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Summary: If you are tired or overweight , please read this book
Review: an excellent book on thyroid problems. Even if you don;t think you have a thyroid problem, please read this book it helps you to be able to go to your Dr. and explain to him your medical problems . weell written
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Summary: Someone finally understands......
Review: Bravo!I was privileged to read an advance copy of this most important book. As a mid-life woman (and health care provider) who has experienced thyroid disease first hand, I am thrilled that FINALLY that book is finally here, validating my experience and that of countless others. Far too many classically trained physicians choose to ignore the subtle symptoms and (often louder) complaints of thyroid-challenged patients, adding to the frustration that we already feel. Karilee and Rich have de-mystified the complex workings of the thyroid gland and offered a variety of strategies to identify, diagnose, and treat this often-elusive malady. They offer a clear path to enhanced quality of life and improved energy levels. They offer a variety of treatment options, embracing the best of integrative health care. The reader is constantly encouraged to seek answers on a variety of levels, from standard medical care to stress reduction to energy balancing and improved nutrition. The book is balanced, objective, and encouraging. The health care information is nicely integrated with case stories that offer hope and guidance. Many of them bring back memories of my own journey, which included the advice of one misguided (and male) physician who told me I had panic attacks (in spite of three years of abnormal thyroid blood work!) ... and offered Prozac as his only remedy. It is unfortunate that women's complaints have long been depreciated in the eyes of the medical establishment, and it is only in recent years that we have begun to fight for equal and high quality care. This book will give us ammunition as we confront that system. The authors have included a section for health care professionals that supports their theories and advice with medical research. Thyroid Power offers a true holistic perspective, assessing the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual components of chronic thyroid disease and offering ways to deal with the whole person, not just blood work or sometimes vague symptoms. For many it will be a light at the end of a long, dark, and frustrating tunnel, and a path to better health.
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Summary: Thyroid patients can empower themselves
Review: Dr. Richard and Karliee Shames' book "Thyroid Power" actually "empowers" thyroid patients to improve and manage their health. It is an excellent book dealing with an insidious disease. Many patients walk around for years, suffering needlessly and losing control of their lives because of misdiagnosis. The source of many of these errors occur because physicians don't know how to order the correct test beyond the TSH, or do not correctly interpret test results. If you or someone else you know is fatigued, depressed and can't seem to figure out what is wrong, you cannot afford to miss this book. It gives you guidance on how to determine if you too may have hidden thyroid disease. Autoimmune disease can wax and wane for years, leading to a variety of symptoms, before the TSH clearly illustrates abnormal results. If you or someone else have not felt well this book can help you possibly unmask thyroid disease. If you are a diagnosed thyroid patient and still don't feel well, this book is an invaluable reference for managing your condition. Too many physicians do not know how to manage thyroid disease or have little time to assist their patients with managing this complex disease. This book provides clear information on how thyroid patients can help themselves to live better with this chronic condition. As a thyroid patient and reporter I have investigated and read as much information as possible about my autoimmune thyroid disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I found there were few books that delve into the complexity of this disease. The Shames' book is one of those rare books that provides answers and helps unravel the confusion surrounding and managing thyroid disease. "Thyroid Power" is a superb resource for all those suffering from an often-confusing disease, and is an essential guide to managing and improving one's health. I can't say enough about this book, and have recommended it to all of my fellow thyroid sufferers....
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Summary: This book could change your life
Review: Dr.Richard Shames and his wife, Karilee, who is a skilled nurse,have written a book that has the potential to help millions of people feel better. As a practitioner of medicine working at the Preventive Medical Center in San Rafael, California, I have been using some of the philosophy and techniques that I learned directly from Dr. Shames to help many patients. These patients suffer from the most common symptoms such as: fatigue, depression, weight gain, insomnia, headaches, joint and muscle pain, memory loss, frequent colds and viruses, cold hands and feet etc. Previously I was at a loss to help these people and could only tell them that there was nothing "wrong" with them and that their problems were not "medical" at all. It turns out that I, along with most medical practitioners, were victims of our own dogma. In reality, when it comes to thyroid disorders, many people have so-called "normal" tests, and yet when given thyroid hormone, their quality of life improves dramatically. I am not speaking of a short term placebo response, that we see frequently with any healing intervention. Many of my patients get better and stay that way, simply from taking thyroid hormone that no "well trained" medical practitioner would dare give them, because their tests were "normal". Fortunately, with this book, the Shames family has broken that taboo and the genie is out of the bottle at last. This book is directed and designed for the health consumer and it will help to empower them to demand the treatments they are entitled to receive. It is organized as a step by step program to help the health consumer understand the nature of the problem they may be facing and what the potential solutions are. The reader is educated at each step and encouraged to take more control over their own health care. While many Physicians encourage the mystique of the "all knowing" omnipotent Doctor, the Shames's are completely committed to breaking down that power relationship in their work. This book goes a long way to making the health consumer a more equal partner. I was particularly glad to see the emphasis on women's health issues and the encouragement of women to ask for more assistance with the problems of mid-life that are so often simply dismissed as "oh well, that's menopause for you". Women have been the victim of a patriarchal health system for too long and this book is one of many that helps women patients get the medical care they are entitled to. The issue of thyroid dysfunction is brought down to earth in this book and the reader is given a wide range of options to try. Rather than simply accepting the divine judgment that "your thyroid is normal according to the tests", the patient has several choices, if her/his symptoms are interfering with their life. They can ask for more tests, as the simple basic thyroid tests do not necessarily have all the information needed. Particularly they can request that their thyroid antibodies be checked. I have seen many patients, who responded magnificently to thyroid medication, when their only abnormal result was high levels of these antibodies. Of course, conventional medical dogma denies this possibility and will only treat people who have a TSH level above 5. Even if all the tests are normal, this book encourages the patient to ask for a trial of thyroid hormone treatment. I can assure you that many people will improve with this simple intervention and there is no risk if one if carefully monitored. Finally, if the standard thyroid treatment fails to improve things, there are other types of thyroid hormones that might help, including the often ridiculed natural thyroid. Dr. Shames reports on many cases of people who responded far better to combinations of T4 and T3 hormone, rather than the standard T4 treatment alone. As with all who challenge the conventional dogma, I am sure there will be those who criticize this new approach. Remember anyone who takes on the established medical dogma will be critiqued severely, but often these pioneers turn out to be correct. I believe that Dr. Shames' view will turn out to be correct in the end. The tyranny of the "normal" thyroid test will be broken and there will be a new paradigm developed to explain why so many people get better with thyroid hormone supplements. While you may not find everything in this book to your liking, there were parts that I did not agree with, the overall message and thrust of this book is one of liberation and empowerment for so many women and men who are not being helped by modern medicine today. If you or someone you care about does not feel well, from the symptoms mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to try the program recommended in this book. Of course there is no guarantee for success, but there is no risk to you if it is done with the guidance of a caring practitioner and the potential reward is nothing less than a return to a vibrant healthy life. Rich and Karilee Shames deserve our thanks and gratitude for bringing this issue out to the public and I truly hope that this new book helps spark an important reevaluation of this entire area of medicine. The fact that the forward was written by Dr. Nathan Becker, of the Department of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco shows that this is not a fringe idea any longer. I also conduct research at UCSF and know that Dr. Becker is one of the leading authorities on thyroid dysfunction. I hope this review encourages more people to read this book and act on its important recommendations.
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Summary: Feeling better every time I pick up this book!
Review: Excellent book, from a medical professional who has acturally had the disease. I went to an endocrinologist and told him my thyroid had become inflamed and I was experiencing severe anxiety and he recommended a psychiatrist. The book explained the problem and now I have hope. I told an allergist I was sensitive to salty and sugary foods and he told me to see a psychiatrist. Thank God I found a family practitioner who found my thyroid antibodies where too high and perscribed synthroid which all but eliminated those symptoms.
I have had Thyroid disease since I was a teen and at forty three years of age I have never found a better source than the Thyroid Power. Read it and find a good medical or alternative practitioner and begin to travel the road to managed health.
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Summary: True But So What?
Review: Great but the medications are in the grip of the medical professionals. Good luck finding one who will help you. So, in the end, this sort of thing will only let you know the extent of bull headedness of your personal physician. You can show him or her all the BJM or Lancet articles in the world and they still won't budge off the party line. There are no "best practices" in medicine, only attitude and ego.
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Summary: Up to date information on Thyroid.- Great Book to read
Review: I am very pleased with this book. I got my copy as soon as I could and read it from front cover to back. This is a very informative book; one that people with thyroid conditions should add to their library. I read an interview with the author and realized that this is a book that I needed to read.
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Summary: only for the novice
Review: I did not find this book helpful for someone who has been medically diagnosed as having true thyroid disease. It is old news. Perhaps can be helpful to someone who suspects they my have a thyroid condition who is just beginning the journey into thyroid disease.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointed
Review: I was very disappointed at the content of the book. The emphasis being on more of a "eastern" medicine approach to dealing with the disease. I felt the title of the book was a misrepresentation of the content completely. Meditation, visualization and proper diet are all valid ways to combat the disease but the book did have the flavor of a introduction to eastern religion. Not at all appropriate for the average person I thought, mearley a thinly disquised play at indoctorination. I actually wanted to return the book. Sincerly, Tanya k Allen
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Summary: A godsend to some.
Review: I would have rated this book 5 stars except for one thing, it has practically nothing on Hyperthyroidism. If your dealing with Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease), then forget about this book and do a search on amazon for books on Graves Disease.
If you are experiencing Hypothyroidism or even think you are because of being plagued with chronic illnesses that doctors cannot seem to diagnose, then this book just might be a godsend to you.
Based on years of research from the authors private practice, this book offers a perfect balance of Western and Eastern medicine. The author takes a holistic approach to hypothyroidism, in not only showing you what medication works, but what herbs and natural products work, what mental and emotional healing may need to take place, proper diet, and human energy field work.
After studying this book, you will probably be more educated on up to date thyroid treatment than your family doctor.
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