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Some people hear "thyroid" and think it's just code for "fat." Not true, and not fair! Thyroid problems can make it harder to lose weight, but it's not impossible. Here are some ways thyroid patients are winning the weight loss battle.
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(The interview was apparently to mark a new album featuring Anna and Kate McGarrigle just released.)
So I'd really like to say kudos and congratulations to writer Marni Jameson for covering such a crucial issue for the thyroid patient community, in an syndicated article that has been picked up by the Los Angeles Times, the Sun Sentinel, and other media outlets!
As Dr. Wartofsky accurately points out in the piece, the controversy over how to diagnose low thyroid / hypothyroidism is not seen as "very serious" by the medical community. But as we thyroid patients are well aware, it has been a hot topic for years, because OUR health and wellbeing are at stake!
As Ms. Jameson points out, the current "standards" for what is considered normal for the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test establish a cut-off of around 4.5 -- and if you are told your thyroid test results are "normal" it will usually be because the results of this particular test came back under that number.
However, many experts agree that levels about 2.5 - 3.0 are indicative of low thyroid or hypothyroidism / an underactive thyroid condition. Still, many people in the debated range are never told of the controversy, even though mild or borderline hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, infertility, fatigue, depression, hair loss, high cholesterol, and a host of other symptoms and health concerns.
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For more information about this controversy, read:
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