The Thyroid Solution: A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health [Paperback]

Having read quite a bit about the subject, I am surprised by how many doctors I have spoken to, or read articles written by, that are very out of date in their knowledge of hypothyroidism. Many doctors don't seem to recognize the symptoms of hypothyroidism despite its prevalence in the US population. Most doctors still treat hypothyroidism with the "gold" standard" of levothyroxine (T4) alone, despite there being evidence that a combination of triiodthyronine (T3) and levothyroxine (T4) may work better in some specific cases. For depression, Dr Arem says that he often supplements antidepressant use with cytomel (T3) rather than levothyroxine because of the connection between the distribution of norepinephrine and T3 in the brain (chapter 6). This is in concurrence with what I have been able to find through my research efforts.

The mind-body connection in hypothyroidism is a complicated one, and I thought that Dr. Arem's handling of the subject was done admirably. There is evidence that depression and hypothyroidism can in some people have genetic origins. In some instances hypothyroidism might be caused by infectious agents (viruses). Hypothyroidism might also be induced by stressful events in a person life (chapter 1). All of these are covered at a level that can be understood with perhaps some work required for persons with a light science background.

There are many other areas covered in this book that I won't mention due to lack of space. These subjects include testing procedures (TSH, TRH, T3/T4, etc), and what they mean, finding and talking with your doctor, discussing your illness with your spouse, and infertility. Additionally there is a section on nutrition, diet, and exercise, which can help in hypothyroidism.

I would recommend this book whole-heartedly to anyone with hypothyroidism, depression, or who suspects that they may have thyroid disease.

Dr. Arem contacted me two years before publication to endorse his book because I had written on a similar theme about thyroid and depression and the use of active thyroid in my book, Listening to Your Hormones. I didn't know who he was at the time but found out later that he had impeccable credentials-a thyroid specialist at Bailor School of Medicine, trained in Paris and London, truly a leading thyroid expert in the U.S.A. I have met him subsequently twice and heard him speak (excellent content), and found him to be a very kind and compassionate man.

When I read his book, what really impressed me, apart from the techinical information, was how discerning he was about the way women are treated in medicine. He really grasped and expressed this in a way I wouldn't have thought possible by a male physician.

I do not agree with him on the use of Premarin (he gives estradiol with it) for menopause. I subscribe to the theory that women are better to have hormones that match their physiology, not a horse's. Premarin has very little human estrogen in it.

Also, this book is about thyroid pretty much on its own, but that's not anything unusual. It's just that thyroid fits into the huge hormonal signaling system and it's not isolated. But a clear definition of thyroid's part was badly needed. As for some of the other hormones, that's another book to write.

I am happy to recommend this book to every woman I meet.