Guest Author - Jim Lowrance
This book in my opinion as a hypothyroid patient and fellow Thyroid Patient Advocate is the best patient resource for hypothyroidism that is available. Mary Shomon is an excellent author and provides quality and well-documented information covering all aspects of the most common thyroid disorder affecting Americans and people all over the world.
Mary covers in detail, descriptions of every type and the causes of an underactive thyroid gland and also lists all risks that contribute to the development of hypothyroidism. She gives a complete and comprehensive list of all signs and symptoms of this disease that, has reached epidemic proportions, with tens on millions of sufferers being treated or who are in need of diagnosis and treatment.
Also addressed in the book, are descriptions of the types of doctors who treat hypothyroidism and how you can evaluate the type of care you are receiving and make better decisions on the type doctor you chose to receive your treatment from. Mary gives informed descriptions of conventional medical treatments, as well as natural, holistic, alternative, mental and even spiritual-aspect treatments and methods that can in some cases successfully supplement the treatment you receive from your medical doctor.
Challenges that sometimes present their selves when patients are treated, including doctors who may be less informed about optimizing hypothyroid treatment and those who do not recognize patient-individuality in the type hormone replacement that is needed, are also addressed. I especially enjoyed Mary’s honesty in relating to readers her experience with opposition from medical professionals who actually believe well-informed Thyroid Patient Advocates have little to offer in helping to inform other patients on important aspects regarding thyroid disease. I found myself relating to her descriptions of ridicule and patronization from doctors who resent patients arriving at their office visits with pages of information in hand to help better discuss their treatments. I also strongly related to her descriptions of those who oppose fellow-patient sharing of information and the search by patients to learn more about their life-altering disease through quality online and other sources. I too have experienced this type of opposition which only served to strengthen my drive to help inform my fellow patients.
Complications from hypothyroidism are discussed in the book including related health conditions, weight gain with difficulty losing, emotional symptoms that sometimes require special attention, the effects of hypothyroidism upon pregnant women and those seeking to bare children.
Lastly, Mary helps hypothyroid patients develop a plan for receiving the best possible treatment and to incorporate life style changes into that treatment regimen that help patients in “Living Well With Hypothyroidism”. This book is an invaluable tool for all patients who seek an education on hypothyroidism and who want to see optimal symptom relief and skills for coping with this common life-changing thyroid disorder.
