Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, second edition, 2008, by David Brownstein, M.D.
Finally, a book that cuts through the “my way is the only way” kind of hype. When I found out that my thyroid is under-producing, I was not surprised. I’d been in that state before, probably most of my life. This time I was determined to find out what to do to fix the problem once and for all. I promptly went to the library and came home with a stack of books. What I found was a pile of much of the same data, rehash and repetition. Worse than that, I was left with my least favorite dilemma: contradiction and controversy. I just want the truth, you know? So I can feel better.
At the library, I had to place a request to get Dr. Brownstein’s book, so his came weeks after I had gone in circles with the other books. Finally, his book gave me the truth. Not only do I understand what’s behind a thyroid that has problems, I know what to do about it, and not just relying on one pill a day. There’s a wealth of solutions in this book that go beyond which pill is best.
Dr. Brownstein follows another thyroid pioneer, Broda Barnes, M.D. In Hypothyroidism, the Unsuspected Illness in 1976, Dr. Barnes wrote, “Forty percent of the American people—four of every ten children and adults—today are suffering needlessly and many are dying for lack of an ingredient vital for health. Is the ingredient unknown? No. Or unavailable? No.” Dr. Barnes championed the use of the basal body temperature (taken first thing in the morning with a shakedown thermometer in the armpit). That with other examinations, he took diagnoses beyond the blood tests that often hide a low thyroid problem.
Reading Dr. Brownstein, I was amazed to find sections covering chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases. This good doctor knows that there are many facets of a disorder. He does not just treat symptoms but gets down to what has caused them, what is underlying a myriad of symptoms.
Let’s consider synthetic thyroid hormone (follow the money) and doctors who promote it as the best way to handle a thyroid problem. So many doctors are overly influenced by the corporate greed of Big Pharma. I should not have been surprised to find the synthetic hormone theme touted over and over in most of the other books I read. But you’ll find the other side of the coin with Dr. Brownstein. If you consider one of his discussions to be about “Coronary Artery Disease and Hypothyroidism,” you’ll start to see some interesting connections. So many people are sick in America with serious diseases, but what’s behind them? Is there a link between the dreaded #1 killer, heart disease, and a thyroid problem? Um-hum, could be, in many cases.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism (from the book):
Brittle nails
Cold hands and feet
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Depression
Difficulty swallowing
Dry skin
Elevated Cholesterol
Essential Hypertension
Eyelid swelling
Fatigue
Hair loss
Hoarseness
Hypotension
Inability to concentrate
Infertility
Menstrual Irregularities
Muscle Cramps
Muscle Weakness
Nervousness
Poor memory
Puffy eyes
Slower heartbeat
Throat pain
Weight Gain
Let’s look at a few of these:
High Cholesterol [Ahem. The only two red-flagged items in my last blood test were low thyroid and high cholesterol!]
Hypotension [That’s right. Low blood pressure.]
Inability to concentrate [Anybody have kids on Ritalin? A few million?]
Years ago, my doctor was trying to get me to take Armour thyroid again, but the previous times I had taken it, I was not comfortable. I wish she had been able to tell me, “Just read Dr. Brownstein’s book, and it will explain why you need it.” And then I would have been spared years of fatigue and various other dreadful health issues. I just didn’t understand at the time. Now I do. Let’s face it, doctors do not have the time to give educational dissertations to their patients. This book would have been a godsend.
Dr. Brownstein helped me find out why I was not doing well on Armour Thyroid. There is one ingredient in it that I could not tolerate. I would not have suspected it–cornstarch. I also found out why Nature-Throid is working well for me now.
There are so many other things to learn in this book. We get to look at what to eat or not eat; what natural supplements help the thyroid; what drugs and environmental toxins make it worse and how to detox them. There is also a tie-in with other hormones and how to replace those that are insufficient. I mean, I feel armed!
I first came to appreciate Dr. Brownstein with his book about salt, Salt Your Way to Health. Finally, someone kicks the false information on its rear about salt being bad for you. It’s which salt is bad and which is absolutely vital. Now with his thyroid book, it is obvious to me that he truly belongs in the vanguard of holistic medicine.
Gone is my confusion, replaced by real understanding and hope. Overcoming Thyroid Disorders will now take a respected place in my library as a definitive source of practical ways to get well and feel great!
Knowledge is power.
Until next time,
Namaste,
Donna