Customer Reviews

Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need to Know (Revised Edition)

5 star:		(121)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Mary Shomon's book is the first I have read (out of a LOT of books) that tells the whole truth about hypothyroidism, as experienced by a patient who has been there. I wish that every doctor that treats thyroid patients could be made to read this! So many doctors seem to think that hypo is a simple, easily treated disease, and it isn't. They also tend to focus on individual symptoms without looking for the overall CAUSE. If I had had this book years ago it would have saved me several years of suffering and being told there was nothing wrong with me. Mary's list of symptoms is very thorough, her book is easy to read and understand, and it tells the real truth. I especially like the way she pays attention to the emotional impact of this disease and the depression that often accompanies it. Her weblinks are very helpful in finding out more information. This book is EXCELLENT, and a great resource. It can literally change people's lives. I could barely put it down once I started reading. I can't recommend it enough, especially for newly diagnosed patients or those who SUSPECT they are hypo but haven't been able to find a doctor to test them. Mary's list of symptoms is great to take to your doctor to help them see the overall picture, and her compassion and understanding are very comforting and empowering for patients. She makes sense out of what to most of us is a very confusing disease. If you only buy one book on this subject, make it this one!

This is far and away THE best book on hypothyroidism on the market: thoroughly researched, chock-full of useful information, and highly reassuring. Ms. Shomon knows her subject from several angles (as a patient, as a medical writer, and as proprietress of an outstanding web site on the topic), and she's done a great job of organizing and presenting the information clearly and without unnecessary medical-speak. I don't feel she is "anti-doctor": I was one of the millions of hypothyroid people whose symptoms were dismissed by a series of doctors with "get some exercise and go on a diet," until I finally lucked into one who routinely had all his new patients get a COMPLETE blood work-up. It's not that doctors don't know about hypothyroidism, but their prejudices against fat people blind them to what, in many cases, is the obvious explanation for someone's lack of energy, puffiness, and inexplicable weight gain. Granted, there's still a lot that is unknown about the genesis of the problem and how best to treat it, but I think that doctors' bias is often the deciding factor in whether the problem is even recognized! If someone suspects that they're hypothyroid, the best thing they can do is to become informed about their condition and become a more assertive patient -- and this book gives you plenty of ammunition, as well as moral support. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I first heard of Mary Shomon through her excellent web site on hypothyroidism. Once I discovered that she had written this book, I promptly ordered it and read it from cover to cover. This book literally saved my life. Throughout my life, I have been ultrasensitive to hormonal changes and have suffered from a pituitary tumor. After my daughter was born, I was not the same person. My post-partum depression lasted a year and was coupled with other physical symptoms I could not explain. My primary care doctor was sympathetic and ran bunches of tests but they yielded nothing. Meanwhile, I got sicker and sicker with no hope in sight. Then I found and read this book. All of my symptoms were listed as hypothyroid symptoms. I had numerous risk factors for thyroid disease. I even found my specialist through this book and Mary's web site.

This book is a total eye-opener. Mary is a passionate advocate for patients everywhere who have lost hope. Her writing is clear and concise and explains complex information in a simple way. Not many writers can do that. In fact, this book is so good that I have recommended it to numerous friends of mine who also have thyroid problems. Even hyperthyroid patients should read it because they could end up hypothyroid.

Read it and then read it again. All medical books should have Mary Shomon at the helm. The world would be a much better place for it.

Ten years ago my HMO doctor said I was a "little" hypothyroid, handed me a pill (levothyroxine) and said I'd be back to normal in six weeks. What an incredibly uninformed statement that turned out to be! Is "normal" being freezing cold when others are hot? Is "normal" going to bed at 8 PM every night from sheer exhaustion? I refuse to believe that is "normal"! This book recommends finding a doctor (probably holistic) who will listen to you and consider using alternative treatments until you are symptom-free and truly "normal" again. It gives *many* other practical suggestions, such as not taking iron or calcium supplements at the same time as your thyroid medicine. And perhaps most of all it is validating -- it is tremendously wonderful to know that I am not alone in wondering why that magic little levothyroxine pill doesn't live up to its promise; that I'm not the only thyroid patient who was given no information about the disease; and that I'm not the only thyroid patient whose doctor blames her ongoing symptoms to "stress" or some other enigmatic cause. And, oddly enough, it may have given me an explanation to why my mother has lost the outer half of her eyebrows -- that is a complaint of many undiagnosed thyroid patients! From now on I am not going to let my doctor blow me off. If necessary, I am going to go outside my HMO and find a doctor who is willing to listen to my complaints and work with me to see if I can feel alive once again.

This is the most comprehensive, well researched, and best written book on this subject. The author is not a doctor but is so thoroughly informed on this subject through her own exhaustive research as well as through her collaboration and consultaton with recognized experts in many health disciplines including the medical field. She is someone who has suffered with hypothyroidism and has made it her mission to help others. I am an RN and I have read many other books on this subject and she is more thorough and professional in her approach than I've seen in most other books on the topic.

The author is refreshingly unbiased for the most part and readily admits where she may be biased due to her own personal experience. Even then, she writes with an open mind for the reader's sake to provide sound information so they can make intelligent choices. Her intention is clearly to help people understand the many ways this disease presents itself as well as to help people find appropriate treatment. She provides about 30 pages of resource material at the end of the book including web sites etc. literally leaving no stone unturned. If you have symptoms including fatigue, depression, digestive problems, weight gain, high cholesterol, fertility problems, low blood pressure, low body temperature, and brain fog to name a few, this may be important information to look at. Or if you have been tested for low thyroid and have been dismissed by medical professionals who say your thyroid is "in the normal range" but you know there is something wrong, buy this book! You may discover real help for the first time.

"Hormones are a tricky business. And few people realize how absolutely crucial the thyroid is to dealing with weight problems, depression, fatigue, and menopause, among other health challenges. Mary Shomon's book is frankly the only place I know where the millions of people who are needlessly suffering with hypothyroidism can get honest, accurate, practical and life-affirming information on how to regain their health, energy and quality of life.As the author of "The Goddess Diet" and "The Menopause Diet" I am pleased to see Mary's book getting such terrific response. Every woman should own a copy and protect herself from the dangers of underdiagnosis of this common condition.

I'm a huge fan of Living Well with Hypothyroidism. It's been on my nightstand for a year, and I'm psyched to finally get around to writing a review so I can share what this book has done for me, not to mention some friends and people I work with. This is a GREAT book, and it's the one that I've bought copies of over and over again to give to friends who suspected or actually were diagnosed with hypothyroid. As a regular reader of Mary Shoman's website and newsletters, I found her book to be a helpful and thorough, consolidating a great deal of information all in one place. It was also the first time I actually read a book about hypothyroidism that didn't just tell me that it was some no-big-deal problem that a pill could fix, like the thyroid books before it.

Shoman's websites and newsletters are the cherry on top, and they worked well with the book, which got me up to speed, and then the news and site keep me informed on the latest developments.

I thought it was pretty surprising that Shoman has never been a particular fan of Synthroid, because it's the drug that most people take for hypothyroidism. The book has almost an entire chapter about the scandals surrounding this drug, research problems, lawsuits and such, things I had no idea about until I read this book. My doctor put me on the synthroid, and I took it for a while, but after reading the book, I asked my doctor to try some other treatments, and they work much better.

She's also pretty skeptical when it comes to the drug companies and the medical establishment that has no clue about hypothyroidism. I think she must have been talking to my first doctor, the one who wouldn't even give me a thyroid test.

I found Shoman's review of all the options available along with the various alternative medicine treatments helpful. Personally, I have found that Chinese medicine is a big help to me, and she talks about that in the book. She has a section on yoga for hypothyroidism, and I'm thinking about trying that too soon. I've also added in some of the supplements and vitamins Shoman discusses in the book, and I can tell you -- they help!!!

I can't recommend this book enough. It really helped me get on the right track after I was diagnozed with my hypothyroidism last year, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this book to help me. -- Ellie R., Short Hills, New Jersey

I have been struggling most of my adult life with hypothyroidism, I had just about every symptom. It still took 16 years for a doctor to test me. Then I was placed on synthroid. I was astounded to hear how many people like myself are placed on this drug then tested and left in the "Normal Range" by doctors standards. This book is extremely informative and easy to read, and teaches you that the "Normal Range" by the labs values may not be your "Normal Range". I am proud of Mary and her effort to become the Thyroid expert she is. I am now taking Armour Thyroid and am in the "High Normal" range in lab values and am feeling better than ever. I could not have gotten to this point without Mary and her monthly newletter "Sticking out our necks". Thanks again Mary.

Lori

As a long-diagnosed hypothyroid patient, I was loking for a detailed explanation of the disease. Although the book was initially directed at those who may not have been diagnosed, it later turned to those who know what their problem is. The best part of this book was the one that urged readers to see a endocrinologist for a more deatiled examination. It worked great for me! The author also suggested that depression may result from hypothyroidism. Nobody ever told me that. My doctor followed the suggestions in the book and I was successfuly treated for depression. I never felt so good. A wonderful book, and certainly worth the price!

For years my GP tried to treat my hypo thryroid condition. The list of weird problems I had was quite long. I found a taking a bit extra synthroid made me feel better, but she did not like that. I even got her to send me to the "best" endo in our area. But that was a mistake, the man could not even listen. At they end of the appointment I asked him what he does when someones T4 tests are "normal" and they still feel bad. He said it must be in my head and set me back to my GP. At the time my normal TSH was "5.1", when you read the book you will discover how "un-normal" this was.
I found the Thyroid foundation, a list of "favorite doctors", and this book from a web search. This was all 7 years ago. Through great treatment with Kenneth Blanchard (boston MA) I am now totally symptom free. I can honestly say he saved my life. This book, and Dr Blanchards, will give you all the inside information you need to understand why simple tests may not be enough. It will give you the real list of common symptoms (get ready to be upset). It will give you the power and knowledge you will need to manage your health. It describes the thyroid function and impacts. It discusses tests and treatment mangement. From what I have heard and experienced, you cannot rely on many Doctors to really understand this problem. They have been brainwashed by the makers of thyroid drugs to belive that just one little pill fixes everything. Thyroid problems are much more common than most people realize and the symptoms are often vague. As women age the percentage effected is higher. And if your thyroid was tested years ago, have it done again now. The "normal" range has been lowered! I know I only feel well if my TSH is about 0.9-1.0. This is an epedemic and we all need to be educated.