Thyroid Problems in Women and Children: Self-Help and Treatment »

The thyroid is one of the most important parts of the body, regulating metabolism and organ function. Thyroid disorder can manifest as hypothyroidism (too little activity) or hyperthyroidism (too much activity). Symptoms can range from mild to serious, but thyroid problems are 90 percent curable if detected. This complete, up-to-date book covers every aspect of both conditions, incorporating case studies and including special chapters for pregnant women, babies, children, adolescents, and women over 50. Another chapter discusses vitamins, the role of iodine, how diet affects the thyroid, and the role of stress.

Contents

Introduction....................1
Chapter 1: What Your Thyroid Does for You....................5
Metabolism....................6
Looks....................9
Other Bodily Functions....................10
Mental and Emotional Balance....................10
Biological Timekeeping....................11
Women and the Thyroid....................12
Other Stresses....................13
What Are the Thyroid Hormones?....................13
How Does the Thyroid Know How Much Hormone to Make?....................14
One More Hormone....................15
Thyroid Disease in the United States....................16
Chapter 2: Enlarged Thyroid....................18
Normal, Physiological Goiter....................19
Simple Goiter....................20
Multinodular Goiter....................21
Nodular Goiter....................22
What to Do about Multinodular and Nodular Thyroid....................23
Endemic or Iodine-Deficiency Goiter....................25
Autoimmune Disorders....................31
Tumors of the Thyroid....................33
Chapter 3: Underactive Thyroid....................35
Symptoms....................37
What to Do if You Suspect You Have an Underactive Thyroid....................46
Causes of an Underactive Thyroid....................47
Secondary Hypothyroidism....................52
Treatment of an Underactive Thyroid....................53
Subclinical Hypothyroidism....................54
Chapter 4: Overactive Thyroid....................59
Symptoms....................60
What to Do if You Suspect You Have an Overactive Thyroid....................64
Causes of anOveractive Thyroid....................65
Graves' Disease....................66
Toxic Multinodular Goiter....................74
Toxic Nodule....................76
Hashitoxicosis....................77
De Quervain's Thyroiditis....................77
An Excess of Iodine....................78
An Excess of Thyroid Hormone Taken by Mouth....................80
Disorders of the Pituitary Gland....................80
Cancer....................81
Chapter 5: Thyroid Issues Affecting Fertility and Pregnancy....................82
Fertility....................83
How the Thyroid Functions During Pregnancy....................84
Goiter....................87
Underactive Thyroid....................87
Overactive Thyroid....................88
After the Birth (Postpartum)....................91
Thyroid Disorders and Birth Defects....................94
Chapter 6: Thyroid Problems in Babies Before and After Birth....................96
In Utero....................96
A Shortage of Thyroid Hormone....................99
An Excess of Thyroid Hormone....................107
Chapter 7: Thyroid Concerns in Children and Adolescents....................111
Underactive Thyroid in Children....................112
Overactive Thyroid in Children....................117
Thyroid Cancer....................122
Adolescents....................122
Chapter 8: Thyroid Issues in Women over Fifty....................127
Medicines That May Affect Thyroid Tests....................129
Underactive Thyroid....................130
Overactive Thyroid....................135
Cancer....................139
Other Illnesses....................140
Chapter 9: The Other Thyroid Hormone....................142
Paget's Disease....................143
Too Much Calcium in the Blood (Hypercalcemia)....................143
Osteoporosis....................144
Too Little Calcium in the Blood (Hypocalcemia)....................145
Chapter 10: Keeping Your Thyroid Happy....................147
Iodine....................148
Vitamins....................149
Clean Water....................151
Diets That Upset the Thyroid....................151
Medicines That Can Cause Problems....................155
Your Genes....................158
Stress....................159
Thyroid Illness on Top of Physical Illness....................163
A Note for Dieters: How to Play It Right....................165
Chapter 11: Tests and Treatments....................167
Standard Thyroid Tests....................168
Screening Tests....................169
Treatment for an Underactive Thyroid....................177
Treatment for an Overactive Thyroid....................180
Treatment of Thyroid Cancer....................189
Treatment of Goiter....................189
Treatment of Eye Problems....................191
General Treatment for Thyroid Sufferers....................192
Resources....................194
Index....................196