sun_3.jpg - 8243 Bytes STICKING OUT OUR NECKS | July 2004 / #74
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," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Success," "Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," and the forthcoming "Living Well With Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism"


This newsletter is located online at: http://www.thyroid-info.com/news/july2004.htm
Back issues are online at http://www.thyroid-info.com/news/index.htm


THE THYROID DIET: EARLY PUBLICATION SET FOR AUGUST 18TH!

Is an undiagnosed or improperly treated thyroid condition causing you to pack on the pounds, or dooming you to diet failure?

On August 18, 2004, you'll have the answer.

That's the publication date for my new book, THE THYROID DIET: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss. The Thyroid Diet is the first book to tackle the critical connection between weight gain and thyroid disease, offering a conventional and alternative plan for lasting weight loss.

More than 25 million Americans have diagnosed - and undiagnosed - thyroid conditions, which almost always result in a metabolic slowdown. The Thyroid Diet will help many previously unsuccessful dieters get diagnosed and treated - and proper thyroid treatment may be all that's needed to successfully lose weight.

Even after optimal treatment, however, weight problems plague many thyroid patients. For those patients, The Thyroid Diet identifies the many frustrating impediments to weight loss, and offers solutions--both conventional and alternative--to help.

The Thyroid Diet features 400 pages of help, including the best dietary changes you can make, including how a thyroid sufferer should focus on a low-glycemic, high-fiber, lower-calorie diet, optimal timing of meals for maximum hormonal impact, thyroid-damaging foods to avoid, helpful herbs and supplements, and more.

The book contains several different eating plans, food lists, and a set of delicious and healthy gourmet recipes. With handy worksheets to use in weight loss tracking, and a special resource section featuring websites, books, and support groups, you'll find vital help for the millions of thyroid patients dealing with weight problems.

The Thyroid Diet features...
  • Diet Planning Worksheets
  • Eating Plans
  • Food Lists
  • Gourmet Recipes
  • Information on Safe & Helpful Supplements and Herbs
The Thyroid Diet is on sale at your favorite bookstores on August 18th, 2004!

ADVANCE ORDER!! Be sure you get a copy the minute it's published by putting in an advance order at Amazon.com. That way, the minute they get books from the publisher, they'll ship a copy to you. But your credit card will not be charged until your book ships. Pre-order your copy from Amazon.com now for only $10.47, a 30% saving of $4.48 over the $14.95 list price.

Read the book's introductory chapter online now

THE THYROID DIET: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss
By Mary J. Shomon
Published by HarperCollins, 400 pages, ISBN: 0-06-052444-8, List Price: $14.95
Pre-order your copy from Amazon.com now


THE GENERICS ARE COMING!! THE GENERICS ARE COMING!!! FDA APPROVES 3 GENERIC LEVOTHYROXINE DRUGS

The FDA turned down Abbott's attempt to block the approval of generic levothyroxines, paving the way for various manufacturers to release generic versions of Synthroid and Levoxyl. This is essential reading for anyone taking levothyroxine.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/094639.htm


DOCTOR GROUPS CONCERNED RE: GENERICS

Wasting no time, on June 24, 2004, the three major professional organizations related to thyroid disease starting in on their drumbeat in defense of big-money donor Synthroid.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/094748.htm


PREGNANT WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM? INCREASE YOUR MEDICATION!!! -- RESEARCHERS FIND THYROID HORMONE NEEDS INCREASE DURING EARLY PREGNANCY

If you're pregnant and hypothyroid, you may need an increase in your dose of thyroid hormone replacement, even just a few weeks after conception. If you're hypothyroid and pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, this is a must-read article!
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099082.htm


HOODIA: PROMISING APPETITE SUPPRESSANT AND WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENT

hoodiaIf you haven't heard about the supplement hoodia gordonii, there's no doubt you will very soon. Hoodia, a natural appetite suppressant, is earning attention as a potentially powerful weight loss tool and effective weapon in the worldwide war against obesity . Hoodia supplements were just introduced to the U.S. market in early 2004, and I've personally been taking them since early this year. Find out everything you need to know about hoodia now.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/hoodia.htm


CINNAMON: HELP FOR INSULIN RESISTANCE AND WEIGHT LOSS

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, diabetics and people with insulin resistance take notice.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cinnamon.htm


OTHER SUPPLEMENTS THAT MAY HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS

For a review of some of the supplements that I find helpful in my own weight loss program, read this article online now.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/diethelp.htm


UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THYROLAR AND ARMOUR AVAILABILITY

People keep writing to me to report that they are still not able to get prescriptions for Thyrolar and Armour refilled at certain pharmacies. What's the problem? I talked to the manufacturer to find out.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099118.htm


VALUE OF T3 FOR THYROID CANCER PATIENTS WAITING FOR RAI

Researchers have evaluated the value of using T3 as a temporary treatment for thyroid cancer patients who are preparing for radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. In recent research two groups of patients requiring RAI therapy were investigated. One group included patients studied immediately after thyroidectomy, whereas the other included those withdrawn from suppressive levothyroxine (i.e., Synthroid, Levoxyl) therapy that followed thyroidectomy and postoperative RAI treatment. The TSH levels were measured two to three times each week until they reached more than 30 mU/liter, at which point the patients received RAI. What did the researchers find?
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/100439.htm


Search My Thyroid, Autoimmune & Diet Sites


www.thyroid-info.comthyroid.about.com

HIVES LINKED TO AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE

Research reported on in the journal Dermatology found that the frequency of thyroid autoantibodies is significantly higher in patients with chronic urticaria (hives) than in healthy controls. In the study, all the patients with thyroid autoantibodies had so-called "normal" test results. Find out what researchers concluded now.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099941.htm


DO BENIGN NODULES NEED TREATMENT AFTER MENOPAUSE?

Italian researchers looked at issues regarding treatment of benign thyroid nodules, a common condition. Using ultrasound tests, the size changes in nodules in women after menopause were measured. Approximately half the group received suppressive levothyroxine treatment, the other half had no treatment. Long-term follow up at 3 and 5 years led researchers to some important conclusions regarding the need for treatment for benign nodules after menopause.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099940.htm


PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OR TEST RESULTS: WHICH MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSES HYPOTHYROIDISM?

According to conventional doctors, which is more accurate? Going by the various physical signs of hypothyroidism -- i.e., coarse skin, puffy face, slow movements, slow heartrate, slow ankle reflex -- or blood testing for TSH and Free T4? Indian researchers tackled the question.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099939.htm


THYROID DISORDERS COMMON WITH HEPATITIS C

Researchers report that people with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are at a significantly higher risk of having thyroid disorders. Find out more about this interrelationship.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/097585.htm

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Learn more about this condition that puts you at a higher risk of thyroid disease.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/097586.htm


INSIDE MARY SHOMON'S MEDICINE CABINET

People are always writing to me to ask "what drugs and supplements do YOU take?" First off, let's be clear...the optimal combination of supplements for you is the one that will work best for YOU. And what works best for me may not work best for you. I've come up with my own regimen with my physicians and health practitioners, after years of trial and error. Here are the things I regularly take most days or times of the year. Find out what Mary takes now.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/059642.htm


HYPOTHYROIDISM IMPROVES PROGNOSIS IN LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer patients who are hypothyroid face better outcomes and slower development of their cancer than patients who have normal TSH levels. Find out more specifics about this important study now.
http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099937.htm


YOUR GUIDES TO LIVING WELL

If you don't already have copies of my "Living Well..." books, Iherb.com has an excellent $8 per copy price if you buy online. SPECIAL DISCOUNT!!! The folks over at Iherb.com -- the website where I order almost all of my own supplements and vitamins – also have offered my readers a special 20% discount on anything you buy! Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to stock up on all my books, your favorite vitamins, herbs, supplements, protein shakes, and more!! Just use the coupon code thyroidbonus during checkout to get your 20% discount.


You can order them at a good discount from Amazon.com as well:

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NOTES FROM MARY

There is so much incredibly important news that I don't know what to tell you to read first. If you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, and you're hypothyroid, you need to read about the important new guidelines on medication. And you may find your pharmacy or HMO trying to switch you over to one of the newly FDA-approved generic levothyroxine drugs. Don't switch until you read my article!! And then there's hoodia and cinnamon, two supplements that are getting more attention as particularly helpful for appetite suppression and lowering blood sugar -- all powerful tools in the battle to lose weight!

And, speaking of losing weight, my publisher has pushed up the release date of my book, so those of you who have been writing to me saying "WHEN can I get The Thyroid Diet???" won't have to wait much longer. The book will be available on August 18th, just a few weeks from now. And you can even pre-order a copy from Amazon.com now, and the minute Amazon has books in hand, they'll ship you one of the first copies, so you are certain to have one as quickly as possible! Weight loss has been a heartbreaking struggle for me, and for so many of you, I know, and so I'm so excited to be able to bring you what is an effective, healthy and thyroid-specific approach to lifelong weight control!

Also, the folks over at Iherb.com -- the website where I order almost all of my own supplements and vitamins -- have offered my readers a special 20% discount on anything -- including books -- that you buy! Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to stock up on vitamins, herbs, supplements, protein shakes, and more!! Visit Iherb.com, and use the coupon code thyroidbonus during checkout to get your 20% discount.

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 1997-2004 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

P.S. I have one additional off-topic item to add. Some of you know that I am literally drowning in spam, 24-7. Because my address is out there everywhere, it has managed to get on every single spammer's distribution list. Add to that the fact that it seems that anew virus comes out every day, and infects a percentage of my readers (who then send viruses to me, because I'm in their address book.) And then, there's the virus spoofing, which picks up addresses in people's address books, then sends out a virus that looks as if it comes from me. Then I get the bouncebacks. All this adds up to more than a 2,000 emails EVERY DAY...yes, every day...and the majority of them are spam and viruses. I was about to give up and start a new domain, get a new address and start afresh when I found out about Postini4less. It's a company that lets an individual or small business that has its domain name set up a "Postini" account. Postini is this amazing online filtering system that gets rid of about 99% of viruses and spam, but still lets you make sure you get legitimate mail, just as quickly as before. I signed up, and my life is changed!! Seriously... I was spending at least an hour a day sorting out the legitimate mail in the junk -- and that was WITH 2 anti-virus programs running. After what was an easy and fast sign-up with Postini4less, I was up and running within 24 hours. And after some excellent advice from their experts -- they have a very personal approach to service -- they helped tweak my settings even more. Now, about 98% of my junk mail and viruses is being filtered out without my spending even a minute thinking about it. That's an HOUR of my life every day that I've gotten back, thanks to Postini4less. If you have your own domain and are drowning in email, you can't survive without this. Visit http://www.postini4less.com for more information. And if you sign up, tell them I sent you. I want them to know how thankful I am that they're out there, because they are just amazing!!!

Sticking Out Our Necks and this website are © Copyright Mary Shomon, 1997-2004. 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.