Patient advocate Mary Shomon, New York Times best-selling author of "The Thyroid Diet," has just published her newest book, "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know." The book claims to provide comprehensive, patient-empowering information on conventional and holistic approaches for the treatment and management of the overlooked and often misdiagnosed overactive thyroid conditions and autoimmune Graves' disease.

As many as 25 million people in the United States suffer from thyroid conditions, and among them are the overlooked and misunderstood sufferers of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, an over-functioning of the thyroid gland. George and Barbara Bush were diagnosed with Graves’ disease during the Gulf War and Olympic Sprinter Gail Devers was diagnosed during the 2000 Summer Olympics. However, for the millions of people who suffer from Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, the process of assessing the symptoms, getting diagnosed and sorting through the myriad of treatments is a daunting task. Now with her new book, “Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That You Need to Know,” New York Times best-selling author and thyroid patient advocate Mary Shomon presents readers with a comprehensive resource that spans from diagnosis to treatment to life after treatment.

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone, which controls the body’s metabolism, and Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that triggers hyperthyroidism. In “Living Well,” Mary Shomon explains the history and science behind the disease, giving readers an understanding of the endocrine system, the metabolism, and the role of the thyroid.

With symptoms that include fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, hair loss, muscle aches/pains, and fertility problems, it’s easy to see why doctors frequently misdiagnose Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, and patients themselves write off symptoms, assuming their problem is stress, depression, age, or “women’s” issues. Mary Shomon offers her readers a detailed “Checklist of Risks, Signs, and Symptoms” that they can fill out and share with their doctors, combined with explanations of the symptoms, as well as honest case studies and testimonials. Many of the explanations of the often difficult-to-understand symptoms also include personal patient anecdotes; Shomon shares the story of one woman whose friends convinced her that she had anorexia before she was properly diagnosed with Graves’ disease.

After helping readers to examine symptoms and verify a diagnosis, Shomon draws on an extensive network of experts to discuss treatment options. Understanding that treatment is ultimately requires an informed personal choice. To help, Shomon provides specific guidelines on four different routes a patient can follow, including the pros and cons of each:

* The Traditional Antithyroid Drug Approach
* Traditional Radioactive Iodine Treatment
* Traditional Surgical Treatment
* A Complete Alternative/Holistic/Nutritional Approach
* An Integrative (Conventional Plus Alternative) Approach

The holistic and nutritional approaches to non-acute hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease are what make this book truly unique, and these innovative approaches may help patients reduce dependence on antithyroid drugs and avoid these drugs’ side-effects – or even potentially achieve a temporary or permanent remission in their disease itself. No other book dedicated to Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism has provided such detailed holistic protocols for these conditions.

"Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism" also features special sections on treatments for specific problems, including thyroid eye disease, hyperthyroidism and fertility, hyperthyroidism during pregnancy, hyperthyroidism in newborns and children, the impact of hyperthyroidism on mental health, and ultimately, lifelong hypothyroidism (which is the usual result after most hyperthyroidism treatments, even though many doctors fail to mention this to patients).

"Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism" closes with inspirational success stories and ideas on how to live well in the future. The hefty Resources Appendix features additional recommendations regarding books, websites, newsletters, organizations and support groups, and experts who can help patients get properly diagnosed, treated and live well.

Mary Shomon’s sound and practical advice, complemented by her sensitivity to and understanding of patients’ needs, makes this book an unparalleled educational resource. She touches upon every method of diagnosis and treatment that even a general practitioner may neglect to mention. This book is a much-needed comprehensive approach for patients to take control of their thyroid condition.

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