The First Year: Hypothyroidism: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed [Paperback]

Maureen Pratt (Author), Elliot G. Levy M.D. M.D. (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: The First Year | Publication Date: October 26, 2007

Hypothyroidism primarily strikes women, and heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. Pratt illuminates important new developments in the areas of thyroid disease and cardiac involvement. This revised edition also explores the link between environmental factors and hypothyroidism and the role of thyroid disease in iron deficiency and anemia. Millions of Americans live with an underactive thyroid gland: Hypothyroidism affects approximately 11 million Americans. By the age of 65, 17% of women have an underactive thyroid compared to 9% of men, and 1 out of 5 women over the age of 75 has Hashimoto's thyroiditis (the most common cause of hypothyroidism). Pratt provides the latest information that newly diagnosed and ongoing hypothyroid patients need to know in order to take charge of their lives. Using her firsthand experience, and with input from medical experts and other informed thyroid patients, Pratt walks you through the medical and emotional, personal and professional impact of hypothyroidism and offers practical, encouraging, and positive suggestions on life with hypothyroidism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Full of practical, useful information, Pratt's guide will be an important resources for patients and their families." -- Library Journal, July 2003

"The author presents such a vivid picture of what it feels like to be hypothyroid." -- The Bridge, newsletter of The Thyroid Foundation of America, Inc., Fall 2003 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Includes special sections on dealing with lingering emotional effects like depression, fatigue, and loss of libido, coping effectively with stress, and cosmetic options for concealing unwanted physical changes. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 2 Rev Upd edition (October 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600940145
• ISBN-13: 978-1600940149
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #400,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Immune Systems

More About the Author

Even as this has been a challenging period health-wise, I'm delighted to say that my new book, "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy," is now out and reaching people who suffer from chronic, serious pain. As with all my books, I strive to encourage people in a positive way to reach beyond their immediate limitations and see all the wonderful potential that they possess in talent, time, spirit, and other resources. I hope that, if you choose to read it, "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" will provide you with extra sustenance for your journey - a journey that I, too, travel each day.

For more about me and information about my upcoming interviews, television show, and books, please see my website: www.maureenpratt.com, or visit me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/maureenpratt) and Facebook (MaureenPratt).

May you be blessed with joy, comfort and peace!
Maureen

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me so much!, December 11, 2007

By 

Kristi L. Waterworth - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Year: Hypothyroidism: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) (Paperback)

My first year of diagnosis was a hard one. Hypothyroidism isn't something that you are cured of overnight. It takes months and months of hormone therapy before you begin to feel normal again and even more before the energy is there to support the feeling. :) This book helped me to see where I was in the process and let me know when I was expecting too much. If you've been diagnosed hypothyroid, you should really buy this book. It will take 12-18 months to get back to normal, wouldn't it be nice to have a friend to help you along? :)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful fount of information., July 18, 2007

By 

C. tyburski (springfield, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The First Year: Hypothyroidism: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) (Paperback)

I first 'found' this book at the library while looking up information concerning HYPOTHYROIDISM. Even though I had been diagnosed many many years ago my specialists never explained to me the many situations this book discusses.
I was so happy that I could get this book for my personal library -at a discounted price- It was in near perfect!!! condtion.
This distributor was very accurate with the discription of the condition of this book.
I will order from them again/ with no hesitation.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maureen Pratt: A personal mentor for coping with hypothyroidism., November 22, 2009

By 

Shiloh True "Rabid Reader" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The First Year: Hypothyroidism: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Paperback)

Maureen Pratt is not an MD. She is a journalist, author, and frequent speaker on thyroid disease and autoimmune disorders, as well as chronic pain and spirituality. So, what makes her an expert on thyroid disease? She has hypothyroidism, herself, along with lupus. She has lived, up close and personal, with two life-altering diseases. With this book, 'The First Year---Hypothyroidism,' she will wrap her arms around the newly diagnosed, cradle and reassure them, while arming the reader with practical information for coping with this serious condition, one that can wreak havoc on every single cell in the body.

While there is ample information regarding latest trends in treatment, medication alternatives and research, it is the sharing of her personal experiences that makes this a first read choice for the newly diagnosed; those trying to cope with the shock of the diagnosis and its implications. I know that when I read some of the negative symptoms she suffered through, I no longer felt alone with this disease. I felt a kinship with Pratt, that had me sharing a few tears, at times. And, this is one of the most dog-eared books I now own, because when I'm feeling blue, I turn to pages where she described feeling likewise. For example, when you share that your hair is falling out to your physician, they acknowledge superficially, that this is a symptom of hypothyroidism, and move on. Only one woman, relating to another, both with globs of hair in hand, can relate to how heart-wrenching this can feel, how de-feminizing. My Dr. is wonderful, but she's a victim of the system, too, with set limits for time she can spend with each patient. There's not much time to assess, and be nurturing, in 10 minutes; a system problem we must all deal with.

I can fully understand why Pratt is a valued speaker. When faced with any illness, or situational problem, we want to speak with, or hear from someone who has walked in the same shoes. In this case, she was more validating than my Dr. who, while supportive, has never experienced hypothyroidism except through a textbook. Believe me, I now know the difference, as I'm a RN, and when this disease struck home, it opened a new world beyond what I had previously understood about thyroid disease. It will bring on an entirely new dimension, and understanding, to my patient education practices.

I have moved on to more comprehensive, medical tomes, to enhance my knowledge base, but Pratt's book will always remain my nurturing introduction---my 'warm-fuzzy' book to turn to, as I would turn to a good friend. I thank her for sharing her experiences, the bitter and the sweet, with others. If I needed this type of support, as a health care practitioner, I believe that lay people will find it a Godsend. Thankfully, it is presented in a thorough, but simplistic manner that can be readily comprehended, by all.