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Mary's Mailbox: August 2001
Information is Power, Important Concerns About Tapazole and Standards of Care, Natural Thyroid in Canada
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from Mary J. Shomon

Here are some letters I've recently received from readers that contain important information for thyroid patients.


Information is Power!!

Thanks Mary Shomon!

I owe a great deal to your web site and the public service you have performed. The following are examples of what has happened in our lives.

My wife recently took your thyroid test and answered many questions that indicated thyroid disease. She went to the doctor described some of her symptoms. He began the standard litany of "Well you're getting older.." Then he felt her thyroid gland. "You're right", he exclaimed! She had two nodules. She went to a surgeon for a biopsy. Again, because of your site, I asked the right questions. How many thyroid biopsies do you do a year. The answer was 20. The surgeon is competent, and he arranged for a radiologist to do the procedure. He does 500 a year, and has done over 5000 FNB. It was painless for my wife. The doctor prescribed Unithroid, and I believe she will feel much better in a few weeks.

My daughter was taking Synthroid and having weight problems. Because of your web site and the FDA letter, she switched to Unithroid. In two months she lost eight pounds with no change in diet and no change in the strength of her thyroid medication.

I have been hypothyroid for many years, and IMHO I have had problems with Synthroid. At times it seemed that it just wasn't working. My morning temperatures dropped to 95.8. I got a TOP DOC recommendation from your site. I'm now taking Unithroid and Cytomel. I'm happy to report that the emotional swings, uncontrolled rage, memory loss, joint pain, depression, and insomnia are mostly gone and are now within normal range for my age (62). My body temperature is in the 98 degree range, my cholesterol dropped from 222 to 184, my weight dropped from 190 to 178 pounds, and I feel great!

My energy levels are up and I just completed putting down a wood floor without cursing and throwing the hammer across the room. It feels wonderful to be "normal" again. Before this I did not have the gumption to do the simplest task.

Thanks again,

Fred


Important Concerns About Tapazole and Standards of Care

Dear Mary,

When I was desperately searching for answers to the death of my 26 year old daughter from Graves' disease treatment, I found your web site. After receiving a few replies from other concerned patients, I unfortunately realized I was on the right track in feeling it was a completely avoidable tragedy.

This is a short synopsis: In late 1997 Sharon was diagnosed with Graves' disease, a condition that affects the thyroid gland. In 1998 she began taking a medication called Tapazole, which is intended to control her hyperthyroidism. A side effect of this medication is the depression of the immune system and reduction of the white blood cell count, a condition known as neutropenia. In late 1998 Sharon was being followed by an internist and an endocrinologist. She began to complain of recurrent sore throats beginning in October of 1998 to both doctors and was treated for these symptoms. Recurrent infections, specifically sore throats, are a recognized symptom of neutropenia. Despite the fact that Sharon was taking Tapazole and that her dose of this medication had been significantly increased, neither doctor ordered a blood test to see if her recurrent sore throats could be related to Tapazole. These recurrent infections continued through early 1999. Finally, Sharon was admitted to the hospital in late February 1999 where she was diagnosed with septic shock and neutropenia. Her white blood cell count at the time of admission was 0, leaving her immune system unable to fight off infection. Despite aggressive efforts, Sharon died on the day of admission.

This is an admitted rare side effect, however, I reported the incident to the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct Review Board regarding the care rendered by both primary care doctor and specialist. After a lengthy and thorough investigation and hearing, Consent orders were issued against both physicians sanctioning them for the substandard care they rendered to our daughter.

This was the worst kind of medical neglect, complete trust in a doctor's treatment, and our daughter paid the ultimate price.

Patients and families need to not take any disease lightly. The guilt I feel knowing I should have been more aware of her condition is a burden I will face for the rest of my life. Her loss is unbearable but her memory is unending. If others can be warned, then her loss will not be in vain...it's what she would have done!

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Berner


Natural Thyroid in Canada

In Canada, it seems we only have about 3 or 4 hypothyroid medication choices. After reading about Armour Thyroid and then finding that I couldn't get it in Canada, I learned that "Thyroid" brand from Parke-Davis is a natural product. I used to be on Synthroid and the switch made a world of difference. So, for your Canadian audience, tell them to try the P-D product. Worked for me.

David



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