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About Thyroid Guide
Thyroid Disease Information, Support & Resources
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Thyroid disease affects as many as 20 million people in the United States alone, and more than half are undiagnosed. The thyroid gland is the master gland of metabolism, and health practitioners are only just now beginning to recognize -- much less truly understand -- the profound affects this little gland in the neck can have on everything from mood to energy to weight to general health and wellness.
| My name is Mary Shomon, and I'm a thyroid patient advocate, author, and thyroid patient myself. Since 1997, I've been Thyroid Guide at the About Thyroid site, researching and writing extensively about thyroid disease -- including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease, Graves' Disease, nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer. I am also author of a best-selling book on thyroid disease, Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know, which was published in 2000 by HarperCollins, and is currently in its ninth printing. |  |
I am a member of the The American Academy on Physician and Patient and hold a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
By way of background, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease and hypothyroidism back in 1995, after months suffering a host of mysterious symptoms. Even after my diagnosis, I battled weight gain, eye problems, fatigue, and a number of other symptoms. So, to combat my frustration, I read and I read. Then I got a computer, and surfed the web. I started to disseminate whatever information I found via the online Usenet newsgroup, alt.support.thyroid, and talk with other thyroid patients. And I found out that things like hair falling out, difficulty losing weight, carpal tunnel syndrome, and feeling depressed were all utterly "normal" symptoms. It was a true revelation!
Later, I assembled a lot of my information and created my thyroid disease website at About (which was known as the Mining Co. back then. ) Since that time, I've written dozens of articles on thyroid disease, maintain seven active interactive support forums on thyroid disease, and links to thousands of thyroid- related websites. Along the way, despite my hypothyroidism, I even managed my most important project of all -- giving birth to my wonderful daughter in late 1997!
It's surprising, but even as advanced as medicine is today, thyroid disease is consistently overlooked, underdiagnosed and undertreated. So, I completely understand and empathize with the fear, frustration, confusion and lack of information that often accompany thyroid disease, because I've been there myself.
You may find it extremely difficult to get your thyroid condition diagnosed. HMOs rush doctors through appointments and fail to recognize common symptoms. Insurance won't always cover common blood tests. Or doctors just don't recognize the signs. Because thyroid disease primarily affects women, the broad but common thyroid symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, depression and anxiety are often attributed to many other situations, such as having just had a baby, being menopausal, getting older, lack of sleep, laziness, overeating, and many other "non-diagnoses."
Even when you can get a diagnosis, there's a great deal of controversy over what treatments should be used. Conventional approaches may not work for everyone, but information about safe and effective alternatives can be hard to find.
And even once diagnosed and treated, you may find that you don't feel well, or you continue to suffer symptoms -- weight problems, exhaustion, "brain fog" -- that aren't easily resolved.
That's where I come in, and where you may want to contact me via Keen.com.
A quick note. I am not a doctor, and even if I were, via email, no one is able to offer specific medical advice about your own condition, offer second opinions, make diagnoses, interpret your lab values, or handle emergency questions. That's best handled by your personal physician. But as a patient advocate who focuses on thyroid disease news and information, I can help you understand more about thyroid disease, provide supportive information to help, and connect you with the best resources, books, websites and even practitioners who may be able to help you in your quest for wellness.
But you will want to contact me, if:
- you want to know more about the common -- and lesser known -- symptoms and risk factors of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, nodules, goiter, and autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis or Graves' Disease
- you aren't sure if your various symptoms point to thyroid disease, but you're trying to find out more about symptoms and diagnosis
- you suspect you have a thyroid problem, but the doctor says your thyroid is "normal"
- you'd like to know about common lab tests for thyroid disease, and the general reference ranges used in diagnosis
- you want to understand how thyroid disease may be affecting your fertility, ability to get pregnant and have a baby
- you are receiving what your doctor feels is sufficient treatment for your hypothyroidism and you still don't feel well.
- you want to lose weight, and are having a tough time, and would like to find out how other thyroid patients have successfully lost weight
- you would like to find out about the common -- and less common -- treatments frequently used for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
- you would like to know where to find more information about the most common thyroid drugs -- such as Synthroid (TM) -- and the alternatives such as Armour and Thyrolar
- you want information on alternative/complementary/holistic approaches to diagnosing and treating thyroid disease
- you would like to know what books, websites, organizations, and support groups might be helpful to you in dealing with your thyroid condition
- you'd like to learn how to live well with your thyroid condition
Traditional medicine dismisses thyroid disease as a mundane 'take this pill and you'll be fine' disease, but those of us with thyroid disease know better. Information, empowerment, and support can take us all a long way in our continuing effort to achieve good health.
I look forward to hearing from you, and encourage you to call me, or listen to my pre-recorded segments that can help you get a handle on thyroid health and information.
Live well,
Mary Shomon
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