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 | Sticking Out Our Necks | Issue #60 -- August 2002 "We're Patients...Not Lab Values! from Mary J. Shomon, Author of Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, and The Thyroid Diet Success Guide |
| IN THIS ISSUE: | Welcome to the sixtieth issue of "Sticking Out Our Necks!" my thyroid disease news report. This newsletter is copyrighted by Mary Shomon, and cannot be legally reproduced without permission. Feel free, however, to forward a single copy to someone who might be interested in reading the newsletter or subscribing to it in the future. ON THE WEB: My Thyroid Disease Information Source and News Report home page is located at http://www.thyroid-info.com, and I also run a comprehensive Thyroid Disease site at About.com, which you can visit at http://thyroid.about.com. SEND NEWS! If you see something thyroid-related in the news or on the web, please feel free to let me know, send me a note, or forward the URL to me if it's on the web. My email is news@thyroid-info.com, regular mail is P.O. Box 0385, Palm Harbor, FL 34682, fax is: 425-977-1175 TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE AND CONTRIBUTE: This news report is distributed via Yahoogroups, and is never sent unsolicited. (Note: Your email address is sacred and will not be sold or made available to ANYONE!) To subscribe to the email version of "Sticking Out Our Necks" visit the Thyroid Disease News Report Subscription Center, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ThyroidNews OR you can send a blank message to ThyroidNews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. To unsubscribe, send an email to ThyroidNews-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com. To contribute information, thoughts or ideas for the newsletter, write to me, the editor, Mary Shomon personally, at news@thyroid-info.com. FULL TEXT PRINT SUBSCRIPTION: Full text and additional articles from "Sticking Out Our Necks" are available in the 12-page bi-monthly print edition, available only by subscription. Subscribers receive a 12-page issue every other month, packed with information and special features of interest to thyroid patients, plus additional special reports and inserts throughout the year. For secure online ordering via credit card, phone, fax, or mail orders, see http://www.thyroid-info.com/subscribe.htm. Or call our toll-free subscription, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, at 1-888-810-9471, to subscribe. Subscriptions are $25 US ($35 non-US) for a year, and you can place a secure online order now using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. MY BOOKS: "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know, was published March 2000, by HarperCollins, and is a bestseller now in its 13th printing. Amazon.com named it one of the Top 40 Health Bestsellers of both 2000 AND 2001! The Los Angeles Times calls it "a first-rate book." The book is available in your local bookstores. For more information, online orders, and to read a free chapter, see http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm. My second book in the series, “Living Well with Autoimmune Disease” is being published later in September 2002 by HarperCollins. Publisher’s Weekly says “...this informative self-help manual is badly needed. Drawing on extensive research, as well as doctor-patient anecdotes, Shomon’s guide is designed to empower patients to participate in their own care...” The book will be available in your local bookstores and online outlets. For more information, online orders, and to read a free chapter, see http://www.autoimmunebook.com. For phone orders of both books in the U.S., call Politics and Prose Bookstore, 800-722-0790. |
A REASON TO AVOID THE NEWS COVERAGE ON SEPTEMBER 11TH?
If you’re like me, the September 11th tragedy completely turned your life upside down. While I had friends and family who were in Manhattan in the vicinity of the Twin Towers, friends who worked at the Pentagon, and an indirect family connection to one of the people on a crashed airliner, I personally was not directly involved in the tragedy. But like many, I was glued to the television night and day for literally weeks, as F-16s droned overhead day and night. My first airplane flight, in early October of 2001, was preceded by a week of intense anxiety and heart-pounding stress. Months later, I still felt drained, anxious and disturbed by the whole situation.
Turns out, I may have had a case of post-traumatic stress syndrome simply from exposure to coverage, and peripheral exposure to the tragedy, and I’m not alone.
A recently published study found a substantial percentage of people outside New York City reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder that continued for up to six months after the tragic events of September 11.
"Those who watched the events unfold on television can also be affected by them. 'Culture' is the lens through which the world is perceived," reports Robert Grant, Ph.D., psychologist and international trauma consultant.
People who experience secondary or vicarious trauma from watching traumatic events often fall through the therapeutic net and are less likely to seek help, Dr. Grant says.
"The events of September 11 were experienced both as primary and secondary, or vicarious, trauma," Dr. Grant says. "Trauma, by definition, involves experiences that overwhelm an individual's ability to cope and hence to make sense of certain life events."
Symptoms of vicarious trauma are stress, chronic fatigue, diminished self-care, headaches and various somatic complaints. Unresolved trauma can result in autoimmune impairment, substance abuse and premature death, Dr. Grant reports.
Limiting exposure to the events is one way of lessening their impact, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
This September 11th, you may want to consider turning off the television and radio, and commemorating the day in a way that may be less stressful to you and your health. Reading the news in a newspaper, for example, is far less frightening than seeing the visual images on television or listening to reactions on the radio, the Centre reports.
THE ROAD TO RESILIENCE: TIPS FOR REBOUNDING FROM ADVERSITY
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, uncertainty appears more and more to be a way of life. Whether death of a loved one, loss of a job, serious illness, terrorist attacks, or other traumatic events, how we respond to these experiences can enable us to more effectively manage these situations and enjoy life despite difficult times.
What enables people to deal with hardship? It involves resilience, an ongoing process that requires time and effort and engages people in taking a number of steps. Resilience is "bouncing back" from difficult experiences.
"Now more than ever people seem open to reexamining their lives and finding new ways to cope," said Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., the American Psychological Association's (APA) executive director for professional practice. "Resilience as a way of responding to adversity, challenges, and even chronic stress, is something which can be learned."
To help Americans understand the role of resilience in their lives, the APA and the Discovery Health Channel launched a new public education initiative entitled "The Road to Resilience." Among the resources developed to better equip individuals to manage troubled times, consumers can obtain a free brochure for tips on building resilience and insight into changes that may accompany this process.
Some useful steps contained in the brochure include:
- Make connections. Good relationships with close family members, friends, civic groups or others in the community are important. Accept help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you.
- Avoid seeing a crisis as an insurmountable problem. Try to look beyond the present circumstances to how the future may be better. Note any ways in which you might already feel somewhat better as you deal with difficult situations.
- Move toward your goals. Develop some realistic goals, and do something regularly that enables moving toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem beyond reach at the moment, ask yourself, "What's one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the direction I want to go?"
- Keep things in perspective. Even when facing very painful events, try to consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing the event out of proportion.
- Take care of yourself. Pay attention to your needs and feelings. Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly.
A co-produced documentary, entitled Aftermath: The Road to Resilience, will air on the Discovery Health Channel on September 11, 2002 at 8 p.m. The special presents profiles in resilience from people of diverse ages in dealing with the events of September 11th as well as other hardships that define many of our lives.
ASK THE EXPERTS: DEALING WITH YOUR DOCTORS!
Periodically, various experts answer questions regarding your health, thyroid disease and related issues. In this issue, internationally known internist and women’s health expert, author and champion for patient rights and responsibilities Marie Savard, M.D. responds to a key question many patients have.
Question: As a patient, what can and should I do if I'm calling with an important question (a problematic, uncomfortable -- but not emergency room-worthy -- symptom, or a prescription is running out and I urgently need a refill) and I simply cannot get the doctor to respond, or get what I need from the office. Every time I call, the office staff say they'll pass on the message, or I leave voice mail messages, and I don't get a call back from the doctor. And if I reach staff, they say "We've passed this on to the doctor, but we can't make him or her call you back, we'll just leave another message," etc. -- Betty
 | Dr. Marie Savard Answers: I wish I could give you a straight and sure-fire answer, but I can't. You first must ask yourself whether you trust your doctor and want to stick with him/her for the long run. Because if you have not established a longstanding relationship and you could readily change doctors then that makes the most sense. On the other hand, many people really don't have a choice; either their doctor is the best in their specialty or is the only one available. In that case you need to persist. |
As far as the prescription needing a refill, do everything you can in the future to request the refill long before you need it. Sometimes your pharmacist will help out by calling the doctor's office for you. If you have troubling symptoms that you need to discuss with your doctor, make an appointment if you can. Many doctors prefer seeing you face-to-face. If an appointment isn't realistic then let the office staff know exactly what is troubling you and why you are so worried. Office staff usually respond better to patients that trust them to give this private information to the doctor. I can remember my own offic staff getting angry when patients wouldn't tell them exactly what it was they needed to speak to the doctor about. It is your health on the line, so kindly but firmly persist!
Dr. Marie Savard's website is located at www.drsavard.com.
MORE “ASK AN EXPERT” QUESTIONS ANSWERED
There are many new “Ask An Expert” questions posted at Thyroid-Info.com, featuring Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames and Marie Savard, MD.
- Are Thyroid Cysts Normal? -- “Are cysts in the thyroid normal?” Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames explore this common situation.
- Help, My Doctor's Office Won't Give Me My Test Numbers! -- “When I have my TSH tested, the office staff at my doctor call and tell me "your results are normal." When I ask for the specific numbers, the office -- and even the doctor -- won't provide them. What can I do?” Patient advocate Marie Savard, MD has constructive advice.
- Men Versus Women with Thyroid Problems -- “What is the percentage of men versus women with thyroid deficiencies?” Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames take a look at the gender gap.
- I Can't Get Tested and Diagnosed! -- “I have symptoms and family history of thyroid disease, but because I'm 30, my doctor says I'm too young to have a thyroid problem. What should I do?” Patient advocate Marie Savard, MD has some helpful suggestions.
- Optimal Synthroid / Cytomel Combination -- “Is taking Synthroid 175 mcg plus Cytomel 5 mcg the same as taking Synthroid 150 mcg plus Cytomel 10 mcg? Which combination should make you have more energy and/or affect your TSH?” Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames have some ideas regarding the subject.
- Can My Doctor Fire Me? -- “My doctor refused a treatment I requested, and then two days letter, sent me a letter terminating our relationship. Can my doctor really fire me?” Patient advocate Marie Savard, MD has the answer.
- Hypothyroidism Tests and Doctors -- “What type of tests should you have to see if you have hypothyroidism, and do you need to see a special doctor, or can you see your general practitioner? “Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames offer suggestions to help.
- Causes of an Underactive Thyroid -- “What are the causes of an underactive thyroid?” Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames explore some of the theories.
CHOLESTEROL UPDATE: ARE YOU AT RISK?
A new cholesterol test can help physicians more accurately measure cholesterol levels and identify up to 90 percent of patients at risk for heart disease.
For the most part, Americans know that high cholesterol is a leading risk factor for heart disease. Many also recognize that their cholesterol numbers should be at or near 200, with more "good" cholesterol (HDL) and less "bad" cholesterol (LDL).
However, people may not know that routine cholesterol tests identify less than half of all patients who are at risk for heart disease. In other words, a patient can receive a "normal" cholesterol reading one day and still suffer a heart attack the next.
The new VAP Cholesterol Test measures HDL, LDL and triglycerides, and then breaks them down further, into what are called cholesterol subclasses-providing new clues about hidden heart disease risk.
Recent research has identified a number of these cholesterol subclasses that can cause heart disease but are not measured with routine cholesterol tests. For example, high levels of Lp(a), known as the "widow maker," can increase a person's risk for heart disease by up to 70 percent.
The VAP Test is easy to take and provides important information about these newly discovered risk factors for heart disease. It costs about the same as the routine cholesterol test and is accepted by most insurance companies, including Medicare. The test also helps physicians comply with new, more stringent government cholesterol guidelines.
Consider asking your physician the following question about cholesterol and heart disease:
- If I have a family history of heart disease but my routine cholesterol test results are normal, am I really OK? -- Routine cholesterol tests do not check for genetic risk factors such as Lp(a). New expanded cholesterol tests, however, measure these important hereditary factors. This information is critical to those with a family history of heart disease, since routine tests can give patients a false sense of health.
- How often should I have my cholesterol tested? -- Government guidelines recommend that adults over the age of 20 have their cholesterol tested every five years. People who are older or have cholesterol problems may need more frequent testing. Because the VAP Test provides a more complete cholesterol profile at about the same cost as the routine test, many doctors now are using it as the primary cholesterol test in their practices.
FREE SUPPLEMENTS!! -- FREE "WELL HEART" RESVERATROL GRAPE SUPPLEMENTS HELP CIRCULATION, CHOLESTEROL AND HEART DISEASE
The antioxidant supplement resveratrol, a derivative of grapes (and the ingredient that gives grapes, grape juice and red wine some of their reported health benefits) is available free from Freeherbs. This is a reputable company! For more information, and to request your free “Well Heart” supplements, go to the Free Herbs site at http://freeherbs.com.
BODY CLOCK BREAKTHROUGHS CAN BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH
Tapping into your body's secret rhythm may help you slim down, rev up and feel better than ever.
"Research has shown that our internal clocks have a steady, built-in rhythm," says Michael Smolensky, Ph.D., professor of environmental physiology at University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health. "That means there's a predictable, 24-hour cycle to virtually every single bodily function."
Here are some ways to get in sync with your body clock:
- Eat a big breakfast (and a light lunch and dinner) to lose a pound a week. Research shows that food eaten early is converted into heat and energy, while food eaten in the evening is quickly stored as fat.
- Forget about eating balanced meals to make cravings vanish. The body's ability to control blood sugar changes dramatically over the course of a day, and eating a protein-rich breakfast and lunch is one of the best ways to keep it stable.
- Wake up at the same time every day to have more energy all week. Your internal clock controls your production of the sleep-triggering hormone melatonin. Keeping the gap between your wake-up time and bedtime constant ensures that melatonin peaks in the evening hours when you really need it.
- Soak up the morning sun to get more done. Bask in 30 minutes of sun first thing by eating breakfast beside a bright window, drinking your coffee on the patio or going out for a walk. Morning light exposure sets your internal clock, so your body temperature, energy level and alertness stay high during the day.
- Plan your toughest thinking early to be 30 percent more effective. Studies show that mental alertness peaks around 10 a.m., making mid-morning the best time to deal with difficult subjects.
- Tackle medical tests early in the day to get more accurate results. The morning hours are the best time to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Both can vary by 10 points or more over the day but since high morning readings are the ones strongly associated with health problems, they're the ones you want to catch and treat.
- See your dentist in the afternoon to optimize pain relief. Research shows that local anesthetics, such as lidocaine, last three times longer if given between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
CHERNOBYL.INFO SITE LAUNCHED
A new site, www.chernobyl.info, was just launched in August of 2002. The site is serving as an international communications platform on the longterm consequences of the Chernobyl-disaster. Www.chernobyl.info aims to provide unbiased, independent and continuously updated information on the persisting after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster -- which have included high rates of thyroid cancer and thyroid disease. As a website aimed at networking relief organizations and projects, it represents a global communications platform for all those engaged in fostering the safety and development of the region surrounding Chernobyl, with its three million inhabitants in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. For more information, see www.chernobyl.info.
RETHINKING VITAMINS! JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES RECOMMENDATION THAT ALL ADULTS SHOULD TAKE VITAMINS
In a landmark article published June 19, 2002, “The Journal of The American Medical Association” (JAMA) announced that all adults should take vitamin supplements to help prevent chronic diseases.
"Suboptimal folic acid levels, along with suboptimal levels of vitamins B6 and B12, are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, neural tube defects, and colon and breast cancer; low levels of vitamin D contribute to osteopenia and fractures; and low levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamins A, E, and C) may increase risk for several chronic diseases. Most people do not consume an optimal amount of all vitamins by diet alone ... it appears prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements," states the article by Robert H. Fletcher, MD, MSc and Kathleen M. Fairfield, MD, DrPH, both affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
How should adults who haven't been taking vitamins choose the right ones for them?
The Dietary Supplement Information Bureau (DSIB), a non-profit information resource created specifically to provide consumers with scientifically accurate, up-to-date information, offers some practical advice. According to Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, a member of the DSIB Scientific Advisory Board and a nutrition scientist who is an authority on disease prevention through vitamin supplementation, here are some guidelines for choosing vitamins:
- The JAMA study recommends multivitamins for all adults. Choose one that contains minerals as well as vitamins.
- Read the ingredients panel carefully. Your goal is to come as close as possible to the RDA, which is the minimum daily requirement of each vitamin and mineral your body needs.
- Remember to take your vitamins every day, preferably with meals. Taking them only occasionally, or seasonally, will not be as effective.
- You also may need other supplements to achieve the minimum daily requirement of certain vitamins and minerals (calcium, for example) beyond the amount contained in any multivitamin. Read directions carefully.
- Check the expiration date on the bottle. Reliable companies all list them.
- Consider formulations made specifically for your age group and life stage. There are multivitamins designed for children, for adults, for seniors, and for pregnant women.
- Select a brand name you trust. Your health care professional can provide advice on brands.
AND MORE SUPPORT FOR VITAMINS!
Consistent use of multivitamins and other key supplements can promote good health and help prevent disease, according to a new report released from the Council for Responsible Nutrition. The report found that ongoing use of multivitamins and other supplements (like calcium or folic acid) can have a demonstrable impact on health.
Consistent use of multivitamins and other key supplements can promote good health and help prevent disease, according to a comprehensive new report released by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). The report found that ongoing use of multivitamins (preferably with minerals) and other single-nutrient supplements (like calcium or folic acid) demonstrated quantifiable positive impact in areas ranging from strengthening the immune system of highly-vulnerable elderly patients, to drastically reducing the risk of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.
The 100-plus page report -- titled The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements -- reviewed more than a decade's-worth of the most scientifically-significant studies measuring the health benefits of multivitamins and other nutritional supplements, including antioxidants (vitamins C and E), calcium, long chain omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils), vitamin D, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and folic acid.
"The medical and scientific communities are rapidly accumulating powerful evidence about the role of nutritional supplements in both health promotion and disease prevention," said Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., the author of the report and CRN vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs.
"This growing critical mass of data underscores the need for health professionals to do more to encourage patients to get into a regular, defined routine of supplementation. While it is never too late to start incorporating supplements into a healthy lifestyle, there is compelling evidence that consistent, long-term use provides the strongest benefits. For as little as a dime a day, the cost of a basic multivitamin, you can make a sound investment in good health," she said.
Highlights from the report findings include:
- If all women of childbearing age used multivitamins with folic acid, it should be possible to reduce the current incidence of neural tube birth defects like spina bifida by as much as 70%.
- The routine use of multivitamins and mineral supplements by the elderly could improve immune function and thus reduce infectious disease, potentially cutting in half the total number of days they are sick.
- Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D could reduce the rate of hip fracture among older people by at least 20%-meaning 40,000 to 50,000 fewer hip fractures each year in the United States-for an average annual savings of $1.5 to $2 billion.
- The potential cost savings of a prevention-oriented approach to health and diet are tremendous. A 1997 analysis predicted that if the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, stroke and hip fracture were delayed five years, total U.S. health care cost savings could equal $89 billion annually.
- While the addition of a multivitamin would benefit most people, different additional supplements should be chosen based on the specific lifestage, gender or lifestyle of the individual. For example, though calcium is generally important for all men and women, it is particularly critical for children building bone mass and elderly people seeking to preserve it.
Dr. Dickinson noted that while all people should strive to eat a healthy and balanced diet -- no matter what their age or health circumstance -- few in reality do. "While the overall improvement of dietary habits has been the focus of much research on health promotion and disease prevention, the medical and scientific communities are increasingly recognizing that nutritional supplements have a critical role to play. Too many studies have shown that most diets -- even fairly healthy ones -- fall well below the Recommended Dietary Allowance for many nutrients. Supplements are a proven bridge between what we should eat and what we actually eat," she said.
Dr. Dickinson is an expert on the benefits of vitamins and minerals who has worked in the field since 1973. In 1995, President Clinton appointed Dr. Dickinson to the Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels, and in 2002 she was named to the Food Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She is the author of numerous papers and is frequently asked to speak on the topic of dietary supplements to policy-making, scientific and other audiences.
The full report and additional information are available on the CRN website at http://www.crnusa.org/benefits.html.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing ingredient suppliers and manufacturers in the dietary supplement industry. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices. The dietary supplement industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as by government agencies in each of the 50 states.
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WAKENING THROWS OFF BODY CLOCK
If you wake up in the middle of the night, even in a dark room (but especially with bright light), your body clock can be thrown off for as long as a few days afterwards. Middle of the night wakeups cause a lag in the body clock. That lag then pushes back release of hormones and other natural nighttime processes by as much as 90 minutes. While experts say this doesn’t harm health, they claim that it can make you feel more tired in the morning, and more awake in early evening. Overall, the objective is to try to sleep through the night. (Source: Reuters Health 18 April 2002)
NO EVIDENCE THAT SOY SUPPLEMENTS WORK AS ALTERNATIVE TO HRT
According to researchers, there’s no evidence that soy supplements – the pills, powders and capsules touted in health food stores and magazines nationwide -- have any health benefits. A conference this summer that looked at the heart effects of boy soy and garlic found that while these foods can help the heart, it’s not clear what component is of help, particularly when isolated as supplements.
These findings are timely, considered the soy industry’s efforts to promote soy as a hormone replacement solution in light of the concerns regarding conjugated estrogens.
At the conference, Dr. Curt Furberg of Wake Forest University in North Carolina said, "I have to say that in most of the areas we still have too many questions. I couldn't recommend too strongly any particular supplement."
Dr. Gregory Burke of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine told the conference that many soy studies are based on the observation that rates of heart disease and certain cancers such as breast cancer are much lower in China and Japan, where people eat large amounts of soy. But those findings do not necessarily translate to commercial soy supplements, he said.
According to Dr. Burke, "When we contrast Asia with the United States, we are comparing people who eat soy over a lifetime and not just a little shake or a little pill…If you think of it as another vegetable it's a good thing. But currently, my view is that the data don't support the claim that soy and isoflavones are a viable alternative to HRT as a magic bullet."
JOIN ME AT THE BARNES FOUNDATION CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER 20 – 22
The Broda O. Barnes, M.D. Research Foundation, Inc. is presenting an exciting program this year for their 2002 Fall Endocrinology Conference, which is being held September 20 – 22 at the Westin Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut.
The event will showcase several speakers who will be presenting cutting-edge research and medical treatments for thyroid and endocrine dysfunctions as they relate to all stages of life.
The event will focus on topics such as unrecognized endocrine immune defects, the importance of certain fatty acids and their ability to contribute to total health as well as cortisol deficiencies, and presentations on factors contributing to poor conversion of T4 to T3, Hashimoto’s and Graves Disease, estrogen metabolism, hormone physiology and binding proteins, an dmore.
Presentations will include:
- A Review of Basic Principles and Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid, Adrenal and Gonadal Deficiencies
- Estrogen Metabolism/Dominance: Its Affect on Thyroid and Androgen Balance Metabolic Pathways of Estrogen
- Unrecognized Endocrine Immune Imbalances
- Domino Effect on Hypothalamic- Pituitary – Adrenal Feedback Loops
- The Role of Medium Chain Fatty Acids: Effects on Coronary Heart Disease, Effects on Metabolism, Antimicrobial Effects
- Hashimoto’s and Graves Disease: How to Diagnos, Holistic Approaches to Treatment
- T4 to T3 Conversion Problems in Hypothyroidism
- and much more…
- Alternative Medicine and Natural Hormone Approaches for Hypothyroidism
- Are You a "Poor T4 Converter?" -- "Overcoming Thyroid Disease"
- Arthritis and Joint Paint with Thyroid and Autoimmune Disease
Call the Barnes Foundation, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, at (203) 261-2101, or fax them at (203) 261-3017. Or see the online information.
CHRONIC FATIGUE IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME AND FIBROMYALGIA CONFERENCE
If I wasn’t already committed to be in Stamford at the Broda Barnes Conference that weekend, I would definitely be attending the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Patient's Conference on Sept 21 and 22, in Los Angeles, California.
Co-sponsored by the National Fibromyalgia Association, American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and The Healthy Foundation, the patient-oriented conference features special Amy Peterson, an Olympic speedskating medallist and chronic fatique syndrome patient.
Numerous patient presentations featuring some of the nation’s leading practitioners will focus on:
- Metabolic Therapies for Fibroymalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
- The Loading Theory: The Multiple Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and What to Do About Them – Serafina Corsello, M.D
- Legal Issues Workshop: How To Win Your Social Security Disability Claim By Beating SSA At Its Own Game – Scott Davis, JD
- Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Managing Fibromyalgia - Nancy Derby, RN
- Stress Management & Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia - Robin Eckert, Ph.D.
- Coping with Chronic Illness - Pat Fennell MSW, CSW
- Importance of Calcium & Magnesium - Nan Fuchs, Ph.D.
- Body Ecology Diet - Donna Gates
- Detoxification: Its Role in Reversing the Invisible Illnesses of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Autoimmune Disorders - Gloria Gilbere, N.D., D.A. Hom., Ph.D.
- Script Your Life to Heal: How to Move from Block to Blockbuster - Judith Parker Harris
- Yoga & Mind Body Relaxation - Judith Lasater, Ph.D.
- Fibromyalgia & Lyme Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment, Myth and Reality - Alan Manevitz, M.D.
- Role of Alternative Medicine in Fibromyalgia - Michael McNett, M.D.
- FM / BS Bacterial Overgrowth - Mark Pimental, M.D.
- Joshua W. Potter, J.D. - Private Practice Attorney, CA
JOIN ME AT THE CONFERENCE ON EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, ME & MPS
As many of you know, I’m knee deep into the writing of my new book, “Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.” As part of my research, I’m going to be attending Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.'s Conference on Effective Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ME & MPS, which is taking place November 2-3, 2002 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Dr. T is also going to be covering the same curriculum at a February 8-9, 2003 conference in Los Angeles.)
Dr. T is author of the best-selling book "From Fatigued to Fantastic" and lead author of recently published Landmark Study "Effective Treatment 0f Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia — A Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study."
Dr. T’s integrative approaches have, in testing, shown that the vast majority of patients improve, with substantial increases in quality of life.
The April, 2002 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Pain Management has said: "Teitelbaum's study is highly successful and makes Fibromyalgia a very treatable disorder. The study by Dr. Teitelbaum et al. and years of clinical experience makes this approach an excellent and powerfully effective part of the standard of practice for treatment of people who suffer from FMS and MPS - both of which are common and devastating syndromes."
For more information on how to participate in these groundbreaking conferences, see Dr. Teitelbaum's website at www.endfatigue.com or email amy@endfatigue.com.
ALL ABOUT CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME & FIBROMYALGIA
You can start learning more from Dr. Teitelbaum right now at a special “Ask the Expert” section of my website dedicated to CFS and fibromyalgia.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cfidsfms.htm.
The first Q&As are already posted, and focus on key questions, including:
- What are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? And how can multiple different triggers cause the same syndrome?
- How can a doctor determine if you have CFS?
GOOD LINK
Overview of the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism in adults
http://www.uptodate.com/totm/JCEM/Aug_02/topics/15081S3.htm
WHO'S YOUR TOP DOCTOR?
Help the British Medical Journal choose the doctor - past or present, real or fictional - who best embodies your idea of a good doctor. You can submit your favorite doctors -- plus some details about them -- and BMJ will feature the top 10 on the cover of our special theme issue, "What is a good doctor and how can we make one," planned for later this year.
THYROID CANCER SURVIVORS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 11 - 13, 2002 IN LA
In case you haven’t signed up yet, there’s till time to make your plans to attend the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' 5th International Conference. The conference will take place October 11-13, 2002, at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in Los Angeles, California. Sponsored by the national nonprofit organization ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., this educational and supportive event offers more than 50 sessions for people newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer, survivors of many years, and their family members.
Thirty prominent physicians involved in thyroid cancer care and research will headline the agenda. Representing the many specialties involved in thyroid cancer care, including endocrinology, surgery, pathology, and nuclear medicine, these physicians will address issues ranging from diagnosis and treatment to research advances and future trends in thyroid cancer care. Over 50 sessions will offer information for people with all types and at all stages of testing, treatment, and followup. An informal, give-and-take format will give participants the chance for in-depth discussion of issues related to thyroid cancer care.
The cost of the conference is $45; family and guests are $30. Participants can register onsite or in advance. Discounts are available for early registration, and for ThyCa members. Scholarships are available.
For more information, registration material and conference details, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org or visit the Thyca Conference Website.
TEST YOUR TSH AT HOME
If you're not having luck convincing your physician to conduct a thyroid test, or your HMO or insurance only covers one or two thyroid tests a year and you want more frequent testing, consider home tests from BIOSAFE Laboratories. Last year, Biosafe received FDA approval for consumer use of its Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test, the first time a TSH test has been approved for at-home use. The Biosafe home TSH test requires a nearly painless micro-sample (one to three drops) of blood taken from your finger at home - no long and painful blood draws from your arm at a lab! You mail in your test kit in the provided container, and results are mailed back to you quickly. A home TSH test from Biosafe is $39.95. Click here for more information or call 1-800-768-8446 EXT 123, to order.
TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT? YOU NEED "A WEIGHT OFF MY MIND: THE THYROID/AUTOIMMUNE DIET NEWS!"
If you're not receiving the free email newsletter, "A Weight Off My Mind" -- the thyroid and autoimmune diet newsletter, you are missing newsletters jam-packed with information about weight loss, metabolism, thyroid disease's impact on weight, and much more!
Here are the stories from this month’s issue:
- New Food Guidelines Revamp Food and Exercise Recommendations
- How Much Protein Should You Be Eating?
- Ask the Experts: Diagnosing Hypothyroidism
- The Best Protein Bars
- Protein Shakes
- Secrets to Starting an Exercise Program
- New Studies Expand Knowledge of Hormones, Appetite Control and Weight
- Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Undetected in More than 25% of Obese People
- Is Life on a Diet Worth Living? Find Out What Americans Think!
- Eating More Late in the Day May Be a Factor in Obesity
- Dieting for the Disinhibited: Are You REALLY Hungry?
- Menstrual Cycle Linked to Weight Loss
Be sure not to miss one valuable weight loss tip! If you haven't subscribed, sign up now, so you don't miss any more valuable diet and weight loss information relevant to thyroid patients. Sign up by sending an email to: news@thyroid-info.com with "Subscribe Diet" in the subject.
THE THYROID DIET SUCCESS GUIDE
 | To help you get started on the right track in your effort to lose weight, I've compiled the in-depth information so many people regularly ask for into a special "Thyroid Diet Success Guide." Here are a few recent letters from people who are using the guide.
"Thanks for your Diet Guide. I have tried for years, nearly every diet without success. With your guide, I have been able to lose weight and also have more than enough to eat. Thanks again." |
- Weight Loss Secrets for Thyroid Patients
- The Thyroid/Weight Loss Connection - Some Theories
- How To Lose Weight With Hypothyroidism
- Weight Loss Success: How I Lost 25 Pounds in 12 Weeks
- The Ultimate Thyroid Exercise Program
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Overview
- Choosing the Right Weight Loss Program
- The Habits of Successful Weight Loss
- How Much Weight Do You Really Need to Lose?
- Popular Weight Loss Myths
- Seeing Results with Weight Loss and Exercising
NEW: Online Secure Ordering!
 | Order online now, securely, using Visa, Mastercard, American Express or your Discover card, via secure processing with CCNow. DISCOUNT FOR ONLINE ORDERING! US ORDERS: $12, plus $2 shipping and handling, for U.S. online orders OUTSIDE US: $12, plus $7 shipping and handling, for international online orders. Buy Your Thyroid Diet Guide Online Now |
To order, U.S. residents can send a check for $15 (which includes shipping and handling) made out to "Sticking Out Our Necks" to:
Mary Shomon's "Thyroid Diet Success Guide"
P.O. Box 0385
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For an order form to pay by check or credit card, visit http://www.thyroid-info.com/dietbook.htm
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SPECIAL OFFER: We have a few more “Mini-Guides” left, so the next 100 people who order the "Thyroid Diet Success Guide" will receive a free pocket-sized "Mini-Guide" that summarizes the key diet tips in a portable, easy-to-carry format!
THYROID NEWSBRIEFS
Here are recent thyroid-related findings and newsbriefs. Full text of these news stories are featured in the September/October issue of the print edition/subscriber version of “Sticking Out Our Necks” the Thyroid Disease News Report.
For information about subscribing to the print edition, see http://www.thyroid-info.com/subscribe.htm or call 1-888-810-9471.
CELIAC DISEASE/GLUTEN LINK TO AUTOIMMUNE ENDOCRINE CONDITIONS EXPLORED
Reporting in Endocrine Reviews, Finnish researchers indicated that the risk that someone with an autoimmune disease has undiagnosed/undetected/asymptomatic celiac disease is increased and that a gluten-free diet is not only a celiac treatment, but may be a treatment or even preventative for autoimmune endocrinological diseases. (Source: Collin, Pekka et. al., “Endocrinological Disorders and Celiac Disease,” Endocrine Reviews 23 (4): 464-483, The Endocrine Society)
GLUTEN SENSITIVITY MAY TRIGGER LEVOTHYROXINE RESISTANCE
French researchers discovered gluten intolerance in a patient because she was resistant to levothyroxine therapy. Her malabsorption of levothyroxine had led to high TSH, low T3, despite intake and normal levels of levothyroxine (T4). Researchers suggest celiac disease/gluten sensitivity testing in patients who require high doses of levothyroxine. (Source: D'Esteve-Bonetti, L., et. al., “Gluten-Induced Enteropathy (Coeliac Disease) Revealed by Resistance to Treatment with Levothyroxine and Alfacalcidol in a Sixty-Eight-Year-Old Patient: A Case Report,” Thyroid 2002 Jul;12(7):633-636)
SKIN DISORDER MAY SOMETIMES BE FIRST SIGN OF GRAVES’ DISEASE
A condition known as pretibial myxedema (PM), which involves thickening of the skin in the shin area, may in some rarer cases be the first sign of Graves’ disease in some patients. (Source: Georgala, S., et. al., “Pretibial myxedema as the initial manifestation of Graves' disease,” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, Volume 16 Issue 4 Page 380 - July 2002)
ALCOHOL CAN TRIGGER THYROID CHANGES THAT ADD TO DEPRESSION
Alcohol-induced changes in thyroid function may contribute to depression in patients with alcoholism, and alcohol may be especially damaging to an impaired thyroid. (Source: Sher, L., “Etiopathogenesis of depression in patients with alcoholism: role of changes in thyroid function,” Medical Hypotheses, Vol. 59, No. 2, August 1, 2002)
IODINE DEFICIENCY IN EUROPE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: AN UPDATE
While access to iodized salt in European households affected in areas affected by iodine deficiency disorders increased from 5%-10% in 1990 to 28% in 1999, the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) in Brussels reports that Europe still remains the worst region in the world in terms of iodization. (Source: Delange, F. “Iodine deficiency in Europe and its consequences: an update,” Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2002 Aug; 29(Supplement 2):S404-16 )
TEENAGE GIRLS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES OFTEN EXHIBIT THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY
Children or adolescents – especially girls – with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have thyroid autoantibodies as their age increases. These antibodies may signal developing cases of autoimmune thyroid disease. (Source: Diabetes Care 2002;25:1346-1350.)
THYROID CANCER IN CHILDREN RARELY FATAL, BUT LIKELY TO RECUR
Researchers have found that thyroid cancer in children and adolescents has very little risk of mortality, but a high risk of recurrence. Typically, the younger thyroid cancer patients have a more advanced stage of disease, and face a higher risk of recurrence. In younger patients, total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection, followed by postoperative 131I therapy, suppressive thyroid hormone replacement, and diligent surveillance are recommended. (Source: Grigsby, P., M.D. et. al., “Childhood and adolescent thyroid carcinoma,” Cancer, Volume 95, Issue 4, 2002. Pages: 724-729, Published Online: 31 Jul 2002)
FOODBORNE BACTERIA LINKED TO THYROID DISEASE
Turkish researchers have confirmed previous research that subclinical infection with the foodborne bacteria known as Yersinia enterocolitica may play a role in autoimmune thyroid disease, in particular, Graves’ disease. (Source: Corapcioglu, D. et. al. “Relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and yersinia enterocolitica antibodies,” Thyroid 2002 Jul;12(7):613-7)
SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: HOW SHOULD IT BE MANAGED?
Experts claim that in “subclinical hypothyroidism” – TSH elevated, but under 10 -- individualized management is called for, and goiter, antibodies, mental health, fertility problems, and pregnancy should all be considered in the treatment decision. (Source: Fatourechi V., “Subclinical Hypothyroidism: How Should it be Managed?” Treatments in Endocrinology, 2002, vol. 1, no. 4, p. 211-216(6))
THYROID LEVELS AFFECT TREATMENT TIME FOR BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
Researchers found that a higher TSH at the onset of treatment results in a longer time for remission after treatment for bipolar depression. (Source: Cole, M.D. Daniel P. et. al., “Slower Treatment Response in Bipolar Depression Predicted by Lower Pretreatment Thyroid Function,” Am J Psychiatry 159:116-121, January 2002)
THYROID ARTERIAL EMBOLIZATION IS OPTION FOR GRAVES’ DISEASE
Chinese researchers have reported on a technique known as thyroid arterial embolization, which is an effective, minimally invasive, and safe method Graves’ disease treatment that may help those patients who can’t or choose not to follow typical therapies such as oral medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery. (Source: Xiao, H., et. al. “Arterial Embolization: A Novel Approach to Thyroid Ablative Therapy for Graves’ Disease,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 87, No. 8 3583-3589)
HYPERTHYROIDISM CAN AFFECT MALE FERTILITY
Greek researchers have reported that men who are hyperthyroid can have abnormalities in their sperm motility that affect fertility, however these abnormalities improve or return to normal when the thyroid function is returned to normal. (Source: Krassas, G. E. et. al., “A Prospective Controlled Study of the Impact of Hyperthyroidism on Reproductive Function in Males,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
THYREL TRH TEMPORARILY OFF THE MARKET
Production of Thyrel®, TRH (protirelin) has stopped as of July 2002. Ferring Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the product, has said that they are in the process of modifying the manufacturing process for Thyrel, in order to meet new official production guidelines. Thyrel is used in the TRH test, a test used in lieu of or in addition to the standard TSH blood tests as a way to identify subtle thyroid problems, such as TSH-secreting tumors, and subtle central hypothyroidism. No other company produces TRH at this time, and no replacement product is expected to be available until Thyrel® returns to the market at an unspecified future date.
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READ THE FULL TEXT OF THESE NEWS STORIES You can read the full text of these news stories in the September/October issue of "Sticking Out Our Necks" print edition. Subscribe by September 30th, and you’ll still have time to receive the September/October issue! See our subscription page or call 1-888-810-9471 to subscribe. |
Free Special Report When You Order Now!
If you are not receiving the Sticking Out Our Necks bimonthly print newsletter, you are missing out on essential thyroid news. But...there's still time to order your subscription and receive the September/October print issue.
Subscribers also receive the free 8-page "Summer 2002 In-Depth Thyroid News Roundup Report," which features 45 news reports on thyroid disease, with research references. Some of the important news stories included in that special report include:
- A Third of Patients Become Obese After RAI
- Overweight Frequently Have Undetected Endocrine Problems
- Low-Calorie Diets Cause Reduced Thyroid Function
- T3 Treatment for Obesity?
- Hyperthyroidism Increases Carbohydrate Cravings
- Obesity and Hyperthyroidism Linkage Explored
- Thyroid Disease and Its Effects on Blood Pressure
- Iodine Use During Pregnancy
- Gluten Sensitivity and Loss of Balance/Coordination
- Thyroid Linked to Vitiligo
- Subclinically Hypothyroid Women With Infertility and/or Menstrual Problems Should Receive Treatment
- Thyroid Hormone Treatment Can Help Subclinical Hypothyroidism
- New Cause of Congenital Hypothyroidism Discovered
- Calcification and Solitary Nodules Present Greater Risk of Cancer
- Head And Neck Cancers Rising Among U.S. Kids
- T3 after Thyroidectomy or Prior to Thyroid Cancer Scan May be Unnecessary
- Graves' Disease With Thyroid Cancer
- Relapse Rates After Antithyroid Drugs for Graves' Disease
- Total Thyroidectomy Recommended As Standard Graves' Treatment Outside U.S. Controversies Over RAI Examined
- Effects of Suppressive Goiter Treatment on Osteoporosis Risk
- Moderately Low TSH May Point to Nodular Disease
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Can Show Up As Knee Pain
- Cigarette Smoking and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
- New England Journal Researchers Followup on T3 Use
- T4 Plus T3 Best Achieves Normal Levels in Blood and Tissues
- Thyroid Surgery Under Local Anesthesia?
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WHO NEEDS "LIVING WELL WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM?”
 | Frequently people write to me to say: “I had Graves’ disease, and then RAI, and now I’m on thyroid hormone, but I still don’t feel well. I need help, but all you have is your book on hypothyroidism, and I have Graves’ disease. Is there any information for me?”
It’s really important to clarify something here. If you have had thyroid surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid, or radioactive iodine (RAI), or Hashimoto’s disease, goiter, or nodules, and are taking any sort of thyroid hormone replacement, you are almost always considered hypothyroid. You are living with a condition where you body is not producing any or enough thyroid hormone, and you must supplement externally. "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" is for you! "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," in its 13th printing, now has its web information organized in one handy place. Visit http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm and you’ll an overview and table of contents, with links to:
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Title: "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know"
Author: Mary J. Shomon
ISBN number: 0380808986
List price: $13.50 (US dollars)
Published by: HarperCollins
TO GET A COPY
Available at your local bookstore everywhere in the U.S. and if they don't have a copy, ask them to order you one!
- Online at Amazon.com
- Phone Orders: Politics and Prose, 800-722-0790
- More Online Information
LIVING WELL WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE: ARRIVING SOON IN BOOKSTORES!!
If you have Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, you have an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune diseases are the third major category of illness in the United States, behind cancer and heart disease. Yet so many of us – including our doctors -- know very little about the many serious and chronic autoimmune conditions.
And what few of us realize is that having one autoimmune disease means the we and our families are also at greater risk of developing other autoimmune conditions such as diabetes, lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel disease and fibromyalgia, among others. All too frequently, these symptoms of additional diseases are overlooked, attributed to the thyroid, or misdiagnosed for years.
Much like the simplistic treatments typically offered for thyroid disease, doctors frequently treat other autoimmune conditions with pain relievers, hormones, or immunosuppressants to treat symptoms, without offering any understanding of the causes, life-long health implications, or possibility of healing such conditions.
Living Well With Autoimmune Disease takes a new approach, covering not only traditional diagnosis and treatment but alternative and natural remedies to treat the underlying causes of autoimmune imbalance, not just the symptoms. Living Well With Autoimmune Disease is the first book that to recognize that autoimmune conditions are closely related, not standalone, and frequently stem from toxic exposures and underlying dysfunctions that may be treatable using nutritional and alternative approaches to complement traditional treatments. It contains first-person accounts from doctors, patients and holistic practitioners, as well as checklists, quizzes, and a proposed recovery plan. In addition, it offers:
- Detailed information about the most common autoimmune conditions
- Many first-person accounts from autoimmune disease patients
- Recommendations and treatment suggestions from some of the nation's leading practitioners
- Guidelines on how to find the right practitioners
- A detailed Risk Factors and Symptoms Checklist that you can take to your practitioner to aid in diagnosis
- Information on the latest innovative conventional and alternative treatments for autoimmune conditions
- The optimal diet to prevent, heal -- and sometimes even, cure -- autoimmune disease
- A detailed Resources section featuring patient support groups, hotlines, websites, practitioners and more to help you in your effort to live well
Books are shipping early October! Order your advance copy from Amazon.com now! (You are not billed until the book is shipped!)
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Living Well With Autoimmune Disease is coming in early October from HarperCollins. The book is a complete guide to understanding the mysterious and often difficult-to-pinpoint autoimmune disorders -- and finding the conventional and alternative keys to diagnosis, treatment, recovery...and even prevention or cure. For more information, see: |
- Autoimmune Risks/Symptoms Checklist
- Autoimmune Information Center
- Do You Have an Autoimmune Disease?
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THE AUTOIMMUNE REPORT IS COMING! For a free monthly newsletter on autoimmune diseases, launching this summer, plus advance information on monthly updates on autoimmune disease news, and more information about the book, sign up for the free "Autoimmune Report," by sending an email to news@thyroid-info.com with the subject: Subscribe Autoimmune. |
NOTES FROM MARY
Sorry for the delay in the August issue. I took vacation in August, and then Labor Day weekend was upon me, and then it was “back to school” week, and before you know it, the first week of September is over! Look for a September issue later this month!
I did have such a relaxing August...a few weeks with family members, trying as best as I could to take some time off, get some sun, swim, exercise, sleep, and restore myself. It’s never long enough though, is it? Personally, I could use another month of vacation! I really feel best during summer months, and more and more I’m beginning to think it has to do with light and sun exposure. I’m one of those people who always gets the blues in December/January, so this year, I’m seriously looking into getting one of those seasonal affective disorder lights or lightbox gizmos. If you have one and can recommend a brand, or others who have similar experience feeling better in warm sunny climes and times, let me know!
Oprah has finally gotten with the program...well, sort of! In show after show, Oprah and her guests have gone on about symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, low libido, depression, and hair loss – and attributed them to everything from menopause to shame over aging to laziness – never once mentioning the 10 million Americans – most of them women – who have undiagnosed thyroid conditions that could very well be causing these symptoms. But even though she and her producers have put up a pretty strong resistance to covering hypothyroidism on “Oprah, her magazine, “O” has finally broken the boycott and tackled the topic in the September issue.
In “A Delicate Imbalance -- Tired? Gaining weight? Sad? It may be your thyroid,” author Alice Kelly talks about hypothyroidism and how overlooked it is, along with ideas for getting diagnosed and treated. She interviewed me for the article, so you can look for my quotes in the magazine article. A quick summary page is featured online (but note, this is not the whole article, just a one-page recap of key points).
So go get the September issue of “O” magazine, and write to Oprah and tell her it’s about time she finally does a show on hypothyroidism!
DO YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE OR FIBROMYALGIA? If so, there’s still time to share your story with me for my new book, "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia." The book is the third in my "Living Well..." series with HarperCollins. If you have a story about difficulty getting diagnosed, frustrations with symptoms, great doctors and practitioners who have helped you, conventional and alternative treatments that have worked, books and sites you recommend, organizations you think patients should join, etc., I’d love to hear from you, and include your story and information! (Remember, your privacy will be protected, and your name will not be used in the book unless you specifically request it.) Write to me at news@thyroid-info.com with the subject "CFS/FMS Book Story"
Live well,
Mary
"Sticking Out Our Necks" email edition is published monthly by Mary Shomon. Please invite your friends to subscribe! Send them a copy with your recommendation. "Sticking Out Our Necks" is copyright 1997-2003 by Mary Shomon.
Web: http://www.thyroid-info.com
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Mary Shomon
P.O. Box 0385
Palm Harbor, FL 34682
Fax: 425-977-1175
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.