11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Unbiased Exploration for Patients Who Want to Feel Well, Dec 1 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Living Well With Hypothyroidism (Paperback)
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
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best reference guide for Hypothyroid patients, May 13 2004
This review is from: Living Well With Hypothyroidism (Paperback)
I have owned this book for several years. I keep it close to my bedside for reference. It is one of the best sources of information on hypothyroidism I have discovered and I own many books on this annoying disease! Mary J. Shomon also has a great website which I am constantly visiting for updates. I found a great endochronoligist in my area via her website. I recommend you buy this book you won't be sorry because you just won't read it once - you will continue to reference this information as long as you need it.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally! Someone tells it like it REALLY is!, Mar 25 2000
This review is from: Living Well With Hypothyroidism (Paperback)
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!
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