The First Year: Hypothyroidism

by Pratt, Maureen; Levy, Elliot G.

• ISBN13: 9781600940149
• ISBN10: 1600940145
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-10-26
• Publisher: Da Capo Press

Summary

Millions of Americans-mostly women-live with an underactive thyroid gland, yet all too often hypothyroidism goes undiagnosed, improperly treated, or dismissed as being "all in your head." Maureen Pratt has lived with the ups and downs of thyroid disease since 1982. When she was finally diagnosed in 2001, she took a proactive approach and educated herself on every aspect of the management and treatment of this chronic condition. As a "patient-expert," Pratt shared everything she learned about living with thyroid disease in the first edition of this book. Now completely revised and updated, The First Year[Registered]-Hypothyroidism uniquely guides you step-by-step through everything you need to do and learn throughout the crucial first year after diagnosis.

Author Biography

Maureen Pratt is a journalist and author whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, National Business Employment Weekly, and other publications. She is co-author of Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your Life and is active nationally in raising awareness for thyroid disorders and lupus. Pratt lives in Los Angeles.
Elliot G. Levy, MD, FACE, is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He lives in Miami, Florida.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xiii
Preface to The Second Edition	p. xvii
Introduction	p. xix
Living: What a Relief!	p. 1
Learning: What Is Hypothyroidism?	p. 4
Living: Why Me?	p. 10
Learning: All About The Hormones	p. 15
Living: Telling Others	p. 20
Learning: The Meds	p. 31
Living: Lingering Emotional Effects of Hypothyroidism	p. 42
Learning: Everything's Affected	p. 48
Living: Identifying Cycles	p. 57
Learning: Needing and Finding Support	p. 66
Living: Stress and Hypothyroidism	p. 78
Learning: The Mind/Body Thyroid Connection: Depression	p. 87
Living: Your Weight and Hypothyroidism: Myth and Fact	p. 98
Learning: Diet and Exercise	p. 109
First-Week Milestone	p. 119
Living: Tired of Being Tired	p. 121
Learning: Physical Improvements	p. 127
Living: Analyzing Information	p. 132
Learning: More about Autoimmunity	p. 136
Living: Work and Hypothyroidism	p. 142
Learning: Disability and the Thyroid-Friendly Workplace	p. 146
First-Month Milestone	p. 153
Living: Sticker Shock	p. 155
Learning: Budgeting for a Chronic Illness	p. 158
Living: Feeling Better/Feeling Worse	p. 162
Learning: Frequently Asked Questions	p. 165
Living: Coping Strategies	p. 171
Learning: Alternative Therapies and Practitioners	p. 175
Living: A Heart-Healthy Life	p. 181
Learning; Hormones: What's Going On Inside Throughout the Month	p. 184
Living: Fear and Uncertainty in Intimacy	p. 188
Learning: Help for Intimacy	p. 191
Half-Year Milestone	p. 197
Living: Family Life	p. 199
Learning: Pregnancy and Parenthood	p. 201
Living: Relationships: What Others Can Do	p. 207
Learning: Relationships: What You Can Do	p. 212
Living: Leisure Time	p. 214
Learning: Making Your Dreams Come True	p. 216
Living: Looking Ahead in Health	p. 221
Learning: Aging and Hypothyroidism	p. 225
Living: Who Cares?	p. 229
Learning: The Latest in Research and Treatments	p. 234
Living: You've Come a Long Way!	p. 240
Learning: What You Can Do to Celebrate	p. 242
Glossary	p. 245
Notes	p. 249
For Further Reading	p. 253
Resources	p. 255
Acknowledgments	p. 261
Index	p. 263
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