[ThyroidNews] Issue #54 -- October/November 2001

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In a message dated 01/16/11 11:56:00 PM, mshomon writes:

 

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- - - - - S t i c k i n g O u t O u r N e c k s !! - - - - - -

 

The Thyroid Disease News Report

 

by Mary Shomon

 

 

" We're Patients...NOT Lab Values!! "

 

 

Issue #54 October/November 2001

 

 

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Welcome to the fifty-fourth issue of " Sticking Out Our Necks! " my thyroid

 

disease news report. This newsletter is copyrighted by Mary Shomon, and

 

cannot be legally reproduced without permission. Feel free, however, to

 

forward a single copy to someone who might be interested in reading the

 

newsletter or subscribing to it in the future.

 

 

ON THE WEB: My Thyroid Disease Information Source and News Report

 

home page is located at http://www.thyroid-info.com , and I also run a

 

comprehensive Thyroid Disease site at About.com, which you can visit at

 

http://thyroid.about.com .

 

 

SEND NEWS! If you see something thyroid-related in the news or on the

 

web, please feel free to let me know, send me a note, or forward the URL to

 

me if it's on the web. My email is

 

mshomon , regular mail is P.O. Box 0385, Palm Harbor,

 

FL 34682, fax is: 727-785-4258

 

 

TO SUBSCRIBE, UNSUBSCRIBE AND CONTRIBUTE: This news report is

 

distributed via , and is never sent unsolicited. (Note: Your

 

email address is sacred and will not be sold or made available to

 

ANYONE!) To to the email version of " Sticking Out Our Necks "

 

visit the Thyroid Disease News Report Subscription Center, at

 

ThyroidNews OR you can send a

 

blank message to

 

ThyroidNews- To , send an

 

email to

 

ThyroidNews- . To contribute

 

information, thoughts or ideas for the newsletter, write to me, the editor,

 

Mary Shomon personally, at

 

mshomon

 

 

FULL TEXT PRINT SUBSCRIPTION: Full text of all articles in " Sticking Out

 

Our Necks " is available in the 12-page bi-monthly print edition, available by

 

subscription. Subscribers receive a 12-page issue every other month,

 

packed with information and special features of interest to thyroid patients,

 

plus additional special reports and inserts throughout the year. For an

 

online subscription form you can print out and fax or mail, see

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/.htm

 

Or call our toll-free subscription, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Eastern time, at 1-888-810-9471, to . Subscriptions are $25 US

 

($35 non-US) for a year.

 

 

BACK ISSUES: You can purchase a PDF copy of " Sticking Out Our

 

Necks: 1997-2000, a more than 200-page compilation of full-text back

 

issues from July 1997 through August of 2000. To purchase online and

 

download a secure PDF file for $9.95, visit:

 

http://www.mightywords.com/browse/details_bc05.jsp?sku=MWQHZ8 & privateLabel=fal

 

se

 

You can also order a 200+ page hard copy version of the back issues book

 

for $25, including shipping and handling to U.S. addresses, by calling toll-

 

free 1-888-810-9471.

 

 

MY BOOK: " Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't

 

Tell You...That You Need to Know, was published March 2000, by

 

HarperCollins, and is a bestseller now in its ninth printing. The Los Angeles

 

Times calls it " a first-rate book. " The book is available in your local

 

bookstores. FOR MORE INFORMATION, AND ONLINE ORDERS, see

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm . FOR PHONE ORDERS IN THE

 

U.S., call Politics and Prose Bookstore, 800-722-0790.

 

 

FREE CHAPTER ONLINE: To read a free chapter online from " Living Well

 

With Hypothyroidism, " go to:

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/bookintro.htm

 

 

DON'T FORGET: For the holidays, a copy of the back issues book, a copy

 

of " Living Well With Hypothyroidism, " or a one-year subscription to the print

 

edition of " Sticking Out Our Necks " all make great gifts.

 

 

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THYROID NEWSBRIEFS

 

 

Summaries of key thyroid-related news, with citations. Full stories are

 

featured in the print edition of Sticking Out Our Necks. To , visit

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/.htm

 

or call 1-888-810-9471.

 

 

EXPERIMENTAL DRUG HELPS ANAPLASTIC THYROID CANCER

 

PATIENT

 

An anaplastic cancer patient who was given six months to live with this

 

dangerous cancer has gone into total remission and his tumor disappeared

 

after a successful clinical trial of the drug combretastatin. For more

 

information on clinical drug trials, call Ireland Cancer Institute at (216)

844-

 

5432.

 

 

POSTPARTUM THYROIDITIS IS SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERN

 

Some researchers suggest that postpartum thyroiditis be taken more

 

seriously as a condition in its own right, because of its ability to increase

 

the risk of miscarriage, and the risk of permanent thyroid disease and

 

resulting heart disease.

 

(Source: " Postpartum Thyroiditis and Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Women of

 

Childbearing Age: Recent Insights and Consequences for Antenatal and

 

Postnatal Care, " Endocrine Rev 2001;22 605-630)

 

 

LOCAL ANESTHESIA IS OPTION FOR THYROID SURGERY

 

Researchers have found that local anesthesia is a safe alternative to

 

general anesthesia for patients having thyroid surgery. Local anesthesia

 

also has some other benefits, versus general anesthesia.

 

(Source: J Am Coll Surg 2001;193:367-372. )

 

 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND THYROID DISEASE CONNECTION

 

Researchers have found that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can

 

cause high blood pressure, and salt in the diet can have an extra impact.

 

(Source: Am J Hypertens 2001;14:995-1002.)

 

 

THYROID HORMONES ACCELERATE DEPRESSIVE RESPONSE TO

 

DRUG THERAPY

 

Researchers have found that the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3), can

 

help speed up the response to certain antidepressants in some patients

 

with depression.

 

(Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, 2001; 158: 1617-1622. " Does

 

Thyroid Supplementation Accelerate Tricyclic Antidepressant Response? A

 

Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature " )

 

 

AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS LINKED TO BIPOLAR DISORDER

 

Researchers have found that there's a higher rate of thyroid autoimmunity in

 

people with bipolar disorder, and the cause is not lithium treatment, as

 

sometimes has been suspected.

 

(Biological Psychiatry, " High Rate of Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Bipolar

 

Disorder: Lack of Association With Lithium Exposure, " Prepublication:

 

June 2001)

 

 

CONGRESSMAN WANTS THYROID-PROTECTIVE ANTI-RADIATION

 

DRUG NEAR NUCLEAR FACILITIES

 

Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey (Dem.) , who has long been

 

an opponent of the nuclear industry, has called for the Nuclear Regulatory

 

Commission to keep on hand supplies of the thyroid-protective drug

 

potassium iodide in the area around each of the nation's 103 nuclear power

 

plants in case attackers released dangerous radioactive material into the

 

air. Markey said: " Potassium iodide is to radiation exposure what Cipro is

 

to anthrax... "

 

(Source: Reuters, 11/14/01)

 

 

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LEVOXYL RECALL

 

 

In September, King Pharmaceuticals recalled some lots of the thyroid

 

hormone drug Levoxyl. The recalls affected 25 mcg (0.025 mg) 100 and

 

1000 tablet bottles that went to pharmacists, Lot number 6413, Exp

 

12/2001; and 50 mcg (0.15 mg) 100 tablet bottles, Lot number 6294, Exp

 

11/2001. the reason for the recall is that the product was subpotent. This

 

recall affects 19,390 bottles of the 25 mg size, and 37,882 units of the 150

 

mg size.

 

 

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CHRONIC FATIGUE AND FIBROMYALGIA NEWS

 

 

A percentage of thyroid patients also suffer from chronic fatigue and

 

fibromyalgia. Here are some key news updates of interest regarding these

 

related conditions.

 

 

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME IS AS DISABLING OR DEBILITATING

 

AS LUPUS, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

 

Medical experts have acknowledged that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS),

 

also known as chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) or

 

myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is as or more disabling than other chronic

 

diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. But

 

despite the severe nature of the illness, diagnosis remains problematic.

 

(Source: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association

 

of America )

 

 

HELP FOR FIBROMYALGIA

 

Researchers have found that acupuncture can help relieve symptoms such

 

as pain and depression in women with fibromyalgia. Another preliminary

 

study found that people with fibromyalgia could reduce symptoms

 

substantially by eliminating certain foods from their diet.

 

(Source: Reuter's Health)

 

 

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TOP TEN BEST HOSPITALS FOR HORMONAL DISORDERS

 

 

According to U.S. & World Report, the following are the top ten hospitals

 

for hormonal disorders:

 

 

1 Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

 

2 Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

 

3 Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

 

4 Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston

 

5 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston

 

6 University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville

 

7 University of California, San Francisco Medical Center

 

8 Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis

 

9 Cleveland Clinic

 

10 University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor

 

 

You can see the complete list of 50, with qualifying information, online at:

 

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hosptl/specendo.htm

 

 

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FREE DIET NEWSLETTER!

 

 

My new diet and weight loss newsletter for thyroid and autoimmune

 

disease patients is finally launching next month. The newsletter is free, so

 

if you haven't already signed up, drop an email to healthierweight-

 

and you'll be added to the list.

 

 

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IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO EAT RIGHT AND LOSE WEIGHT

 

 

With the holidays upon us, it's the season when our pocketbooks get

 

smaller and our waistlines get bigger...but it doesn't have to be that way.

 

You can eat wonderful foods all holiday season, and maintain -- or even

 

lose -- weight, if you take into account your hormones, and the way they

 

affect our ability to lose weight. Larrian Gillespie, MD has the answers in

 

her trio of bestselling weight loss books -- The Menopause Diet, helps

 

fabulous women take advantage of their " power surges " to lose weight and

 

feel great. The Goddess Diet is for women of any age who want a slim,

 

healthy body. And the Gladiator Diet is the first book to give women

 

powerful information, based upon the latest scientific research, that will

help

 

them keep any man virile, energetic and fit. They make great gifts for

 

anyone you love -- including yourself.

 

For more information on Larrian's books, see:

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/larrianbooks.htm

 

 

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BIOSAFE'S NEW THYROID TEST APPROVED IN CANADA FOR AT-

 

HOME USE, COMPANY NOW PROVIDES ONLY HOME TSH TEST KIT

 

IN NORTH AMERICA

 

 

BIOSAFE Laboratories, Inc. announced that it has received approval from

 

Health Canada for consumer use of its Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

 

test. Used to screen for Thyroid Disease, BIOSAFE's TSH test was

 

previously FDA approved in the US. This is the only at-home TSH test

 

approved for use in Canada. The BIOSAFE TSH test was developed

 

utilizing the Company's patent-pending capillary " Blood Transport System "

 

(BTSTM), which allows for the collection and shipping of a micro-sample of

 

blood taken from a single " nick " of a finger. All specimen processing is

 

performed at BIOSAFE's CLIA certified laboratory in Chicago. The BTSTM

 

provides a convenient and virtually painless alternative to the usual

 

collection method of drawing blood from the arm for clinical tests.

 

BIOSAFE President, David Fleisner said, " We're very excited about the

 

future of our new test and blood transportation system. Through this

 

innovative approach to blood sample collection, we are providing millions of

 

people with quick, convenient, and painless access to a procedure that has

 

far-reaching health benefits. "

 

 

Blood collection kits for home testing of TSH are available directly online,

 

see http://www.thyroid-info.com/tshtest.htm or by calling 1-888-700- TEST

 

(8378), extension 123.

 

 

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DRY EYES? FREQUENT CAVITIES? COULD YOU HAVE SJöGREN'S

 

SYNDROME?

 

 

Many thyroid patients complain of symptoms, including dry eyes, vision

 

problems, more frequent cavities, and other symptoms that may point to

 

another condition that is more common alongside thyroid disease --

 

Sjögren's syndrome. Could you have Sjögren's syndrome? Do you know

 

all the symptoms of this condition? How can you get tested and

 

diagnosed? Where can you get more information about Sjögren's?

 

 

The November/December issue of " Sticking Out Our Necks " print edition

 

features an in-depth look at Sjögren's syndrome, its many symptoms, the

 

diagnostic tests, treatments, and resources for further information.

 

Sjögren's is just one of the many autoimmune diseases that are more

 

common in people who have autoimmune thyroid disease. There's still time

 

to and get the November/December issue, so see

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/.htm

 

for an online subscription form you can mail or fax, or call our toll-free

 

subscription line at 1-888-810-9471.

 

 

Sjogren's, and many other conditions, are profiled in my upcoming new

 

book, " Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, " which is coming in 2002. If

 

you would like to get on a mailing list for my new free email newsletter,

 

" The Autoimmune Report, " and notification when " Living Well With

 

Autoimmune Disease " is available, please send an email to

 

autoimmunereport-

 

with the subject " Autoimmune Report. "

 

 

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HERBS FOR HEALTH!

 

 

If you haven't read this interview, now is the time to check out: " A Look at

 

South American Medicinal Herbs and Hormonal Health: An Interview with

 

Dr. Viana Muller. " Dr. Muller, an anthropologist and expert on South

 

American herbs, shares her thoughts about thyroid disease and its

 

symptoms, and the effects of Royal Breakstone/chanca piedra, Cat's

 

Claw/Una de Gato, Royal Camu and Royal Maca. I'm a huge fan of Dr.

 

Muller and use her products DAILY...Maca helped me regulate my periods,

 

and reduce my PMS, and her Cat's Claw gets my entire family through the

 

cold and flu season with much higher resistance and less illness. To read

 

an in-depth interview with Dr. Muller, go to:

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/viana-muller-herbs.htm

 

 

To see Dr. Muller's website, go to http://www.wholeworldbotanicals.com

 

 

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DO THYROID PATIENTS NEED A FLU SHOT? THE INFLUENZA VACCINE

 

AND THYROID DISEASE

 

 

Influenza -- the " flu " -- is a common viral infection of the respiratory

system.

 

In some people, flu can be severe or even life-threatening. With flu season

 

getting started in North America, and the optimum time for getting your flu

 

shot between October and December, many thyroid patients currently have

 

questions regarding whether or not they should get a flu shot.

 

 

The print edition of Sticking Out Our Necks features a detailed article that

 

answers many common questions, including:

 

 

-- Who should get the flu shot?

 

-- What is the flu?

 

-- Can a flu shot help?

 

-- What is the flu shot?

 

-- Are there side effects?

 

-- When should you get your flu vaccine?

 

-- What prescription treatments are there for the flu?

 

-- Are there alternative/natural ways to avoid getting the flu, and to treat

the

 

flu?

 

 

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OTHER STORIES FEATURED IN THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER PRINT

 

EDITION OF STICKING OUT OUR NECKS INCLUDE:

 

 

ARE YOU IRON DEFICIENT? TAKE OUR QUIZ

 

If you're one of the millions of women who experience constant fatigue, an

 

expert in women's and children's health says taking a simple quiz for iron

 

deficiency could be the first step on the road to recovering your energy and

 

vitality. Iron deficiency is more common in thyroid patients, so people with

 

thyroid disease should be particularly alert to the signs of iron

deficiency...

 

 

SPEAKING UP IS HEALTHY

 

You've heard the old joke: " A man goes to the doctor. The doctor walks in

 

and asks, 'What's wrong?' The man replies, 'You're the doctor. You tell me.'

 

While many people still view their relationship with their doctor this way,

 

some practitioners are urging patients to speak up, ask questions, and

 

insist on answers... But with shorter doctor visits, what can patients do?...

 

 

ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY FOODS MAKING YOU SICK?

 

Many people experience cold- or flu-like symptoms during the holidays that

 

might be caused by the food they eat. Sinus problems, indigestion and

 

diarrhea may be caused by holiday foods and goodies such as turkey

 

stuffing, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie and cookies...

 

 

WINTER SKIN TIPS FOR THYROID PATIENTS: HELP FACING THE

 

ELEMENTS

 

With the onslaught of cold weather comes new challenges for maintaining

 

healthy and vital-looking skin. Low temperature and humidity, indoor

 

heating, dry, recycled air and outdoor exposure can make skin lose its

 

moist, healthy glow. And for people with thyroid disease, dry skin may be

 

an even more persistent problem during dry, cold winter months...

 

 

THE POWER OF ENZYMES

 

One of the most common health problems in North America today is poor

 

digestion. There are several reasons for poor digestion, but the two biggest

 

reasons are the inability of your body to produce enough enzymes, and the

 

lack of digestive enzymes in the food that you eat. What are digestive

 

enzymes and do you need them

 

 

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If you would like to read these full stories, and have enjoyed the full-text

 

version of " Sticking Out Our Necks " in the past, you can by

 

printing out and mailing/faxing the online subscription form at

 

http://www.thyroid-info.com/.htm

 

 

Or, call our toll-free subscription line at 1-888-810-9471. (This number does

 

not reach Mary Shomon, so please, subscription calls only.)

 

 

Or print out the following subscription form and mail it in

 

 

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Sticking Out Our Necks

 

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BOOK NEWS -- A BESTSELLER!!!!

 

 

Amazon.com has named my book, " Living Well With Hypothyroidism, " one

 

of its top 40 health bestsellers for 2001. Almost a year after its printing,

the

 

book is still a strong seller -- patients want the practical advice and

 

information on how to get diagnosed, properly treated and live well with a

 

thyroid condition. The book is also Amazon.com's top-selling book in the

 

categories of thyroid disease AND endocrinology! If you don't already have

 

your own copy, it's a one-stop source for information on how to get properly

 

diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism (whether autoimmune, or due to

 

surgical removal or radiation of the thyroid), plus help on how to live

well,

 

with tips on alternative medicine, other medicines, depression, weight loss,

 

pregnancy, and other issues. It also features a huge Resources chapter

 

featuring organizations, books, websites, TV/radio shows, support groups

 

and more that can help you get information and support...and live well!

 

Here's the info on how to get it:

 

 

Title: " Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't

 

Tell You. . . That You Need to Know "

 

Author: Mary J. Shomon

 

ISBN number: 0380808986

 

List price: $13.50 (US dollars)

 

Published by: HarperCollins

 

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