In this book containing over 31,000 words, Thyroid Patient Advocate and veteran health writer - James M. Lowrance, answers important questions thyroid patients have in regard to their hypothyroid or hyperthyroid disorders. These are compiled from select replies he has given to questions posed on thyroid patient forums, between the years 2004 and 2009. This resource gives opportunity for patients or anyone interested in thyroid subjects to increase their knowledge, while at the same time, reading general but informative answers that are given from a fellow-patient's perspective. With 87 questions answered, this averages approximately 350 words for each answer-given, so that the reader can move on to the next Q & A. (NOTE: Definitive diagnoses must come through a licensed medical professional and this e-book is not intended as a substitute for answers or treatments supplied by a qualified physician.) Jim Lowrance says this about the book: "Since being diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease in 2003, I have corresponded with 1,000s of other thyroid patients by email, message boards and forums. As a forum moderator I also responded to fellow-patients with over 3,000 reply-posts. Using some of these forum and email replies as outlines, I have rewritten and compiled them to include the best possible information on the thyroid disease subjects they were directed at answering. This 'question and answer' format provides an interesting method for reading and learning about aspects of diseases, disorders and conditions affecting the thyroid gland. Many of the answers include aspects of my personal experience with hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroiditis and co-morbid health disorders I have developed since my initial diagnoses that are also common to other thyroid patients. It is my hope that the information contained in this book helps to provide an interesting, general education on hypothyroid and hyperthyroid related symptoms, diagnoses and treatments."
About the Author: I am a husband, father, grandfather and lifetime contract salesman, with experience in health writing that began in 2004. I completed theological studies with Liberty University in 1996. I formerly served as editor and forum moderator of Thyroid Health for a major multi-topic content site and as a general health writer for another, where I received Editor's Choice Awards for my articles on health subjects. In 2003 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism; "Hashimoto's thyroiditis" being the cause. This autoimmune form of thyroid disease that causes destruction of the thyroid gland resulted in my also developing "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", due to a compromised immune system with severe co-morbid "Adrenal Fatigue". I also suffered severe anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks early into the onset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hashitoxicosis). A common heart murmur I was diagnosed with in my teens called "Mitral Valve Prolapse", also worsened in severity of symptoms, with the development of these other health disorders. My eventual receiving of diagnoses was a difficult process with proper diagnostic testing not being ordered by the first doctors I sought treatment from. These types of issues were inspiration for me to become proactive in my own health care and to self-educate myself on these health disorders, which I have done extensively since 2003. I now enjoy sharing this information with other patients experiencing my same health disorders.