Theodore C. Friedman MD PhD - The Everything Guide to Thyroid Disease: From potential causes to treatment options, all you need to know to manage your condition and improve your life

THE

GUIDE TO
THYROID DISEASE

Dear Reader,

Chances are, you picked up this book because you or someone you care about has a thyroid condition. Or perhaps youre starting to suspect that you might have one. Maybe you cant understand why you cant ditch the weight despite your most noble efforts. Or maybe youre feeling inexplicably fatigued, depressed, or irritable.

In any case, this book is written for youanyone who is trying to better understand the thyroid, how it functions when youre healthy, and what goes wrong when it becomes diseased. Its hard to imagine that a tiny gland nestled in your neck can have such power over the way you feel, how much you weigh, and even the texture of your skin and hair. But thats what the thyroid gland isan anatomical powerhouse with enormous influence over your health and well-being.

We know its not easy to live with a thyroid condition. Dr. Friedman has treated hundreds of patients with all sorts of thyroid disease and lived with Hashimotos himself for several years. But we also know that having thyroid disease is not the end of the world. By the time you finish this book, we think youll agree.

Sincerely,

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THE

GUIDE TO
THYROID
DISEASE

From potential causes to treatment options,
all you need to know to manage
your condition and improve your life

Theodore C. Friedman, MD, PhD, and Winnie Yu Scherer

To Bill Glavin and John Keats
for the early vote of confidence. W. Y.

To my wonderful wife, Danielle, and my
great kids, Nora, Caleb, and Gideon. T. F.

Most books dont come into existence without a strong supporting cast, and this one is no exception. Id like to thank my editor, Kate Powers, for her support; my collaborator, Dr. Theodore Friedman, for his enthusiasm and steadfast guidance; and Mary J. Shomon for pointing the way. Id also like to thank Doug Brunk, Jane Porter, Mary Jane Farney, Beth McNassor, Candy Hammond, Pat van derHeijden, and Susan Livada, who shared their personal experiences with thyroid disease with me. And, of course, I must thank Jeff, Samantha, and Annie, for getting me through anything and everything.

W. Y.

Id like to thank my clinic assistants, Dr. Erik Zuckerbraun, Judy Sewell, and Lynne Drabkoswki for all their help with my patients. I thank my patients for teaching me about thyroid problems and encouraging me to think outside the box.

T. F.

These days, you hear so much about diabetes and heart diseasethe rising incidence of both and the terrible toll theyre taking on our nations health and economy. But theres another condition that affects even more Americans: thyroid disease. The problem is many people dont even know they have it.

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, there are 27 million people in this country with some form of thyroid disease. Approximately half are unaware. But before you shrug it off as being less serious than heart disease or less bothersome than diabetes, consider this: having thyroid disease actually elevates your risk for both heart disease and diabetes. Those are just two reasons why thyroid health is so important.

Having a healthy thyroid has numerous implications for your life, your health, and your happiness. A healthy thyroid makes it easier for you to maintain your body weight, keeps depression at bay, and gives your cells the energy they need for all the activities you do. The proper amount of thyroid hormone is also essential for menstrual regularity, pregnancy, and the delivery of a healthy baby. An unhealthy thyroid, on the other hand, can cause problems as diverse as dry hair, difficulty concentrating, and muscle aches. It can make you perpetually uneasy, constantly exhausted, and sweaty for no good reason. In short, the thyroid gland affects virtually every aspect of your health and well-being.

That said, you may wonder how anyone could have a thyroid problem and not know it. Its simple. Many people with thyroid disease are being treated for their symptoms instead, especially if their TSH levels are only borderline abnormal. So rather than being properly treated for a thyroid problem, theyre being given remedies for specific symptoms. An antidepressant for depression. A sleeping pill for insomnia. Stool softeners for constipation. For many people, treatment for the underlying thyroid disorder could correct all these symptomsand even some that you might not know are associated with thyroid disease, such as high cholesterol.

Thats why this book is so vital. Here, you will find the information, guidance, and strategies you need to get properly diagnosed and treated. Youll also learn the pitfalls of untreated thyroid disease and the perks of getting your thyroid condition under control.

By reading this book, you will glean the basic medical knowledge you need to talk intelligently with your doctor about your thyroid condition, so that you can ask smart questions, get the right tests, and get the appropriate treatments. More specifically, you will learn to distinguish a nodule from a goiter, a thyroid problem from postpartum depression, and hyperthyroidism from panic disorder. Best of all, you will do all this without wading through heavy medical terminology.