1997 Articles by Date | View Articles by Topic

12/08/97- Depression and Thyroid Disease
A look at the relationship between depression and thyroid disease, and conventional and alternative treatments to help.

Special 12/08/97 - Treatment of Anergic Depression in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with Fluoxetine and D-Amphetamine
Alan Cohen, M.D. has provided us with his recent research article, featured in the journal Depression, summarizing his findings that depression associated with hypothyroidism may in some cases be resistant to treatment with antidepressants and thyroid hormone replacement, and Dr. Cohen's drug therapy to augment the effects of the antidepressants to make treatment more effective.

11/24/97- The American Foundation of Thyroid Patients
A look at this growing, patient-founded and patient-oriented foundation and how you can get involved.

11/17/97- Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar: Alternatives to Synthroid and the Other T4-Only Drugs
Information about Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar, their inactive ingredients, how to contact the manufacturer for more information, and how to find a doctor willing to prescribe them.

11/10/97- HELP! My TSH Is "Normal" But I Think I'm Hypothyroid
A look at your next steps -- including defining the "normal" range with your doc, antibody testing, TRH testing, and drugs beyond T4 therapy -- and where to find a doctor to help.

11/02/97- Do Thyroid Patients Need a Flu Shot?
The best time for a flu shot in the US is through mid-November. If you haven't had your flu shot yet, here's some info to consider.

10/27/97- Who are the TOP DOCS?
Our readers share their favorite docs around the country, and a place where you can post your requests for a Top Doc in your area.

10/20/97- Finding the Best Health Information Online
When you want to surf for the best, most comprehensive and useful health and medical information online, here are the sites you absolutely should visit!

10/13/97 - Does Quitting Smoking Trigger Thyroid Disease?
A look at the surprising relationship between smoking, stopping smoking, and autoimmune thyroid disease -- including Hashimoto's and Graves'! Also discusses why a TSH test should be done BEFORE and AFTER quitting smoking.

10/06/97 - Finding the Best Doctor Who's Right for YOU! -- Referral Sources
The BEST starting place to find a doctor to take care of your thyroid...AND YOU! Comprehensive list of resources for referrals to conventional endocrinologists, Barnes Foundation doctors, osteopaths, holistic doctors, naturopaths, and more!

9/29/97 - Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism
A look at the surprising reasons why it's so difficult to lose weight with hypothyroidism -- including metabolic set point, changes in brain chemistry, and insulin resistance. Also, an indepth look at insulin resistance and thyroid disease, how to lose weight and fight insulin resistance, and the essential books to help you in your fight.

9/22/97 - Welcome to NO-CARE '97: A Medical Conference Parody
A humorous peek at the conference program for the fictional National Organization and Conference And Retreat on Endocriminology (also known as "NO-CARE!"), brought to you by Thy-Roto-Rooter-Roxin^TM, the only drug an endocriminologist EVER should prescribe! See the exciting Conference Event Schedule, which features informative sessions such as "The One-Minute Endo," where docs learn how to reduce the annoying and time-wasting practice of actually talking to patients, and "They're Not Patients, They're Lab Values: Recognizing the Overriding Importance of the TSH Test Versus Patients' Unreliable Complaints!"

9/15/97 - Thyroid Disease News You Can Use
Highlights from "Sticking Out Our Necks," the Thyroid Disease Newsletter, including info on how to be an empowered patient, who the top docs around the country are, summaries of major news, wonderful jokes about thyroid disease and the medical world to keep you laughing, people's heart-felt and wonderful personal stories and experiences, and information regarding the patient-doctor relationship.

9/8/97 - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
With similar symptoms, and predominance among women 25-50, there are strong relationships among chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromylagia syndrome (FMS) and autoimmune thyroid disease. This article explores the issue, looking at methods beyond standard TSH testing being used by leading CFS and FMS reasearchers to diagnose thyroid disease, and treatments -- including T3, nutritional, and other therapies -- being used.

9/1/97 - Synthroid and other Levothyroxine Drugs Have Significant Stability and Potency Problems
Government finds significant stability, potency and dosage strength problems with levothyroxine sodium products such as Synthroid and other brandname and generic thyroid hormone drugs. Find out about the potential serious health consequences you face.

Special, 9/1/97 - Book Contest Winners
Award-winning personal advice from your fellow thyroid patient Sarah Weglage with her "Advice to a New Thyroid Patient," Paul Johnson with Tips on How to Deal with Your Doctor," and Barb Dorrington's "Funniest Thyroid Story."

Special 9/1/97 - Dear Doctor: Why Do You Insist on Synthroid Instead of Armour? -- A Patient's Letter
A thyroid patient shares the eloquent letter she wrote her doctor when the doctor refused to prescribe Armour Thyroid, and instead insisted on prescribing Synthroid. A powerful letter that raises many unanswered questions!!

8/25/97 - Palpitations? Pounding? Panic Attacks? You Might Have Mitral Valve Prolapse!
Even with your thyroid under control, do you still have fatigue, low tolerance for exercise, intestinal problems, and shortness of breath? You may have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome, a heart valve defect more prevalent in people with autoimmune thyroid disease.

8/18/97 - Latest News on the Synthroid Issue (...and, a Contest to Win Free Books!!)
Coverage of news regarding a settlement in progress on the Synthroid class action lawsuit. Also, information on how to participate in a new contest to win free copies of Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld's Could it Be My Thyroid?

8/11/97 - Thyroid Hormone Replacement and Foods, Supplements and Other Drugs -- A Q&A on Interactions
Answers key questions, including...Should you take your thyroid hormone with food or on an empty stomach? What about iodine or kelp? And what about brussels sprouts and other "goitrogenic foods? Vitamins with iron? Estrogen replacement or birth control pills while on thyroid hormone?

8/04/97 - Terminology You Need to Know
If terms like TSH, T4, AMA, and T3 sound confusing, then you need this article, which reviews some common thyroid terminology you're likely to encounter.

7/28/97 - Six Questions You Ought to Ask Your Doctor...And How to Interpret the Answers
When hypothyroidism sets in after RAI or thyroidectomy, or you're diagnosed as hypothyroid due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, here are six critical questions you really should ask your doctor., and help interpreting your doctor's answers!

7/21/97 - Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism -- Answers to Some Common Questions
Questions a newly diagnosed person with hypothyroidism might -- and DID -- ask, along with answers, including information on how long it takes to feel better after starting treatment, long-term health risks, whether or not you'll get a goiter, fatigue and weight gain and more.

07/14/97 - Candidiasis (Yeast Overgrowth) and Thyroid Disease
Symptoms such as irritable bowel, inability to lose weight, brain fog, and exhaustion often go along with thyroid disease, but they are also considered common symptoms of candidiasis (yeast overgrowth). In this article, I discuss my own experience with what was apparently a candida problem, and how I resolved it.

07/07/97 - Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy / Part Two
Part Two of a two-part article on thyroid disease and pregnancy looks at when a pregnant woman with thyroid disease should start receiving prenatal care, supplements/foods pregnant women on thyroid replacement hormone should avoid, and guidelines on how far apart to take prenatal vitamins with iron and thyroid hormone. Features an interview with the Thyroid Society's Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.

6/30/97 - Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy / Part One
Part One of a two-part article on thyroid disease and pregnancy explores the effects of thyroid disease on fertility, miscarriage risk, and how to ensure a healthy pregnancy for a mother-to-be with thyroid disease. Features an interview with the Thyroid Society's Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.

6/23/97 - Hypothyroidism and the Zone Way of Eating / Part Two
Part Two of a two-part look at hypothyroidism and the popular "Zone" way of eating discussed in Barry Sears' books Enter the Zone and Mastering the Zone.

6/16/97 - Hypothyroidism and the Zone Way of Eating / Part One
Part One of a two-part look at hypothyroidism and the popular "Zone" way of eating discussed in Barry Sears' books Enter the Zone and Mastering the Zone.

6/09/97 - A Quick Look at Thyroid Hormone Replacement
Provides a review of T4, T4/T3, and T3 drugs and therapies for thyroid hormone replacement.

6/02/97 - Surveying Your Interests
Features a survey of YOUR interests with an easy to fill-out email form where you can indicate thyroid-related subjects you'd like to see covered in future issues, and ask questions or make suggestions about the site.

5/26/97 - Could it Be My Thyroid?
Looks at an excellent book, Could it Be My Thyroid, by Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D. This great resource on thyroid disease has a range of valuable information, and some special features not found in other books on thyroid disease.

5/19/97 - Books You Won't Want to Miss
Looks at some of the books I've found useful in my search for information about thyroid disease and the endocrine system. You'll also get an introduction to my Online Bookstore, my list of personal favorites that I think people with thyroid disease would find of interest.

5/12/97 - Welcome to the "Petite Papier" Club for Empowered Patients
A doctor once referred to women like me who come to appointments with notes and folders of information as the "petite papier" women -- women with the "little papers." This article talks about how to best deal with doctors, and yes, even share with them those petite papiers, to ensure the best possible relationship.

5/05/97 - What Exactly Are They Teaching in Medical School
"Hey doc, I'm constantly tired, I'm gaining weight, my skin's dry, my hands and feet are cold, and there's this gigantic lump on my neck..." "Hmmm, could be that you're depressed, stressed, or maybe PMSed!" A look at why a thyroid disease diagnosis seems so difficult, and some of the patient education efforts being made by the thyroid-related organizations.

4/28/97 - The Personal Account -- Thyroid Patients Tell Their Stories on the Web
Because it helps not to feel so alone with thyroid disease, this article takes a look at people's stories about their thyroid disease. You may recognize your own struggle in these honest, heartfelt accounts, and you'll get to know some very exceptional and courageous people better!

4/21/97 - Synthroid in the News
A look at the most well-known drug to thyroid patients in the U.S. -- Synthroid^TM -- and its manufacturer, Knoll Pharmaceuticals, and how they made headlines with their decision to release the long-awaited results of a previously unpublished study that found Synthroid bioequivalent to other brands of levothyoxines.

4/14/97 - Symptoms, Symptoms, Symptoms
Are you trying to figure out whether or not your symptoms may be diagnosed as thyroid disease? Are you wondering whether or not your symptoms are because of your already diagnosed thyroid disease? This article helps you figure it out.

4/07/97 - Getting Down to Thyroid Basics
A good starting point if you suspect you have thyroid disease. This article takes a look at excellent sites that help get the right diagnosis from your doctor. And, we'll also explore where on the Web to start out if you're looking for more information on thyroid disease.