As a Thyroid Patient Advocate, I have experienced many of the same struggles my fellow patients go through. In the chapters of this book I share some of the more helpful knowledge I gained as a newly diagnosed thyroid patient, beginning in year 2003, to the present. I also express a few opinions and take a look at some of the controversies that have continued between medical professionals and patient advocates in regard to symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for hypothyroidism.

Along the way, you'll find that I added a few "rants and raves" in regard to these issues but hopefully nothing that might be perceived as disrespectful or offensive to either side of the debates. This book is not intended to be an extensive manual but is intended to contain information most often sought by laypersons on the subjects covered.

Contents:

Chapter One: Those Crazy Thyroid Antibodies: (When the Immune System Goes Haywire!)

Chapter Two: What it Feels like to be Hypothyroid: (Sunk in a Pit or Run Over by a Truck)

Chapter Three: Finding a Good Thyroid Doctor: (Physicians who Diagnose & Treat Hypothyroidism)

Chapter Four: Thyroid Hormone Brand Controversies: (Which Hypothyroid Therapy is Best?)

Chapter Five: The TSH Blood Test Debate: (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Controversies)

Chapter Six: Anxiety Symptoms with Autoimmune Hypothyroidism: (Anxious and Nervous Hypothyroid Patients)

Chapter Seven: Unrealistic Expectations from Hypothyroid Therapy: (Imperfections of Thyroid Hormone Replacement)

Chapter Eight: The Pituitary and Thyroid Gland Balancing Act: (Things that can Change Hormone Levels in the Body)

Chapter Nine: Vitamin Deficiency Neuropathies in Thyroid Patients: (Peripheral Nerve Damage and Low Nutrients)

Chapter Ten: Review for: The Thyroid Diet by Mary Shomon: (Weight Loss Plans for Treated Hypothyroid Patients)

Chapter Eleven: Thyroid Patient Self-Advocacy is Essential: (Being a Proactive Hypothyroid Patient)

Chapter Twelve: Respectful Thyroid Patient Advocacy: (Representing Fellow Hypothyroid Sufferers)