THE THYROID FIX

HOW TO REDUCE FATIGUE, LOSE WEIGHT, AND GET YOUR LIFE BACK

by Shawn Soszka ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2018

A naturopathic physician offers advice about thyroid conditions and their treatments.

Early in his career, Soszka came across a patient with a severe form of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which he says “is the most common form of hypothyroid condition in the industrialized world.” This experience inspired the author to specialize in thyroid conditions and, ultimately, to write this first-rate debut book. He tackles the subject in comprehensive fashion, beginning with a thorough overview of the workings of the thyroid. This is followed by a discussion of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid, causes of low thyroid function, a chapter devoted to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and the relationship of the liver, digestion, and adrenals to the thyroid. The second half of the work focuses on diagnosis and therapies, starting with intriguing information about “why thyroid disorders are not treated effectively.” Included are explanations of tests for thyroid disorders, medications, and lifestyle issues, such as diet, supplements, sleep, and exercise. The author also offers helpful tips on interviewing and selecting an appropriate health practitioner. Soszka succeeds in impressing upon readers that the functioning of the thyroid is complex and conditions associated with its malfunction are not always easily diagnosed. One of his concerns is the narrow focus of conventional medicine in contrast to his own belief that thyroid problems must be viewed holistically. “If you are focused just on the thyroid…then you miss many of the problems that cause the symptoms of low thyroid,” the author writes. “Many practitioners simply dismiss these symptoms as relating to another condition because the symptoms fall outside their limited scope.” Some readers may view Soszka’s position as nontraditional; he writes, for example, that he makes frequent use of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. In addition, he strongly advocates beneficial, organic-based eating and lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction, as key components of maintaining thyroid health. Some content is necessarily scientific, but the author writes with distinctive clarity. Whether or not one agrees with Soszka’s naturopathic approach, the material presented here is likely to be of great value to anyone suffering from or suspecting a thyroid condition.

Instructive and illuminating counsel on thyroid ailments.

Pub Date: April 25, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-73216-011-8

Page Count: 267

Publisher: Evergreen Integrative Medicine

Review Posted Online: Sept. 24, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2019

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION