Rating: 
Summary: A Balanced Perspective is Needed For Readers
Review: I bought this book based on the customer reviews, which prior to this one are glowing. I feel a need to respond so that other readers like myself will have a balanced view of this book. I read portions of two key chapters, made numerous notes in my frustration and aggravation, then thew the book away. I will not even resell it, and this is why. The author makes a pretense of sympathy for persons suffering from undiagnosed or undertreated hypothyroidism, but whatever empathic and useful information might be garnered from this text is quickly lost in a lot of faulty assumptions about causality based on uncited studies and correlational data. The underlying message is, you are to blame for your illness. After providing ample evidence of the etiology of hypothryoidism as a physical disorder, the author continually returns to the theme that the disease is "all in the head," or at any rate, caused by "stress," ie. mental stress, or, as the author indicates, distress caused by faulty perceptions of life events. The author's confusion about the "mind/body connection," is evident in the lack of clarity concerning the critical difference between the affect of a disorder, and the cause. Providing a good synopsis of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, the author describes a disease process with a physiological etiology, then states that the disorder is caused by mental stress, and in the very same paragraph says that hypothroidism is a genetic disorder! Clearly the author is struggling within him/herself about what this disease really is, and cannot resist the comforting notion that such a disruptive disorder is caused by the individuals who suffer from the condition. I am glad that this book has been helpful to several persons who suffer from hypothyroidism, which presents many challenges to living a healthy and happy life. However, if you dislike psychological mumbo jumbo and sloppy reasoning, and simply want the factual, yet kindly stated, information without solipsistic suppositions, I recommend these two texts, which provide better, more accurate scientific information, without a blanket (anonymous) psychoanalysis thrown in. Living Well With Hypothyroidism, by Mary Shomon and Thyroid Power by Richard and Karilee Shames. There is also an excellent article availble on line from the New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 340: 424-429, Number 6, entitled Effects of Thyroxine as Compared with Thyroxine plus Triiodothyronine in Patients with Hypothyroidism, which details the effects of insufficient T3 supplement in the treatment of hypothyroidism. I appreciate anyone's efforts to help those of us who suffer from hypothyroidism, but I cannot recommend this book. Good luck to you.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book on thyroid problems
Review: Ridha Arem is an an endocrinologist and a specialist on the thyroid. This book details problems of the thyroid, which can range from depression to the desire to compulsively eat carbohydrates. Brief case histories are presented typically in which thyroid problems were the real culprit underlying some other set of symptoms, such as depression. There is also more detailed medical discussion than one typically gets in a book meant for a lay audience. But Arem is a specialist here with years in the hopper, and he doesn't talk down to his audience. With respect to hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid) Arem considers the normal range of TSH (what's usually tested for) as considerably too broad. He also points out that the TSH test doesn't show that the hormone is converted properly from T4 to the active T3. Thus, the standard test can be misleading. Arem also recommends on occasion supplementing synthetic T4 with T3 and provides his own protocol for doing so. My only criticism of this book is one that applies to most "single substance" books. After a while it appears that almost all problems are related to whatever it is. But this book is actually quite restrained here as opposed to what's typical. This book is cuts above the norm. Arem provides a reasoned, knowledgeable, if somewhat cutting edge, view of the thyroid and how its malfunction can so affect us. It has served me well personally. Nearly anyone would do well to read this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to have
Review: The Thyroid Solution Book, helped me tremendously. For years, I was complaining how bad i was feeling to my doctor. For years I was suffering, but no solution. Recently I was sent to a specialist, only to find out I have thyroid cancer for the last, maybe 10 years. Definitely the book , Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem helped me a lot with the operation and the radioactive iodine. I'm still going through it, and I carry the book with me, everywhere.
Thanks to Ridha Arem.
Rating:
Summary: It's the only book you will need
Review: After being diagnosed with Graves Disease, my doctor recommended this book, she said it was the best. I wanted to learn everything I could about Hyperthyroidism, because I was going to have the radiation treatment and become hypothyroid. The book really helped with the wild ride. It helped me understand all aspects of the disease from both sides and what I could do to help with my treatment. It's a no-nonsense resource. Thyroid problems? Buy this book.
This is the only book you need...
Rating:
Summary: information thyroid highway!
Review: WOW! all the answers are here, all the reasons and the puzzling behaviour and weird things your body does with this disease is explained in this book,"why am so tired?!!" "why do I want to sleep all the time?" "I exercise and eat like a bird and I am SO fat"
THEN you get the answers, I took the book to my Doc and we started on a plan of action.
Excellent book ,very informative.
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Summary: Dr. Arem saved my life
Review: I found Dr. Arem's book quite by accident. My cousin Lise, my age (40), suggested another a book she had already loaned out, and when I went to order the book she recommended I discovered Dr. Arem's book. I was clueless. I live 60 miles west of Houston and began to read his book. Dr. Arem SAVED MY LIFE. I diagnosed myself as hypothyroid because of genetic disposition and got an appointment with Dr. Arem. He took down my family history, asked all the right questions, and palpated my thyroid. This was the first time that had ever been done. He found a nodule, and my bloodwork came back borderline hypothroid. Three months later he found a second nodule on my thyroid, and the first nodule had almost doubled in size. He ordered a fine needle aspiration biopsy and the rest is history. My nodules were malignant. I had a total tyhroidectomy at the end of May, and I'm working toward a Ratioactive Iodine Uptake to make sure we've gotten all the thyroid and cancer cells. I could go on a lot longer. Last Wednesday when my husband and I met with Dr. Arem I thanked him for saving my life. He quietly responded that God had saved my life. I thanked Dr. Arem for being God's instrument. Please take ownership of your own health. Explore all avenues and follow your instincts. Have faith and pray unceasingly!
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read for All
Review: I'll make this short and sweet. I've been hypothyroid for 18 years. None of my doctors bothered to tell me even HALF the information I learned in this book. Get it. It's the best. It's an easy read for all thyroid patients and their families.
Rating: 
Summary: unlocks the mystery
Review: This is an excellent book for unlocking the mystery of how Thyroid illness occurs and how thyroid hormones are connected with other hormones and symptoms in the body. The problem I had with the book was sorting out Hypo versus Hyper symptoms, being in a groggy state from the disease itself--with fluctuating levels of T4 and T3. This of course is not a trouble to the unaffected reader, however I expect I may not be the only one struggling to sort through the information. I do feel the information is excellent and very supportive of all types of thyroid problems. A very complete book..I just had trouble with the organization.
Rating:
Summary: The Thyroid Solution
Review: This is definitely the best book about how the thyroid disfunctions, and the medical solutions that can make life nearly normal again. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and fortunately, have agreat doctor that uses the T4 - T4 thyroid replacement regimen that Dr. Arem discusses in this book. This book, ulike many others, answers the multitude of questions about the multiple symtoms related to hypothyroisim. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Helpful for symptoms of depression etc.
Review: The Thyroid Solution is a great resource. I purchased it after my test results came back "normal". It was helpful to know that you can have a sub-clinical case, even when tests are normal. Dr. Arem provides patient examples throughout the book which are also helpful. Part I deals with general information on hypo and hyperthyroidism. I especially was interested in the chapters "Depression, Anxiety, and Mood Swings" and " Thyroid Hormone as an Antidepressant". Part II deals with the emotional and physical interactions. He has several small "questionnaires" to take to weed out other possible syndromes such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Hypoglycemia and Fibromyalgia. Part III has 3 chapters on Woman's thyroid problems; PMS, menopause, infertility, miscarriage and postpartum depression. Part IV goes into diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders. One chapter is an in depth discussion about thyroid tests and treatment options. He does discuss the "controversial" natural hormone with T4 and T3. This part also discusses thyroid eye disease and cancer. The last chapter is eight steps to promote a better understanding of thyroid, mind, and mood. Dr. Arem's Thyroid Solution is a comprehensive resource on thyroid disorders and the resulting symptoms.
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