SoCo Magazine - May 2008 - (Page 60) thyroid power The Undeclared epidemic— and Ten STepS To ToTal healTh illions of Americans suffer unnecessarily, denying themselves optimal health due to lack of knowledge or wariness about speaking out. Dr. Richard L. Shames and Dr. Karilee Halo Shames explore comprehensively the undeniable rise in hypothyroidism, a condition that often slips under the radar, masquerades as another health problem, or goes undiagnosed. The Shameses offer compelling thyroid evidence and individual solutions for thyroid and overall health in their book, Thyroid Power, published by HarperCollins. Before you are convinced that you don’t have an ill-acting thyroid, give this book a serious read. Even if your thy roid has b een pronounced normal, the disease may have gone unnoticed by your physician. The Shameses liken taking a single thyroid test to peeking through one window to decide whether to buy a house. The thyroid is complicated, and one test does not yield sufficient information. Also, hypothyroidism can operate under the guise of other health issues, weighing you down while you treat other problems. Multiple researchers report that an underactive or autoimmune thyroid (when the immune system problematically attacks the thyroid) affects approximately 60 | s o comagazi ne . i nfo | M ay 2 0 0 8 M By Nichole Charbonneau Even if your thyroid has been pronounced normal, the disease may have gone unnoticed by your physician. The Shameses liken taking a single thyroid test to peeking through one window to decide whether to buy a house. The thyroid is complicated, and one test does not yield sufficient information. 10 percent of the general population and upwards of 20 percent of older women. These researchers, who consider the disease a growing epidemic, estimate that over half of the cases go undiagnosed. The symptoms include: extra-dry skin, anxiety, irritability, depression, brittle hair and nails, increased chilliness, decreased concentration, excessive fatigue, and weight gain. The Shameses, who practice together, treat many cases of hypothyroidism. The encouragement to take your health into your hands is the most important element of the book. Only you can guarantee your healthy lifestyle, so you must train yourself to be inquisitive, to be assertive with physicians. The Shameses adamantly suggest that if you suspect thyroid problems and are not convinced of your normal test results, speak up and request more tests. Certain tests only evaluate one part of the thyroid; a panel of tests will give you and the doctor more accurate feedback. If your doctor denies you further testing or convinces you it isn’t necessary, it’s probably time to find a new doctor. Doctors should work with and for you, listening carefully to your needs and questions. Thyroid Power offers specific questions and suggestions about further testing that you, the empowered patient, can bring to your doctor’s appointment. After it is clear you need treatment, you’ll need to be proactive again in finding a successful medication that works for you. The book gives individual examples that require very different approaches for hypothyroid treatment. The Shameses offer the newest evidence and great advice to help the reader relieve her suffering. Don’t let the condition control you. Ask about the difference between the thyroid hormones thyroxine and thyronine. Ask about nonsynthetic, animal-derived thyroid medication. Still no improvement? Ask your doctor to assess your reproductive http://socomagazine.info
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