Customer Reviews

Could It Be My Thyroid

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
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If you or someone close to you has a thyroid disorder, Could It Be My Thyroid? is a book to check out.

The author, Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., is a practicing thyroidologist, and Founding Chariman and Medical Director of the Thyroid Society for Education and Research (http://www.the-thyroid-society.org) Dr. Rubenfeld is also Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a Fellow in both the American College of Endocrinology and the American
Collge of Physicians.

The book is current, and is written in simple, understandable language that does not complicate the issues for those of us without medical degrees. The book features more useful illustrations that I've typically found in other thyroid books, and definitely more photographs, and various tables and charts with summary information. These charts, graphics and tables help make the information more understandable.

A special feature of the book is an entire inserted section called "Thyroid Newsmakers." This section features, among others:

* Former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, who are both being treated for Graves'disease.

* Muhammad Ali, who was mistakenly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and suffered some short-term damage to his health due to taking excessive thyroid hormone.

* Rosalyn Yalow, Nobel Prize-winning doctor, who invented radioimmunoassay (RIA), allowing for accurate measurement of TSH and thyroid hormones.

* Joe Piscopo, star of television, movies, and known for his comedy on Saturday Night Live, who is doing well ten years after removal of a cancerous thyroid tumor.

* Professional golfer Ben Crenshaw, who was treated for Graves' disease more than ten years ago.

Overall, I've found this book a straightforward and successful attempt to deliver in layman's terms the information you'd like to get from your doctor about thyroid disease. Three cheers to Dr. Rubenfeld for what I thought was one of the best chapters, Chapter 12, "Why do Women Get Thyroid Disease More Often?" This chapter talks about the
factors that cause thyroid disease to affect women more than men, and gets into the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, post-partum, aging and menopause and depression, and their relationship to women's thyroid disease.

Mary Shomon

The Mining Company

Thyroid Disease Website and Newsletter Editor

http://thyroid.miningco.com

This is a fine book if you happen to be in the minority of hypothyroid patients who are at their best with just thyroxine (T4) supplementation. Most hypothyroid patients are not truly healthy without T3 (liothyronine), however, and continue to suffer with brain fog, cold sensitivity, fatigue, etc. unless they are treated with both T3 and T4. (See, for example, the New England Journal of Medicine, 1999, volume 340, pp 424-429.) Furthermore, Dr. Rubenfeld provides no information for those who have "normal" TSH test results but are still hypothyroid, as evidenced by the results of rarer tests such as the TRH Stimulation test. The book is clear and well-written, but unfortunately not at all helpful if you are not a perfect textbook patient.

About 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and no doubt countless others are unaware they have a thyroid disorder. In my practice as a thyroid specialist, I am often asked by patients about resources to help them understand their thyroid problem. Obviously the internet is a wonderful resource, but patients need to be careful about what they're reading, since there's so much misinformation on the net. Moreover, many medical sites are too scientifically oriented to be easily understandable by lay people. All that patients (and others who are interested) need to do, is turn to the second edition of Could It Be My Thyroid, by Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D. This book is extremely informative, comprehensive, and easy to read. Just as important, if not more so, is that the information provided by Dr Rubenfeld is accurate, and right on target. He begins by clearly describing the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid (how it works) and then moves on to the medical tests that doctors use in diagnosing thyroid conditions. He then describes common thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), as well as inflammatory diseases, thyroid lumps and bumps, and thyroid cancer. All of the conditions are described in the context of actual patients from his practice, which makes the book more readable and relevant for patients, their families and friends. Another plus is the author's ample use of pictures, graphs and tables: ditto for the glossary. Now, for those of you with pets who did not know that thyroid diseases affects dogs and cats, check out pages 126 and 395. Note the caption "Pretty girl with hypothyroid dog" on page 126. She looks exactly like the author's daughter, Sarah Rosenfeld, shown on the dedication page of the book. While the author is clearly biased, I must say that I agree with his description. And, from what I can determine, that's the only bias that I was able to find in this even-handed book. To the author's credit, he even lists other lay publications (and therefore potential competitors) on page 391. The bottom line here: read it-you'll like it!

Peter A. Singer, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Clinical Endocrinology
Director, Thyroid Diagnostic Center
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California

I am excited that more physicians, like Dr. Rubenfeld, are really thoroughly exploring the epidemic of thyroid disease we have in this country. There is a great need!! The downside is that Dr. Rubenfeld is an advocate of synthetic medications (such as Synthroid). As someone who has suffered with Hashimoto's for years and and who has researched many medications, treatments and physicians, I have finally gotten relief from the majority of my symptoms by using Armour (the natural option). Unfortunately, for the thousands of women (especially) who are suffering with thyroid symptoms, these synthetic medications only make them feel worse by the day. Armour is much more effective in relieving the countless (torturous) symptoms. I would highly recommend "Stop the Thyroid Madness" for a more accurate picture of what those with thyroid disease actually go through and what tests they actually need for the best diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you have a thyroid problem or even suspect you have one, this easy-to-understand book by a leading MD tells you just what you need to know. It is a wonderful resource, packed with useful information. I got it as a gift -- and it is priceless. What a welcome and very necessary addition to my bookself. I am giving a copy to my doctor.

Dr. Rubenfeld has answered the most commonly asked questions regarding thyroid disease in a manner that is easily understood. This is a great handbook for patients who have been recently diagnosed. The book explains who is likely to have this disease and what it is like to live with it.

When I thought that something was wrong with my thyroid, I checked every medical site I could find. Some sites were clearer than others and some were more comprehensive than others. I started asking friends if they knew of anyone with thyroid problems, and almost everyone I spoke to in Houston mentioned Dr. Rubenfeld. A friend gave me his book and I realized that it was clearer and more comprehensive than any of the sites I reviewed. It also lists stories of people after each chapter that really brought home the information. Because each person will experience diffent symptoms, it was easy for me to identify with each person's story and how they approached their treatment. It was easy to read (layman terms!) and I could read the chapters that pertained to me. I would recommend it for someone who does their homework.

This is an incredibly helpful book that can be read cover to cover or used from time to time as a reference. It is written in "regular" language without compromising the information and without being too pedantic or condescending. The book remains technical where necessary. The addition of people's stories personalizes each topic and provides a point of reference for comparing your own symptoms. Pictures of celebreties who have experienced problems with their thyroid gives you a sense of "belonging" and let's you know that you aren't the only one with this problem, which can be very comforting. Finally, all proceeds of the sale of the book are donated to the American Thyroid Association for research & education.

This book is well-written. It is simple to understand, yet packed with useful information. I refer to this book whenever I have a question regarding my thyroid health. My endocrinologist refers to this book as well. I give this book to woman with health questions, so that they may consider their next medical option.

Dr Rubenfeld lives in our town (Houston)and is a noted authority in this field. I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to become more educated about your thyroid gland.