Living Well with Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know – A Patient Advocate's Guide to Holistic and Medical Solutions

by Mary J. Shomon

From patient advocate and author of Living Well with Hypothyroidism Mary J. Shomon, here is a holistic roadmap for diagnosis, treatment and recovery for the millions of people suffering from Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism. There are an estimated 3 million-plus Americans suffering from Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism, and patient advocate Mary J. Shomon will guide them through the diagnosis and the wide-ranging treatments available. Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism are the result of the thyroid gland being overactive. This gland controls the body's metabolism, so people afflicted with the disorder can suffer from symptoms such as significant weight loss, fatigue, muscular weakness, and rapid heartbeat, among others. In addition to conventional treatments, this resource uniquely highlights holistic treatments, and through case studies and testimonials from patients and doctors, presents an honest look at the lifestyles and choices of people living with these conditions. Shomon presents the reader with a comprehensive resource that spans from diagnosis to treatment to life after treatment. She goes beyond the conventional advice of other books, utilizing patient anecdotes and, as a fellow thyroid disease patient, her own experience. Her extensive network of experts—from conventional physicians to alternative practitioners—allows for a wide range of treatment options. In addition, a comprehensive Appendix serves as a fantastic resource for patients seeking treatment and additional advice. The first edition of Living Well With Hypothyroidism (2/2000) started with a first printing of 7,500 copies and has now sold over 100,000 in the US. Shomon's The Thyroid Diet hit the New York Times extended bestseller list. Mary Shomon has been praised by doctors around the country for her medical knowledge and sensitivity to patients' needs. Barbara Bush brought attention to the plight of Graves' disease patients, announcing that she was suffering from it when she was First Lady.

Genres: Health

427 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for good resources on hyperthyroidisim, specifically Graves' since that was my diagnosis a couple years ago, and found the bookstore was actually lacking in that department. Not the store's fault really, it's a used bookstore, so they have what they get. I almost didn't buy this because at the time I was very close to being in remission and figured that my doctor knew what she was doing, or something. But... I've always had in the back of my mind that she actually doesn't know as much as she should about Graves', and while I appreciated hopefully being close to finished with the medication, there were several questions I had that she wasn't able to answer or even sort of blew off as not legitimate questions. I figured having a book on hand would be good as a reference in case any questions came up.

But then I decided last week I should actually read it. Silly concept, right? It's not the best book I've ever read, but it was informative. I already knew most of what Shomon discussed, but there were aspects that I didn't. For example, when I first met with my endocrinologist one of the first questions I asked her was whether or not there were certain foods I should avoid, or other nutritional areas I should look into, and she said no. Eat whatever, do whatever, everything will be fine.

That didn't sit well with me at the time. I'm not one of those holistic mumbo-jumbo New Agers who thinks that if I just eat the right food everything will be okay. But of course there's some truth to eating right and how one feels. (Don't fight me on that or my thyroid will kick your ass! It's a bitch like that.) One of the things the book mentions that I now want to investigate further is that cadmium is bad for patients with thyroid disease, and guess where cadmium is found frequently? Green leafy salad. And I was always under the impression that salad is good for you! (Liars, the world is one big fat liar!) So that's something for me to discuss with my endocrinologist, or research, or something. Obviously I don't want to ingest something that is possibly making me feel worse.

My complaints with the book are sort of minor in retrospect, though while I was reading they really bugged me. There's very little as far as "living well". There's plenty of discussion of the different treatments (the most conventional being antithyroid medication, radioactive iodine [RAI], or full or partial thyroid surgery), the pros and cons of each (everyone knows how much I love a good pro/con list), and even some talk of alternative therapy which I'm always a bit iffy on. However, the most interesting section for me was the antithyroid medication in addition to more nutritional awareness, etc. which seems feasible and more appropriate.

Here's my thing - when I first was diagnosed I was all gung-ho, "Let's take this bitch out, get rid of it, I don't want this alien inside of me, KILL IT OMG KILL IT." I was this close to pulling a Prometheus move (yeah, it's a new movie, you might not get that reference, but go see the movie and you'll get what I'm saying) and removing it myself. But my endocrinologist said we should start with the medication, and I listened, and I hated life. I was wicked. The medication was awful, it totally made me feel like poo, and the worst was that we'd have to change the dosage periodically, so just when I was feeling like a real person again, we'd have to change it, and pretty soon I was a mess all over again. Very dramatic. Hated it. SO MUCH.

Now that time has passed and the medication helped me into remission and I'm currently not "sick", I've changed my tune. I don't want to have surgery or have that RAI because ultimately once that thyroid is gone, there's no getting it back. And apparently I need this thing. It's like... good for me or something. The other options will push me immediately (or later in life) into hypothyroidism, and I know people with that as well, and holy hell, I think that sounds about as much fun as hyperthyroidism. Which isn't much... in case you missed that point.

So here's what I want - I want to try to stay medication free, meds are the DEVIL. Every day I live in uncertainty: Did my hand just shake? Was that a tremor? I'm feeling full of rage - am I just having a bad day or are my thyroid levels all crazy-town again? What if it comes back (yes, I refer to my thyroid as "coming back", like I do about the Mayan "coming back" at the end of the year - my thyroid is like a Mayan), do I do the medication again and feel awful and cry all the time and threaten people a bunch? 'Cause, yeah, that was miserable, and while it made me appreciate my boyfriend for being a SAINT, it's not something I want to put him through again.

Options for how I can feel better while taking the medication (if necessary) would be great, and unfortunately there was little about that in this book. She touches on it but, meh, not as much as I personally wanted (which is what really matters, why didn't she ask me first?).

And initially I was all grumpy about how much Shomon discusses hypothyroidism in this book. Uh, hello, she has a whole different book dedicated just to hypothyroidism (Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need to Know, in case you're interested), if I wanted to know about that I would totally read that book. I need to know about Graves', yo, hook me up! But it did occur to me that Shomon discussed hypo at such length probably because it's inevitable with most treatments that one will become hypo, so it's good to know what's going on.

But, dammit, I don't want to be hypo. I want to manage with what I have (when and if it comes back) because that's stressful enough without the added pressure of having to get a second book.

So there's some good stuff in here, though most of it is repetitive and stuff easily found on-line. I did appreciate knowing that apparently it's difficult to find an endocrinologist who listens well or even knows what he or she are doing. When I scheduled the first appointment I didn't know I should specify that I wanted an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disease (or even more specifically, Graves'). Apparently that would have been a good idea, which is dumb of me for not thinking about it since I work with surgeons myself and that's totally the same concept. I'm not sure what my endo's specialty is, but it could be diabetes. Which, right now? Since it's my health we're talking about? I feel that would be like seeing a podiatrist for having a toothache. I want someone who actually knows what Graves' means, and I'm not certain it's her. Oh, and also, she's a bitch. There's that. I'd like one a little less... bitchy, please and thanks.

Moral of this story is I want this little shit-head to go away, but not entirely because if it goes away then I have a different set of problems, so what I want is for it to stay hidden away like a good little blob as it apparently is doing. I will be a good kid and go and have my levels checked again next week. And will do whatever I can to continue to make myself feel better in the meantime.

One last complaint (I think): Shomon loves to name-drop herself. Any chance she would get she would point out that she has another book dedicated to each topic (Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You... That You Need to Know, Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know, Living Well with Autoimmune Disease: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know, and lord knows what else. 'A' for effort.), which makes me feel like she's in it for the money.

That being said she also has The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss which I'd like to check out. Apparently everyone in Pittsburgh is waiting for that book at the library, so I'm going to cock-block them all and have it ILL'ed from another library. You snooze, you lose. My thyroid will kick your thyroid's ass.

[Ruthenator · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Good information, a lot I already know, having had Graves for over 2 years now and having done a bit of online research. I think there was some contradictory advice in here though.
I have been in remission for over a year and was looking for info on maintaining that status as best I can. Didn't get a whole lot of that. If anyone can direct me to a good guide, I'd be interested. I am currently seeing a holistic doc in addition to an endocrinologist who thinks diet in relation to my disease is "baloney" yet after I ignored that statement I cut out gluten and within 6 months was in remission.
Anyway, bottom line, I'd definitely recommend this if this condition is new to you and you want to get a good overview on things and your options.

[Stacy Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed in my early 20’s and it took 3 years to get confirmation. Been on and off ptu since then.

As of this day I’m euthyroid but still have lasting body side effects. A great read with tons of useful information.

Be your own dr and don’t be afraid to step up for your rights as a patient. The power is in your hands

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent overview, but I wish the author had clearer references. She would make a statement or claim, but provide no citations as to where this information came from or was based off of. There was no way to verify if the information or research she was using was real let alone correct! A list of books at the end was not sufficient.

[Laura Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative if you want to know more answers about hyperthyroidism and Grave’s disease.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️
This book was written in the early 2000’s so, not everything could be completely accurate for the current time. Somethings have changed so, just be aware of that when reading it.

[Jennifer]

Worth re reading

[Elia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few good tips but mostly just checklists of things, this is more for people who think they may have a thyroid disorder rather than for people like me who have several.

[Jennifer Holubisky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. A great resource after my diagnosis of hyperthyroidism a few weeks ago. Gave clarification and good info on what to expect and what to ask for.

[Lacy C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of great info.

[Lauren Homer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had Graves'/ been diagnosed for two years so there wasn't a whole lot of new information for me. I was lucky enough to have some very good doctors. I've always felt I had good doctors I could trust and so I was a little surprised at some of the struggles described. I also have a family history of thyroid problems so it wasn't too hard to convince a doctor to test me. I would recommend this book to someone who has been recently diagnosed with Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in three days and it is a quick resource for patients looking to understand the physical ailments, medical diagnosis and treatment of Graves' disease. I felt that it was lacking as a practical guide; I have Graves' disease, with my personal perspective in mind this book read like a textbook rather than a living well protocol.

[Denese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource. I only wish I had read it before undergoing RAI treatment. Having Graves, I've learned to research, research, research. Read everything you can get your hands on before making a decision.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information if you have or think your have thyroid issues. Good reference book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN I FEEL LOST IN THE NIGHT I LOOK UP TO THE BEAUTIFUL WASATCH MOUNTAINS AND READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK