sun_3.jpg - 8243 Bytes STICKING OUT OUR NECKS | January 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 the forthcoming "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/jan2005.htm
Back issues are online at http://www.thyroid-info.com/news/index.htm


$8 FOR ANY MARY SHOMON BOOK

Iherb.com is continuing its phenomenal sale on my books. You can get copies of the best-selling Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease (now in its 4th printing!), Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, published last spring, or the national bestseller, The Thyroid Diet, each for only $8 per book, plus shipping. Order online directly from Iherb now or call Iherb.com toll-free at: 888-792-0028


You can also order any of my books from Amazon.com

2004 RECAP OF THYROID ISSUES

TOP 12 THYROID STORIES OF 2004

Haven't had time to read my About.com and Thyroid-Info email newsletters this year? Not a subscriber to my "Sticking Out Our Necks" print edition? Haven't been able to get to the website as often as you'd like? Well, if you bookmark just one page, it should be this one, which touches upon the key thyroid-related issues covered at my Thyroid website at About.com in 2004. From Justice Rehnquist's thyroid cancer, to generic levothyroxine, to new information regarding thyroid disease and pregnancy, to innovative help losing weight, here are the 12 thyroid-related stories you don't want to miss. Read the Top 12 of 2004.


2004 THYROID CHEERS AND JEERS

It's that time of year again, when I look back on 2004, and the various events and people that affected the health and well-being of the nation's 27 million+ thyroid patients. This year, find out whether we've given Cheers or Jeers to various organizations, companies and individuals, including: The American Thyroid Association, Dr. John Lowe, The ATA Alliance for Thyroid Patients, Larry Ladd, Oprah Winfrey, Ric Blake, Synthroid, Steph, the "Follicular Cancer Lady," the researchers studying pregnancy and thyroid disease, Public Citizen and their volunteer Betty Blount, the Top Thyroid Doctors, Forest Pharmaceuticals and Woman's World magazine. Read the 2004 Cheers and Jeers now.

GENERAL NEWS

COMBINATION TREATMENT HELPS THYROID CANCER PATIENTS LIVE LONGER

Combining radiation therapy with surgery and chemotherapy helps patients with rare forms of thyroid cancer live longer, according to a study published in the November 15, 2004, issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology/Biology/Physics, the official journal of ASTRO, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. Get the news now.


MICHAEL BARBEE ON POLITICALLY INCORRECT NUTRITION AND YOUR THYROID

Fluoride...good or bad for your thyroid? What about that so-called "wonder food" -- soy? Can it hurt your health instead of help it? And green tea -- is it the health food it's touted to be, or are there hidden dangers? Find out the answers in my interview with Michael Barbee -- author of the book Politically Incorrect Nutrition which explores these controversial topics, and their connection to thyroid disease and other health concerns. Find out about it now.


FDA AND MANUFACTURER WARN ABOUT POTENTIAL DANGERS OF LEVOXYL

Jones Pharma, maker of Levoxyl, issued a letter to healthcare professionals, warning about the potential dangers of their product if not taken properly. Learn all about the specifics of this warning, and read the actual FDA letter detailing the concerns now. Read about it now.


MANY WEEKS OF "GOING HYPO" NOT NECESSARY FOR MOST THYROID CANCER PATIENTS

The unpleasant period of thyroid cancer patients becoming "hypothyroid" for six weeks or more prior to a scan may be unnecessary for almost all patients, according to researchers. This is important news for thyroid cancer sufferers, as it may eliminate what some refer to as the worst part of having thyroid cancer. Find out more about this major announcement now.


I'M PREGNANT!

No, not me!! But a reader wrote to me in late October: "I am overweight, a hypothyroid and have been trying to become pregnant for a few years now..." Find out her good news, and how she did it, now!

Your thyroid and autoimmune thyroid disease affect every aspect of reproduction -- from fertility, to pregnancy, to breastfeeding. Most importantly, your thyroid function can even affect the health of your baby. My Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Success will help you understand the important information you need to get pregnant, have a healthy baby, stay healthy yourself, and breastfeed your baby.

Undiagnosed, thyroid problems can cause infertility or recurrent miscarriage, making it difficult or impossible for you to get or stay pregnant. Even expensive and invasive fertility tests and procedures may not be looking for whether your thyroid is the real reason you can't get pregnant.

Thyroid problems can complicate your pregnancy. Undiagnosed, untreated or improperly treated thyroid can worsen your pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, hair loss, and depression, and increase the risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth retardation, pre-term labor, stillbirth, and cognitive problems/mental retardation in your child.

Thyroid problems can appear after delivery. Diagnosis is often missed, however, because thyroid symptoms such as fatigue, depression, weight gain/loss, and hair loss are supposedly "normal" for a new mother.

Thyroid problems can also cause difficulties with breastfeeding. Undiagnosed or undertreated thyroid problems are a key factor behind low milk supply.

By reading the Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Success, if you're a woman struggling to conceive a baby, getting your thyroid problem diagnosed and properly treated may finally be the solution to problems you've had having a baby. And, if you're a woman with a thyroid condition, you'll have the information to make it possible to have a perfectly healthy pregnancy and baby.

The guide is available at for ordering online, by phone, mail or fax. The general price is $15 in the US ($25 non-US), but if you order online, you'll get a discounted price.

Order it now!


DO YOU NEED A GREAT THYROID DOCTOR?

Thyroid patients from around the world continue to recommend their favorite practitioners for treatment of thyroid conditions at my Thyroid Top Doctors Directory. Hundreds of new doctors were recently added -- and some doctors were removed -- so it's a good time to check out the directory to find a new doctor, or see if your current doctor is listed. Doctors are recommended by patients, and listings are in your own words, so you'll hear what your fellow patients have to say about particular doctors and practitioners. You can also add your favorite practitioner if he or she is not already on the list. Also, tap into a specialized list of hard-to-find doctors who prescribe Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar. Find a great doctor now.


NEW RAPID HYPOTHYROIDISM TEST AVAILABLE: RESULTS IN MINUTES IN DOCTOR'S OFFICE

More Americans suffer from thyroid disease than diabetes and cancer combined. Tanks to FDA approval of ThyroTest(TM), a new rapid hypothyroid diagnostic screening device from ThyroTec, Inc., detection of hypothyroidism right in the doctor's office will now come sooner rather than later for millions of Americans. Learn about the test now.


HYPOTHYROIDISM'S EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH ARE UNDERESTIMATED

According to research recently reported on in the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research, the rate of depression is much higher in people who are hypothyroid than in the general population. Read the story now.


SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST'S THYROID CANCER

In October, it was announced that Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist has thyroid cancer. While few details have been released, it's clear that Rehnquist is likely to be suffering from a serious form of thyroid cancer, and his prognosis is uncertain. I've been covering the Rehnquist situation since the beginning, and you can follow along various articles covering the situation. In particularly, read about speculation, first discussed at my About.com site, that Rehnquist most likely has the rare and particularly lethal anaplastic form of thyroid cancer. Read all about Rehnquist now.


ELIMINATING IODINE DEFICIENCY WORLDWIDE IS WITHIN REACH

The number of countries where iodine deficiency is a public health problem has halved over the past decade, says the World Health Organization (WHO) in a new global report on iodine status. Iodine deficiency, which leads to thyroid conditions, is a significant cause of mental developmental problems in children. The main strategy - universal salt iodization - has been successful. However, 54 countries are still iodine-deficient and sustained efforts are required to strengthen salt iodization programs, according to the report. Find out more now.


HOMELAND SECURITY WARNING FOR THYROID PATIENTS!!

Just when it's time to get on a plane for your winter vacation, a warning for anyone who's had radioiodine (RAI) therapy. If you've had radioiodine (RAI) therapy -- a common treatment for hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, and thyroid cancer -- and are traveling by airplane this season, find out about this important warning. Unless you're prepared in advance, you may find yourself having a run-in with the Department of Homeland Security!! Don't set off the geiger counter...find out how!


PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT CAN AFFECT THE THYROID

Research reported on in the Journal of Urology has found that the use of implanted radioactive "seeds" as a prostate cancer treatment may affect the thyroid. In this type of treatment, known as brachytherapy, the small seeds, which contain radioactive iodine, can break open and the iodine then is absorbed by the thyroid. Get the specifics.



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
FLU: 2004-2005 THYROID PATIENT'S GUIDE TO THE FLU

It seems that the upcoming 2004-2005 flu season and the national shortage of flu vaccine are in headlines practically every day. My family and I usually get flu shots, but this year, not falling into any of the high-risk categories, we won't be able to get vaccines. So I'll be watching us all for signs, because the earlier we suspect flu, the more quickly we can try alternative treatments -- or, for the adults, antiviral drugs. If you, like my family, aren't going to get a flu shot this year, you probably have questions regarding what you can and should do to prevent or treat the flu. Find out some important things, including: Find out in the 2004-2005 Thyroid Patient's Guide to the Flu.

JANUARY IS THYROID AWARENESS MONTH

TIRED, GAINING WEIGHT, MOODY? YOU COULD HAVE A THYROID PROBLEM

And if so, you're not alone, because more than 27 million Americans have thyroid problems, but half are still undiagnosed. I've marked January's "Thyroid Awareness Month" activities by launching my own patient awareness campaign: the "4 D's of Thyroid Disease": Disseminate, Diagnose, Doctor and Demand. If you have a family history of thyroid disease, are a woman, are over 60, or have persistent fatigue, weight problems, and moodiness -- among other symptoms -- you may have an undiagnosed thyroid problem. And if you already know about your thyroid problem, the 4 D's can help you finally live well. Find out more now.


DOCTORS LAUNCH QUESTIONABLE CAMPAIGN FOR THYROID AWARENESS

January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and in 2005, as in past years, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) -- joined by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) -- has launched their annual awareness campaign. I've found the campaign's focus -- "don't change your brand of thyroid medicine" -- to be misleading and self-serving, and I think it reflects the financial influence of drug companies much more than our interests as patients. Take a look at why I am so critical of the campaign, and why everything may not be as it seems. And, find out what you DO need to know about the potency of your thyroid medications. Get the story now.


THE REAL ISSUES THYROID PATIENTS FACE IN 2005

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Thyroid Association believe that the issue deserving national focus in 2005 for thyroid patients is that patients should stay on one particular brand of thyroid drug. Is this really the most important issue facing America's thyroid patients? I don't think so, and I have some thoughts about a number of far more urgent issues thyroid patients face, issues that affect your health on a daily basis. What are the issues?


YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN ENSURING A HEALTHY THYROID / JANUARY IS THYROID AWARENESS MONTH

Read the 2005 Thyroid Awareness Campaign press release from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Thyroid Association. AACE/ATA Press Release.

PERCHLORATE AND THE THYROID

SECOND THOUGHTS ON PERCHLORATE STUDY: NATIONAL ACADEMY PANEL SCIENTISTS WONDER WHY SOME REPORTERS GOT THE STORY WRONG

Last week, a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) panel released a long-awaited report on health effects of the toxic rocket fuel chemical perchlorate. Some of the U.S. news media reported the NAS found the chemical is dramatically safer than previously thought, so Americans shouldn't be too worried about its widespread occurrence in drinking water supplies. Since its release, NAS panel members have made it clear their findings do not set safe drinking water levels of perchlorate, which can disrupt production of thyroid hormones needed for growth and development. They say other factors - the heightened risk to infants and the added presence of perchlorate in milk and food - must be considered that would result in a drinking water standard nearly as low as any proposed or adopted by federal or state regulators. Evidence that many reporters got the perchlorate story wrong comes from several sources... What was wrong?


ACADEMY SUCCUMBS TO PENTAGON-WHITE HOUSE-INDUSTRY PRESSURE, RECOMMENDS PERCHLORATE SAFETY LEVEL THAT FAILS TO PROTECT CHILDREN.

The NRDC has said the recommendation to add iodide to prenatal vitamins Is "too little, too late" -- and they have a lot more to say about the perchlorate coverup, including "It's like exposing pregnant women to cigarette smoke and telling them to wear gas masks..." Find out more about this scandal.


"HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF PERCHLORATE INGESTION"

Read the original National Academies' National Research Council report on perchlorate online now.


WHY ORGANIC MILK, LETTUCE AND BOTTLED WATER CAN BE A DANGER TO YOU!

There's more bad news about perchlorate, the by-product of rocket fuel production that is contaminating water supplies around the country, and can, in certain quantities, cause a variety of health problems, including thyroid disease. Now, the government has found evidence of perchlorate contamination in common products like milk, lettuce and bottled water. What's the word?

WEIGHT LOSS AND THYROID DISEASE

LINDA DOWN 23 LBS IN 9 WEEKS ON THE THYROID DIET

I received a wonderful email recently from Linda, who has lost 23 pounds in 9 weeks following the Thyroid Diet! Writes Linda:
"I could not wait for the Thyroid Diet to come out. It certainly was 'worth the weight!!' Exactly 9 weeks ago today I weighed in at 144 lbs. Today I weighed in at 121!!! Those twenty three pounds have been with me for almost ten years and nothing was moving them. I had tried Atkins and after some weight loss I would stall on the scale, as soon as I ate again I would gain all the weigh tback and then some. I loved the diet plans and modified them to my benefit. I watched calories and found out carbs are my worst enemy. I eat healthy food and feel great. I just want to say thank you for all your effort in thyroid information. I receive your news letters and love the updates and am thrilled with the weight loss. You are a very special person. Thank you again." -- Linda W.
The Thyroid Diet is a national bestseller, going into 4 printings in less than two weeks, and going on to 8 large printings in just the first 15 weeks since release. The book earned a place on the New York Times Bestseller list starting in just its third week of publication! The book was an Amazon Top 10 Bestseller for a week, and in the top 100 for months.

Amazon.com even has named The Thyroid Diet as a 2004 Top Pick, in both the Health and Paperback Non-Fiction categories.

The Thyroid Diet is the first book to outline the unique challenges thyroid patients face in losing weight, and the only book to offer a variety of approaches -- including dietary changes and information on supplements and exercise -- that are specific to thyroid patients and their metabolic problems. It's also critical for people who can't lose weight because of an undiagnosed, untreated or improperly managed thyroid condition who need to get well before they can successfully lose weight. Why not read the first chapter online, and find out more about the Thyroid Diet, and how it can help turn around your diet struggles in 2005!

Find out more about the Thyroid Diet online at GoodMetabolism.com.


VINEGAR AND PICKLES: WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTIONS?

A great article at Science News online reviewed some of the latest information on the possible role vinegar can play in helping control insulin levels. And pickles are part of the picture too. Find out more about this interesting weight loss tip now.


NEW FOOD-BASED SUPPLEMENTS IN THE WEIGHT LOSS BATTLE AVAILABLE

If you haven't heard about the supplement hoodia gordonii, there's no doubt you will very soon. It's one I've been taking regularly, and find quite helpful as part of my own thyroid diet. Hoodia, a natural appetite suppressant, is earning attention as a potentially powerful weapon in the war against obesity and the American focus on losing weight. Find out now how hoodia could help you in your effort to lose weight. All about Hoodia

And, if you think cinnamon is simply something to sprinkle on your holiday cookies or cappuccino, think again. The popular spice, once considered more precious than gold, has medicinal value that is making dieters take notice. I've added a cinnamon supplement to my daily supplements list, and you may want to as well. Find out more now about how cinnamon may be an aid in the battle of the bulge. All about Cinnamon


LOW CARB DIETS 101: A GUIDE TO THE POPULAR LOW-CARB DIET BOOKS AND PLANS

An overview of the most popular low-carbohydrate diets of general interest, and those of particular interest to thyroid patients, including The Thyroid Diet, Atkins, South Beach, Fat Flush, The Zone, Protein Power, and the Hamptons Diet, as well as information on Ediets and Weight Watchers. Read Low Carb Diets 101 now!


WINTER EXERCISE TIPS

With the temperatures plummeting this time of year, many of us tend to hibernate inside our homes. But, hibernating is for bears. As humans it's important to stay active through all four seasons. Yet, a poll of 5,000 people found that 30 percent get no exercise at all during the winter months. Certified personal trainer Lynn Bode has some suggestions to help you stay active, even when it's frigid outside. Get moving now!


THE CORTISOL-WEIGHT LOSS CONTROVERSY: WILL CORTISLIM HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

We know that chronic stress may contribute to weight gain, but is elevated cortisol the culprit? Makers of the CortiSlim say it is, and encourage you to buy their costly weight loss supplement. Explore the controversy over this product, and the issue of cortisol and its role in your ability to lose weight and diet successfully. Explore the controversy now.


LACK OF SLEEP MAY LEAD TO EXCESS WEIGHT - STUDY FINDS LINK BETWEEN HOURS OF SLEEP AND RISK OF OBESITY

The less you sleep, the more likely you are to become obese, according to a new study. The study, by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Obesity Research Center, demonstrated a clear link between the risk of being obese and the number of hours of sleep each night... Get the zzzzz's about this news.

THYROID DIET -- SUPPLEMENTS THAT CAN HELP

If you've read my book The Thyroid Diet, or read articles at my websites, you've heard me talk about various supplements that I find helpful in my own weight loss battle. I've worked with Iherb.com to put together two special combinations of my favorite supplements, to make it easier and less expensive to add supplements to your weight loss effort, if that's something you want to do as part of your overall wellness.


THYROID DIET STARTUP PACKAGE
This combination includes 1 of each of the following: IHerb Price if ordered separately: $85.28, Iherb price -- $80.00

Order online from Iherb.com now, or
Order from Iherb by phone, 1-888-792-0028 (1-626-358-5678)


LEAN FOR LESS STARTER PACKAGE
Lean for Less Starter Package includes one bottle of each of the following products from Health from the Sun: Total Cost if ordered separately from iHerb: $34.76, Iherb price: $32.00

Order online, from Iherb.com now, or
Order from Iherb by phone, 1-888-792-0028 (1-626-358-5678)

AUTOIMMUNE/FIBROMYALGIA/CHRONIC FATIGUE INFORMATION

OVERLOOKING MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS: THE KEY TO YOUR PAIN?

If you have chronic pain, or fibromyalgia symptoms -- both of which are more common in people with thyroid conditions -- then you shouldn't miss this important information from Devin J. Starlanyl. An expert on the topic of fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain, Devin explores issues related to trigger points, myofascial pain, and fibromyalgia that can have a life-changing impact on your health and wellness. Read Devin Starlanyl's article now.


THYROID HORMONE MAY BE INNOVATIVE TREATMENT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

In a study published the Nov 16, 2004 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers reported on studies that looked at use of thyroid hormone as a potential treatment for the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. Find out more about this exciting news now.


GET THE COMPLETE STORY: STICKING OUT OUR NECKS, PRINT SUBSCRIPTION EDITION

Every other month, I publish Sticking Out Our Necks: The Thyroid Disease News Report, an expanded print edition of my newsletter. In this 12-page print newsletter, available only to paid subscribers, I feature articles and information you won't find in my email newsletters or websites. If you order online by the end of the month, you can get a special deal available only to my email newsletter subscribers. Order online by January 31, 2005, and you'll get, as a free gift, a copy of the 24-page Sep-Dec 2004 mega-issue of Sticking Out Our Necks. Just a few of the stories featured in this 24-page mega-issue include: A subscription to this bimonthly newsletter is easy to securely order online, at http://www.thyroid-info.com/newsoffer.htm.

The annual cost is $25 in the U.S., and $35 for non-US, and you'll get a bi-monthy 12-page issue, packed with information, PLUS order before January 31st, and you get the free 24-page Sep-Dec mega-issue.

To see a more detailed list of all the articles in this mega-issue, and to order your subscription now, see http://www.thyroid-info.com/newsoffer.htm

ORDER BY JANUARY 31, 2005 AND GET A FREE 24-PAGE MEGA ISSUE AS YOUR FREE GIFT!!!


NOTES FROM MARY --

You'll have to forgive my sporadic publishing of the email newsletter. There is simply too much going on in my life -- both professionally and personally -- to keep up with the workload! (Anyone interested in an online internship? If so, let me know!) In the meantime, I'm getting thousands of emails a week from readers, there are articles to write, books being written and promoted, and major house construction, and a new addition not only to the house, but to the family, coming this Spring. I'll share more news about that in coming issues!! But I hope this issue has a lot of useful information to help you live well!

Take care, and live well --

Mary

P.S. INTERN WANTED -- I'm looking for an college age or older intern who would be interested in working with me on online research and promotion projects. You'll have a great opportunity to learn about the online marketing arena, the publishing business, healthcare and online PR, health research, and more. A modest financial stipend will be available, as will glowing recommendations and glowing references for future job opportunities. I'm even happy to structure it within your university program and do their paperwork if that's what's needed. 5-10 hours a week, we'll communicate online with occasional phone calls, you'll need a reliable online connection, excellent English-language writing/editing skills, solid web surfing/research experience and some knowledge of HTML. Medical research experience/writing, and a thyroid condition yourself are a plus! If you think this is a good fit for you, I'd love to hear from you. If you're interested, send an email to news@thyroid-info.com, with the Subject: Intern.

"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



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