A week doesn't go by that someone doesn't write to say "Hey, I don't have a thyroid. Why aren't you writing about me!?" Actually, I don't want any thyroid patients to be disappointed. So if you don't have a thyroid -- due to congenital thyroid issues, surgery, or your thyroid's on the fritz due to autoimmune issues -- then
this article is for you!
USP ANNOUNCES A REVISION TO LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM TABLETS
The USP (United States Pharmacopeia, the official public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines) is making a change to the specifications for levothyroxine sodium (that's the generic name for the thyroid hormone replacement drugs Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, and Unithroid.) It's an important change that can have an impact on your thyroid treatment, so you'll definitely want to read the specifics on this USP change
FREE EXERCISE DVDS FROM TERESA TAPP!!!
I wanted to make you aware of a special opportunity that is taking place today, Tuesday, October 21, 2008. I've mentioned before about my friend and exercise inspiration, fitness expert Teresa Tapp, and her wonderful book, "Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes," which features her T-Tapp workout -- my favorite exercise program! Teresa has put together a special offer available only October 21, 2008 (until midnight Pacific Time). If you purchase Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 -- only from Amazon.com -- for $12.21 plus shipping, you will receive your choice of one of three T-Tapp Workouts on DVD -- FREE!! Your choice of free workouts is detailed on www.ttappswagbag.com and range in value from $19.95 - $29.95. Choose your free workout, and you only pay shipping). You'll along get a host of other great gifts that they're calling the T-Tapp Swag Bag!
I love T-Tapp -- you don't need any special equipment, or fancy techniques, and you don't have to be athletic -- good thing for me! Teresa's book and at-home fitness DVDs explain everything clearly, and easily, and once you get T-Tapping, you really do see results quickly. I used to do Pilates, which I enjoyed, but it didn't do much in terms of tightening things up. With T-Tapp, I lost more than 10 inches after just one week of T-Tapping! (If you're a T-Tapper now, or you become one, drop me a line and let me know how it's going!)
Remember...you must order the T-Tapp book Oct. 21 from Amazon.com, and send in your receipt to info@t-tapp.com within 7 days (by October 28, 2008), in order to receive access to the online swag bag page full of freebies, discounts and downloads from a variety of amazing people and places -- including a free E-book, "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat," from me! You can check out the whole online swag bag at http://www.ttappswagbag.com to see everything that's "in the bag."
THE LINK BETWEEN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM AND HEART FAILURE?
Dr. Rich Fogoros, About.com's Guide to Heart Disease, put together an informative summary of recent research connecting subclinical hypothyroidism to the risk of developing diastolic heart failure. What is diastolic heart failure? Dr. Rich has explained it clearly, along with the implications of the study for thyroid patients.
PEANUT BUTTER AND THYROID PROBLEMS
Can a daily peanut butter sandwich cause a thyroid problem? Dr. Peter Gott tackled the question in his syndicated column, and if you're a peanut person, you'll want to find out more about this issue.
LATEST THYROID NEWS
The latest issue of Sticking Out Our Necks: The Print Edition, is just being published, and you'll find 12 pages chock full of information to help you live well. Just a few of the key stories featured in the new issue -- available only to subscribers -- include:
- Should You Take Your Thyroid Meds With Vitamin C?
- Should You Take Your Thyroid Medicine Once a Week?
- Does Your Prenatal Vitamin Have Enough Iodine?
- Autoimmune Thyroid Patients Face Increased Risk of Other Autoimmune Diseases
- If You Have Normal Thyroid Levels, Could an Ultrasound Help Predict Your Thyroid Risk?
- Can Treating Subclinical Hypothyroidism Help Your Exercise Performance and Energy?
- Vitamin D Deficiency is a Risk for Thyroid Eye Disease in Graves' Patients
- Risk of Other Cancer After Radioactive Iodine for Thyroid Cancer
- Octogenarians at Increased Risk of Serious Complications Following Thyroid Surgery
- People with Moderate Subclinical Thyroid Problems at Increased Risk of Death
Also, don't miss the special two-page clip-and-save section on "Thyroid Drugs," featuring a breakdown of all the key thyroid drugs, contact information for the drugs and drugmakers, websites, and more.
Get your copy of the September/October issue now
WHAT'S THE BEST TSH THYROID REFERENCE RANGE? A THYROID PATIENT POLL
Do you think the "normal" TSH reference range should be:
- The .3 to 3.0 that AACE and the laboratory experts recommended back in 2002! What are they waiting for already?
OR
- Keep it at 0.5 to 5.0. They shouldn't accidentally treat anyone, even if that means they refuse to treat millions.
Take the poll now!!
IN THYROID TREATMENT, DOES ONE SIZE FIT ALL? DRS. RICHARD AND KARILEE SHAMES RESPOND
You all have heard me complain about doctors who think that everyone needs to be on Synthroid, or that everyone will do best by getting radioactive iodine. So why is it any different when integrative or holistic doctors think that everyone needs coconut oil, or patients think everyone needs what works for them personally? Drs. Rich and Karilee Shames, noted thyroid practitioners, and authors of the books Thyroid Power, and Fat, Fuzzy and Frazzled, have some compassionate thoughts for patients about the tendency for some to get overzealous when advocating favorite treatment approaches.
NOTE FROM MARY: JOIN ME FOR A JANUARY THYROID WORKSHOP IN NY
Dear Readers,
Most people with thyroid disease (whether it's Hashimoto's, nodules, Graves'/hyperthyroidism, or thyroid cancer) end up with an underactive or surgically removed thyroid and hypothyroidism, and wind up experiencing fatigue, depression, weight gain, hormonal problems and many other symptoms.
I've put together a new, full-day workshop with the Open Center in New York City on Sunday, January 25, 2009, from 10am-5pm. The workshop is called "Living with Thyroid Disease: Creating Your Wellness Plan," and will focus on developing hands-on tools to help us live successfully despite an underactive or non-functional thyroid, and learn how to map out a plan for optimal wellness.
In the workshop, we'll focus on identifying the key things we can do to feel and live better with thyroid disease. The areas covered will include: optimizing our treatment; finding doctors for thyroid issues; managing fatigue and boosting energy; supplements, herbs and hormone medications; yoga breathing for metabolism; lifestyle changes and stress management; optimal exercise, weight-loss and diet and dieting approaches for thyroid patients; hair-loss solutions; and navigating fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause with thyroid disease.
If you join us, please bring copies of your recent blood test results and a list of all the medications and supplements (with all the ingredients) that you're currently taking.
The workshop costs $120 for Open Center members, and $130 for nonmembers, plus a $10 materials fee the day of the workshop. You can register online with the Open Center or call the Open Center at 212-219-2527 to sign up.
I look forward to seeing many of my NY, NJ and CT based readers joining us for this special day-long workshop!
Live well,
Mary
"Sticking Out Our Necks" email edition is published regularly by Mary Shomon, patient advocate and New York Times best-selling author books on health, as well web sites, newsletters and other health advocacy communications.
Mary Shomon is the author of: The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and Hormonal Problems at Every Age * Living Well With Hypothyroidism * The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss * Living Well With Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism * The Thyroid Guide to Hair Loss * Living Well With Autoimmune Disease * Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Bookstore online: http://www.thyroid-info.com/bookstore.htm
