Sticking Out Our Necks: Thyroid Disease News Report, From Mary Shomon / Email Edition Back Issues -- May-June 2002

Welcome to the fifty-eighth 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.

NOTE TO NEW SUBSCRIBERS: First, welcome to the new subscribers who found out about me via Woman's World and First for Women magazines. If you wrote to me to sign up for the Thyroid Diet Newsletter, you may, however, have accidentally ended up receiving this newsletter as well if you didn't specify "Subscribe Diet" in your email to me. But do check out this newsletter, as if you have a suspected or diagnosed thyroid problem, you'll find a great deal of thyroid-specific information of help to you, and will probably want to remain subscribed to this one. If that's the case, drop me another email to news@thyroid-info.com that says "Subscribe Diet" and I'll add you to that list as well. But if you don't want this newsletter, and do want Diet News and didn't receive it yet, send me an email to news@thyroid-info.com that says "SWITCH THYROID TO DIET" in the subject line. Please be sure that you have that specific "SWITCH THYROID TO DIET" message, so I know to take you off the Thyroid news list, and add you to the Diet news list. THANKS!

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

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MY BOOK: "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 and online orders, see http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm.

FOR PHONE ORDERS IN THE U.S., call Politics and Prose Bookstore, 800-722-0790.

FREE CHAPTER ONLINE: To read a free chapter online from "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," go to http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm.

FINDING DOCTORS WHO PRESCRIBE ARMOUR AND THYROLAR

Drug manufacturer Forest Pharmaceuticals has come up with a database of doctors who have prescribed the company’s drugs Armour and/or Thyrolar, and have agreed to be listed in a searchable database.

For Armour-prescribing doctors

For Thyrolar-prescribing doctors

Keep in mind that the doctors featured on these “Locate a Doctor Near You” pages from Forest are doctors who have prescribed Armour for other patients. There is no guarantee that a doctor from this list will prescribe Armour or Thyrolar for you, as once you are a patient, your doctor will prescribe the best treatment based on your specific needs.

You can always look for a good doctor recommended by your fellow thyroid patients at the Thyroid Top Docs Directory.

And don’t forget the opportunity for telephone Thyroid Coaching Sessions and Mind-Body/Support Coaching Sessions with Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames, authors of Thyroid Power. Whenever folks ask me who they should call to help sort out complicated thyroid situations, Dr. Rich Shames is the one who immediately comes to mind for me, and if you’re dealing with the emotional fallout from chronic disease, then Karilee Shames is the person you’ll want to talk to. Find out more at their site.

THYROID ANTIBODIES ARE MARKER FOR POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION

European researchers have found that the presence of thyroid antibodies in a pregnant woman is a biological marker that can help identify risk of developing depression after childbirth. Women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies during pregnancy are nearly three times more likely to become depressed after the birth of their child. The researchers recommend that routine antibody screening be done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The presence of the antibodies is also linked to an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction both during and after pregnancy, so early detection of antibodies can also help in identifying thyroid problems as well.

BRITISH THYROID DOC TOFT DOES ABOUT FACE ON ISSUE OF T3 TREATMENT

Dr. Anthony Toft, who has at times adamantly opposed the use of supplemental T3, told a meeting of the British Endocrine Societies in April 2002 that the treatment of hypothyroidism is about to come full circle, and that the addition of T3 to T4-only treatment may in fact be the superior therapy for hypothyroidism. Find out about this major change of tune from one of the world's most vocal and controversial thyroid experts. Read more about it online.

NEW FINDINGS ON SOY AND THYROID CONNECTION

Dr. Daniel Doerge of the Division of Biochemical Toxicology at the National Center for Toxicological Research, one of the nation’s top soy researchers, has published an article in the June issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, looking at the effect of soy on the thyroid. Read more about it online.

HANFORD UPDATE

Results of a federal study released on Friday June 21, 2002 claim that people exposed to radioactive iodine releases from the Hanford nuclear reservation decades ago appear to be no more at risk of having thyroid disease than people elsewhere. The study, which was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Energy, took place over 13 years, and looked at more than 3,400 people. The study subjects were all young children during the releases of iodine-131 from Hanford took place, and subjects were born in seven eastern Washington counties located downwind of Hanford. Among those studied, 19 had thyroid cancer, which is considered consistent with the rates in other parts of the U.S. Downwinder Trisha Pritikin, a Berkeley, Calif., attorney who grew up outside Hanford, has thyroid disease, as does her mother. Her father died of thyroid cancer. Pritikin told the Associated Press, "I have no trust in the CDC and I have no trust in the Fred Hutch group." Experts have said that does not, however, prove definitively that releases from Hanford had no effect on health.

And just days before the disputed study results were released, a court decision was released, finding that downwinders who were being excluded from lawsuits related to Hanford lawsuits are in fact eligible to sue again. The residents of Washington, Oregon and Idaho had claimed that their thyroid, bone, breast and salivary cancers were a result of exposure to the radioactive releases from Hanford during the Cold War. In a reversal of a lower-court ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that 5,500 dismissed claims could be reinstated.

"This is an absolutely wonderful decision," said Trisha Pritikin. "It shows the value and importance of appeals — of moving a case that has festered in one district to another."

Lawyers for the contractors who managed Hanford have said they are disappointed, and disagree with the court ruling. Plaintiffs' attorneys are currently in the process of seeking class-action status for the Hanford-related cases.

Source: Seattle Times, June 19, 2002

ABERDEEN, MD WELL CLOSED AFTER THYROID-DAMAGING CHEMICAL FOUND

Aberdeen, Maryland has closed one of its drinking water wells after the chemical perchlorate -- which is known to damage the thyroid and potentially trigger thyroid disease -- was discovered. It’s thought that the perchlorate contamination is coming from the Aberdeen Proving Ground, a military installation. The well that was closed is one of the city's 11 wells that are located along the boundary of the Proving Ground. The well’s water samples were showing levels of 4 parts per billion of perchlorate. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has to date not issued a national standard for safe levels of perchlorate in drinking water, it’s expected that a health advisory will be issued that recommends a safe level of no more than 1 part per billion.

For a variety of articles on perchlorate, go to the specialized search page at my About.com site, and search on perchlorate, or see the official perchlorate page, at www.perchlorate.org.

LATEST LINKS

LEVOXYL RECALLS AND QUALITY QUESTIONS

Sales of Levoxyl may be on the increase, but that hasn’t prevented a national recall that affects certain lots of the 50 mcg. and 100 mcg. Levoxyl tablets. This recall comes on the heels of the reformulation last year, which has left some patients in the dark about how to properly take the new fast-dissolving Levoxyl. If you are taking Levoxyl and not feeling well, you need to read this article. Also, find out what one innovative patient and her pharmacist decided to do when she was not reacting well to the new Levoxyl, but couldn’t take another thyroid hormone replacement drug. Read more about it online.

THE DIRTY BOMB SCARE AND YOUR HEALTH: SHOULD YOU BUY THYROID-PROTECTING POTASSIUM IODIDE PILLS?

Two days after the June 10, 2002 announcement of the earlier arrest of alleged al-Qaeda member and potential "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla, President Bush signed into law a measure that expands the U.S. stockpile of drugs to protect Americans from smallpox, anthrax and other deadly germ agents, as well as from nuclear-related thyroid damage. The new bioterrorism law increases stockpiles of smallpox vaccines and other drugs, including potassium iodide, which could help protect the thyroid gland of people exposed to radiation from a nuclear attack or plant accident. The new law gives state and local governments supplies of potassium iodide for distribution in a 20-mile radium of nuclear power plants.

Public interest in potassium iodide, the pill that can protect the thyroid in the event of a nuclear accident, has skyrocketed. Washington, DC officials are ordering hundreds of thousands of potassium iodide pills "in case of a nuclear event," and states and counties from Westchester County, New York to California are stocking up in the areas around nuclear power plants. But will potassium iodide help in the case of a dirty bomb? Find out more in the article online:

Where to Buy Potassium Iodide According to the independent testing lab, ConsumerLab.com — a product review of potassium iodide pills being sold on the internet showed the key brands of these products that are being sold on the internet passed ConsumerLab.com's testing, contain the labeled amounts of active ingredient and are able to disintegrate properly in solution — necessary for proper absorption.

Among the products that passed Consumerlab's review include the most popular brands:

Iosat®
RAD BLOCK
THYRO-BLOCK® potassium iodide tablets
KI4U Thyroid Blocking Tablets KIO3

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved two of the potassium iodide --Thyro-Block, made by Wallace Laboratories, and Iosat, manufactured by Anbex, Inc.

BUY YOUR OWN POTASSIUM IODIDE NOW
I’ve bought my potassium iodide – for the house, my husband’s office, and the car -- and if, like me, you live in a big city, or anywhere near one of the nation’s many nuclear plants, you’ll want to buy yours. You can order the FDA-approved Iosat brand potassium iodide at a fair price from the reputable herb and supplement retailer Iherb (a very reliable company I personally order from regularly, and where I ordered my Iosat.) You can order online at Iherb or call them toll-free at 1-888-792-0028.

CANADIAN THYROID DOC DAVID DERRY'S MEDICAL LICENSE SUSPENDED, JUDGE ORDERS INVESTIGATION BY SEPT. 30, 2002

On June 11, 2002, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia removed the medical license of Dr. David Derry, a popular physician well-known for his success with thyroid patients.

The Victoria, British Columbia doctor has been practicing for 30 years, helping thyroid patients mainly via prescribing desiccated thyroid at doses he determined to be appropriate for relief of symptoms in each patient. His ability to help patients with hypothyroidism after other doctors had failed has earned him an international reputation, and patients traveled from all over North America to see him, and patients and doctors from various countries consulted him for thyroid treatment advice.

Dr. Derry has also been featured at my About.com Thyroid site numerous times:

According to Dr. Derry, "When the TSH test [the test that most doctors use to diagnose hypothyroidism] was introduced in 1975, no comparisons were done with the old method of following clinical signs and symptoms. The TSH test does not have evidence-based medicine behind it. The endocrinologists and thyroidologists just had the general opinion that this was the way to go--no proof, no studies, nothing. This has led to a decrease in the dosage given to every low thyroid person to one-third of the known and proven clinically effective dose."

In July 2001, an endocrinologist whose patient had left him and gotten better on Dr. Derry's treatment complained to the College about Dr. Derry. The patient complained about the endocrinologist, but the College investigated only the complaint against Dr. Derry.

The College gave Dr. Derry one week's notice to prepare for an October 31, 2001 hearing. In the week prior to the hearing, the College received numerous letters supporting Dr. Derry's treatment. About 50 supporters came to attend the hearing, but the College would not admit them, or talk to the patients whose medical records they were examining. The College Executive Committee rejected the evidence that Dr. Derry presented supporting his treatment protocol, and on November 2, 2001, they removed his thyroid prescribing privileges.

Dr. Derry sought to have the ban lifted at a December 18, 2001 Supreme Court hearing. The lawyer for the College, David Martin, assured the judge at the hearing that early the next year, the College would hold an inquiry into Dr. Derry's approach to treating hypothyroidism. He also promised that the College would allow Dr. Derry to call expert witnesses to defend his approach. In part because of this promise, the court declined to lift the temporary ban. This inquiry has not taken place, however.

In addition, though Dr. Derry presented 18 volumes of material in support of his position, the College failed to present even a single medical study or expert to counteract this evidence. The 18 volumes included classic medical literature from all over the world showing that Dr. Derry's treatment is backed by medical expertise, and that it works.

"Desiccated thyroid was used by all clinicians for the first eighty years of thyroid treatment," says Dr. Derry. "It is cheap, effective, and well standardized. Old treatments that are replaced by new approaches should have clinical studies to prove that the new methods are better."

Instead of investigating Dr. Derry's treatment protocol, the College went through medical files of Dr. Derry's patients, suggested correlations between his treatment and the deaths of two patients not related to thyroid medication, and suspended his medical license on June 11, 2002. His lawyer, Kevin Doyle, has filed an appeal, which was heard in Supreme Court in Victoria on June 24 and 25. 2002.

The result of that hearing was that the judge ordered the College to have a full, open investigation to resolve the situation by Sept. 30, or Dr. Derry will automatically get his license and thyroid prescribing privileges back. This is good news, and a victory against the College.

For more information on Dr. Derry's current situation, see the following links at the Breast Iodine Thyroid Effectiveness Society (BITES) site:

Transcript of June 17, 2002 TV interview with Dr. Derry.

For more on Dr. Derry's activities and BITES, see Breast Iodine Thyroid Effectiveness Society (BITES) Group and Site Launched.

Source: Breast Iodine Thyroid Effectiveness Society (BITES), http://www.bites-medical.org.

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 last month’s issue:

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." The "Thyroid Diet Success Guide" features information about why it's harder for thyroid patients to lose weight, insulin resistance, the role of the adrenal system, and lots of practical suggestions to help you finally enjoy weight loss success. Just a few of the key features in the 35-page Guide include:

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

The "Thyroid Diet Success Guide" features a diet plan that you can follow, and specific information on exercises, and many other tips and resources. The Success Guide will help you get on the right track, with information that has actually helped other thyroid patients -- including me -- to effectively lose weight!

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
Palm Harbor, FL 34682

For an order form to pay by check or credit card, visit http://www.thyroid-info.com/dietbook.htm

Or call our toll-free order line during weekday business hours at 888-810-9471 to order using your credit card.

SPECIAL OFFER: Everyone who orders the Thyroid Diet Success Guide by July 15th will receive a free pocket-sized "Mini-Guide" that summarizes the key diet tips in a portable, easy-to-carry format.

KEY THYROID NEWSBRIEFS

Here are recent thyroid-related findings and newsbriefs. Full text of news stories are included in the subscriber-only print edition of Sticking Out Our Necks. Subscribe by July 31st for $25 a year, and you’ll still have time to receive the July/August issue! See the Newsletter Subscribe Page or call 1-888-810-9471.

WILL YOU DEVELOP HYPOTHYROIDISM AFTER RAI?
One year after RAI, almost 56% of all patients are hypothyroid, and at 10 years, approximately 86% are hypothyroid. The risk was highest for people who had autoimmune Graves’ disease, among other factors.
Source: Ahmad et. al. “Objective estimates of the probability of developing hypothyroidism following radioactive iodine treatment of thyrotoxicosis,” European Journal of Endocrinology, 2002 Jun;146(6):767-75.

THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF GRAVES’ EYE DISEASE ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Researchers have found that Graves’ ophthalmopathy has a notably negative effect on the health quality of life, even years after treatment, and have recommended that Graves’ ophthalmopathy be considered a chronic disease.
Source: Terwee et. al. “Long-term effects of Graves’ ophthalmopathy on health-related quality of life,” European Journal of Endocrinology 2002 Jun;146(6):751-757.

HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS CAN SHOW UP AS AS KNEE PAIN
Researchers have found that in some patients, the presenting symptom of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be knee pain. In this case, early diagnosis and treatment of Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism may be able to prevent polyarthritis associated with hypothyroidism.
Source: Gillan, MM et. al. “Hashimoto's thyroiditis presenting as bilateral knee arthropathy,” J Okla State Med Assoc 2002 May;95(5):323-5.

LOW-CALORIE DIETS CAUSE REDUCED THYROID FUNCTION
Experts studied the effects of obesity and starvation on a variety of hormones, including thyroid, and found that treatment of obesity with low-calorie diets, and chronic starvation such as seen in anorexia nervosa, both typically cause a decrease in total T4, total T3 and free T3, with a corresponding increase in Reverse T3.
Source: Douyon L, et. al. “Effect of obesity and starvation on thyroid hormone, growth hormone, and cortisol secretion,” Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2002 Mar;31(1):173-89.

THYROID DISEASES IN PREGNANCY
Researchers in Singapore found that the lowest possible dose of antithyroid drugs should be used along with close monitoring in order to avoid overtreating the woman with gestational transient thyroiditis. The researchers also found that surgery for thyroid nodules can be safely performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. Regarding hypothyroidism, high levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid stimulating hormone in early pregnancy may be predictive of post-partum thyroiditis, as well as subsequent permanent hypothyroidism.
Source: Chen YT, Khoo DH. “Thyroid diseases in pregnancy,” Ann Acad Med Singapore 2002 May;31(3):296-302

THYROID PATIENTS AND THOSE WITH FAMILY HISTORY SHOULD BE SCREENED IN EARLY PREGNANCY
Researchers have concluded that a large number of women at risk are not being screened for thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy, and that women who have thyroid conditions or a family history of thyroid disease must be screened during early pregnancy.
Source: Vaidya, B. et. al. “Thyroid Function in Pregnancy: An Audit,” Endocrine Abstracts, 21st Joint Meeting of the British Endocrine Societies, 8-11 April 2002

DIETARY FLAVONOIDS MAY ALTER THYROID FUNCTION
Brazilian researchers have concluded that some dietary flavonoids have an ability to inhibit thyroid peroxidase, making them antithyroid agents. According to the researchers, the key antithyroid flavonoids were baicalein, quercetin, catechin, morin, rutin, fisetin, kaempferol and biochanin A. According to the researchers, chronic consumption of these dietary flavonoids might behave as antithyroid agents, and alter thyroid function.
Source: Ferreira AC et. al. “Inhibition of thyroid type 1 deiodinase activity by flavonoids,” Food Chem Toxicol 2002 Jul;40(7):913-917

HEAD AND NECK CANCERS RISING AMONG U.S. KIDS
Head and neck cancers in children, previously rare, are now growing faster than any other type of children’s cancer. These cancers include thyroid cancer. A variety of causes and reasons are speculated.
Source: Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery 2002;128:655-659.

THYROTOXICOSIS INCREASES HEART RISK
Researchers have found that patients who are thyrotoxic have higher rates of atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), cardiac rhythm abnormalities, and an increased risk of death in the period following thyrotoxicosis due to heart rhythm irregularities.
Source: Osman, F. et. al. “Atrial fibrillation predicts mortality in thyrotoxicosis,” Endocrine Abstracts, 21st Joint Meeting of the British Endocrine Societies, 8-11 April 2002

OVERT AND SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM COMPLICATES PREGNANCY
According to experts, among the women studied who were hypothyroid, 60% of the overtly hypothyroid patients had a miscarriage, and 71.4% of the subclinically hypothyroid patients miscarried. Premature delivery took place in 20% of the overtly hypothyroid, and 7.2% of the subclinically hypothyroid. A full-term delivery took place in 20% of the overtly hypothyroid, and 21.4% of the subclinically hypothyroid. Miscarriages, premature and term deliveries in patients who were euthyroid and being treated with levothyroxine at the time of conception were 4%, 11.1% and 84.9%. Of the patients receiving levothyroxine therapy before conception, almost 70% had to increase their dosage.
Source: Abalovich, M et. al. “Overt and subclinical hypothyroidism complicating pregnancy,” Thyroid 2002 Jan;12(1):63-8

HIGH T4 MARKER FOR FAILURE OF FIRST RAI
Researchers found that one year after RAI treatment at a standard 555 millicuries dose, 70% of patients were being hypothyroid, and 23% were euthyroid (normal TSH levels) and considered to be cured. 7% of the patients remained hyperthyroid and required repeat dosing. Patients with a high T4 level were most likely to remain hyperthyroid.
Source: Barton et. al., “Influence of pre-treatment factors on outcomes following the use of high fixed dose radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism,” Endocrine Abstracts 3 P277

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES NOT A RELIABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR THYROID STIMULATING ANTIBODIES IN DIAGNOSIS OF AUTOIMMUNE GRAVES’ DISEASE
Researchers found that the presence of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are not a reliable substitute for thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) in diagnosis of autoimmune Graves’ disease.
Source: Evans et. al., “Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are not a surrogate for thyroid stimulating antibodies in the investigation of the etiology of thyrotoxicosis,” Endocrine Abstracts 3 P294

GOING HYPOTHYROID AFTER RAI
According to researchers at the Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK, as many as 90% of patients treated with radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism develop hypothyroidism, and in some cases, the hypothyroidism takes years to develop.
Source: B Varghese & PJ Trainer, “The follow-up status of patients 10 years after treatment with radioactive iodine(RI) for hyperthyroidism,” Endocrine Abstracts, 3 P288

THYROID DISEASE IS MORE COMMON IN DIABETICS
Researchers have found that as many as 13% of patients with diabetes suffer from thyroid dysfunction, the vast majority having subclinical hypothyroidism.
Source: Nobre et. al. “Profile of the thyroid function in a population with type-2 diabetes mellitus,” Endocrine Abstracts 3 P298

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THESE NEWS STORIES
You can read the full text of these news stories in the July/August issue of "Sticking Out Our Necks" print edition. Subscribe by July 31st, and you’ll still have time to receive the July/August issue! See our subscription page or call 1-888-810-9471 to subscribe.

LITHIUM AS A THYROTOXICOSIS TREATMENT PRIOR TO RAI
According to researchers from the Hammersmith Hospitals in the UK, lithium therapy begun prior to RAI may be an option for patients with recurrent thyrotoxicosis, and more effective that carbamizole.
Source: E Murphy et. al., “The use of lithium as an adjunct to radioiodine therapy for thyrotoxicosis,” Endocrine Abstracts 3 P303

THYROID SURGERY UNDER LOCAL AND NOT GENERAL ANESTHESIA?
Researchers found that thyroid surgery can be safely performed with local anesthesia on some patients, offering an alternative to general anaesthesia.
Source: Hisham AN et. al., “A reappraisal of thyroid surgery under local anaesthesia: Back to the future?” ANZ J Surg 2002 Apr;72(4):287-9

HYPERTHYROIDISM INCREASES CARBOHYDRATE CRAVINGS
Researchers have found that hyperthyroidism increases craving for and typical intake of carbohydrates.
Source: Pijl et. al. “Food Choice in Hyperthyroidism: Potential Influence of the Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Serotonin Precursor Availability,” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 86, No. 12 5848-5853

ENDOSCOPIC THYROIDECTOMY
Researchers have reported that endoscopic thyroid sugery has similar results to conventional surgery, but much better cosmetic implications in that the size of the scar is substantially reduced.
Source: Ikeda et. al. “Endoscopic thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy by the axillary approach: A preliminary report,” Surgical Endoscopy. November 2001.

THYROIDECTOMY FOR GRAVES' DISEASE
According to the Australia New Zealand Journal of Surgery, total thyroidectomy is now replacing partial thyroidectomy as the standard treatment for Graves' disease in that area.
Source: Barakate, et. al., "Total thyroidectomy is now the preferred option for the surgical management of Graves disease," ANZ Journal of Surgery, Volume 72 Issue 5 Page 321 - 2002

HYPOCALCEMIA MOST COMMON COMPLICATION AFTER TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY
Researchers have found that the most common complication after total removal of the thyroid (thyroidectomy) is a deficiency in calcium known as hypocalcemia.
Source: Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2002;128:389-392, April 2002

THYROID AND YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Research has shown that chronic hypothyroidism is a risk factor for hypertension, or HIGH blood pressure, and proper thyroid treatment can be an important factor in blood pressure control.
Source: "The Role of Thyroid Hormone in Blood Pressure Homeostasis: Evidence from Short-Term Hypothyroidism in Humans, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol. 87, No. 5 1996-2000

VIDEO-ASSISTED THYROID REMOVAL?
Researchers have found that video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) has surgical results similar to conventional surgery, but cosmetically, the results are considered excellent by patients, as the scar is quite small compared to the typical thyroidectomy scar.
Source: "Video-assisted thyroidectomy," Journal of the American College of Surgeons, Volume 194, Issue 5 (May 2002), Pages 610-614

A RAPID CURE FOR TOXIC MULTINODULAR GOITER?
According to researchers, patients with toxic multinodular goiter who receive the maximum allowable outpatient dose of radioactive iodine-131 to ablate the thyroid – known as radioiodine ablation therapy -- can be cured in a single treatment.
Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists – May 2002 Proceedings

HYPOTHYROIDISM COMMON AFTER TREATMENT FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCERS
According to the journal Cancer, patients who have radiation for head and neck cancers, either with or without chemotherapy, are more likely than typically known to develop hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. Routine thyroid screening should be conducted after treatment for head and neck cancers.
Source: "Hypothyroidism: A frequent event after radiotherapy and after radiotherapy with chemotherapy for patients with head and neck carcinoma," Cancer 2001;92:2892-2897

BENIGN THYROID NODULES RARELY GROW
According to experts, among benign thyroid nodules, only a quarter show any sign of growing at all. Among those that do grow, they grow so slowly that five years need to pass before the growth can even be detected with sensitive ultrasound. These findings mean lead researchers to conclude that annual ultrasound scans are not needed for patients with benign thyroid nodules.
Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists – May 2002 Proceedings

RADIOTHERAPY ALONE DOES NOT APPEAR TO IMPROVE FUNCTION IN THYROID EYE DISEASE
According to researchers, radiation to the eye areas, a procedure known as “orbital radiotherapy,” is not effective as a solo treatment to deal with thyroid eye disease, and in particular, reducing or eliminating double vision.
Source: "Radiotherapy in thyroid eye disease: The effect on the field of binocular single vision," Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, April 2002, Vol. 6, Number 2.

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WHEN THE MEDIAN ISN'T THE MESSAGE

Twenty years ago, Dr. Steven Jay Gould was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and told that he had less than a year to live. Dr. Gould actually lived another 20 years – outwitting the so-called expert opinions and proclamations of his short time to live. Along the way, he authored “The Median Isn't the Message,” one of the best things ever written about cancer and statistics. Stephen Jay Gould was a biologist and author who taught at Harvard University. When medical “experts” pronounce death sentences on patients, or start quoting – and treating by – statistics instead of real human beings, Dr. Gould’s humane essay offers the antidote – one that is filled with hope. Dr. Gould passed away of an unrelated cancer this past May at the age of 60, but his contributions to science – and to the hope and spirit of chronic disease and cancer patients everywhere – will never be forgotten. Read Dr. Gould’s life-changing essay, “The Median Isn’t the Message” now.

ARE YOU A CYBERCHONDRIAC? OR ARE YOU PART OF THE E-PATIENT REVOLUTION?

According to a Harris International survey, 110 million of us are cyberchondriacs – people who go online looking for health information an average of three times per month. This is up from a total of 97 million last year. According to the survey, an estimated 53 percent of all adults sometimes use the Internet for heath information. Merck-Medco Vice President Terry Preskar predicts that the demand for online health information will grow roughly at twice the rate of the online population.

The new Pew Report on e-Patients, titled "Vital Decisions," has a far more flattering term for people who search for health information online, calling us “e-patients.” According to this report:

62 percent of Internet users, or 73 million Americans, have gone online for health information.
About 6 million people go online for health information every day – and that is more than twice as many as consult health professionals.
People seeking health information are pleased with the results of their online searches
82% of e-patients say they can find the health information they need most or all of the time
Only 2% of health seekers say they know of any instance in which online information has caused harm
A third of all e-patients, and more of 50% of people who are currently suffering from a health condition, say they know of people who has been "significantly helped" by online health resources
45 million e-patients say the Internet has improved the ways that they take care of themselves. This is an increase of 48 percent from the previous year.
58% of people said they had gone online because they'd been diagnosed with a new health problem
81% of people are surfing for information because a friend or family member had been diagnosed with a new medical condition.
When e-patients talked to their physicians about the information they had found online, 82 % of the doctors agreed with the online information, and only 4% disagreed.

ST. MOM’S WORT, PEPTOBIMBO AND BUYAGRA – THE LATEST DRUGS!

Did you know that there are a number of proposed new drugs and supplements that we all definitely need, but probably haven’t heard about yet? (The following humorous list has been circulating around the Internet – author unknown – and has patients rolling on the floors!)

St. Mom's Wort ... Plant extract that treats mom's depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to six hours.

Empty Nestrogen ... Highly effective suppository that eliminates melancholy by enhancing the memory of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn't wait til they moved out.

Peptobimbo ... Liquid silicone for single women. Two full cups swallowed before an evening out increases breast size, decreases intelligence, and improves flirting.

Dumerol ... When taken with Peptobimbo, can cause dangerously low I.Q. causing enjoyment of Britney Spears' music.

Flipitor .. Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.

Antiboyotics ... When administered to teenage girls, is highly effective in improving grades, freeing up phone lines, and reducing money spent on make-up.

Menicillin ... Potent antiboyotic for older women. Increases resistance to such lines as, "You make me want to be a better person ... can we get naked now?"

Buyagra ... Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency and duration of spending spree.

Extra Strength Buy-one-all ... When combined with Buyagra, can cause an indiscriminate buying frenzy so severe the victim may even come home with a Yanni CD or a book by Dr. Laura.

Jack Asspirin ... Relieves the headache caused by a man who can't remember your birthday, anniversary or phone number.

Anti-talksident ... A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers.

Sexcedrin ... Bedroom aerosol spray for men. More effective than Excedrin in treating the, "Not now, dear, I have a headache," syndrome.

Ragamet ... When administered to a husband, provides the same irritation as ragging on him all weekend, saving the wife the time and trouble of doing it herself.

A LOOK INSIDE "LIVING WELL WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM"

"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:

Free Intro Chapter Online
Reviews
How to Get Your Copy

Amazon.com has named "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" one of its top 40 health bestsellers for both 2000 and 2001, and if you don’t already own your own copy, you need to get one, if you are hypothyroid, have Hashimoto’s disease, or are on thyroid hormone replacement due to thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine, or antithyroid drugs.

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
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

"When I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I didn’t have any idea what or where the thyroid was, or what it actually did. My doctor phoned to let me know that my thyroid was a little underactive, called in a prescription to the pharmacy, and that was the extent of the diagnosis and treatment. Months after I began thyroid hormone replacement, I was still struggling with continuing symptoms. My hair was falling out and clogging the drains. I was waking up each morning with sore and achy joints and muscles. Just a few hours of typing on the computer would set off a major attack of carpal tunnel syndrome in my forearms and wrists. My eyes became scratchy and vision blurry due to dryness. My hands and feet frequently tingled and went numb.

I decided to find out more about my condition, and read a book from the 1970s that explained that the main cause of hypothyroidism was actually an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The book offered little insight into how someone would get this condition, or whether there was anything you could do about it. All it suggested was that having one autoimmune disease could increase the risk of developing other autoimmune conditions. The prospect of having one poorly understood autoimmune condition was frightening – but made far worse by the idea that I was also at higher risk for lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or worse.

I asked my doctor to refer me to an endocrinologist – a specialist in endocrine diseases. When I consulted with the endocrinologist, I asked her if I could be tested for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

“We could do that,” she responded, “but what’s the point of spending the money? Because it’s not like the fact that your hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disease is going to change anything...”

But the truth is, my hypothyroidism was ultimately caused by an autoimmune disease – Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. And that does change everything..."

To continue reading Chapter 1 of Living Well With Autoimmune Disease free online, go to http://www.thyroid-info.com/autointro.htm.

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:

Be sure you get one of the first copies hot off the press by pre-ordering your copy of Living Well With Autoimmune Disease now at Amazon.com.

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

I’m sorry that I’ve had to miss the May delivery and send you a combined May-June issue so late in the month. I’m STILL catching up after the onslaught of email, if you can imagine! I think the total ended up being more than 20,000 emails from people finding out about the site after reading the Woman’s World and First for Women articles. So if you've written to me in the past few weeks, please be patient. I WILL write back to you...I'm just working my way through the emails…AND, starting another project...

DO YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE OR FIBROMYALGIA? If so, you can share your personal stories to be included in my new book, Living Well With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, which will be the third in my “Living Well…” series with HarperCollins. Do 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! (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
Email: news@thyroid-info.com
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Mary Shomon
P.O. Box 0385
Palm Harbor, FL 34682
Fax: 425-977-1175

Sticking Out Our Necks and this website are © Copyright Mary Shomon, 1997-2003. 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.