Could It Be My Thyroid?

This is an incredibly helpful book that can be read cover to cover or used from time to time as a reference. It is written in "regular" language without compromising the information and without being too pedantic or condescending. The book remains technical where necessary. The addition of people's stories personalizes each topic and provides a point of reference for comparing your own symptoms. Pictures of celebreties who have experienced problems with their thyroid gives you a sense of "belonging" and let's you know that you aren't the only one with this problem, which can be very comforting. Finally, all proceeds of the sale of the book are donated to the American Thyroid Association for research & education.

About 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and no doubt countless others are unaware they have a thyroid disorder. In my practice as a thyroid specialist, I am often asked by patients about resources to help them understand their thyroid problem. Obviously the internet is a wonderful resource, but patients need to be careful about what they're reading, since there's so much misinformation on the net. Moreover, many medical sites are too scientifically oriented to be easily understandable by lay people. All that patients (and others who are interested) need to do, is turn to the second edition of Could It Be My Thyroid, by Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D. This book is extremely informative, comprehensive, and easy to read. Just as important, if not more so, is that the information provided by Dr Rubenfeld is accurate, and right on target. He begins by clearly describing the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid (how it works) and then moves on to the medical tests that doctors use in diagnosing thyroid conditions. He then describes common thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), as well as inflammatory diseases, thyroid lumps and bumps, and thyroid cancer. All of the conditions are described in the context of actual patients from his practice, which makes the book more readable and relevant for patients, their families and friends. Another plus is the author's ample use of pictures, graphs and tables: ditto for the glossary. Now, for those of you with pets who did not know that thyroid diseases affects dogs and cats, check out pages 126 and 395. Note the caption "Pretty girl with hypothyroid dog" on page 126. She looks exactly like the author's daughter, Sarah Rosenfeld, shown on the dedication page of the book. While the author is clearly biased, I must say that I agree with his description. And, from what I can determine, that's the only bias that I was able to find in this even-handed book. To the author's credit, he even lists other lay publications (and therefore potential competitors) on page 391. The bottom line here: read it-you'll like it!Peter A. Singer, M.D.Professor of MedicineChief, Clinical EndocrinologyDirector, Thyroid Diagnostic CenterKeck School of MedicineUniversity of Southern California

If you have a thyroid problem or even suspect you have one, this easy-to-understand book by a leading MD tells you just what you need to know. It is a wonderful resource, packed with useful information. I got it as a gift -- and it is priceless. What a welcome and very necessary addition to my bookself. I am giving a copy to my doctor.

Dr. Rubenfeld has answered the most commonly asked questions regarding thyroid disease in a manner that is easily understood. This is a great handbook for patients who have been recently diagnosed. The book explains who is likely to have this disease and what it is like to live with it.

If you or someone close to you has a thyroid disorder, Could It Be My Thyroid? is a book to check out. The author, Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D., is a practicing thyroidologist, and Founding Chariman and Medical Director of the Thyroid Society for Education and Research (http://www.the-thyroid-society.org) Dr. Rubenfeld is also Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a Fellow in both the American College of Endocrinology and the American Collge of Physicians. The book is current, and is written in simple, understandable language that does not complicate the issues for those of us without medical degrees. The book features more useful illustrations that I've typically found in other thyroid books, and definitely more photographs, and various tables and charts with summary information. These charts, graphics and tables help make the information more understandable. A special feature of the book is an entire inserted section called "Thyroid Newsmakers." This section features, among others: * Former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, who are both being treated for Graves'disease. * Muhammad Ali, who was mistakenly diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and suffered some short-term damage to his health due to taking excessive thyroid hormone. * Rosalyn Yalow, Nobel Prize-winning doctor, who invented radioimmunoassay (RIA), allowing for accurate measurement of TSH and thyroid hormones. * Joe Piscopo, star of television, movies, and known for his comedy on Saturday Night Live, who is doing well ten years after removal of a cancerous thyroid tumor. * Professional golfer Ben Crenshaw, who was treated for Graves' disease more than ten years ago. Overall, I've found this book a straightforward and successful attempt to deliver in layman's terms the information you'd like to get from your doctor about thyroid disease. Three cheers to Dr. Rubenfeld for what I thought was one of the best chapters, Chapter 12, "Why do Women Get Thyroid Disease More Often?" This chapter talks about the factors that cause thyroid disease to affect women more than men, and gets into the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, post-partum, aging and menopause and depression, and their relationship to women's thyroid disease. Mary Shomon The Mining Company Thyroid Disease Website and Newsletter Editor http://thyroid.miningco.com