The Thyroid Solution: A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health

by Ridha Arem

It's sometimes called a hidden epidemic: One in ten Americans--more than twenty million people--has a thyroid disorder. At any given time, millions of people have an undiagnosed thyroid disorder and experience a chronic mental anguish that almost certainly arises from the very same source. This health crisis flourishes in the shadows of the medical community because many primary-care doctors still don't recognize the importance of the thyroid in mind-body health. In fact, when they do diagnose a thyroid disorder, they treat it as a simple physical problem rather than what it really is: a complex blow to the body and mind--and an increasingly common cause of clinical depression, weight gain, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol, memory loss, anxiety, and other disorders. It's time to treat the source and not the symptom!

The Thyroid Solution is the first mind-body approach to identifying and curing thyroid imbalances. Written by a medical pioneer and leading authority in the field of thyroid research, this groundbreaking book offers Dr. Ridha Arem's practical program for maintaining thyroid health through diet, exercise, and stress control--and through his revolutionary medical plan, which combines two types of hormone treatments with astounding results. Inside you'll discover

- The thyroid basics--what it is, where it is, what it does
- How thyroid hormones affect the brain and alter mood, emotions, and behavior
- The difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and why both conditions are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
- What tests to ask your doctor to give you--and what they mean
- The facts your physician may not know about your thyroid, depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome
- The vital connection between stress and thyroid imbalance
- The benefits of antioxidants and essential fatty-acid foods and supplements
- How to recognize and cure the deep and lingering effects of a thyroid imbalance
- How thyroid hormone can work as an antidepressant when your thyroid gland is normal and conventional antidepressants have failed

Filled with remarkable and dramatic patient histories and interviews that document the dramatic results of Dr. Arem's bold new treatments, The Thyroid Solution now gives you and your doctor the tools you need to live a life with peace of mind . . . and body.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Reference, Self Help, Medical

400 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1999

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, creditials, This guy has them. next, he is very thorough in addressing all things thyroid. I chose to read this book because I realized the other day that I have had thyroid disease for about 10 years and have just been blindly taking synthroid. yes, there is so much more to know about how it affects my body. I was happy to learn so much at the same time being angry at my doctor that he didn't explain any of this to me. If you are a family member has thryoid issues, this is a must read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a recent series of lab tests revealed that I was hypothyroid, I contacted a nurse practitioner friend and asked her what books she might recommend. She told me that Dr. Arem's book was not only the one she recommended to her patients, but the one she kept in her office. I now understand why.

Before I was even given my medications, I was able to better understand my disease ... and to see how many times I had been diagnosed with another ailment because the symptoms of hypothyroid are so similar to clinical depression and perimenopause. I found myself both a little angry and a little relieved as I read this book, wondering how many health issues might have been resolved many years ago if my doctors had tried a simple blood test (as a new physician did) instead of dismissing my symptoms as "merely part of growing older."

I will admit that I skipped sections on hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and thyroid disease relating to fertility ... but the good news is that they are there should I need to reference them at any point.

This book is an outstanding read for a layman, whether it is themselves or a family member for whom they are gathering information. Dr. Arem provides information on which vitamin supplements to consider along with medical treatment, how to start taking exercise if one has previously been unable to do so due to thyroid-related joint pain and so on.

I'm one who likes to study what's going on with my body, and this book was (and will continue to be) an outstanding resource. Highly recommended!

[Deljp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book to anyone living with a thyroid imbalance or anyone living with someone who has a thyroid imbalance.

I was diagnosed last year with Graves Disease and the information this book has gave me is invaluable. I feel a lot less crazy and more confident that I can get something done about it. This book covers both Graves’ disease and Hashimotos in great detail. It also cover fibromyalgia and immune system reactivity.

This book gives a very in-depth look at what living with a thyroid imbalance is like and it tells you all the things you can do to help yourself. My endocrinologist spoke of treatment with me but didn’t provide even a quarter of the info I’ve received from this book. For anyone living with someone suffering from thyroid imbalance this book will help you to understand them and their behaviour better.

I’m really glad I chose to go down the route of educating myself on the subject and I can now make informed decisions about my treatment and can ask my endocrinologist for more answers.

[Books Ring Mah Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What did I learn from this book?
NEVER underestimate the power of the endocrine system. Seriously, a little chemical imbalance can wreak havoc on your system. (just ask Paula Abdul or Gary Busey)

I learned that many doctors will check only T4 levels. Testing should include specific checks of T3 ( a thyroid chemical found in the synapse of the nerve cell) and TSH. Together, these results give a clear picture as to what is going on in your system.

This book is well written and VERY through. The author does not dumb things down for the masses, but has created an easy to follow resource.

I'd encourage anyone having problems with fertility, weight gain (or loss), mood disorders, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome to ask your doctor if they have checked thyroid levels. (T3, T4 and TSH)

What I found very fascinating were the case studies of women who were on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. They had little relief of the symptoms until they added in thyroid medication. Some women were able to lower the dose of anti-depressants or even come off those meds altogether.

You know when your body just does not feel right. If your doctor does not listen to your concerns, find another one. Or, meet specifically with and endocrinologist. You deserve relief of your symptoms and help is out there.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know every big girl wanna talk about "It's my Thyroid!" but it really is my thyroid. According to this book, every problem that I've ever had is because I'm hypothyroid and, well, that's good enough for me. The Thyroid Solution is twelve years old though so there might have been some new medical advances since then but I don't care. I'm just going to take my levothyroxine and watch all my troubles melt away. You should get your thyroid checked too.

[Shanna Chu · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was reading this book, I kept telling myself: "That's me! That's me again." The book explained so many questions and problems I had. I think it's a very good learning material for ppl with thyroid probs.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quickly jumped to the diagnosing and treating part, and I'm glad I did! Like others have pointed out, the first three parts on "how a tiny endocrine gland intimately affects your mood, emotions and behavior", "common emotional and physical interactions", and "your symptoms are not all in your head" (focused on women's thyroid problems) repeat each other quite a bit (at least, it feels that way!) So I'd recommend starting the book page 231, where the author explains you could be hypothyroid even with normal blood tests. Very useful to me! I also thought that the part on curing the lingering effects of a thyroid imbalance was very useful guidance to tell which symptoms are thyroid related and which are mental health related. If fatigue and depression doesn't go away, they're probably psychological and you could benefit from antidepressants. Don't get tired of reading before you get to the part on how to combine thyroid and mental health treatments, and also how to prevent issues through a healthy lifestyle!

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As many as 10 % of the public may be afflicted with an underactive thyroid and not know it. The thyroid is a tiny gland at the base of your neck that balances the flow of certain hormones in your body. It affects literally every cell you have, so when it goes awry, the symptoms can range from depression to weight gain to low energy to a host of other ailments. That's why it often goes undetected. Get your thyroid checked when you have an annual physical; it's a simple blood test. Ask for the "TSH" test.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explains a lot of the finer details I wanted to know about thyroid issues. Having been hyperthyroid for 3.5 years, in remission for 1.5 and now hypothyroid for over a year this book confirms a lot of what I was experiencing, but the doctors were not acknowledging. So it validated a lot. I took it with me to more than one medical appointment! However, it it's not an easy book to get through and I found it more like a textbook.

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book has valid information it did one thing that really annoyed me, it focused on Graves and Hashi's and left goitre patients hanging in the wind. As a three post operative goitre patient, I am still looking for the reasons why my thyroxine isn't stable. This book doesn't really help and totally made no reference to calcium issues from impared parathyroid function. Disappointed.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely valuable, easy to read resource for anyone suffering from thyroid diseases (hyper or hypo). Good sections on diet and weight control, and clear explanations that you might not be getting from your doctor.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really taught me a lot about thyroid problems and furthered my speculation that I have been "subclinically" hypothyroid for years. I didn't always agree with the diet stuff or a few other things, but it was useful.

[Theresa Lorenz]

That the endocrinologist I went to is an idiot - or I could be a hypochondriac with a large family history.

[Penny]

Interesting....helpful if you have this disease

[Ali Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed information to help me navigate this journey

[Lucy Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me some really useful information, covering several different thyroid conditions.

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really helpful if you are suffering from Graves’ disease and related thyroid disease. It’s written by a specialist doctor so there are lots of case studies. The science behind the conditions is explored. It’s quite difficult in certain passages if you haven’t a medical degree but I would rather that that it be written by a quack. Sobering prognosis but good to hear about positive things that can be done to improve quality of life. Recommend.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thyroid Solution is a good book with lots of answers IF you are hypothyroid or have a thyroid disease but for someone like me with hyperthyroidism, there isn't a lot of useful information. You are better off searching on medical websites.

[Robin Peeters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my thyroid Bible !!!!

[Diane Blum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was just recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, so I was kind of interested in reading this book. There was some good information in it, but I felt like the book repeated a lot and most of it could have been said in about half the time. Also, I think the author/doctor blames EVERYTHING that could possibly be wrong with you on your thyroid, when that is not necessarily true. Then as I was reading it I was thinking, "Wait, do I have these symptoms? Maybe I do!" and I started imagining symptoms that weren't really there. Overall it's a pretty good book if you don't know much about thyroid hormones at all.

[Nathalie Meurens · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you read this book; everyone could have a thyroid issue and it is the reason for many of the modern world health problems. Nevertheless, the book provides a lot of useful information to understand the thyroid for those already diagnosed with such issue and with some indication on how to best support your health. I would however recommend further reading. Lastly the advice on nutrition are to my opinion too vague and not relevant to everyone.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis has been an interesting journey. The book helped me realize why I would behave differently than what I was used to in any normal daily activity. I loved that Arem backed up all of his theories with related research and gave you tried ways to help you feel healthier again.

[Giana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 2005. My husband and I as well as four children all suffer with hypothyroidism. I learned a great deal and afterwards shared it with my Internal Dr. I have sinced shared the book with an individual suffering with hypothyroidism. I highly recommend it. Many Drs. are not aware of the need of a full panel done on the thyroid.

[Rachel Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful, but it is called the Thyroid "Solution" and there wasn't much in the book about how to solve thyroid problems. The last 30 pages or so deal with solutions but the rest of it is how to diagnose and symptoms etc. I actually didn't finish the book, but I want to eventually so I can get to the solution part :)

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did think there was a great deal of information that was needed in this book. At times the amount of information was confusing. I think the author did well in trying to address the average person and keep things at a layman's level of understanding--which I needed. I just was distracted by the amount of information--it's a lot to wade through.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as informative as I'd hoped. Pretty much a rehash of what I'd already learned from my own doctors and WebMD. Way too much emphasis on physiological mental and emotional symptoms, which (thankfully) I haven't experienced.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a thyroid imbalance it can affect your physical and emotional health. If you are depressed or have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, ask your doctor to test your thyroid before taking an anti-depressant.

[Connie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing what an underactive thyroid can do to you. An eye opening book for anyone thinking they may be hypothyroid. Gives you some information to take with you to your doctor.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read in a while!