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Summary: Finally! Someone tells it like it REALLY is!
Review: Mary Shomon's book is the first I have read (out of a LOT of books) that tells the whole truth about hypothyroidism, as experienced by a patient who has been there. I wish that every doctor that treats thyroid patients could be made to read this! So many doctors seem to think that hypo is a simple, easily treated disease, and it isn't. They also tend to focus on individual symptoms without looking for the overall CAUSE. If I had had this book years ago it would have saved me several years of suffering and being told there was nothing wrong with me. Mary's list of symptoms is very thorough, her book is easy to read and understand, and it tells the real truth. I especially like the way she pays attention to the emotional impact of this disease and the depression that often accompanies it. Her weblinks are very helpful in finding out more information. This book is EXCELLENT, and a great resource. It can literally change people's lives. I could barely put it down once I started reading. I can't recommend it enough, especially for newly diagnosed patients or those who SUSPECT they are hypo but haven't been able to find a doctor to test them. Mary's list of symptoms is great to take to your doctor to help them see the overall picture, and her compassion and understanding are very comforting and empowering for patients. She makes sense out of what to most of us is a very confusing disease. If you only buy one book on this subject, make it this one!
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Summary: An Unbiased Exploration for Patients Who Want to Feel Well
Review: I'm a huge fan of Living Well with Hypothyroidism. It's been on my nightstand for a year, and I'm psyched to finally get around to writing a review so I can share what this book has done for me, not to mention some friends and people I work with. This is a GREAT book, and it's the one that I've bought copies of over and over again to give to friends who suspected or actually were diagnosed with hypothyroid. As a regular reader of Mary Shoman's website and newsletters, I found her book to be a helpful and thorough, consolidating a great deal of information all in one place. It was also the first time I actually read a book about hypothyroidism that didn't just tell me that it was some no-big-deal problem that a pill could fix, like the thyroid books before it. Shoman's websites and newsletters are the cherry on top, and they worked well with the book, which got me up to speed, and then the news and site keep me informed on the latest developments. I thought it was pretty surprising that Shoman has never been a particular fan of Synthroid, because it's the drug that most people take for hypothyroidism. The book has almost an entire chapter about the scandals surrounding this drug, research problems, lawsuits and such, things I had no idea about until I read this book. My doctor put me on the synthroid, and I took it for a while, but after reading the book, I asked my doctor to try some other treatments, and they work much better. She's also pretty skeptical when it comes to the drug companies and the medical establishment that has no clue about hypothyroidism. I think she must have been talking to my first doctor, the one who wouldn't even give me a thyroid test. I found Shoman's review of all the options available along with the various alternative medicine treatments helpful. Personally, I have found that Chinese medicine is a big help to me, and she talks about that in the book. She has a section on yoga for hypothyroidism, and I'm thinking about trying that too soon. I've also added in some of the supplements and vitamins Shoman discusses in the book, and I can tell you -- they help!!! I can't recommend this book enough. It really helped me get on the right track after I was diagnozed with my hypothyroidism last year, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this book to help me. -- Ellie R., Short Hills, New Jersey
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Summary: Some fluff , but on the whole good,
Review: As a long term thyroid sufferer I've read alot of information so it's hard to tell me something new but this book did and it helped. Mary gives us her story and others, she understands the scope of the problem and tries to address as many issues as she can. Most importantly, she understands how the problem can invade every area of your life and your whole body and really tries to help you find ways to feel better mentally, physically and emotionally.
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Summary: This book saved my life
Review: I first heard of Mary Shomon through her excellent web site on hypothyroidism. Once I discovered that she had written this book, I promptly ordered it and read it from cover to cover. This book literally saved my life. Throughout my life, I have been ultrasensitive to hormonal changes and have suffered from a pituitary tumor. After my daughter was born, I was not the same person. My post-partum depression lasted a year and was coupled with other physical symptoms I could not explain. My primary care doctor was sympathetic and ran bunches of tests but they yielded nothing. Meanwhile, I got sicker and sicker with no hope in sight. Then I found and read this book. All of my symptoms were listed as hypothyroid symptoms. I had numerous risk factors for thyroid disease. I even found my specialist through this book and Mary's web site. This book is a total eye-opener. Mary is a passionate advocate for patients everywhere who have lost hope. Her writing is clear and concise and explains complex information in a simple way. Not many writers can do that. In fact, this book is so good that I have recommended it to numerous friends of mine who also have thyroid problems. Even hyperthyroid patients should read it because they could end up hypothyroid. Read it and then read it again. All medical books should have Mary Shomon at the helm. The world would be a much better place for it.
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Summary: Hope for People Who are Told Their Thyroid is Normal
Review: This is the most comprehensive, well researched, and best written book on this subject. The author is not a doctor but is so thoroughly informed on this subject through her own exhaustive research as well as through her collaboration and consultaton with recognized experts in many health disciplines including the medical field. She is someone who has suffered with hypothyroidism and has made it her mission to help others. I am an RN and I have read many other books on this subject and she is more thorough and professional in her approach than I've seen in most other books on the topic. The author is refreshingly unbiased for the most part and readily admits where she may be biased due to her own personal experience. Even then, she writes with an open mind for the reader's sake to provide sound information so they can make intelligent choices. Her intention is clearly to help people understand the many ways this disease presents itself as well as to help people find appropriate treatment. She provides about 30 pages of resource material at the end of the book including web sites etc. literally leaving no stone unturned. If you have symptoms including fatigue, depression, digestive problems, weight gain, high cholesterol, fertility problems, low blood pressure, low body temperature, and brain fog to name a few, this may be important information to look at. Or if you have been tested for low thyroid and have been dismissed by medical professionals who say your thyroid is "in the normal range" but you know there is something wrong, buy this book! You may discover real help for the first time.
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Summary: Quackery
Review: Mary Shomon's books and site are filled with quackery. Full of opinions and less to do with facts and she has no medical degree.
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Summary: Best reference guide for Hypothyroid patients
Review: I have owned this book for several years. I keep it close to my bedside for reference. It is one of the best sources of information on hypothyroidism I have discovered and I own many books on this annoying disease! Mary J. Shomon also has a great website which I am constantly visiting for updates. I found a great endochronoligist in my area via her website. I recommend you buy this book you won't be sorry because you just won't read it once - you will continue to reference this information as long as you need it.
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Summary: This Book Changed My Life
Review: For 10 years, I slowly gained weight and couldn't get it off, no matter what I did. I had never had a weight problem in my life. I had other odd symptoms: freezing hands and feet, ezcema started, numbness in my wrists, very sluggish and low energy, and more. Then my OB/GYN told me I had a goiter, and to get it checked out. So I went to Johns Hopkins, thinking I'd get the best treatment. Instead, I was told that my thyroid was twice the normal size and I had very high levels of antibodies for Hashimotos Thyroditis -- BUT my TSH wasn't quite high enough to be treated and besides, my weight had nothing to do with my thryoid. Then I found Mary Shomon's website and book. Educated and angry as hell, I found a doctor who would treat me as a patient, not a lab value. Since March (which is about when my TSH finally settled to about 1.5, normal for most people), I've lost 30 pounds through sensible eating and exercising. If you think you might have a thyroid problem, or know someone who might, BUY THIS BOOK!
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Summary: A GODSEND!!!
Review: This book has been a godsend to me. It gave me details in real words that I could understand. The list of symptoms was very detailed and all the information is put together in such an easy to read format. I took it along to my doctor's visit and actually got thru to him for once!! I HIGHLY recommend this book!
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Summary: Book Tells It Like It Is
Review: I have just referred this excellent book, yet again, to another girlfriend who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Without exception, each has thanked me for putting her onto a resource that organizes available internet material into a measured and understandable picture of what the condition is and how to cope. It is therefore extremely valuable, not only for the wealth of information it contains, but also for the underlying message of hope it conveys. The fact that the message is delivered in such an articulate way by a sufferer of hypothyroidism cannot be underestimated. It leaves sufferers empowered and in a position to take control of the management of an often baffling condition and its wide array of symptoms.
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