#538 Untangling Thyroid Confusion

There is a little gland in your neck that can control your sex life, your weight, your energy and even your mood. But surprisingly, this gland (the thyroid) frequently gets out of whack. Of the 20 million Americans who have thyroid disorders, more than half don’t realize it, according to the American Medical Women’s Association. Does our diet affect the thyroid gland. Do prescription drugs or chemicals in our environment interfere with proper thyroid functioning? And how do we know when our thyroid is not working adequately? You will find out why it is important to look beyond the lab tests to the patient’s symptoms to understand the story behind thyroid insufficiency. Guests: Kenneth Blanchard, M.D., Ph.D., is a board certified endocrinologist. Along with his private practice in Newton-Wellesley, Massachusetts, he also addresses many types of groups on the topic of hypothyroidism, and is considered an authority on the subject. 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 author. Her books include Living Well with Hypothyroidism and The Thyroid Diet; Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss