterol. Says Levine: "The right kinds of fiber can be particularly helpful for insulin metabolism, especially in people who have even a few extra pounds around the middle. That abdominal weight gain – which drives increasing insulin levels, and is the start of the whole metabolic syndrome – can be helped by high-fiber consumption."

Dr. Levine's Ultimate Weight Loss Formula is $69.95 for a large canister, but it will typically last you a month or so, and while that sounds expensive, if you use it the right way, it will reduce your appetite, and you will truly eat less, so it evens out in the end. I like to use it in the morning as a smoothie, and as an afternoon snack. You can use it to help prevent snacking, to reduce the amount you eat during each meal, or mix up a shake as a zero-calorie but filling meal replacement (preferably lunch).

Find out more about it, and how you can order it online now.

One important warning -- If you switch from a low-fiber to high-fiber diet, or add a fiber supplement, be very careful that you are getting your thyroid medicine AT LEAST an hour before eating in the morning, so your absorption is not impaired. Fiber can change your dosage requirements, so 6-8 weeks after starting a high-fiber diet or supplement, you may wish to have your thyroid function tested to make sure you don't need a dosage change.

CDC HALTS THYROID STUDY FUNDING

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have stopped funding for a study that was investigating the relationship between radioactive fallout and thyroid disease in people who lived at risk of exposure to fallout from Nevada's atomic bomb tests of the 1950s and early 1960s. Only $8 million had been spent on the study when the CDC canceled funding. There have been conflicting results of previous studies, with some showing no connection between fallout and cancer, and others showing increased disease, especially among people exposed as children. Read more...

HYPOTHYROIDISM ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED BREAST CANCER RISK

Finally, some GOOD news for thyroid patients, for a change! Researchers have found that women with hypothyroidism appear to have a reduced chance of developing invasive breast cancer, according to a study published in March 2005. Get the details now.

SOME KEY THYROID LINKS TO BOOKMARK

Thyroid Disease 101 Starting Point: Articles, Overviews and Links on Thyroid Disease
http://thyroid.about.com/blthyroid.htm

Thyroid Top Docs Directory
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/doctors/a/topdocs.htm

Thyroid Support Forums
http://thyroid.about.com/mpboards.htm

SPRING 2005 BOOK SALE: ALL MARY SHOMON'S BOOKS $8 AT IHERB

 Iherb.com continues its absolutely wonderful price on copies of any of my books, including "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" (the LATEST edition!), NY Times bestseller "The Thyroid Diet," (in its 9th printing), "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease (also in its 9th printing!), and "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia." At this price, you can afford copies for your sister, your best friend, and your coworker... and of course, your doctor!! Only $8.00, plus shipping, from Iherb.com!

Order online, or order by phone with Iherb.com toll-free at 888-792-0028.

NOTES FROM MARY

Dear Email Newsletter Readers:

As a special offer to thank you for reading my email newsletter, I would like to extend an opportunity for you to subscribe to the print edition of Sticking Out Our Necks: Thyroid Disease News Report, at a special one-time only rate of $5 off the annual subscription price! This terrific discount rate is good only if you subscribe in April of 2005. AND, if you order now, as a FREE GIFT, I'll send you a FREE COPY of the March/April print issue of STICKING OUT OUR NECKS, available now!! And your paid subscription will run from the May/June 2005 issue through March/April of 2006! So, sign up now and you'll get: Get more information now.

Your FREE 12-page March/April issue includes the following in-depth articles and news: issue31.jpg - 48372 BytesYour FREE 12-page March/April issue also includes a detailed "News Roundup." Here are just a few of the key stories covered: Online Orders: http://www.thyroid-info.com/april2005news.htm

mary.gif - 10266 BytesPhone Orders: Call our secure, toll-free subscription line anytime at 1-888-810-9471 (or 727-781-2924). Please leave the following information in your message: Name (please spell it), address (please spell it), city (please spell it), state, zip, phone number, type of card (MasterCard, Visa, Amex, Discover), card number, expiration date, and indicate that you are ordering the newsletter with the April $5 off rate.

Mail/fax orders, get a PDF Order Form, Microsoft Word Format Order Form, or go to http://www.thyroid-info.com/april2005news.htm.

Take care, and live well --

Mary
"Sticking Out Our Necks" email edition is published regularly by Mary Shomon. Please invite your friends to subscribe! Send them a copy with your recommendation. "Sticking Out Our Necks" is copyright 1997-2005 by Mary Shomon.
Web: http://www.thyroid-info.com
Email: thyroidnews@thyroid-info.com
Regular mail:
Mary Shomon
P.O. Box 565
Kensington, MD 20895-0565
Fax: 425-977-1175
Sticking Out Our Necks and this website are © Copyright Mary Shomon, 1997-2005. All rights reserved. Mary Shomon, Editor/Webmaster
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new treatment program. Please see our full disclaimer.