Thyroid problems are surprisingly common. Last year, more than 80 million prescriptions for thyroid hormone (Synthroid, levothyroxine, Levoxyl and Levothroid) were dispensed. That means it is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America. Is there an epidemic of thyroid disease?
Fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, high cholesterol, constipation, weakness and depression are just a few of the symptoms of low thyroid function. But it sometimes takes a long time for a patient to get a diagnosis, and it can take even longer to get relief from the symptoms. What can be done beyond the usual treatment?
Guests: Kenneth Blanchard, MD, PhD, is a board certified endocrinologist with a private practice in Newton, Massachusetts. He is the co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism: A Simple Plan for Extraordinary Results.
Mary Shomon is a patient advocate, and runs the internet’s most popular thyroid patient website,
www.thyroid-info.com Mary is also the author of a number of best-selling books on thyroid disease, including The Thyroid Diet and Living Well with Hypothyroidism.
The People's Perspective on Medicine