The Thyroid Sourcebook

by M. Sara Rosenthal

Answers an overwhelming need for accurate, easily understood, compassionate information about the many conditions that can affect the thyroid and, ultimately, overall health. Covering diseases and disorders from hyperthyroidism to cancer--which, all told, affect millions of lives--this updated edition is a must-have for everyone interested in maintaining good health.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Reference, Medical, Science

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1992

Reviews

[Dr Goon Taco Supreme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was *all right*

It was a bit disappointing in that this book wasn’t very technical. I don’t feel that (after having read a book that’s supposed to be about thyroids) I can confidently state that I now know the actual workings of the thyroid.

This book was written for non-medical laypersons and it shows. It was very much dumbed down and the writing wasn’t stellar.

It’s also an old book and it was probably super duper dated. I’m obviously going to have to read more books about thyroids if I want to learn about them, and that’s just a fact. 🤷‍♀️

This book does not have enough information to make a person feel educated about thyroids and how they work and what ails them. I don’t recommend “The Thyroid Sourcebook,” if you are doing a serious investigation on thyroids.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism.

It's a relief to know what has been plaguing me for years, and I am now getting treatment. :D

This book has been so helpful so far. I need to get my own copy.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book at the public library, and because my family has hypothroidism, I checked it out. I probably wouldn't have read it had I realized how old it was (2000), but it still had some valuable information. After reading this book, I better understand some of the symptoms, and believe I was suffering from hypothroidism for a much longer time before I was diagnosed. I did not read the chapters about hyperthroidism or thyroid cancer.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written and not well developed. Jumped around from one thyroid problem to another, it was hard to understand what was recommended for what. I would recommend reading Living Well with Graves' Disease or a book specifically about whatever thyroid problem is ailing you, this was too general and very vague.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic stuff here, and I didn't find much that I hadn't already learned from my doctor and the Internet. I should note that I skipped huge stretches of the book about thyroid diseases that aren't MY thyroid disease.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a basic introduction to various thyroid issues. While you should supplement with doctor's care and more recent information, is a handy reference for those who don't want to search the internet for decent information.

[Brittany Gaume · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the information in this book to be terrible outdated and dumbed down. If you have thyroid issues you should be reading some of the newer studies and books.

[Johanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I skipped a few sections.)

I’m not impressed by this book and worry that it’s being marketed as the end all and be all of information on thyroid related illness.

A lot of the text seems to try to disregard hypothyroidism as the cause of a person’s issues instead of explaining why it could be. She likes to say that normal TSH numbers mean you don’t have hypothyroidism. But what are normal TSH levels? She says the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists set the high range for TSH tests at 3.0 and it did in 2002 (I looked it up as the author did not provide a reference) but labs in my area (Canada) still use 5.0, others 4.5.

So what is a “normal” TSH level for hypothyroidism?

She also goes into a lot of subjects she may not be as well versed in. For instance, she claims that “all forms of estrogen and progesterone carry the same risks and benefits” which is wrong. Transdermal estrogen offers less risk than its oral form, same w/ progesterone vs MPA. Again, references would be needed.

She’s also all about levothyroxine vs desiccated thyroid meds but the reason she gives (you can never be sure you have the right amount of hormones w/ the latter) is no longer and issue since it’s now regulated and offered through prescription in pharmacies.

And calling levothyroxine a “21st century thyroid hormone therapy” when it became the norm in the 1970s (the 20th century), is disingenuous at best.

These examples made me very sceptical of all information in this book and the stories did nothing to add to the information provided and could be cut to streamline the text.

[Lois Gasselstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have thyroid problems and want to know about this important endocrine gland, this is a good start. The author, M. Sara Rosenthal, who has a Ph.D. in bioethics, suffered from and was treated for thyroid cancer. She had a negative experience trying to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment options from the medical community. Due to her lack of knowledge about the thyroid and her condition, she was not able to fully participate in her treatment. Because of this, she decided to educate others about the thyroid, so future thyroid patients can be knowledgeable about their conditions.
The information is straightforward and accessible to non-scientists. She provides explanations regarding thyroid function, different thyroid conditions and treatments. In addition, and most importantly, the author emphasizes that those seeking solutions to their health problems need to be skeptical of all the misinformation floating around the internet. Don't let the Web catch you! Read this book first.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just packed full of info all about the thyroid, how it works, thing that can go wrong and treatments. It does just focus on conventional medicine and treatments. I did skip the chapter on pregnancy since I’m perimenopausal. Lol maybe should have read it just for the insurance to never need it 😉

[Cherie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2009 published, so not super new. Rosenthal is not a doctor but PhD who suffered from thyroid cancer; the personal anecdotes might be helpful, but I didn't learn many new things from this. Much of it is dedicated to specific problems, so didn't read about issues that were not mine.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful info

[Rebecca I · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to give information to those with any kind of thyroid problem. Especially helpful for those with thyroid cancer.

[Maeve_Ever · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the sections that applied to me and the information was mostly helpful but, parts are outdated as the edition I read was published in 1998.

[Cheryl G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appreciated the depth of knowledge.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost did not read this book after reading the reviews, I am glad I gave it a chance, it was a well written and informative book. I have hypothyroidism, but have never researched it, just took pills and did labs. Recently I was in the library and noticed 3 books on thyroid conditions, after reading this one, I am returning the other two unread, that is how thorough this book is. Not only did I learn a great deal, I know have a list of questions to ask my Dr, like what if anything I might be taking that would inhibit my thyroid medication from being absorbed probably, when is the best to take it and with what. I have always taken it with whatever beverage I had handy and that is a big no-no, especially anything hot. Strictly water from now on. It also discussed the fact that the thyroid T4 medication I am on, weakens the longer its on the shelf, so I need to make sure my pharmacist gives me the freshest possible and I need to get my Dr to put "no substitutions" on my prescriptions to prevent my pharmacist from giving me something lesser quality.
I also learned I've been storing my meds wrong, I should keep it in my refrigerator to keep it cool.

Needless to say, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any kind of thyroid problem.

[Deirdre Cavener · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of opinion without factual proof. Authors tone was negative. I skipped a lot of the book (time waster) ... Wouldn't recommend.

Important

"There seems to be a lot of confusion around the definition of "natural" versus "bioidentical versus "synthetic" hormones. One thing to remember when making this distinction is that "bioidentical" refers to the shape of the molecule itself rather than the source of the hormone. By this, I mean that hormones can be marketed as "natural" or "plant-based," yet not come near to being "bioidentical" to native human female hormones or performing as such in the body. Examples of this are the numerous proprietary HRT options being marketed as "plant-based" and "natural," as well as purely yam-based creams." - Christiane Northrup, M.D.

Clearly Rosenthal doesn't have her facts straight.

[Gina Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Methimazole is an anti-thyroid drug. Intolerance to temperature is due to body slowing down- reaction to temp is slow. If it's hot, person will be cold and won't feel hot for a very long time (if at all).

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for all thyroid conditions! Will be keeping in my home library for future reference. This books says "no specific diet" for Hashimoto's disease whereas other book says to go gluten-free and possibly dairy-free too.

[Cws]

616.4 Ros

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the material here is good, but I disagree with a lot of the conclusions (like that subclinical hypothyroidism isn't real).

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very useful to me when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

[Amy Sjoquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, there wasn't anything the doctor told me I didn't already know.